May was a busy and productive month for stewardship work at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.  My time was spent getting field projects started, supporting ongoing habitat studies, documenting refuge work, leading an elementary school field trip activity, and beginning the process of assessing trails, invasive plants, and public-use areas across the refuge. 

One of the major projects I supported throughout May was the warm season grazing experiment in Lava Beds Field as part of the ongoing Wet Meadow Management Study. This pilot project explores how targeted cattle grazing, guided by GPS-enabled virtual fencing technology, may help manage dense wet meadow vegetation and invasive plant growth. In early May, I helped with the installation of a Halter base tower at the study site, which provides the communication infrastructure needed for the GPS collars used in the project. Later in the month, I documented the collaring of cattle at the Otley Ranch as well as the cattle drive to Lava Beds Field, where the collared animals were moved onto the study area. 

This project has been especially exciting because it brings together habitat management, ranching partnerships, emerging technology, and long-term ecological monitoring. Throughout the month, I worked to photograph and document key steps in the process so Friends of Malheur can better tell the story of the study and share why this work matters for wet meadow restoration and adaptive refuge management. 

I also began working on a trail inventory for the refuge. This project involves assessing the current condition of public-use trails, comparing existing trail routes to published maps, and identifying maintenance needs. The goal is to develop a clearer picture of where trails are in good shape, where signage or brushing may be needed, and where future stewardship work can improve the visitor experience while protecting sensitive refuge resources. I began exploring tools such as ArcGIS Field Maps, Avenza, and Gaia GPS to help collect trail data accurately in the field. 

Another project I assisted on, in partnership with USGS, was to continue water quality monitoring on Malheur Lake. As part of this effort, I helped deploy sondes, which are specialized instruments used to collect water quality data over time. These devices can monitor conditions such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, and other indicators that help researchers better understand lake conditions. This work is especially important on Malheur Lake, where water quality, lake levels, sediment, aquatic vegetation, and habitat conditions are closely tied to the health of the broader refuge ecosystem. By helping to get the monitoring equipment deployed in the field, I contributed to a project that will provide valuable long-term data for understanding changes in the lake and informing future management decisions. 

Invasive plant management was another important focus in May. I started work on removing cheatgrass and kochia from public interface areas, with the goal of getting ahead of seed production and improving conditions for more desirable native vegetation. These species can spread quickly and compete with native plants, so early-season removal is an important part of long-term habitat stewardship. I also began thinking through reseeding and revegetation strategies for treated areas so that removal work can be followed by restoration rather than leaving disturbed ground open for reinvasion.  

I also assisted with practical maintenance and infrastructure tasks, including troubleshooting irrigation and sprinkler systems for the season. While this kind of work is less visible than habitat restoration or wildlife monitoring, it is an important part of keeping refuge facilities and project areas functional during the busy field season. For these and other tasks I have been conducting an inventory of the tools we have available and what we will need to accomplish upcoming projects. 

Overall, May was a month of getting oriented, building systems, and helping several stewardship projects move from planning into action. From documenting the wet meadow grazing pilot to beginning trail assessments and invasive plant removal, the work this month laid a foundation for a productive summer on the refuge. I’m looking forward to continuing these projects, learning more from refuge staff and partners, and helping Friends of Malheur support the health, accessibility, and long-term stewardship of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.