Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is proud and full of gratitude as we recognize founding board members Gary Ivey and Alice Elshoff in their transition to Emeritus status after 27 years of remarkable service. Their vision and dedication helped transform Friends of Malheur from a small, passionate volunteer effort into the strong, growing organization it is today.
What began in 1999 as a modest group, known then as Malheur Wildlife Associates, focused on Refuge work projects has grown into an organization with greater membership, broader community reach, and much deeper support for Malheur National Wildlife Refuge than it could have imagined. Over the years, Gary and Alice helped guide that growth through early conservation projects, fundraising milestones, and major organizational change. Their leadership helped lay the foundation for the Crane’s Nest Nature Center & Store, expanded opportunities for outreach and education, and supported the hiring of professional staff who have strengthened the organization’s capacity.
Gary shared this reflection on the organization’s journey:
“Alice Eslhoff and I were asked to start a Friends Group in January 1999 by former Refuge Manager Forrest Cameron, so Friends of Malheur Refuge (FOMR) was born. We started out small and mostly focused on Refuge work projects such as removing old barbed wire and working on trails. In the early years were successful in getting a few small grants to help with Refuge projects, but our membership was small and inconsistent and our service to Malheur was limited. I served as President, Vice-President and Secretary of the Board for 27 years. Because a kind man put us in his will, we received enough funds to hire our first paid staff in 2015. The horrible Occupation of Refuge HQ in 2016 sparked a huge growth in our membership. Subsequently, we were able establish our Crane’s Nest Nature Store, which has allowed us to grow membership significantly. Hiring our latest Director, Janelle Wicks has been a boon to FOMR and with member support, we have been able to help Malheur in much more significant ways, financially and otherwise. I am very proud of the evolution of FOMR, and while I am leaving the Board, I hope to remain as a senior advisor to help the Board with important decisions. I am so optimistic about the future of FOMR and you should be too.”
Friends of Malheur is deeply grateful to Gary and Alice for their decades of leadership, service, and steady commitment to the Refuge. Their legacy will continue to shape the organization for years to come, and we are pleased to honor them as Emeritus members of the Board.
