NATURE -- An important fundraiser is set for Saturday to boost the wildly popular youth outdoor education program at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

As I pointed out in my Sunday story, about 160 schools from around the region take advantage of the free science and environmental education programs offered at the headquarters of the 18,217-acre refuge south of Cheney.

The field trips and winter in-school programs are free to the schools – a big attraction to teachers with lean budgets.

About $10,000 in funding for the Turnbull environmental education interns who interact with the students is raised by the Friends of Turnbull, a nonprofit group with about 150 members.

The annual Wild Refuge Dinner and Auction is 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Wren Pierson Community Center, 615 4th St. in Cheney.

Tickets are available on-line for $35. Family tickets, including child care, cost $44 for parent and child.

Info: fotnwr.org.