This male rose-breasted grosbeak was a welcome sight at Refuge Headquarters on Tuesday June 4th. While this species is rare in the West they are typically seen annually on the Refuge. Photo by Teresa Wicks, Bird Alliance of Oregon | |
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Early nesters like raptors have young peeking out from their nests while other species who arrive in Harney County to raise young are still tending to their nests and laying eggs. Rare and uncommon birds are making appearances, such as the recently sighted chestnut-sided warbler and rose-breasted grosbeak.The buzz of spring is still with us here on the Refuge and I love it!
The birds aren't the only busy ones! In reflecting on the month of May I can hardly believe all that we accomplished. In any given week during the last month, I could be found hauling concrete to headquarters for the pavilion that will be installed at the volunteer RV park - questioning Sen. Merkley at the Harney Co. town hall about federal appropriations for the Refuge System - leading school field trip programs - or planning for any of our many programs and events happening this year!
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There are so many ways to join us in commemorating this Silver Anniversary!
In A Landscape Concert: June 16th
Concert begins at 2:00 PM
Malheur NWR Refuge Headquarters
Tickets Available NOW!
SAVE THE DATE for A Birthday Bash
Celebrating a Shared Legacy of Stewardship
FOMR turning 25 and Founding Member Alice Elshoff turning 90!
Saturday October 5th | Bend, OR
Details coming soon.
Send a Birthday Card!
Who doesn't love getting a Birthday card in the mail?
It's our 25th Birthday, so if you feel inclined to include a $25 donation,
we will add you to the growing list of Birthday Donors!
All cards are being hung in the Crane's Nest Lobby.
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Our annual Migrate Through Malheur event and Community Picnic took place last weekend and it was a great success! Now, as we slide into June (HOW is it already the 8th?!?) there is still much to look forward to and to be done! Particularly for our 2024 Birthday Bash event in Bend this October. If you feel compelled to jump in and help out, please contact me! I'm looking specifically for Bend (or nearby) residents who are interested in party planning!
In Service to and Celebration of Malheur,
Janelle Wicks
Executive Director
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President's Note - June
Written by Wm. Tweed
For the past two years, it has been my honor to serve as president of the Friends of Malheur, a volunteer post that has given me a way to continue my lifelong involvement in the protection of our nation’s outstanding natural places. Now, however, it’s time to stand aside and pass the baton to a successor.
This transition is, I believe, a healthy thing for our organization. Rotating leadership responsibilities within the board of directors brings periodic renewal. Put simply, it’s good now and then to inject some fresh blood into the leadership role. Read More
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Tribal Stewards Program 2024
Written by Peter Pearsall
The Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) is partnering with the Lomakatsi Restoration Project to lead the Inter-Tribal Ecological Stewardship Training, using public lands of Oregon’s high desert as an outdoor classroom.
ONDA launched the Tribal Stewards program in 2019 to provide paid opportunities for Indigenous youth and young adults to work on restoration projects and gain experience in conservation and stewardship career paths. The goal of this program is to support emerging conservation leaders in tribal communities while completing projects to improve ecosystem health in Oregon’s high desert. Read More
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Smooth Brome Grass Treatment & Habitat Rehabilitation
Written by Travis Miller
MNWR Supervisory Ecologist
MNWR intends to limit smooth brome spread and its competitive advantages over our desirable plant communities. Current available tools for treatment are herbicides. For future treatments if other tools become available such as biological, we will look at utilizing those as well.
Effort of rehabilitation will be determined by size of invaded site. Larger treatments will require the greatest investment with the ideal outcome re-establishment of native plants, but we may need to experiment with desirable non-natives that meet our habitat objectives if native plants are unable to establish. Read More
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Oregon Bee Atlas Project at Malheur
Written by August Jackson, Oregon Bee Atlas
Photo of a mining bee by August Jackson
The Oregon Bee Atlas Master Melittologist Program is a community science initiative that trains volunteers to create and maintain a comprehensive and publicly accessible inventory of the state’s native bees and their plant-host preferences. This program conducts an on-going survey of native bee populations in order to assess their health. This has spawned associated efforts in Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, which all utilize the Master Melittologist framework.
The Oregon Bee Atlas Master Melittologist Program has entered into a five-year cooperative agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for inventory and monitoring of bees on National Wildlife Refuges in Pacific Region 1 (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho), beginning in 2024. Read More
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Follow That Swan!
May Update by Gary Ivey, PhD.
Here’s a June 2024 update on the latest locations of seven Trumpeter Swans marked on Malheur Refuge’s Benson Pond in February 2023 with GPS-GSM neck collars to track their migration. Only 1 collar (@10) has checked in this month. Some of the collars may have expired, and this may be the last of their data that we receive.
Neck collar code @10. This female remains on a small wetland, just NE of Chaten, Alberta. This is the same wetland where she summered last year (she is home!).
Neck collar code @11. We had just one data point for this female on April 4 and she was on a small wetland a couple miles east of Pincher Creek, Alberta.
Here’s a summary of the travels of the other 5: Read More
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Emilee's Summer Update
Hello everyone!
Writing this marks the start of my third week here at Malheur NWR in my role as the Wildlife Biology Technician. It has been a crazy few weeks, getting acquainted with the refuge and the area as a whole, while also working to learn about the ecosystem and species found in this region. It is so different from everything I am used to back in Michigan, so it has been a great change and challenge. I have also really enjoyed getting to know the full-time staff at the refuge, who have been wonderful mentors so far throughout my time here; I also was really happy that I have gotten to meet some of you!
