Written by Janelle Wicks, FOMR Director
Jess Wenick is Malheur National Wildlife Refuge’s new Project Leader, more commonly referred to as a Refuge Manager. Malheur Refuge has been under the Leadership of Lisa Wilson, Regional Assistant Refuge Supervisor, since Jeff Mackay left his post in spring of 2023. Her guidance was invaluable during the transition, and we thank her for it.
Since August of that year Jess has been serving Malheur in a detail or temporary position as a Restoration Coordinator. His responsibilities in that role were varied, but primarily he was to oversee the Refuge biology program and work with Refuge staff and partners to begin planning a revision of the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP).
At the time Wenick stated, “While we still have another 5 years until the CCP expires, we have enough resource management challenges in the immediate sense to start addressing revisions to the plan now.”.
Among these challenges are the spread of reed canary grass in the P Ranch area, as well as that of smooth brome across the Blitzen Valley.
“Collaboration was a major component of creating the first CCP, and it will be just as important in the revision process,” Wenick said. “By working with others within and across the Refuge boundary, we can open up the conversation to a diversity of thought, finding creative solutions and aligning resources to address common goals in Harney Basin and beyond.”
The Friends of Malheur NWR are excited to welcome and work with Jess on the upcoming CCP process among many other Refuge projects for which the Friends are involved in from DarkSky lighting compliance to volunteer stewardship opportunities.
