Children Can Earn Badges at Ash Meadows Refuge Ranger Day Feb. 21

Children can earn a Junior Refuge Ranger badge at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service holds Junior Refuge Ranger Day on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 8757 E. Spring Meadows Rd, Amargosa Valley, NV 89020. The event will be staged by Ash Meadows staff and volunteers from the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex and is family friendly for all ages.

The program follows a station-style format. “Junior Refuge Ranger Day is a chance for participants to earn their Junior Refuge Ranger badge. This is a station-style event on Saturday, Feb. 21 beginning at 10 a.m., where families make stops at different stations, learn and play games, and collect stamps for their event passport. Once they’ve collected enough stamps, participants can attend an official swearing-in ceremony to become a Junior Refuge Ranger,” Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Service Specialist Emma Humphreys wrote in an email.

Station activities listed by the refuge include interactive games, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt covering the flora, fauna and history of the refuge, learning stations and a walk along the Crystal Boardwalk to view spring-fed habitats. The official Blue Goose mascot Puddles will be on site for photo opportunities, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes participants have used nets to examine small fish and other hands-on tools in past events.

Children who earn the badge will recite the official Junior Refuge Ranger pledge before receiving it. The pledge reads: "As a Junior Refuge Ranger, I promise to do all that I can to respect, protect, and enjoy our wildlife refuges. I will do my best to keep the refuges clean and safe for the plants and animals that call them home. I will visit another park or refuge near where I live and will share what I learn with others." The Junior Refuge Ranger Program is intended to raise awareness about national wildlife refuges, the USFWS mission, and the importance of preserving wildlife habitat.

Organizer Jennifer Heroux, Visitor Services Manager for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, framed the event as a community outreach opportunity. “Junior Refuge Ranger Day is an important opportunity for the refuge to welcome the local community,” said Jennifer Heroux. “It’s great to see families taking advantage of outdoor experiences like this one. Maybe some of the children will choose to pursue a career with the Service.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that more than 80 people spent a recent Saturday at Ash Meadows for Junior Refuge Ranger Day, and Service staff and volunteers conducted that event.

Practical details for attendees include the refuge Visitor Center phone at (775) 372-5435 and contact emails emma_humphreys@fws.gov and jennifer_heroux@fws.gov. For accommodation requests such as sign language interpreting or closed captioning, organizers asked participants to contact Jennifer Heroux at (702) 515-5453, TTY (800) 877-8339, before February 7, 2026. Local author Gisa will be signing copies of the children’s book Fish in the Desert at the event, and attendees were advised to bring water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes for outings around the springs and boardwalk.

The refuge’s Facebook announcement recorded community interest with 41 reactions, 4 comments and 5 shares; commenters included Linda Paulson Shapiro saying, "Need to do this at Moapa Valley Wildlife Refuge!!" and Victoria Wallick writing, "Have fun. We’ll be there but not til April." For more information, the Facebook post directs visitors to call the Ash Meadows Visitor Center or email Emma Humphreys.