Events
National Public Lands Day at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
September 27 th was National Public Lands Day. In support of this celebration of our public land heritage, Friends of the Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges joined staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to clean up parts of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.
Weather started at a pleasant 66deg under clear skies with beautiful views of the surrounding basalt cliffs visible from the meeting location at the start of the Rimrock Trail. With ‘trash grabbers’ and labor provided by Friends and trash bags, trucks and guidance from USFWS staff, volunteers set off to pick up beer cans, cardboard and other trash left by past visitors in
vegetation along foot paths just off of Morgan Lake Rd. Ernie Crediford, botanist extraordinaire, shared information on the local flora, turning the event into not only a cleanup activity, but an extended natural history tour of the area. Many of the participants wrapped up the event with lunch in the nearby town of Othello while others walked the Rimrock Trail for lunch at one of
the overlooks above.
To learn about membership and future opportunities to support the Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuges, check out the following:
https://www.friendsofmcrwr.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MidColumbiaRefuges
https://www.facebook.com/MidColumbiaRefuges
September 27 th was National Public Lands Day. In support of this celebration of our public land heritage, Friends of the Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges joined staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to clean up parts of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.
Weather started at a pleasant 66deg under clear skies with beautiful views of the surrounding basalt cliffs visible from the meeting location at the start of the Rimrock Trail. With ‘trash grabbers’ and labor provided by Friends and trash bags, trucks and guidance from USFWS staff, volunteers set off to pick up beer cans, cardboard and other trash left by past visitors in
vegetation along foot paths just off of Morgan Lake Rd. Ernie Crediford, botanist extraordinaire, shared information on the local flora, turning the event into not only a cleanup activity, but an extended natural history tour of the area. Many of the participants wrapped up the event with lunch in the nearby town of Othello while others walked the Rimrock Trail for lunch at one of
the overlooks above.
To learn about membership and future opportunities to support the Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuges, check out the following:
https://www.friendsofmcrwr.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MidColumbiaRefuges
https://www.facebook.com/MidColumbiaRefuges
Native Plant Day 2025 The day included a guided hike at Twin Sisters to explore the native plants
Winter Birds 2025 was on February 22nd at McNary Wildlife Refuge.
There was bird banding and tours through parts of the McNary Wildlife Refuge which are not regularly accessible to the public by knowledgeable staff . USFW staff member Lamont gave a great presentation.
Lots of people enjoyed bird watching and exploring the educational center recourses.
There was bird banding and tours through parts of the McNary Wildlife Refuge which are not regularly accessible to the public by knowledgeable staff . USFW staff member Lamont gave a great presentation.
Lots of people enjoyed bird watching and exploring the educational center recourses.
National Public Lands Day Columbia Wildlife Refuge Hike September 2024
We had a beautiful day & a record turnout for our hike celebrating National Public Lands Day. The Friends of Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges worked with USFWS to sponsor this Saturday hike at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge in Othello.
Pollinator Garden Recognized as an official Heritage Garden June 2024
Celebrate Invertebrates 2024
Art Day 2024
Winter Birds 2024
October 2023 Walk for the Wild Click here for full writeup
At the McNary National Wildlife Refuge, October 7, 2023
What could be more appealing to local hikers and “friends” than to be invited into a unit of the McNary National Wildlife Refuge closed year round to all but bonafide hunters during season. And to make the experience ever so much more enriching, Mike Denny, naturalist extraordinaire, lead the Walk for the Wild on the morning of October 7, 2023.
At the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, October 14, 2023
Our second Walk for the Wild event took place a week later, at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge just outside of Othello, WA. This is a semi-remote location in the eastern part of the state approximately 100 miles west of Spokane. The area is characterized by vast expanses of basalt cliffs, dry riverbeds and water-filled ‘kolks’, or potholes formed when the waters of glacial Lake Missoula broke through their ice dam multiple times 2,500 years ago, scouring the Columbia Basin with flow rates of up to 65 miles per hour.
At the McNary National Wildlife Refuge, October 7, 2023
What could be more appealing to local hikers and “friends” than to be invited into a unit of the McNary National Wildlife Refuge closed year round to all but bonafide hunters during season. And to make the experience ever so much more enriching, Mike Denny, naturalist extraordinaire, lead the Walk for the Wild on the morning of October 7, 2023.
At the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, October 14, 2023
Our second Walk for the Wild event took place a week later, at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge just outside of Othello, WA. This is a semi-remote location in the eastern part of the state approximately 100 miles west of Spokane. The area is characterized by vast expanses of basalt cliffs, dry riverbeds and water-filled ‘kolks’, or potholes formed when the waters of glacial Lake Missoula broke through their ice dam multiple times 2,500 years ago, scouring the Columbia Basin with flow rates of up to 65 miles per hour.
September 24th - Guided kayak tour McNary Refuge and September 25th - Guided kayak tour Umatilla 2023
Celebrate Invertebrates June 2023
Native Plant Day April 15th
Winter Birds 2023
This was a great learning opportunity for both kids and adults!! This was put on by the Friends and US Fish and Wildlife at McNary working together.
Photo thanks Carl Berkowitz and Shannon Truex
Celebrate Invertebrates June 25th 2022
It was fun with a lot of people young and old asking many questions. One highlight was the presentation by the Bug Guru, Dale Jansons with lots of live invertebrates to see and learn about. Other activies was water invertebrates and also a tiny wasp activity. Some fun for the kids (and some adults) was face painting.
