“Wild Night For Wildlife Summer Appeal” To Support East End-Based Wildlife Refuge

While the Quogue Wildlife Refuge (QWR) won’t be able to welcome the hundreds of Wild Night for Wildlife revelers it normally does at the beloved summer benefit, QWR does still have something special planned as part of the Wild Night for Wildlife Summer Appeal on Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m.

“This year, our Gala celebration will not be held, as your health and safety is of the utmost importance,” Michael J. Nelson, Executive Director, noted. “In lieu of celebrating in person, we are asking you to continue to support the Mission and work of Quogue Wildlife Refuge by making a donation and purchasing a ‘Virtual Ticket’, if you are able.”

The Wild Night for Wildlife Summer Appeal will feature the debut of a special video, viewable on the Refuge’s YouTube and Facebook pages, and emailed to supporters. The presentation will highlight the picturesque 300 acre non-profit nature preserve, the extraordinary animals that call the majestic Refuge home, the Refuge team, and more.

“The Wild Night for Wildlife Gala has been our biggest fundraiser each year, providing over one third of our operating budget. Please consider a contribution to ensure that the Refuge is able to continue to provide quality care for our animals, and priceless experiences in nature for the community,” Nelson added. “Our Mission and work continue, and we are so glad to have you as a part of it. We will miss celebrating with you, and wish you an enjoyable and healthy summer.”

Edwina von Gal is being honored with the 2020 Conservator Award Recipient, while Summer Appeal Honorary Chairs include Sandy and Anthony Bonner, Jim Cramer and Lisa Detwiler, and Bill Ritter and Kathleen Friery. Cramer and Ritter, two longtime Refuge supporters, even offered a message and YouTube video of encouragement. “We, like you, are so going to miss the annual QWR gala – surrounded by the incredible animals and the amazing supporters of this magical place,” Cramer and Ritter noted in an email. “We are still trying to raise money for the Refuge in these most difficult times.”

Cramer and Ritter continued, “Maybe you’ve seen the video we produced. If not – please click here. And you can still participate in celebrating and supporting the Refuge! Our gala, virtually, is on July 11.”

Quogue Wildlife Refuge is open 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset. The breathtaking site boasts seven miles of trails where visitors will come across a plethora of varied habitats, including forests and ponds, as well as the ecologically rare Dwarf Pines in the Pine Barrens. The Outdoor Wildlife Complex is home to permanently injured wildlife that require human assistance to survive, including a bald eagle, owls, falcons, foxes and other native New York animals.

“We have both donated, and hope you can do the same. In these difficult times, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is more important than ever … and it needs our support,” the duo concluded.

This summer, the Refuge is offering a limited number of Social Distance Programming, including Earth Yoga Outside led by yoga instructor Amy Hess (Wednesdays) and a Guided Sunset Nature Hike to North Pond (August 11), as well as virtual lectures that include Marvelous Moths! Celebrate National Moth Week (July 21) and Bats! (August 6). Quogue Wildlife Refuge educators are also available for virtual nature programs.

For more information about the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, visit quoguewildliferefuge.org.