Financial Report

Once again, as with the previous fiscal year, the FY 20-21 fiscal year threw the Friends a curve that impacted our financials.  However, this time the impact was on revenue as well as expense.  The cause of course was COVID, the impact of which started in late February and was felt in our fourth quarter which ended in May.

The biggest source of funding each year for the Friends is revenue generated from sales in the Nature Store which, since it’s located in the Visitor Center, was closed.  However, thanks to the efforts of the Nature Store manager, retail sales moved online with the Friends Online Store. While online revenue did not achieve the same level as Nature Store in-person purchases, it did begin making a positive contribution to revenue which will continue to make a contribution.  Expenses dropped with the closure of the refuge and the absence of refuge visitors.  Fortunately, because of our financial reserves, we were able to continue to provide funding for critical on-going wildlife conservation projects.