Written by Janelle Wicks, FOMR Director

Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge volunteers gathered in September to enhance native and pollinator-friendly habitat in two important areas at Refuge Headquarters: The Desert Rock Garden and Marshall Pond Wildlife Observation Trail. Thanks to thoughtful preparation, knowledgeable partners, and a dedicated group of volunteers, the project was completed in a single productive morning.

FOMR’s Conservation Stewardship Technician, Ian Snyder worked closely with Lisa Sanco of the Worthy (Brewing) Garden Club in order to prepare for this project which was initiated in 2024 by Refuge Staff in partnership with Worthy Garden Club. Together they selected and sourced plants for the project in addition to planning out site preparation and irrigation. Before the volunteers arrived, Ian and Lisa worked to ensure the planting areas were ready to support the new plants well beyond the day they went into the ground.

You may recall a previous article written by Len Otto (A Week at Malheur NWR; A New Volunteer’s Experience – Friends of Malheur NWR) in which he reflected on his time at Malheur in August. At that time, he and his wife Gloria worked with Ian to prepare planting sites by weeding, assessing the planting areas, and troubleshooting irrigation needs. Len and Gloria returned to Malheur for this volunteer planting project and were joined by 7 more volunteers. As they say, many hands make light work! 

The work party was scheduled for two days, but the team’s energy and efficiency meant the project was completed in one morning, from approximately 8:00 a.m. to noon.

At the Rock Garden, volunteers dug planting holes, carefully removed plants from their containers, and set them into their new homes. Once planting was complete, the group spread mulch across the area to help retain soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and protect plant roots. Cages were placed around especially vulnerable plants to help safeguard them as they become established.

The group also planted seven shrubs and trees along the Marshall Trail. Volunteers dug holes, transplanted the plants, added mulch, and installed protective cages around each new tree or shrub. These additions will help strengthen the trail landscape while creating more structure and habitat value in the area over time.

New plantings need time, water, and care to become established, but this work party gave them a strong beginning. Thank you to everyone who helped prepare, plant, mulch, protect, and care for these areas at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Thank You, Volunteers!

• Erik Scheuring
• Fred Scheuring
• Myles Scheuring
• Linda Craig
• Jennifer Devlin
• Ann Littlewood
• Len Otto
• Gloria Otto
• Bryce Byford

Interested in volunteering for activities like this? The next weekend work party is October 16-18 and FOMR is covering lodging expense for those that wish to stay at the Malheur Field Station. Email [email protected]