Organized by Friends of the Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges in partnership with USFWS Mid-Columbia River NWR Complex.
Organized by Friends of the Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges in partnership with USFWS Mid-Columbia River NWR Complex.
Native Plant Appreciation Day April 23rd
A fun day with exhibits and tours by experts of the native plant garden in addition to native plants in local area. Time was taken to dedicate the Native Plant Garden and plant a chokecherry tree on the refuge near the slough.
Members Informal Walks
Some pictures from our informal walk at Madame Dorian Park on March 24. Walkers included bird, plant and geology experts and people wanting to learn.
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting was held on December 9th through Zoom. We had an introduction by our president and then a great walk through the year by Shannon. Last, we have several on site videos by the staff at both complexes.
Presidents Message Jan James
A Year in Review Shannon Hays-Truex
Videos provided by US Fish and Wildlife staff at the meeting
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Celebrate Invertebrates Month 2021
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Learn about moths from David Droppers - an enthusiastic passionate speaker! David has a University of WA Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management, and a Western Washington University Master's degree in Environmental Education .
Below is the presentation on June 24, 2021 |
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Native Plant Month 2021
Heather Wendt, and Ernie Crediford talk on our local native plants and how to incorporate them into our own landscapes.
Gretchen Graber, an environmental scientist, gave a presentation on her latest project, YEER (see attachment). Gretchen is responsible for thousands of native plants being grown and re-introduced into the landscape.
Lisa Hill wildflower watercolor demonstration Follow along as two wildflower favorites in the Mid-Columbia region come to life as a watercolor painting. The brilliant yellow of Balsamroot and rich violet of Lupine are natural complements that create an eye-catching color combination – whether as art or in the shrub steppe. Lisa will demonstrate the techniques used to paint a pleasing blend of realistic flowers and a soft-focus, abstract background. She is a horticulturist, Master Gardener and avid bird-watcher who has been painting with watercolor since 2007.
This video is in 3 parts below
Gretchen Graber, an environmental scientist, gave a presentation on her latest project, YEER (see attachment). Gretchen is responsible for thousands of native plants being grown and re-introduced into the landscape.
Lisa Hill wildflower watercolor demonstration Follow along as two wildflower favorites in the Mid-Columbia region come to life as a watercolor painting. The brilliant yellow of Balsamroot and rich violet of Lupine are natural complements that create an eye-catching color combination – whether as art or in the shrub steppe. Lisa will demonstrate the techniques used to paint a pleasing blend of realistic flowers and a soft-focus, abstract background. She is a horticulturist, Master Gardener and avid bird-watcher who has been painting with watercolor since 2007.
This video is in 3 parts below
Native Plant Presentations
Heather Wendt, and Ernie Crediford talk on our local native plants and how to incorporate them into our own landscapes. Gretchen Graber, an environmental scientist, gave a presentation on her latest project, YEER starts at 32:30
Heather Wendt, and Ernie Crediford talk on our local native plants and how to incorporate them into our own landscapes. Gretchen Graber, an environmental scientist, gave a presentation on her latest project, YEER starts at 32:30
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Lisa Hill wildflower watercolor demonstration.
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Winter Birds 2021
Winter Birds February 18th presentations
Winter Birds of the McNary NWR, Columbia river and Yakima River Presentation by Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Broad Winged Hawks, Buteos of the Columbia Basin Presentation by Mike Denny
Winter Birds partner presentation February 20th
Water Birds of Washington with a presentation of Wintering Wildlife by WDFW
The link to the recording of this event is at Facebook and at YouTube
Winter Birds February 25th
Blue Mountain Wildlife presentation by Lynn Tompkins
Owling and Photographing Eastern Washington presented by Izzy Edwards
Winter Birds of the McNary NWR, Columbia river and Yakima River Presentation by Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Broad Winged Hawks, Buteos of the Columbia Basin Presentation by Mike Denny
Winter Birds partner presentation February 20th
Water Birds of Washington with a presentation of Wintering Wildlife by WDFW
The link to the recording of this event is at Facebook and at YouTube
Winter Birds February 25th
Blue Mountain Wildlife presentation by Lynn Tompkins
Owling and Photographing Eastern Washington presented by Izzy Edwards
Winter Birds 2021 Presentations
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Winter Birds of the McNary NWR, Columbia river and Yakima River
Presentation by Bill and Nancy LaFramboise Note: Slides were slow in posting in Zoom so delayed at times to the voice. |
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Broad Winged Hawks, Buteos of the Columbia Basin
Presentation by Mike Denny |
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ANNUAL MEETING / FRIENDSRAISER DECEMBER 2020
The 2020 Annual Meeting was held by way of Zoom to fit within COVID-19 guidelines. Below are several of the presentions we recorded during the meeting.
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Presentation of Friends activities during the year by Shannon Hayes-Truex
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Presentation by Trina Staloch from US Fish and Wildlife
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Clicking the double arrow in the video will expand to full page
Annual Meeting 2019
WINTER BIRDS FEBRUARY 2020
Winter Birds 2019
NATIVE PLANT APPRECIATION DAY APRIL 2019
CELEBRATE INVERTEBRATES JUNE 2019
Moth Night July 2019
DUCK CONSERVATION DAY SEPTEMBER 2019 (WITH MEMBER OF DUCKS UNLIMITED)
December 2018 Fundraiser
Pictures by Jan James, Jenny Rieke, Denise Mcinturff, Jaynee Levy, Shannon Hays-Truex, Adam Steele
