10/19/2026
In early October, Mayor Matt Cole joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray on a visit to the Community and Nature Center at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, celebrating a milestone years in the making.
For the past decade, the City of Ridgefield has advocated for federal funding to design and build an enhanced visitor center at the Refuge headquarters. The project has been a top priority in the City Council’s discussions with federal legislators, with support from partners including Senator Murray, Refuge staff and the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. With the opening of the Community and Nature Center this year, that shared vision has become a reality.
The Refuge is an important part of Ridgefield’s identity and a valued resource for our community. In addition to supporting local wildlife, it provides opportunities for education, recreation, wildlife viewing, photography and hunting. As a tourist destination, it attracts visitors from across the country who travel through the city to visit the Refuge, support our local economy and discover what makes Ridgefield special.
The Community and Nature Center builds on that legacy by creating more ways for people to connect both with the Refuge and one another. Improved accessibility, parking, and indoor classrooms provide a welcoming, year-round place to explore the connections between nature, culture and community.
Ridgefield’s unique natural resources are part of what makes this community special. The Community and Nature Center creates more opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with nature through education, recreation and shared experiences, securing the Refuge’s place in Ridgefield’s community, culture and future.
