Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges

Main Navigation

Friends needed....


Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife observers, hikers, birders, wildlife photographers, hunters, fishermen, kayakers, and environmental educators... 

The Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges are a diverse group of outdoor enthusiasts seeking like-minded individuals to join us in our efforts. Our goals include fund-raising for Refuge projects, and volunteerism to support Refuge projects and events. Your membership dues will help support projects on our refuges, and you can volunteer your labor and talents to give back to your community and help make this endeavor successful.  If you would like to join our Friends group, or would like more information regarding our organization, please attend one of our general meetings, one of our events, or send us an email using the contact form located here:   Contact Us

Click Here to Become a Member!

You can now join us, renew your membership, or donate to our cause online using Paypal and your credit card (Paypal account not required). Click HERE

Spring Birding at the Refuges!

For a great article about spring birding at the Refuges, go HERE!
The 2013 North American Migration Count is Done!

For more information about this great nationwide birding event go HERE!
*Event Report*
2nd Annual
 Friends & Family Fun Day

The second annual Friends & Family Fun Day was held Saturday, April 13 at the Bill Williams River NWR Headquarters. The event is sponsored by Staff of the Lake Havasu NWR Complex; assisting were volunteers from our Friends group.

Approximately 300 visitors enjoyed a variety of events including a nature hike, archery, a chance to plant a native plant at the refuge, and a Fishing Clinic by Arizona Game and Fish.

Hot Dogs and snacks were provided by the Friends, and approximately $100.00 was donated to our group.

Be sure to attend next year, we promise it will be bigger and better!
*Results*
Arizona Gives Day
March 20, 2013

On March 20, 2013, over 800 Arizona non-profits, including our Friends group, participated in Arizona Gives Day.

Our Friends group received a total of $60,00 in donations, all from our own members. Many thanks to those who participated.

We plan to participate next year, and hope to top that amount!

Special Event Summary
February 23, 2013

The Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges held a Special Event at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters on Saturday, February 23, 2013.

The event began with a nature hike/birdwalk in the Bill Williams River delta area. The hike was led by Refuge Volunteer Jan Richmond and Refuge Ecologist Kathleen Blair, PHD. Participants hiked the uplands through a slot canyon to the Bill Williams River, where hikers waded the river, enjoying the sights and sounds of this riparian habitat. 

After the hike, a presentation was given by Sharon Baur of the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges. The event concluded with a short General Meeting.


*Event Report*
February 20, 2013
Tree Planting Work Party

A work party consisting of Friends, Refuge Volunteers, and Refuge staff planted 34 cottonwood trees along the new canal near the Bermuda Pasture Observation tower in Havasu National Wildlife Refuge on February 20, 2013.

It rained most of the day, but the little trees were certainly enjoying the moisture. Cottonwood trees are native to the area, and mature cottonwoods are magnets for all types of wildlife.

The 2012-2013 Christmas Bird Counts have been completed!

The 2012-2013 Christmas Bird Counts for the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges have been completed. The weather was superb, and a good time was had by all.

The official results of the CBC bird counts will be posted when they become available.

An article about the results of the Havasu CBC can be found by going HERE

2012 Archery Instructor Course Completed

The scheduled Archery Instructor's Course was completed and 6 additional archery instructors were certified as instructors. Our Friends group will be assisting Refuge Staff with two youth archery events to be held in January and March of 2013. The archery instructor's will assist with the event.  For more information see the story located HERE

The Beal Lake and Bermuda Pasture Wildlife Observation Tower Maintenance Project is Complete!

The final touches were put on the Beal Lake Tower, and the Bermuda Pasture Tower was completed in one day! Many thanks go out to the Refuge Staff, volunteers, and Friends members who assisted with the work.
Duck Stamps

You can help support wildlife and our National Wildlife Refuge system by purchasing a Duck Stamp. Find out more and read the new article by Kathleen Blair, Ph.d. by going HERE
Our logo is a montage featuring the Bill Williams River landscape in the foreground, a Northern Pintail flying over Topock Marsh in the center, and the Needles Mountains area of Havasu NWR  in the background.
Friends logo sepia
Archery Days 2013
Event Report

The second annual Youth Archery event was held on March 7 and 8, 2013. The event, which was expanded from one day to two days this year, was a great success. Approximately 300 elementary school children from 7 area schools enjoyed a day featuring several archery target ranges, a wildlife observation and education station, and exhibits and activities offered by BLM Fire Service, Arizona Game and Fish, Mohave County search and rescue. A smaller event was held on January 25, 2013 for the Topock Elementary School; read an article about the event and view a photo gallery by going HERE
Public Lands Day Event


The National Public Lands Day event held at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge on September 29, 2012 was a great success. This event featured the inauguration of a new kayak water trail, while picking up trash in the refuge along the way.

A new non-motorized launch ramp was opened to celebrate the event. Mesquite Bay Central is located between Mesquite Bay South and Mesquite Bay North.

