Refuge Stewards events create meaningful opportunities for refugees, immigrants, volunteers, and community partners to come together in shared stewardship of land, learning, and connection. Our events are designed to be inclusive, hands on, and rooted in collaboration, offering participants a chance to actively engage in conservation while building relationships across cultures and communities.
From habitat restoration days and educational workshops to community celebrations and guided nature experiences, Refuge Stewards events reflect our mission to advance environmental stewardship through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Why Events Matter to Our Mission
Events are a central part of how Refuge Stewards turns values into action. Conservation work is most effective when it is participatory, community driven, and grounded in shared experience. Our events provide accessible entry points into environmental stewardship for individuals who may not otherwise have opportunities to engage with conservation organizations.
For refugees and immigrants, events offer a welcoming space to reconnect with land, share cultural knowledge, and develop new skills. For volunteers and partners, events provide opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives while contributing to meaningful, place based conservation efforts.
Types of Events We Host
Stewardship and Restoration Events
Hands on stewardship events are at the heart of our programming. These events focus on practical conservation activities that directly benefit local ecosystems while providing participants with valuable skills and experience.
Activities may include:
- Invasive species removal
- Native plant installation
- Trail maintenance and habitat care
- Seed collection and restoration preparation
Stewardship events are designed to be accessible to participants of varying physical abilities and experience levels. Training, tools, and guidance are provided on site, and activities are adapted to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all.
Volunteer and Community Workdays
Volunteer events bring together individuals from across the community to support conservation projects while building relationships and shared purpose. These events often involve collaboration with land trusts, parks, and partner organizations to care for protected lands and public spaces.
Community workdays emphasize teamwork, mutual learning, and respect for the land. Volunteers work side by side with refugee leaders and Refuge Stewards staff, reinforcing our belief that conservation is strongest when it is inclusive and collaborative.
Educational Workshops and Trainings
Education is a vital component of long term environmental stewardship. Refuge Stewards hosts workshops and trainings that focus on conservation practices, ecological knowledge, and leadership development.
Workshop topics may include:
- Introduction to habitat restoration
- Land stewardship best practices
- Environmental leadership and career pathways
- Culturally responsive conservation approaches
These events create opportunities for participants to deepen their understanding of conservation while gaining skills that can support future employment or volunteer leadership.
Cultural and Community Gatherings
Refuge Stewards recognizes that stewardship is not only about physical labor but also about cultural connection and belonging. Community gatherings celebrate the diverse backgrounds of participants and create space for storytelling, food, and shared reflection.
These events strengthen relationships, build trust, and honor the cultural knowledge that refugees and immigrants bring to conservation work. They also help foster a sense of belonging and ownership over shared natural spaces.
Who Can Participate
Refuge Stewards events are open to a wide range of participants, including:
- Refugees and immigrants interested in conservation
- Community members seeking volunteer opportunities
- Students exploring environmental careers
- Partner organizations and land managers
No prior experience is required for most events. We welcome participants of all backgrounds and strive to remove barriers to participation through inclusive design, clear communication, and supportive facilitation.
Accessibility and Inclusion at Events
Inclusion is intentionally built into every Refuge Stewards event. We recognize that barriers such as language, transportation, and unfamiliarity with conservation spaces can limit participation.
To address these challenges, we work to provide:
- Clear, multilingual event information when possible
- Transportation support or location accessibility guidance
- Flexible participation options
- Trauma informed facilitation practices
Our goal is to create events where all participants feel safe, respected, and valued for their contributions.
Partnership Based Events
Many Refuge Stewards events are made possible through partnerships with conservation organizations, land trusts, and community groups. These collaborations allow us to expand the reach and impact of our work while strengthening local stewardship networks.
Partner based events align shared conservation goals with our commitment to equity and refugee leadership, ensuring that stewardship opportunities are inclusive and community centered.
Learning Through Shared Experience
Events offer more than immediate conservation outcomes; they create opportunities for mutual learning and personal growth. Participants learn not only about ecological systems but also about one another’s stories, cultures, and perspectives.
This shared experience builds empathy, breaks down stereotypes, and reinforces the idea that caring for the land is a collective responsibility that transcends cultural and social boundaries.
Staying Informed About Upcoming Events
Refuge Stewards regularly hosts events throughout the year, with activities scheduled based on seasonal conservation needs and community interest. Upcoming events are shared through our website, newsletter, and partner networks.
We encourage individuals to stay connected, participate regularly, and invite others to join in building a more inclusive conservation community.
Join Us at an Upcoming Event
Whether you are new to conservation or have years of experience, Refuge Stewards events offer a welcoming space to contribute, learn, and connect. By participating, you support inclusive environmental stewardship while becoming part of a growing community committed to caring for land and people together.
We look forward to working alongside you at an upcoming Refuge Stewards event.