Supporting the Big Muddy National
Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Janine staffing a Friends of Big Muddy booth at the
Hartsburg Missouri River Relief.
Telling other people about the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is a big part of Friends of Big Muddy’s mission. Throughout the year we have booths at a variety of festivals and events along the Missouri River. Sometimes we are right beside a separate booth for the refuge and just tell people about Friends activities. Other times we are there to tell people both about the refuge and about our activities as well.
It is a fun experience to be out meeting people and telling them about public land that is available for them to use. We often find that while someone may have hear of the refuge, they are unsure of where it is or what is allowed on the units. While an occasional person may object to the refuge or the government buying private lands, we find 95% of the people are excited about the idea of the refuge and interested in knowing more. Frequently people want to get on our list to hear about future activities as we plan them.
Making buttons for children at Fayette’s Day with Wildlife.
We have booths at many of the festivals in towns along the river. We also go to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Day with Wildlife programs frequently, as well as other types of events along the river. If you are at an event and see our booth, be sure to stop by and say “Hi!”
That’s what we do, but we need help! With the many festivals and events that occur throughout the summer and fall, there are weekends we could be two or three places at once if we had the people to staff the booth. It’s pretty easy work, really--you sit in the shade of the canopy and answer questions about the refuge and the Friends. You will be paired with someone who is experienced and knows the answers, so you have a chance to learn about the refuge yourself. And, we always seem to get a booth near the funnel cakes, making the day even more fun! If you would like to help, check out our upcoming activities page for events we will be at, then contact us to make arrangements to help for an hour or two!
An information booth at Overton Bottoms the opening
of
deer season. We give out free coffee and cookies and
provide refuge information for hunters.