The Friends of Aransas and Matagorda Island (FAMI) were organized in 1997 with a handful of local citizens who cared about the Refuge and wanted to make a difference. Since then, membership has grown and the group has become an important partner for the Refuge.

In 2000, FAMI assumed operation of the Visitor Center nature store. FAMI members provided the full range of retail management functions on a volunteer basis, with day-to-day operations provided by Refuge staff and volunteers.

With store profits, FAMI is able to support and fund Refuge projects such as water/windmill restoration at ten sites, prairie restoration at the Whitmire Unit, Brundrett Lake culvert repair marsh enhancement at Matagorda Island, Big Devil Bayou culvert repair, Shell Reef Culvert project, water hyacinth control at the Whitmire Unit, Port O’Connor boat barn construction, scholarships, grants projects, Manager’s fund, youth hunts, Refuge Celebration, Fishing Clinic, and the Migration event. Other activities include staffing the Visitor Center front desk, van tours, conducting both on and off-Refuge visitor presentations, school programs, guided walking tours, Christmas Bird Count sponsorship, and support of off-site Refuge festival booths at the Whooping Crane Festival in Pt. Aransas, Hummer/Bird Celebration in Rockport and a State Science Teachers Convention held in Corpus Christi in 2004.