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Sagebrush buttercups are among the first blooms found throughout our high desert ecoregion. They are small, hardy, and bright - often showing up before the harshness of the winter has dissipated. They are making the most of the snowmelt that saturates the ground as it melts away. In the face of harshness - be a buttercup.
Photo by Peter Pearsall
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Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis - truly the embodiment of refuge which is defined as a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty.
As the snow melts away and the birds begin their spring migration to and through Malheur NWR so will visitors; all seeking refuge. The Refuge System, which consists of 573 Refuges, 38 Wetland Management Areas, and 5 Marine Monuments, spans 850 million acres of land and water. This month, on March 14th, the National Wildlife Refuge System turns 122 years old. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge celebrated its 116th birthday this past August.
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In the midst of a time to celebrate them, Malheur NWR and the hundreds of other units in this amazing system are being swept up in a massive government-wide campaign to drastically shrink the federal budget and workforce. Malheur is not overstaffed or overfunded. Indeed, the opposite is true. We know also that the federal staff at Malheur is dedicated and hard working. They deserve, and need, our support.
So far, Malheur has not been hit as hard as many of its sister refuges. Having no probationary employees they escaped that reduction. Malheur needs to hire a fish screen technician this year, but that is improbable due to the hiring freeze. This is a mission-critical position that plays a key role in protecting the refuge’s native fish populations. Another recent development saw the refuge’s federal credit cards essentially frozen. This has the effect of making it impossible to purchase the daily supplies that keep things running – everything from flashlight batteries to insect repellant.
On the horizon are much bigger challenges. The federal government has no operating budget beyond March 14th, and a government-wide shutdown is possible. More concerning yet, it is very possible than when a budget finally does emerge it will contain additional significant reductions. If this occurs, we can expect further staff and program cuts at Malheur.
FOMR is following all this closely and is committed to being responsive and supportive in every way we can to our Refuge's needs. We will do everything we can to protect the refuge that we all love. We can do this because of YOUR advocacy and support.
Ready to do something right now?
- Tell your elected representatives to Pay Attention to Public Lands! You can use the National Wildlife Refuge Association's TAKE ACTION portal now! CLICK HERE
- Share this newsletter with a friend or family member that you know loves their public lands and encourage them to speak up too.
- Maintain your memberships in public lands cooperating partner organizations like Friends of Malheur NWR and others.
- And, if you are able, donate to FOMR. It is your financial support that makes it possible for us to advocate for Malheur’s future and provide the financial support that will be needed to keep Malheur’s resources healthy and protected this year. PLEASE HELP!
The next time you are visiting – literally taking refuge – at Malheur, your favorite national forest or wilderness area, please remember that this great American legacy is ours to share and to protect.
In Service to Malheur,
Janelle Wicks
Executive Director
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Seeking New Board Members
The Friends of Malheur is overseen by a volunteer board of directors. We aim to keep the board at about a dozen members and there is room for a few new folks!
If you want to learn more about Malheur’s programs and issues, being on the board offers a great window into exactly that. We meet (remotely) every other month with Fish and Wildlife staff to discuss how we can help them. The main requirement for board service is a deep interest in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. You don’t have to be biologist or live in Harney County. You just must care and be willing to share your time.
Interested? We would be pleased to talk with you to share more details and answer any questions you may have. Email us at friends@malheurfriends.org
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Water Update: February 2025
Written by Peter Pearsall
Photo of Marshall Pond at Refuge Headquarters from 2/25/25 by Jill Bachman
In a word, conditions are wet.
Malheur Refuge Maintenance Supervisor Ed Moulton reads off a list of areas affected by rising waters: “The Narrows fish barrier is under water. Sodhouse fields are under water, and the fields north of Sodhouse Lane are filling fast. There were only a couple blowouts on the East Canal, and everything on the south end is full. Krumbo Reservoir is flowing through the spillway, which hasn’t happened in some time. Read More
Check out this article from High Desert Partnership's recent newsletter: Harney County Starts the Year with Favorable Snowpack Data
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Help Protect Native Plants
Written by Judi Sanders, Native Plant Society of Oregon Vice-President
Malheur wirelettuce, by Melissa Carr, ODA
Oregon’s native plants are vital to the state’s natural beauty and ecological health. With over 3,400 native vascular plant species, Oregon ranks fifth in the U.S. for plant diversity. The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge alone is home to more than 250 native plant species.
These plants provide essential habitat and food for insects, birds, and wildlife, supporting a balanced ecosystem. They also play a crucial role in cleaning the air, filtering water, and stabilizing soil. Read More
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Trumpeter Swan Education & Research
Written by Gary Ivey PhD
Photo of Alexa Martinez during GPS collaring effort
The numbers of migrant trumpeter swans moving through eastern Oregon have increased dramatically over the last two decades, particularly at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Summer Lake Wildlife Area. The Trumpeter Swan Society (TTSS), ODFW, and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge partnered in a study of the breeding ground origins and migration paths of this once much rarer species.
