As a Refuge Friends group partnering with a remote Wildlife Refuge, we’re constantly exploring ways to engage visitors and the broader community.
Our Mission
Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge promotes conservation and appreciation of natural and cultural resources at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge through education, outreach, advocacy, and on-the-ground stewardship.
Our Vision
Friends of Malheur Refuge was founded in 1999 to promote the conservation and appreciation of natural and cultural resources at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Oregon.
From our Nature Center at Refuge Headquarters, we proudly assist Refuge staff with interpretive programs, habitat restoration, visitor services, and other Refuge projects. In addition to partnering with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in supporting the Refuge, we work toward continued recognition of the environmental, spiritual, and economic value of our nation’s public lands, lands that belong to all of us.
Malheur Refuge is an oasis in Oregon’s high desert, providing crucial resting, feeding, and breeding habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife. The Refuge is popular with birders, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts, particularly during spring and fall bird migration.
As a Refuge Friends group partnering with a remote National Wildlife Refuge, we’re constantly looking for ways to engage visitors. In 2018 we moved and expanded our Nature Store at Refuge Headquarters into a Nature Center with interpretive materials, wildlife viewing areas, and a pollinator garden featuring native plants. We look forward to hosting and participating in more outreach events both at the Refuge and beyond. As always, we continue to work with Refuge staff and partners to identify projects in the Harney Basin that we and our dedicated volunteers can help bring to fruition.
Even if you can’t make it out to volunteer with us or attend Refuge events, there are other ways you can support this Friends group and Malheur Refuge.
We are committed to
Habitat & History
Conserving, enhancing, and restoring fish and wildlife habitat and cultural history in the Harney Basin in southeast Oregon through the support of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge staff and programs.
Education & Recreation
Assisting the Refuge in providing wildlife-dependent educational and recreational opportunities while enhancing public knowledge and appreciation of the Refuge mission.
Advocating
Advocating for the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System through education and public engagement both on and off the Refuge.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our public lands belong to everyone. The Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge support appropriate access to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for all people, regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or cultural background.
The Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge strive to accomplish this through:
- Working toward environmental equity so that all cultures present within the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge community are recognized, honored, and fully included in all Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge activities and programs.
- Ensuring cultural inclusion within our Board of Directors and staff.
- Utilizing a diversity of volunteers to accomplish a broad range of organizational activities consistent with the management of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Be a Malheur Refuge Advocate.
You can become a Malheur Refuge champion by joining the Friends of Malheur and together we can advocate for a secure and more prosperous future for Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and our national wildlife refuge system.
