As the sun peeked over the horizon on a crisp March morning, excitement buzzed in the air at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center. This year marked a significant occasion for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS): their inaugural presence as a vendor at the renowned Spokane Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, the premier event in the region aimed at hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Run by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, the event originally was just a way for hunters to show off trophy antlers. From its inception over 60 years ago, the Big Horn Show focused on promoting wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation, and ethical hunting practices. The event, now celebrating its 63rd year, has since become a more family-oriented event with activities for everyone. Staples of the event include an indoor archery range, air rifle range, and an indoor fishing pond. Over 200 vendors attend the event, including hunting and fishing guides, representatives from local nonprofits, staff from government and military agencies, RV dealers, and more. This annual gathering attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts from across the region, eager to learn about wildlife conservation and sustainable practices while celebrating the area's deep-rooted appreciation for nature. The audience is diverse, ranging from avid hunters and anglers to families wishing to deepen their understanding of the great outdoors.

This year, staff from the Inland Northwest National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Turnbull NWR, Little Pend Oreille NWR, and Kootenai NWR, joined staff from the Friends of Turnbull NWR, Friends of Little Pend Oreille NWR, and Friends of Kootenai NWR to jointly host a truly Complex-wide booth aimed at creating an enriching experience for attendees eager to engage with quality wildlife-dependent recreation. Like other government agencies in attendance, this event was an opportunity for Refuge staff to connect with the public and explain not only what the agency does, but also why they do it. 

Featuring a touch table filled with various wildlife furs, the Refuge booth allowed visitors to interact physically with natural materials that illustrated the region's biodiversity. Additionally, a waterfowl identification activity was a hit, where guests tested their knowledge and learned about the magnificent duck species that inhabit local wetlands. People of all ages immersed themselves in these educational experiences, fostering a genuine dialogue around wildlife appreciation and conservation. A highlight of the partnership between Friends and the USFWS was the fundraising effort by all of the Friends groups, who raffled off three stunning prints to support environmental education. 

Connecting with local hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts allows the USFWS to forge invaluable opportunities for collaboration and demonstrate the importance of sustainable hunting and fishing practices. Many attendees expressed keen interest in volunteering for future conservation and restoration projects, showcasing a community eager to engage actively in wildlife stewardship.

Across all four days of the event, staff made over 14,000 visitor contacts, many of which were unfamiliar with the agency or had not yet visited one of the local National Wildlife Refuges. This provided opportunity for staff to promote the National Wildlife Refuge System and the many opportunities for outdoor recreation on America's public lands. As the event came to a close, there was a collective reflection on the relationships fostered and the awareness raised. The Spokane Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show was more than just an event; it served as a platform to galvanize support for conservation and educate the public about the agency's mission of "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people." 

Refuge staff emerged from the show invigorated and optimistic about future collaborative journeys. Their participation at the Big Horn Show showcased their role as a community asset, reaffirming that through direct engagement and education, they could foster a deeper connection to the wildlife that the community cherishes and protects.