Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge Honored Nationally

The Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, a dynamic and dedicated Refuge Friends organization, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year. This honor recognizes their outstanding contributions to community engagement and conservation at Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (fws.gov/refuge/hackmatack), which spans Illinois and Wisconsin.

“The Friends of Hackmatack have truly embodied the spirit of community conservation, transforming vision into reality through tireless volunteer efforts and strong local partnerships,” says Geoffrey L. Haskett, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Their grassroots efforts and advocacy led to the creation of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, providing a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and a place for community members to connect with nature.

Notable achievements of this group include hosting popular events like World Migratory Bird Day and Monarch Family Fun Fair, securing significant grants for restoration projects, collaborating through partnerships and advocacy, and leading educational and outreach programs. Their leadership efforts have greatly supported habitat restoration and fostered strong community relationships.

Friends of Hackmatack will be recognized for their achievements on September 18 at the 2024 Wildlife Refuge Awards in Washington, D.C. They will be honored alongside other heroes of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

For more information, visit RefugeAssociation.org/awards. For more information about Refuge Friends groups, visit RefugeAssociation.org/friends. For more information about the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, visit https://hackmatacknwr.org/.