I have gotten to partake in a variety of experiences here in my role, and have already picked up many new skills. Read More
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The image above was taken on May 18th. More recent images are distorted by cloud cover. April saw the lake at 43,000 acres and the image above has us estimating its size at 41,686 acres. [Information provided by Alexa Martinez, MNWR Wildlife Biologist | |
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Species Spotlight: Northern Shoveler
Written by Peter Pearsall
The Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) is a distinctive and fascinating species of dabbling duck known for its unique spoon-shaped bill, vibrant plumage, and specialized feeding habits. These medium-sized ducks are found across the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes.
The most distinctive feature, a large, spatula-shaped bill designed for sifting through water for food. Males are easily recognizable by their iridescent green head, white chest, rusty flanks, and blue wing patches. Read More
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Volunteering with Friends | |
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store Volunteering
URGENT HELP NEEDED July!
Working in the Nature Store is an opportunity to share your love of Malheur as a primary contact point for visitors! Individuals OR couples are welcome. You would be able to stay at Refuge Headquarters in the Volunteer RV Park with your own full hook-up RV pad or stay in one of FOMR's trailers. You will work 3 days/wk and have 4 days off to enjoy exploring the Refuge and surrounding areas. Every new volunteer is trained by Janelle or Jill on visitor FAQs, point of sale operations, and daily responsibilities of volunteers. Occasionally, Nature Store volunteers are tasked with other duties in alignment with Refuge/FOMR needs and the individual's interest and abilities.
Interested? Want to learn more? Email Janelle at Director@MalheurFriends.org
Photo above of a watercolor done by Volunteer Julie Burchstead
during a Crane's Nest Nature Store Volunteer assignement
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Stewardship Volunteering in 2024
AUGUST 9th - 11th: Historic Sod House Ranch Stewardship
Help clean the grounds and set up this historic site for its annual public open season from August 15 - October 1.
SEPTEMBER 13th - 15th: Trail Stewardship
Assisting with the connection of the River Trail and the Restoration Trail for the improvement of the Blitzen River Trail from P Ranch north.
OCTOBER 18th - 20th: Work for the Wild
Walking for the Wild while you work! Barnes Springs Homestead clean-up and barbed wire removal.
Housing will be provided for FREE to volunteers at The Malheur Field Station or P Ranch.
If you have any questions or would like to sign up for one or more of these Stewardship Weekends 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 on the images below to learn more about these programs and sign-up!
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TRACK Trail for Kids!
Written by Jason Urroz, Director of Kids in Parks
TRACK Trails are a type of environmental scavenger hunt for young children and their families to get unplugged and active outdoors, offering a series of self-guided activities that turn an ordinary hike into a fun-filled, discovery-packed adventure. At the TRACK Trail’s trailhead, four brochure-led activities are available that help kids learn about topics such as flowers, dragonflies, and birds.
Kids who participate in the program can register their TRACK Trail adventures at www.KidsInParks.com to earn a series of prizes designed to make their next outdoor adventure even more fun and meaningful. Read More
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While FOMR celebrates 25 years one of our Founding Members, Alice, is celebrating 90!
Our Fall Fundraising Event will be a Birthday Party to celebrate a shared legacy of conservation stewardship!
Do you live in Central Oregon?
LOVE Malheur Refuge? and EVENT PLANNING?
Yes? Yes? Yes?!? - We NEED You!
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If you are interested in helping us plan the official celebration of FOMR's 25th Birthday please email Janelle, friends@malheurfriends.org | |
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Connecting Students to Wildlife Conservation
Written by Carey Goss, MNWR Deputy Manager
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is committed to conserving natural resources. We believe that one of the key components to conservation is working with youth, the next generation of land and wildlife stewards. The Refuge’s environmental education program seeks to engage youth through hands-on interpretation and education experiences.
In meeting this goal, Malheur Refuge staff and partners offer a variety of programs that connect youth from kindergarten through 5th grade to the outdoors. Read More
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May'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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May 29, 2024
A rail road crossing on the Center Patrol Road at Malheur Refuge.
Photo of Virginia rail and chicks by Dan Streiffert
Follow the Friends of Malheur on Facebook and Instagram at Malheurfriends!
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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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Current Membership Total: 1168
2024 New Members: 311!
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
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The Sandhill Crane Society
Any supporter who contributes $1,000 or more through Membership dues and/or donations throughout the year will become a Member of this program.
Monthly giving makes becoming a Member easy! Set up a monthly donation of $85 and become a 2025 Sandhill Crane Society Member! Email Janelle, director@malheurfriends.org.
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Your Business can support Malheur NWR by joining our Business Alliance Program!
Questions? Email us. Friends@malheurfriends.org
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | 7 Days/Week
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This is The Book!
Birding Harney County is the book you have been waiting for. Harry Fuller has been leading birding trips through Malheur NWR for years with much acclaim! The wisdom and levity that he poured into this book makes it not only informative but truly enjoyable. Order online today!
The store has all your old favorites and a SLEW of new inventory. When you find yourself at Refuge Headquarters please stop in to check it out, say Hi to our Volunteers, and meet our Manager, Jill!
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | As Possible with Volunteer Support
The Refuge is in need of Volunteer Support in the Visitor Center. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Carey_Goss@fws.gov.
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