The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge was formally established in 1992 when a local citizen donated a twelve-acre parcel of land. One year later, the non-profit Friends of the Refuge (FOR) was formed to support the development of the Refuge.

The Friends played a significant role in the development of the Refuge prior to its opening to the public.

FOR's accomplishments working on behalf of the Refuge for the past 15 years include:

• Successfully advocating for two million dollars for land acquisition


• Planting over 10,000 trees, shrubs, and wetland plants in partnership with Friends of Trees, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Tualatin Riverkeepers
  
• Conducting monthly clean up projects on the Refuge in preparation for restoring hundreds of acres of floodplain converted to farm fields
  
• Coordinating an annual Songbird Festival which continues to grow, drawing several hundred visitors each year
  
• Assisting local school students in development of a children's guide to the Refuge and supporting the development of a school-based Refuge Club in Sherwood
  
• Conducting countless tours of the Refuge for groups to facilitate public access and awareness while the Refuge is still closed to the public
  
• Successfully advocating for funds with other partners to obtain funding for a safe public access.

Founding Members of FOR

Geoffrey E. Beasley and James H. Sampson, Sherwood Citizens
Lavern M. and Kathy Cary, Sherwood Citizens
Walter Hitchcock, Sherwood Mayor
Rick A. Hohnbaum, Sherwood Mayor
Spencer M. Krueger and Mary C. Lefevre, Sherwood Citizens
Clyde List, Sherwood Mayor
John McGinity, Sherwood Intermediate School Science Teacher
Norma J. Oyler, Sherwood Mayor
Pride Disposal Company, Incorporated
James H. Rapp, Sherwood City Manager
City of Sherwood, an Oregon Municipality
Sherwood Chamber of Commerce, an Oregon Nonprofit Corporation
Marjorie J. Stewart, Sherwood Mayor