Over 25 media contacts with press releases were issued and 70 special invitations were sent out to various volunteers, neighbors, and friends. The two day workshop attracted over 27 enthusiastic guests Friday evening. The first session provided an overview of what exactly Friends groups are and how essential they are to National Wildlife Refuges across the country. The second session on Saturday morning got down to the nitty gritty covering topics such as developing by-laws and applying for a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

The new Friends Group held their first official meeting on Tuesday, May 17th to select board members and write their by-laws. An attorney from Coeur d?Alene has offered to assist the Group (free of charge) with filing for their non-profit designation under Idaho state law. The Friends of Kootenai NWR will be the first Friends Group to be established in the state of Idaho. Idaho is also one of the last two states in the country to establish a Friends Group. Kootenai NWR is located in the northernmost county in Idaho and is bordered by the states of Montana, Washington, and British Columbia.