Friends of Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges

09/30/2026

Thanks to biologist Glen Mendel for his presentation on Badgers at our Saturday Vertebrate event. We learned how these "ecosystem engineers" make changes to the habitat around them that are beneficial to plant and animal life around them. Families enjoyed time to learn from our classroom displays on Vertebrates and had great weather for exploring the trail as well!

09/30/2026

So cool! Keep an eye out if you drive down to the Millet Ponds!

This Elk photo was recently captured along North Shore Road at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. This animal may be part of the herd that summers in the Blue Mountains and travels to lower elevations for the colder months. There is also a population that uses the nearby Juniper Canyon. If you visit the refuge's Wallula Unit at this time of year you may hear the unique and eerie bugling calls of a bull!

Photo Credit: Casey Klein/USFWS

09/23/2026

For our Saturday Vertebrate event, we've had a little confusion about the start time, which is now officially set for 9:30. Arriving at 9:30 will give you time to look at displays before the 10:00 AM presentation on Badgers starts or to go for a walk and look at displays later. We'll be here and ready at 9:00 though, and you're welcome to arrive then if you like to get an early start. Sorry for any confusion!

09/16/2026

Sounds interesting!

Manhattan to Monument - A Hanford History Hike!

The National Park Service and Fish & wildlife Service are hosting a free hike on Saturday, September 19.

Take a step back in time with us on the Hanford Reach National Monument. The park and refuge staff are leading a hike focusing on the history of the Manhattan Project and we will also discuss the shrub-steppe ecology, some of the geology you'll be passing through, and any other topic you'd like to know more about on your Monument. This guided walk highlights historic viewpoints, the story of the Missoula Floods, and how today’s stewardship protects the national treasures found near the Tri-Cities.

The hike will follow the old Ringold River Road, so while there is elevation gain, the path is easy. If you stay with us for the entire trip (6 miles), plan on 3 hours, but the hike is designed that you can return at any point.

Meet us at the "locked gate" on Ringold River Road across from the historic, original Hanford High School at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/md8pvPBUBB7Xpgta7

The road in is dirt, but easily passable by passenger car. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, water, and curiosity. There aren't any restrooms out there, so plan accordingly. If you have any questions, or need directions, don't hesitate to call (509) 546-8333.

09/01/2026

PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING
Toxic blue green algae (cyanobacteria) are present in the waters near the headquarters and Quail Trail at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. Avoid all contact.

Thank you to the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health for the monitoring and public notification support.

07/30/2026

The heat and the air quality cooperated (a bit) to provide a lovely evening for our Adventure Sisters Two-Mile Tuesday walk along McNary's Quail Trail. Our 7:30 start was perfect timing for appreciating the gorgeous sunset. (And a beautiful fire influenced moon could be seen as we returned to the parking lot.) We saw several cottontail bunnies enjoying the cooling temps, plenty of tiny turtles floating near the surface, and a few pelicans to fill out the evening.

06/27/2026

Tomorrow's Kayak event is CANCELED due to windy conditions this weekend. Watch for future kayaking opportunities!

06/26/2026

After a Friends' Board meeting at McNary HQ, I thought I should at least make the trek to the Bird Blind, despite the 96-degree heat on Wednesday. Wildlife seemed to be wisely avoiding the late afternoon sun, and even the most of the turtles had given up battling for log space in the sun. Instead, most were lazily floating near the surface of the algae green water. This weekend might be a great time for a walk along the slough, as local temperature are supposed to be dropping.

06/11/2026

For our Celebrate Invertebrates event on June 6th visitors had the opportunity to learn about aquatic invertebrates and our native bees! Thanks to Board member Carl Berkowitz for this write-up and photos.

Shannon and Mike Truex brought microscopes and magnifying glasses for viewing of freshly-caught (and still alive!) invertebrates netted that morning from mud along the marshy shoreline of the Quail Trail. Dragonfly larva, striders and a variety of small critters living in our shoreline were easily seen at their display and then returned to their home waters.

And Master Melittologist (a scientist who studies bees) Lisa Robinson gave two presentations. Her first talk was explaining the difference between a bee, wasp and fly. She then led participants on a ‘bee-watching’ tour of the McNary Heritage and Pollinator Gardens where a number of bees mentioned in her talk were observed. Her second presentation focused on activities of the Washington Native Bee Society and the iNaturalist project. Volunteers for the project are needed to help identify our native bee population and the plants that they are found on.

06/06/2026

Displays are ready to go for Saturday's Celebrate Invertebrates event! 9 to 12 tomorrow.