06/18/2026
Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Steps Up for Our Visitor Center
As we all know, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is one of the crown jewels of California's Central Valley — a vital stopover for millions of migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway, and a place that experiences approximately 250,000 visits each year. Families, wildlife enthusiasts, hunters, photographers, and students come from across the region to experience one of the great natural spectacles in California. But like many federal public lands, the refuge is feeling the effects of significant budget cuts that have reduced staffing and strained operations.
One of the casualties of those cuts is visitor services. Currently, there are zero visitor services resources employed by the Refuge Complex. Visitor Services is a critical role that is fundamental to the day-to-day experience of every person who visits, whether they come to drive the auto tour, hike the trails, hunt, or step inside the visitor center.
That's where the Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge comes in.
The Friends of SNWR is funding an intern who will serve as a core member of the refuge's visitor services staff for the entire migratory season. We are partnering with the Refuge and American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nationally respected conservation corps, for this position. This is not a peripheral role. This person will be the face of the refuge for thousands of visitors — staffing the front desk, answering questions in person and by phone, orienting guests to the refuge complex, assisting school groups with field trips, supporting environmental education programs, helping visitors navigate the day pass system, and contributing to interpretive exhibits and outreach. They will also support refuge staff across a wide range of operational needs, from website updates and public safety alerts to volunteer events and special programs.
The impact will be immediate and tangible. Last migratory season, the visitor center was only able to open on Saturdays. With this position filled, we expect the visitor center to be open both Saturday and Sunday throughout the coming migratory season — doubling weekend access for visitors at the peak time of year. Our nature store, located inside the visitor center, will also be open both days. 100% of the net proceeds from the store go directly back to the refuge — so every purchase is another way to support the place you love. We are also hopeful that this added capacity will allow us to host special events at the visitor center, such as photography seminars, that have not been possible in recent seasons.
The Refuge Complex will also have an ACE intern dedicated to keeping the hunt program running smoothly. By funding the visitor services position separately, the Friends of SNWR ensure that intern can focus primarily on hunters and hunt operations — rather than being stretched across both roles.
This is exactly the kind of work the Friends of SNWR was created to do — standing alongside the Refuge Complex and staff when they need us most.
But we can only do this with your support. We are asking our members, followers, and everyone who values the Refuge Complex to consider donating to the Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Every contribution — large or small — goes directly toward funding this position and enhancing the refuge experience for all who visit.
Please donate today via this link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/3DNCBMYEUK5G8.
Other payment methods are accepted, please contact us. And if you can't give right now, sharing this post helps us reach more people who care about this special place.
Thank you for being a Friend of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.
