Spearheaded by dedicated community members and supported by refuge staff and the New Jersey Audubon Society, the Friends of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge has gone from idea to reality. A core group of 10 people got together to form the organization, which is being helped with support from other friends groups and the national friends organization. A temporary board will now secure 501c3 non-profit status, create a logo, begin a membership drive and work toward electing a permanent board.

Both Refuge Manager Ed Henry and Refuge biologist Kevin Holcomb will sit on the temporary board as non-voting members.

With other state-preserved areas near the refuge, the refuge's friends group will look into the possibility of creating and joining a larger circle of friends in order to leverage membership, grant writing capabilities and funds.