About Us

Friends of aransas and matagorda island (fami)

The Friends of Aransas and Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuges (FAMI) was founded in October of 1997. We are people who care about the Refuges and want to help the US Fish and Wildlife Service with their mission of protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. With 501 (c) (3) Not for Profit status we have grown to approximately 100 members.


our bookstore

Since 2000, the Friends have managed the bookstore at the Refuge Visitor Center. One hundred percent (100%) of the profits are returned to the Refuge. We provide funding for a variety of programs on the Refuge like:


  • Youth Hunts on Matagorda Island
  • Annual Fishing Clinics with about 400 children each year
  • Migration Day events held each year for another 400 children
  • The Christmas Bird count held each December
  • Prizes for the Annual Children’s Poster Contest
BookstoreBookstore

grants

In addition to the program funding provided by the FAMI operated bookstore, we also apply for grants from Federal and private agencies. In the last five years, we’ve applied for an average of $45,000 in grants each year. We either provide matching funds or in-kind labor matches. Grant monies have gone to restoration of wind mills on the Refuge, water hyacinth control, prairie restoration and even the development of this website.


Donors

Several private Corporations have been generous to us over the past ten years. Monies received from these corporations has been used to; finance a revised Refuge information video, purchase of a RTV for use by the Turtle Patrol, contracting of a feasibility study for alternative energy sources at the Refuge and picnic tables for the picnic area at the Refuge. Donations received from private citizens have been used to purchase benches for various sites on the Refuge.


volunteers

Our members volunteer their time for work projects on the Refuge. We groom trails, build kiosks, and refurbish buildings. Several of our members participate as volunteers in the Matagorda Island Turtle patrol, weekly bird census surveys and Refuge van tours.