In two weeks, I will have dozens more friends. I will be inspired and feel energized. I will have a clearer picture of my role, and that of others, in shaping the next 10 years of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Who am I?

I am one of 1,000-plus people who will participate in the Conserving the Future vision conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

Joanna Webb, second from right, at her recent promotion celebration with Pelican Island Preservation Society board members Jim Peterson, Steve Massey, and Kristen Beck. (Photo: Courtesy Joanna Webb)

As the new National Friends and Partnership Coordinator for the Refuge System headquarters, I will naturally be focused on the role of Friends partnerships and their needs in the vision. While we’re all there to work on the vision and its implementation as it relates to our role, we can’t forget that this is a rare opportunity to re-establish old connections and make new ones to help advance the vision.

If you are going to Madison, make the most of this historic moment by being prepared. Read the draft vision before the conference. You’ll need it to engage in the conversations. Preview the online agenda and begin to map out what your week will look like. Bring pins (or something else) to trade to facilitate meeting new people. Think about your role in the Refuge System. Think about what you’ll need to fulfill that role. Participate in the facilitated discussions on all three days to discuss the vision and its implementation. Participate in the lecture series and workshops to learn about the important issues we face and what we’ll need to address 21st century issues.

Even if you are not physically at the conference, you can be substantially engaged virtually — maybe for the first time in Service history. Get involved by watching the live coverage of the general sessions and the lecture series.

Participate with passion and know you’ll leave inspired with new colleague and friend connections to help take the Refuge System into the next decade of wildlife conservation.

For those with a special interest in refuge Friends organizations, don’t miss the following sessions:

Tuesday:
• Facilitated Discussion, Friends/Volunteers (Recommendations 11, 12); 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:00 pm
• Friends, Advancing the Vision; 3:30 pm-5:00 pm – Your chance to speak with Greg Siekaniec, chief of the Refuge System, and Evan Hirsche, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association
• Friends and Partners Reception; 5:00 pm-7:00 pm

Wednesday:
• Facilitated Discussion, Friends (Recommendation 11); 10:30 am
• Facilitated Discussion, Friends (Recommendation 11); 2:15 pm
• Increasing Refuge Support via Friends Groups; 2:45 pm

Thursday:

• Friends Groundswell – Reaching Capacity; 10:30 am
• Why You Should be a Friend of the Refuge System Transportation Program; 1:00 pm

 

<em>Joanna Webb, National Friends and Partnership Coordinator for the National Wildlife Refuge System