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From Diane, Board Secretary
The Friends Board of Directors have had an exciting start to 2023! This new year brought us clear vision, commitments, collaboration and once again a sound partnership with the staff at USFWS. We are sitting well with ourselves and are excited to contribute to some of the new and continuing projects this year.
Every year Damien Miller, Project Manager of the refuge complex, and his hard working and environmentally-conscious staff, present a list of priority projects for the Board to consider. We take these requests seriously and always think of our members and contributors when selecting which projects to contribute to financially. We strive to keep in tune with the heartbeat of the refuges and the needs presented.
Once again, we have selected to financially support the refuge staff in the Streaked Horned Lark Nest Monitoring Project. The streaked horned lark is a beautiful bird with its little black horns and yellow and black face, and it is a ground-nesting bird at that. The breeding season in Oregon runs from late April into August. USFWS will hire an intern from The Environment for the Americas based out of Boulder, CO. Their mission is: “Environment for the Americas connects people to birds and nature and inspires the next generation of conservationists by connecting diverse people to nature and to the protection of birds and their habitats”.
Our 2022 Ankeny Hill Nature Center Appeal brought us an additional $ 3,285.00! The Ankeny Hill Nature Center is now embarking on its 2 nd phase of construction to build the Dave Marshall classroom. The Friends, Salem Audubon and USFWS are currently working to determine the exact location of the structure as it relates to Peregrine Marsh at full pool, which it is now. Construction is planned for this summer. Your contributions helped enable the success of this project. The Dave Marshall classroom will be built below the Nature Center and will host a myriad of events to enlighten, educate and tantalize your senses. Dave Marshall helped create all of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuges including Ankeny in 1965.
So, The Board of Directors wishes to THANK YOU, our fellow conservationists, by supporting us with your volunteer time at The Wild Goose Nature Store, at Ankeny Hill Nature Center and by your donations and memberships. We could not do it without you. Remember to visit one of the most beautiful places in North America this spring, Ankeny Hill Nature Center’s beautiful blooming Upland Prairie. It’s a sight to see and worth a visit. The Big Leaf Lupines are so large that you can actually hide behind them and they will touch your waist when standing behind them. I’ve read that lupine “will challenge the human soul to greater acts of generosity and selflessness”. Now how cool is that? The Checkermallow (Sidalcea spp.) also dots the hillside in beautiful shades of pink enhancing the entire view. Be sure to check out the Oak Overlook and stroll the Discovery Loop Trail. I’m predicting mid-April for this magnificent nature-show to begin.
William L. Finley also offers many wildflowers that will make your heart beat just a bit faster and cause a moment of true jubilation. A stroll along the Mill Hill Loop Trail reveals over 100 Calypso Orchids, while the hillside near Bald Top Hill reveals the bright-yellow wands of the Golden Paintbrush. Another delight is the Peacock Larkspur found at Prairie Overlook. And last but not least…..our treasured “Cat’s Ears” is scattered around Pigeon Butte.
Our core mission of support and our personal love of all things wild and free leave us feeling joyful and inquisitive. We hope that this feeling of joy and inquisitiveness will always be with you as you explore our wonderful refuges this coming year.
As William L. Finley Refuge Manager Eddie Pausch so eloquently says…..”TAKE A HIKE!” The Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex opens its wide-open spaces to all on April 1st .
Thanks to Diane Young, Cynthia Donald and Jill Scofield for the photos!
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