TTSS purchased 13 collars for this project that were placed on trumpeters using Malheur Refuge and Summer Lake. The cost of one collar was provided by The Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to support the study. Read More
NOTE: TTSS has developed and continues to enhance their Oregon Trumpeter Swan Research Education Packet. Created for older students, this packet has conservation information and math activities including GoogleEarth tracking of GPS collared swans. Students will become familiar with actual GPS swan tracking of 12 western swans through GoogleEarth, with additional enrichment through two webinars. Educators who are interested in these materials are encouraged to watch THIS WEBINAR.
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University of Toronto/Rotman Research Institute is doing outreach across Canada and the US for a short online study examining how birding and citizen science activities contribute to cognitive and brain health.
The study is open to anyone 18+, takes ~15 minutes, and requires no prior birding experience. Participants can choose to enter a raffle for a gift card, or one of several pairs of binoculars from our sponsors. At the population level, we're exploring how trends in species prevalence correlate with geographic trends in how people perceive and categorize birds. At the smaller scale, we have a line of neuroimaging research looking at beneficial changes to brain structure and function that result from decades spent learning about birds. More details about the study as well as links to past publications and articles can be found at the study website, www.birdingstudies.com.
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Species Spotlight: Great-horned owl
Written by Peter Pearsall
The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is one of the largest and most widespread owls in the Americas. Known for its distinctive ear tufts, piercing yellow eyes, and deep hoots in a stuttering rhythm (hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo), this nocturnal predator is an apex hunter in many ecosystems.
The great horned owl is a large bird, with a wingspan ranging from 3.3 to 4.8 feet and weighing between 2 and 5.5 pounds. Its plumage varies by region but typically features mottled brown, gray, and white patterns, providing excellent camouflage in wooded environments. Its “horns” are actually feather tufts that may help with communication and camouflage. Read More
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Volunteering with Friends | |
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With the month of March so comes the start of FOMR's Volunteer Season! The Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store will open in addition to staffing the Refuge Visitor Center and the Artist in Residence Program will take place. Thank you to all of the arriving volunteers and our AiR program Artist. A huge Kudos to FOMR's Crane's Nest Manager, Jill Bachman, for volunteer coordinating!
Lynn Fox, Doug Furr, Sharleen Boichel, Dawn Parker, Linda Anderson,
and AiR Artist Janet Stuart!
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The 2025 Stewardship Schedule
Sunday, April 13th - Are you coming to the Harney County Bird Festival? Join us in Giving Back to the Birds; A half day stewardship session with FOMR at Refuge Headquarters.
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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March 13th The Joy of Spring & Summer Birding
4:00 PM via Zoom | SIGN UP HERE
Dr Thomas Bancroft explores the joys of spring and summer birding. From birds passing through on their migratory journey or those arriving to begin the process of establishing territory, courting, and breeding there is MUCH to see as spring transitions to summer. Spend this hour learning about some special species you might expect - or not! - during your next birding adventure.
Photo of summer tanager at Refuge Headquarters by Dan Streiffert
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Click the image above to register for the upcoming CCP meeting. These are OPEN to the public and anyone who is interested in engaging in this process is encouraged to attend. | |
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February'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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anuary 6, 2024 - An incredible aerial view of the western slope of Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert at upper right, as seen in March 2022. Photo by Steven Kratka
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
Membership does more than contribute funds that sustain our work in service to Malheur NWR. FOMR's 1300+ Members demonstrate a strength in community and that's community's passion for Malheur NWR.
If you are unsure of your Membership status you can email us at friends@malheurfriends.org today!
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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 (left) burrowing owl family by Volunteer Photographer Lane Wintermute
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store
OPEN 7 Days/Week from March 1 - October 31
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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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.
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MARCH FEATURED ITEM: Aspects Antique Brass Tube Feeders!
Tis the season to bring in the birds... to your yard that is. Seed tube feeders can be filled with a variety of seed types such as Sunflower, safflower and specialty seed blends. Quick-Clean Seed feeders are constructed of heavy-duty zinc die cast components, UV stabilized polycarbonate 2 3/4″ diameter tube, and stainless-steel hardware. GET YOURS!
Small, 2 port - $40 ~ Large, 6 port $60 ~ Seed Tray $10
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
OPEN 7 Days/Week from March 1 - October 31
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Refuge HQ Visitor Center is completely dependent on the availability of volunteers. When volunteer availability is low the VC will be closed, but the Nature Store will remain open. Visitors are encouraged to ask any questions of the volunteers or staff in the Crane's Nest Nature Store at Refuge Headquarters.
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