Run for the Refuge: A Story of Community, Conservation, and Hope

On the morning of November 1, 2025, something extraordinary will happen at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Families will gather. Runners will lace up. Children will stretch besides their parents. And together, we’ll take steps—literal and symbolic—toward protecting one of the most biodiverse regions in the country.

This is the Run for the Refuge 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. But it’s more than just a race.

It’s a rallying cry for conservation.
It’s a celebration of community.
It’s a chance to give back to the wild spaces that give us so much.

We are Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving the natural treasures of the Rio Grande Valley. In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we work to protect the Santa Ana and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges—home to ocelots, green jays, and countless other species that depend on these lands to survive.

Your support makes this possible.

When you become a sponsor or donor, you’re not just funding an event. You’re investing in:

🌿 Environmental education for youth and families
🐾 Habitat restoration and wildlife protection
🧡 Community engagement that inspires lifelong stewardship

The Run for the Refuge brings people of all ages together to move, learn, and connect—with nature and with each other. It’s a moment where health, hope, and habitat meet.

We invite you to be part of this story.

Whether you’re a local business, a nature enthusiast, or someone who believes in the power of community, your contribution will leave a lasting impact. Together, we can protect the wild for future generations—and have a whole lot of fun doing it.

👉 Become a sponsor.
💚 Make a donation.
🏃‍♂️ Join the movement.

Let’s run wild. Let’s give back.

Run for the Refuge 5K Run and Walk Sponsorship

Sponsor the Run for the Refuge and help protect the wild heart of the Valley. Your support fuels conservation, youth education, and a community united by nature.