It's time for birds of all feathers to flock, some together, away from Malheur to warmer climes for the winter. American avocet like the three pictured here are easily recognizable by their delicate, up-turned bills and unique plumage. Many shorebirds and wading birds will make their way through the southwestern United States to the Baja Peninsula, pacific or gulf coasts of Mexico or low-land regions of central Mexico. Photo by Dan Streiffert | | Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is one of 570+ Wildlife Refuges and Hatcheries governed within the US Fish & Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System. The management of this system of federally protected lands and waters are guided by the mission of conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. | |
Combined, this System is responsible for over 95 million acres of land and 760 million acres of marine habitat with a budget of just $60.8 million (2024). This funding is appropriated by Congress and is under threat, year after year. It is not keeping up with inflation or putting a dent in the growing maintenance backlog on aging infrastructure across the nation.
A government shutdown leaves our public lands vulnerable with critical work on hold, thousands of biological, maintenance, visitor services, and management staff unable to report to work and not getting paid. Their personal and professional lives, their futures, uncertain - on top of the mission to which they serve on behalf of the American people.
As I often say, the collective voices of our Membership amplify the message of Malheur's importance and so must the network of Friends groups across the country. We are but one group representing one Refuge but together we represent the public interest in and commitment to our public lands.
Every single individual in these groups and every group in this network matters. As a wise little creature once said...
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." ~ The Lorax
Please consider contacting your federally elected representatives and implore them to uphold the federal government's responsibility to our most treasured public resources.
Inspired by Malheur,
Janelle Wicks
Executive Director
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President's Message; October 2025
Written by Bill Tweed
Photo of Clark's grebe family by Dan Streiffert
It’s hard to do anything these days without running into some form of Artificial Intelligence. AI, it seems, is nearly everywhere. Just as widespread are worries about this rapidly improving technology. The ability of the various AI programs to create synthetic forms of reality is taking us into a new world. Quite literally, how are we going to know what is real? Read More
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Malheur NWR Headquarters 2025 Bat Survey
Written by Peter Pearsall
Photo by Gary Kegel, BLM Volunteer
Monitoring of the emergence of bats from buildings in the headquarters complex at MNWR in was conducted 14-16 June and 8-9 August 2025. Bats were counted as they emerged from buildings at dusk, as well as monitored acoustically.
Buildings monitored were Biology, Museum, Pelican, Visitor Center and Crane’s Nest. In June, some of the same points at some of the buildings were monitored more than once. In August each point was monitored on only one night. Some buildings were monitored at different points on the assumption that there would be different bats coming out of each point. Read More
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MNWR 2025 Fish Trap & Electro-fishing Report
Written by 2025 FOMR Technician Lisa Leen
Photo by NPS/Rawhouser
All four of the fish traps (Sodhouse, Busse, Grain Camp, and Page Springs) along the Blitzen River were in operation starting from May 23, 2025. By July 7, 2025, the water flow for the fish ladder for Busse and Grain Camp was too low for the fish to utilize, and the traps were taken out of the water. In early August the Page Springs and Sodhouse traps were also removed.
Ten species of fish were recorded making their way upriver via the fish traps. Seven were native species... Read More
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Redband Trout in Malheur NWR & Harney Basin Part III
Written by W.G. Duffy, FOMR Board Member / Image by ODFW
In Part Three of this review of redband trout occupying Malheur National Wildlife Refuge I briefly describe the geographic range of the species, its conservation status, and primary threats sustaining its populations in the Harney Basin.
Redband trout occur in a variety of habitats ranging from lakes to streams in forests at higher elevation and high desert streams at lower elevations. The variability of the climate in the Great Basin, with its high summer temperatures and periods of drought punctuated with irregular flooding, adds to the challenges facing these fish. Read More
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Invasive Purple Loosestrife Detected
Written by Peter Pearsall
Photo by Dominic Bachman, Malheur NWR
With a bit of time and sense of adventure, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (Hart) can be found in Lake County of eastern Oregon, 65 miles northeast of Lakeview or 120 miles southwest of Burns in Harney County. The refuge encompasses a prominent, rugged fault-block ridge which rises steeply about ¾ of a mile above the sweeping valley wetlands and meadows below. Surrounding and throughout the refuge is a wide expanse of sensitive and critically threatened sagebrush steppe habitat. Read More
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Species Spotlight; Ferruginous Hawk
Written by Peter Pearsall / Photo by Dan Streiffert
The ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) is the largest North American member of the genus Buteo, a cosmopolitan group of broad-winged raptors known as “buzzards” in the Old World. Named for the rust-colored (“ferruginous”) plumage on its back and legs, this formidable bird is built for the wide-open landscapes of the American West.
Ferruginous hawks are imposing, with wingspans reaching up to 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) and stocky bodies that can weigh more than four pounds. They are sometimes confused with eagles at a distance due to their size and broad, powerful wings. Read More
| | Volunteering with Friends | | |
September Volunteers at Malheur were a HUGE help in the Nature Store and beyond! Thank you to all of our September Volunteers and a huge Kudos to FOMR's Crane's Nest Manager, Jill Bachman, for volunteer coordinating!
Lindsey Cline, Mary Furr, Mickey Weaver, and Berta Verble
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FINAL 2025 Stewardship Weekend!
PENDING LIFT OF FEDERAL GOVT SHUTDOWN
October 10-12 - Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week by giving back to Malheur NWR for this weekend of stewardship. The major tasks for the weekend will include garden and grounds management and enhancement at Buena Vista Residence and Refuge headquarters. If the shutdown persists past Wednesday Oct 8th the work party will be canceled, OR volunteers will be redirected to efforts in support of our Refuge neighbors like the Historic Frenchglen Hotel or Malheur Field Station.
Housing is provided by Friends of Malheur in Dorm E at the Malheur Field Station. This dorm offers private rooms for guests and a communal kitchen.
If you have any questions or would like to sign-up 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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Onsite Find Your Wild event on October 4th has been cancelled.
If you would like to Find your Wild on behalf of Malheur NWR from wherever you are, we still encourage you to sign up and make a contribution and encourage others to make contributions in your honor!
This support means more than you know in a time of such uncertainty.
SIGN UP HERE!
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September 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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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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Annual Membership
Membership does more than contribute funds that sustain our work in service to Malheur NWR. FOMR's 1430+ members demonstrate a strength in community and that community's passion for Malheur NWR.
Unsure of your membership status? Email us at friends@malheurfriends.org
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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) Sandhill crane by Lane Wintermute
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store
CLOSED until the federal government shutdown ends or November 1st
We appreciate your ongoing support through online store purchases and will work to fill them in as timely a manner as is possible. Proceeds from the online store directly support our mission to promote the preservation and appreciation of Malheur Refuge.
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
CLOSED until the federal government shutdown ends or November 1st
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