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The Friends of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge Association hosted a very successful regional Friends workshop for the Northeast Region of the US Fish & Wildlife Service from April 13 through 15th, 2007 in Philadelphia.  Over 70 people attended the conference, representing 20 Friends Groups and 20 National Wildlife Refuges from across the northeast region, Virginia to Maine.  The workshop included numerous programs and breakout sessions ranging from membership to advocacy to bookstore management. Northeast Regional Director Marvin Moriarty and Regional Chief of Refuges Tony Leger shared their insight and direction for the future of the national wildlife refuge system with the group, while networking opportunities abounded for many potential future partnerships. The workshop planning team included regional friends coordinator Julie Study, deputy refuge manager Gary Stolz (John Heinz NWR), Friends of Heinz Refuge (PA), Friends of Iroquois NWR (NY), Friends of Assabet River NWR (MA) and Friends of Great Swamp NWR (NJ).