White-crowned sparrows often make a later winter appearance in Harney County with sightings in January and February before others are bold enough to brave the unpredictable winter conditions. They will move on to Photo by Dan Streiffert | |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we head into 2025, I am endlessly inspired by this place and the people who love it. The committed Refuge Staff and Partners. The enthusiastic Volunteers. The generous Members and Donors. Doing this work is a positive feedback look that just doesn't quit!
When Friends hired me as Executive Director in October 2018, this organization had 552 Members, a handful of new and recurring volunteers, and a passionate Board of Directors. I took a look at the mission and the landscape for which it was crafted to steward and thought - let's do some good work, all of us together.
Now, 6 years later and we have celebrated TWO big birthdays (20 and 25 years), grown our Membership to 1300+, hired a second staff member (how great is Jill?), logged 2,669 volunteer hours with 66 volunteers in 2024, our Sustaining Stewardship Campaign has raised over $30,000, and we never stop talking about what to do next! I love this job!
It is true that in the time since Covid and then having my twins in 2022 folks have seen less and less of me on the ground at the Refuge. However, it does not mean that I am any less present, with Malheur on my mind, driving and motivating me from day to day. In the coming weeks, as my family and I make a big move to a new home back in Klamath Falls, I will continue to be just as committed to this place and the work we do here. Figuratively speaking, I'm not going anywhere!
In addition to all of our current work, in the coming months I will begin a deeper dive into what FOMR can contribute to the interpretive redesign of the George Benson Memorial Museum and spearhead the conversations around rehabilitation of Marshall Pond. Simultaneously, you will see more FOMR Volunteer vests at Refuge Headquarters as we take over management of the Refuge Visitor Center volunteer program.
There is much work to be done. We could not do it without your support, and I could not do what I do without bearing witness to the positive impact we are having - all of us, together.
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In Service to Malheur,
Janelle Wicks
Executive Director
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A Refuge Reflection & Thank You!
Written by Jess Wenick, MNWR Project Leader
Photo of a snowy Marshall Pond at Refuge Headquarters by Peter Pearsall
As you may already know, I have recently been honored with the position of Refuge Manager, also known as Project Leader, here at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. This role is an opportunity that I do not take on lightly but with enthusiasm and reverence for responsibility.
Over the past year, the Refuge has made significant strides in revitalizing our fire program by initiating the process of capturing a fresh vision that includes targeted habitat treatments aimed at enhancing wetland conditions for wildlife. We have collected valuable data addressing pressing issues, such as invasive plant species that threaten our meadows and emergent wetlands. This groundwork has been essential in gathering partner input on initial concepts to tackle these challenges effectively. Read More
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Conservation Pruning Continues on Malheur NWR
Written by Jon Brown & Karen Tillou of Prunus LLC
Over the past 4 years Jon and Karen from Prunus have been helping the refuge to manage aging trees near headquarters and other high traffic areas. The objective of the ongoing work is to balance public safety with conservation of habitat for passerines and other wildlife.
This year, Jon and Karen were able to bring four additional Portland area arborists–who share a commitment to an approach that supports the longevity and wildlife habitat value of the trees–to join in the effort. It was a great opportunity to introduce these individuals to the refuge for their first time. The crew worked at Refuge Headquarters and pruned eight trees over three days. Read More
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The Trumpeter's Swan Song of 2024
Written by Gary Ivey PhD,
Photo of the migratory tracks from trumpeter swans collared at Malheur NWR
Here’s a December 2024 update on the seven Trumpeter Swans marked on Malheur Refuge’s Benson Pond in February 2023 with GPS-GSM neck collars to track their migration. Of these seven, four are no longer active (@13, @16, @17, @19); three of those last transmitted data in April 2024, and one in July 2023. The remaining three are still transmitting data this month.
Neck collar code @10. After spending the summer on the same wetland she summered on in 2023, this female departed for southward migration on October 19. She traveled SSE through Alberta, reaching the Montana border on November 5th, through Glacier National Park. She spent one night on Flathead Lake, before continuing SW, passing west of the Selway Bitterroot range and continuing to Malheur Refuge. She covered approximately 480 miles in 9 hours (averaging 53 mph), before returning to the capture site, Benson Pond on November 6. She has used Benson Pond, Boca Lake and Diamond Swamp on Malheur Refuge this winter. Read More
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Malheur NWR 2024 CBC Recap
Written by Rick Vetter and Joan Suther, CBC Co-Compilers
Photo of Belted kingfisher by Rick Vetter
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024 [CBC 125]
Historic count start date: 1939 (53 species on that first count)
Total number of Christmas Bird Counts: 70
CBCs missed: 15, mostly in 1940s and 1950s, and in 1995 due to a government shut down and in 2008 and 2009 for unknown reasons.
This year, 14 field birders enjoyed near record breaking warm temperatures and mostly clear skies all day, with gorgeous views of the Steens mountains and Frenchglen cliffs to the west where golden eagles were already checking out nest sites for breeding season, just months away. One of our earliest nesters along with great horned owls.
