The Friends of Malheur NWR is looking ahead and working with Refuge staff to plan for a thriving Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Planning processes have begun that will enable us to deepen and broaden our existing work through the outreach, advocacy, and stewardship of Malheur's natural and cultural resources! 

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A Few Highlights of 2023

Every year we proudly serve Malheur Refuge and our local community through a diversity of programs and events. In addition to supporting school field trips, returning the Artist in Residence program to in person instruction, orienting visitors from the Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store, and serving as a planning partner for the annual Harney County Migratory Bird Festival we are proud of these special accomplishments:

Sponsored a seasonal Biological Technician who supported the Refuge's many ongoing inventory, monitoring, and research projects on Malheur Lake and in the wet meadows. *Shout out to Veda!* ($7,500)

Funded the continuation of Conservation Pruning on hazard trees at P Ranch and along the Central Patrol Road. This work continues to support the development of a Refuge-wide tree management plan aimed at climate resiliency and habitat enhancement. ($4,500)

Approved funding for the preservation of waterfowl ID education materials including the taxidermy treatment for the Refuge's collection of waterfowl wings. ($500)

Held five Volunteer Stewardship work parties including the removal of barbed wire from Barnes Springs Homestead, the annual Sod House Ranch Clean-up, trail maintenance work at Crane Pond Overlook Trail, and the much anticipated Phase 1 of the new Volunteer Campground at Refuge Headquarters! That is OVER 250 Hours of labor!

Worked with Refuge staff and Worthy Environmental to kick off Phase 1 of the Refuge Headquarters Dry-scaping Project which is focused on reducing irrigation of green lawns and celebrating native plants across the Refuge's landscape!

That is a LOT of direct action and purchasing power that FOMR was about to provide
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2023!
Imagine what we can accomplish in the year to come with YOUR help!

High Hopes for 2024 - FOMR's 25th Birthday! 

• Malheur Speaker Series: Celebrate Malheur with us throughout 2024 as we invite resource specialists and Malheur enthusiasts to share their knowledge and experiences in this hybird (virtual and in-person) series of presentations. Featured speakers will include Refuge Biological Staff, authors, and noteable birders!
• Tribal Stewards: We will be once again working with Northwest Youth Corps and Oregon Natural Desert Association to welcome the Tribal Stewards Program to Malheur this summer! The goals of this program include offering enriching career skills experiences in natural sciences and resources management in the hopes to inspiring a new generation of conseration leadership!
• Conservation Pruning: We are responding to mitigation needs as they arise and working with the Refuge to develop a wildlife and culturally conscientious Tree Management Plan.
• Volunteer Campsite Phase 2: We are working with Refuge staff to develop a multiple tent site camping and parking area for volunteers to utilize at Refuge Headquarters. This will allow FOMR and other Refuge partners to substantially increase overnight accommodations for stewardship volunteer activities! This endeavor is projected to exceed $10,000. With Phase 1 COMPLETE we intend install a covered picnic pavilion and begin planting native plants throughout the site.
• Dark Sky Education: In partnership with Portland Audubon, Harney County Library, and the Harney County Chamber we will provide bird and nature inspired educational activities and projects for local youth, the broader community, and visiting public. Malheur Refuge is situated beneath the darkest skies in the lower 48 and we are excited to share the importance of this for people and wildlife!
• Saying YES when the Refuge approaches the Friends of Malheur NWR with a need that supports its critical mission of protecting over 187,000 acres of wildspaces for the wildlife that depend on them!

Learn More About Our Ongoing Stewardship Projects, Outreach Events, And Other Activities Throughout Our Website, Malheur Musings ENewsletter, Facebook Page, And Instagram Feed. 

YOUR END OF YEAR DONATION OR ESTABLISHING A MONTHLY SUSTAINING DONATION WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING THE FRIENDS OF MALHEUR NWR ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS! 

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