Friends Mission:

The mission of the Friends of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is to help protect the natural treasures of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge by promoting informed public awareness of the refuge and its importance to all of us and future generations, raising funds and providing willing hands for various needed projects, and being a friend to the refuge in a variety of ways.

Information:

The Friends of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit organization established and incorporated in 2008. The purpose of the Friends is to protect, help and promote the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge by providing volunteers and funds to support projects, programs and activities of the Refuge.

The Friends raise much-needed funds through memberships, donations, grants and income from future sales of souvenir and educational items.

Projects:

·        Plant and maintain Atlantic White Cedar in the wildfire area

·        Maintain the Millennium Atlantic White Cedar Forest

·        Post signs, construct and place wood duck boxes and do other maintenance jobs on the refuge

·        Help conduct environmental and wildlife educational programs

·        Perform refuge administrative tasks such as answering the phone, greeting, filing

·        Help staff the Visitor Center at Refuge Headquarters in Columbia

·        Create and update exhibits at Refuge Headquarters

Future Projects:

·        Construct a concealed Observation Platform for optimum waterfowl viewing on Pungo Lake

·        Establish a Friends Information Center in the vicinity of the Pungo Unit

·        Convert the Fire Tower for visitor use

·        Construct a Kayak/Canoe Access Ramp at Refuge Headquarters

Winter Refuge Wildlife Tours

Tours will be conducted after the migratory waterfowl have returned to the Refuge (sometime in December to early February).

How to Help:

Join, Volunteer, Donate

Join the Friends and become an active member by helping to raise funds and providing services for various refuge projects.