MEDIA ADVISORY - Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge Reopening Ceremony On May 7 -05/07/22
MEDIA ADVISORY
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge Reopening Ceremony on May 7
Washougal, Washington – A ceremony celebrating the completion of the largest habitat restoration project in the history of the lower Columbia River will occur on May 7, 2022, at the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has been closed to the public for the last two years for extensive habitat restoration activities to reduce flood risk, reconnect 965 acres of Columbia River floodplain, and increase recreation opportunities.
What: Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge reopening and restoration ceremony
Who: Hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. Speakers include:
- Juliette Fernandez, Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Hugh Morrison, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Elaine Placido, Executive Director, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
- David Ripp, CEO, Port of Camas-Washougal
- John Hairston, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration
- Kas Guillozet, Program Director, Bonneville Environmental Foundation
- Molly Coston, Councilor, City of Washougal
- Caitlan Wagner, 5th grade science teacher, Helen Baller Elementary School
When: Saturday, May 7, 2022, 10 a.m. – noon (program anticipated to begin at 10:30 a.m.)
Where: Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Essential transportation information: To accommodate a larger than usual crowd, the Refuge parking lot will be closed. A media shuttle service available. Please contact Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky to arrange a media shuttle. Details on the public shuttle and walking directions are here.
More information about the Steigerwald Reconnection Project can be found at https://www.refuge2020.info/steigerwald-reconnection-project
Funding sources for the Steigerwald Reconnection Project include the Bonneville Power Administration, Washington Department of Ecology, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation. For a full list of funders and project partners visit the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership website.
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