Meet Marcy! Our New Program Director/Festival Coordinator

By Mike Schantz, Finance Committee Chair 



“I’m so happy to be joining Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges and to be leading the planning for the Shorebird Festival! I’ve always felt a deep connection to Alaska’s wild places, and I’m excited to work with such a passionate group of people who care about our wildlife refuges. I’m really looking forward to meeting more of the community and continuing the great work that Friends has already been doing!”
 
Friends is pleased to welcome Marcy Melville as the Program Manager for Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges (Friends) and as the new coordinator of our signature event, the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival.  Marcy is a passionate advocate of all things outdoors and brings extensive nonprofit experience to the organization. Highlights of her long list of nonprofit work include establishing the Surfrider Foundation Kenai Peninsula chapter and coordinating an annual film festival for Teton Climbers’ Coalition.
 
Given Marcy’s focus on nonprofit fundraising and event planning and her keen interest in working with charities that have a public land nexus, the fit with Friends is perfect.  She has already supported our community and refuges in that she has coordinated local beach cleanups and has organized the Frozen Coast Film Festival coming to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center soon. Marcy grew up in San Diego, so her stewardship for all things beach comes naturally. The fact that she has exchanged the beaches of southern California for those of the peninsula is great for us.

Marcy will be our only employee in a part- time (20 hours/week) position for 9 months of the year (Sept. through May).  This will encompass our season of meetings, newsletters and Festival planning but it isn’t much time to support our work with 16 wildlife refuges.  It is just all the staff time we can afford now.
 
Please join us in warmly welcoming Marcy as she works with Friends and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge to continue the sustained excellence of the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Remember to save the dates of May 7-11th, 2025 for the 33rd edition of the shorebird festival!