With Your Help - Tribal Stewards Returning Summer 2023!

Friends of Malheur NWR have committed a MINIMUM of $5,000 to support the 2023 Tribal Stewards Crew.
We hope our Members will MATCH US and allow a contribution of up to $10,000!

In 2023, Northwest Youth Corps is recruiting nine Native teens and two Native crew leaders to become high desert conservation champions! This seven-week program will take place from May 26-July 15, with their week at Malheur in Mid-June. For their efforts, participants will earn up to $2,681, including bonuses, uniform, camping gear, and food. Project partners for 2023 include: Burns Paiute Tribe wildlife and fisheries departments, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Burns BLM district, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and Oregon Desert Land Trust.

This program was created to address underrepresentation in conservation and land management careers and a lack of opportunity to gain professional skills needed to enter the natural resources field.

Potential Malheur Projects for 2023 

• Bird surveys - Depending on the crew's schedule, participants will assist in land bird surveys (point counts) to assist with riparian habitat management OR conduct snowy plover area surveys on the playas of the Double O.  
• Willow harvest - The willow fence at Refuge Headquarters is in disrepair. Participants may learn about traditional willow harvesting and basket weacving while collecting material to rebuild the fence. 
• Lake surveys - Refuge staff have many restoration projects taking place on Malheur Lake throughout the summer. Participants will be able to assist with these projects related to aquatic health, carp removal, etc. on the lake. 
• Shadowing experiences/Career skills - Refuge staff will provide short presentations and/or fieldwork to provide experiences and career skills with management, law enforcement/cultural resources, fire, maintenance, biology and/or visitor services.

-->> Donate Today! <<--

1 Week of this program costs $9,952.18
Help us get to $10,000!

“What also makes our program at Lewis and Clark National Historic Park unique is that staff have gone through the NYC Intern program themselves. In 2017, I worked on analyzing data from the park’s tidal wetland restoration sites through the NYC internship program. After completing the internship, I was hired as the lead biological science technician. Shortly after, I became the site supervisor for the NYC interns that would help complete the survey annually. It is an incredible opportunity to be part of the LEWI ladder and the partnership that creates such opportunity.” - Kayla Fermin, NYC alumna and Lead Biological Science Technician, Lewis and Clark NHP

Here is more of Kayla’s story: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/dtikaylafermin.htm