Community-based partnerships between Refuge Friends organizations and National Wildlife Refuge Systems have played an increasingly vital role in building visibility for Refuges nationwide.

Friends organizations provide many important and needed services to the Refuge System including community

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inclusion, education programs, habitat restoration, special event support, volunteer staff, and fundraising for refuge projects.

This single source cooperative agreement award in the amount of $100,00 0. 00 will be awarded to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to cover expenses associated with the National Wildlife Refuge System Friends Academy Training.

The Academy is a five day Friends leadership development course â¿¿ held annually in August â¿¿ designed for leader on the boards of Friends organizations seeking and needing a broader understanding of the National Wildlife Refuge System and enhancing skills to increase the effectiveness of Friends partnerships with FWS sites.

This award is issued under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1934 (16 U.S.C.

2901-2911); Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C.

742(a)-754); Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C.

460k-460k(4)); National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.

668dd); Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C.

1701-1706); Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C.

470aa-47011); The National Wildlife Refuge System Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-57); National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-327); Federal Aid for Highways, HR 4348 (23 U.S.C.

201-204 and 206, Public Law 112-141).