A dumpster load of trash was picked up, and our Friends group met the kayakers with cold refreshments and hot dogs at the end of the paddle.

Approximately 60 paddlers participated in the event. Jerkwater Canoe Company and Wacko, two local watercraft rental firms, provided canoes and kayaks for the event at no charge to participants.

Look for a bigger, better event next year!
Friends pintail logo
The Trees Remember a River

Read the new article "The Trees Remember a River" by our Friend, Kathleen Blair, Ph.d. by going HERE


WE ARE NOW AN OFFICIAL 501(C) (3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION!!!!!!!

The Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges are elated to report that we have received approval from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(C) (3) public charity; the effective date of our exemption is April 6, 2012!!!!!   
AZFO Meeting a Success!

Our Friends group had a table set up at the meeting of the Arizona Field Ornithologist's Annual Meeting which was held in Lake Havasu City, AZ on October 26-28, 2012. The table featured photographs of wildlife taken at the refuge, brochures, and other items of interest. We interacted with some of the most prominent Birders in Arizona and got the word out about our Group!
Thank You!!

A big thank you to Desert River Kayak, our Friends group's first Business Sponsor! Thank you Helen! To find out more information about Desert River Kayak, you can find their contact information and a link to their website HERE
Tree Transplanting Event a Success!

On Monday, October 1, 2012 a tree transplanting event occurred at Pintail Slough in Havasu NWR. Volunteers planted 91 honey mesquite trees, and 31 cottonwood saplings were removed from areas slated to be flooded and placed in pots to be planted later in suitable locations. Good Job!
The Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges is an approved 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. All photos and graphics on these pages are copyrighted by the artist and photographer. 
Photo Header donated by John West, All Rights Reserved. Logo for the Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges was donated by Tom and Jacky Daugherty, copyright Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges. Photos and Graphics may not be used in any media without written permission from the copyright owner.

This site is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox. 



Contact Webmaster
Friends logo black and white
Bulletin Board
*New*
General Meeting
Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Golden Shores Fire Station

Our next monthly Friends General Meeting will be held at the Golden Shores Fire Station, 12950 Oatman Highway, Route 66, in Golden Shores. Old and new business, upcoming projects, and other items will be discussed.

Everyone is welcome! Please join us.

Summary of
Friends General Meeting
Saturday, April 13, 2013
at 1:00 PM
A General Meeting for the Friends of the Bill Williams River and Havasu NWR was held at the Education Building at Bill Williams River NWR Headquarters on April 13, 2013 at 1 PM.

Among the General business that was discussed:

  • It was determined that a General Meeting would not be held in the month of May. A Director's Retreat was scheduled for Board members the latter part of May. A summary of the Director's Retreat business will be presented at the June Friend's meeting.

  • The Friends and Family Fun Day was discussed, including ways to improve the event for next year.

  • Also discussed was a  grant application made by our group for the funds to obtain computer equipment and a projector to allow us to offer Environmental Education programs to community groups.
Event Report
Annual Meeting, Elections, and Potluck Supper

Our Friends Group's Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Golden Shores Fire Station.

The meeting began with a potluck dinner; one thing is certain, our Friends group has some major culinary talent on our roster. A variety of entrees and desserts covered the tables.

A business meeting followed during which our first slate of Officers was elected. The first Board of Directors for our Friends group consists of:

DeeDee DeLorenzo, President
Tom Daugherty, Vice President
Marge Penton, Secretary
Jennifer Rose, Treasurer
John Williams, Director at Large

In addition to the election, we were pleased to have Dick Gilbert, Manager of the Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Complex in attendance. Dick gave a short speech, during which he had a hard time containing his excitement over the prospect of having a Friends group for these Refuges.

Other business, upcoming and proposed projects, and future meeting plans rounded out the discussions. We were pleased to hear that, from an initial core group of six, we have grown to over 30 members!

We also discussed an event at the Bill Williams River NWR Headquarters office to be held on February 23, 2013; the event is in the preliminary planning stages. The event is planned to include a nature/bird hike, general meeting, and a presentation by an official from a Friends group in Alaska. Keep checking the web site and our Friends group Facebook page for the latest information; a full article will be posted when more details are finalized.

Event Report
2013 Youth Waterfowl Hunt


Our Friends Group provided volunteers and hunting mentors to assist the Arizona Department of Game and Fish and Refuge Staff with a three day youth waterfowl hunt held at Pintail Slough on January 4-6, 2013. Hunters aged 12-17 were be treated to a full schedule of activities, including a Gun Safety class, and duck hunting in Pintail Slough. Ducks Unlimited also assisted with the event. For more information go to our Outdoor Activities > Hunting page located  HERE
Please consult our Calendar page for more information about our events. We are looking for both volunteers and participants in these events.
Friends logo green
Content copyright . BILLWILLIAMSRIVER-HAVASUFRIENDS.ORG. All rights reserved.