The NWRA Board represents various interests and comes from all across the U.S. They were given a tour of Kenai Refuge headquarters in Soldotna, the Russian River area, Skilak Loop Special Management Area, and treated to a salmon barbecue prepared by Refuge staff. The National Wildlife Refuge Association, established in 1975, is the only organization whose sole mission is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and expanding the National Wildlife Refuge System. Efforts by the Association have been instrumental in many ways to help the System, including working with partners to establish a network of 220 refuge Friends groups made up of approximately 45,000 refuge volunteers across the Country.