We welcomed two new local birders, Sarahi Felix De los Reye from the U.S. Forest Service and Jack Hansen the wildlife biologist at Roaring Springs Ranch in addition to 3 new out of town observers from the far distant west side of the state. Read More
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Joining the Refuge CBC! A Volunteer Experience
Written by Sally Works with Photos by John Works
It all began in April of 2019 with our very first volunteer gig at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. That month was a true life-changer, and we have returned every spring since. Our most recent Refuge adventure would have been unfathomable back then. In December we had the opportunity to be part of the Refuge Christmas Bird Count (CBC). We were stationed for three nights at the historic P Ranch with Rick Vetter and Joan Suther, two of Harney County’s finest birders, and Henry Burton who developed his excellent birding skills and his love of the Refuge by coming with his family ever since he was a small child. John and I spent three days from early morning to late at night celebrating the three magnets that keep drawing us back to the Refuge: the birds, those ancient unchanging vistas, and the friends who have become our new community. Read More
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You may have noticed that the Species Spotlights in 2024 were all waterfowl. In the coming year we will feature birds of prey starting with... | |
Species Spotlight: Rough-legged Hawk
Written by Janelle Wicks/ Photos by Dan Streiffert
Rough-legged hawks (Buteo lagopus) are known as such because of their feathers which extend down the legs all the way to their toes, one of only three North American raptors with this trait. Like many hawks they can present with a light or dark morph but always have bold patterns with a fairly long tail compared to other buteos which is dark at the tip and pale at the base. While male and female share similar patterns the female will have a paler head and very dark belly patch which may be more mottled in males. Read More
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Volunteering with Friends | |
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The 2025 Stewardship Schedule
Sunday, April 13th - Giving Back to the Birds; A half day stewardship session with FOMR as a wrap up to the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival.
May 29-31 - Spring Spruce up and Migrate Through Malheur Event; In addition to taking care of various stewardship commitments across the Refuge FOMR will hold its annual public outreach event on Saturday 5/31.
August 8-10 - Sod House Ranch; Every year the historic Sod House Ranch site must be prepared for visitors in advance of its August 15th opening date. Other tasks will be taken on as time and energy allows.
September 19-21 - Stewardship tasks TBD
October 17-19 - Stewardship tasks TBD
If you have any questions or would like to sign up for a Stewardship Weekend, please email friends@malheurfriends.org
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Outreach & Events
Be sure to check out the incredible opportunities below and see our website's event calendar for more. Click the links below to learn more about these programs and sign-up!
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January 23rd: Culture and History of the Burns Paiute Tribe
Diane Teeman, Burns Paiute Tribe Director of Culture and Natural Resources
The Burns Paiute Tribe is primarily comprised of the descendants of the Wadatika Band of Northern Paiutes. The traditional homelands of the Burns Paiute include 5250 square miles of land in central-southeastern Oregon, Northern Nevada, northwestern California and western Idaho. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge exists today within this boundary. The Burns Paiute are the original stewards of this land and maintain that relationship to this day. This presentation will include much of the history and culture of the Burns Paiute Tribe, it's relationship with the land for which the Refuge exists within, and the future of cooperative management between the Burns Paiute and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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The Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning (CCP) process is designed to encourage participation from stakeholder groups and individuals. If you are passionate about Malheur NWR, as I know you are, please attend these public meetings which will be held virtually and in-person. Not only will you gain an intimate understanding of how the Refuge is approaching management, but you will have an opportunity to actively participate.
During this first meeting there will be a presentation on what a CCP is, and the approach being taken to develop this next management plan. Participants will be invited to share what they value in the Refuge so that an understanding of various stakeholder perspectives can be built as a foundational reference to support the process.
More information and a link to register will be coming soon!
Click HERE to read about the current CCP and the process taken to develop it.
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December's Most Popular
Every month there is excellent content on the Friends Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages. Here we will feature the most popular post of the month.
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December 24, 2024
Here’s a trio of chilly cedar waxwings to brighten your Friday!
Photo by Dan Streiffert
#cedarwaxwing
#malheurfriends
#malheurrefuge
#highdesert
Follow the Friends of Malheur on Facebook and Instagram at Malheurfriends!
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Amazon Wish List!
The needs of the Friends and Refuge's programs are changing all the time. This Amazon WishList will be updated seasonally with items supporting the Biology Dept, Volunteer Program, Stewardship Projects and general operational needs!
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Membership Minute
The sustaining support of our members is more important than ever.
If you are unsure of your Membership status you can email us at friends@malheurfriends.org today!
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We ended 2024 with a RECORD BREAKING 1300+ Members!!!
Current Membership Total: 1311
2024 New Members: 537
Thank you for being a Friend!
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Not a Member or need to RENEW?
Simply visit OUR WEBSITE!
Prefer to send a check? Easy.
Fill out THIS FORM and mail it with your dues to:
Friends of Malheur NWR
36391 Sodhouse Lane
Princeton, OR 97721
Photo (above) of coyote in snow and (right) female northern harrier by Lane Wintermute
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store
Physical store REOPENING MARCH 1, 2025
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NEW ONLINE STORE - LIVE NOW!
This has been a LONG time coming and we are excited to finally announce that you can now shop the ENTIRE inventory of our in-person store at Refuge Headquarters ONLINE!
All of the classic Malheur apparel and keepsakes, books, gifts, and more are now available through our new and improved online store.
We are excited that, among other things, you can now order a Blue Goose Passport and have it mailed directly to you. Want us to Stamp it from Malheur for you? Just let us know!
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON - REOPENING MARCH 1 2025
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