Written by Jason Urroz, Director of Kids in Parks
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and The Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge are pleased to announce the grand opening of a new kid- and family-friendly trail at the refuge on June 16th at 2:00 pm at the site’s Visitor Center. This unveiling will coincide with the In A Landscape Concert taking place that day. Created through a partnership formed with Oregon Parks Forever and Kids in Parks, the new educational trail offers a series of educational activities designed to engage kids and families with the site’s natural resources.
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.
With this new TRACK Trail, Malheur NWR is joining a network of more than 275 TRACK Trail sites in 18 states and Washington, D.C. Collectively, these sites are working across state and agency boundaries to create a national network of trails that get kids excited about spending time in nature. Over the past decade, kids have completed more than 1-million adventures have on TRACK Trails.
“With each of our TRACK Trails, we hope to engage children in the joys of outdoor exploration,” said Jason Urroz, director of Kids in Parks. “Our ultimate goal is to help families fall in love with nature, so they can recognize the value that public lands hold for their lives and become future stewards of magnificent places like Malheur NWR.”
Within Oregon, Malheur NWR will be the 16th site to open a TRACK Trail. With funding being provided by Oregon Parks Forever, the site joins trails previously established in Madras (2), Prineville (3), LaGrande (2), Clackamas County (4), Dallas (2), and Newport (2). Oregon Parks Forever has set a goal of funding 50 TRACK Trails across the state of Oregon; and next week, four more trails will open in northeast Oregon in Pendleton, Hermiston, Boardman and at the McNary Dam. This statewide network will allow families to learn about Oregon’s amazing natural, cultural, and historic resources.
“We are very excited to arrange funding for the growing network of TRACK Trail locations in Oregon,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever. “Our mission is to enhance the experience and accessibility of Oregon’s Parks & Forests, and this is an important project for us.”
“Connecting local and visiting youth and their families Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is so deeply important to our Mission.” Said Janelle Wicks, Executive Director for the Friends of Malheur NWR. “We believe that hosting a TRACK Trail at the Refuge and joining this network which encourages the next generation to explore and learn in nature is a great opportunity. We can’t wait to see you out there!”
To learn more about TRACK Trails visit www.kidsinparks.com
To learn more about Malheur National Wildlife Refuge visit
To learn more about Oregon Parks Forever visit www.orparksforever.org
