Message from the Board
Tim Reynolds
October 2019
The mission of Friends of Camas NWR is to foster environmental education, conservation, and scientific study at the refuge for the benefit of the resources and enjoyment by the public. Towards this end, we have a host of projects completed, in progress, and still on the drawing board. Those which are completed include the Nancy Maxwell Conservation and Education Pavilion and the Peregrine Falcon webcam. Projects underway are the Kent Christopher Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration, the Jon Braastad Pollinator Garden, and the Friend of Camas Environmental Education and Conservation Resources Acquisition. Future projects include repeating the bird banding effort conducted by the Intermountain Bird Observatory a dozen years ago and, possibly, developing an audio app for the Refuge’s Tour Route.
None of our projects would happen if we did not have the strong support of our Friends membership and the community, as well as the generous funding from granting organizations.
In this View from the Board, I want to identify and thank those who are responsible for our successes towards meeting our mission goal:
Nancy Maxwell Pavilion: CHC Foundation, Tri-County Builders, JRW & Associates PLLC, Idaho Master Naturalists and Friends of Camas Volunteers.
Peregrine Nest Cam: Idaho Falconers Association, Mud Lake Telephone, Portneuf Valley Audubon Society, Snake River Audubon Society, private donors, Friends of Camas matching funds, and Friends of Camas Volunteers.
Pollinator Garden: CHC Foundation, Idaho Native Plant Society, Mountain State Products, Native Roots, Sunnyside Gardens, Eagle Rock Nursery, Rain Makers, M Squared Construction, Portneuf Valley Audubon Society, Scotts Miracle-Gro – 1000, Bayer Feed a Bee program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Cedera Native Plants, John Braastad Memorial Fund, private donors, Friends of Camas matching funds, and Idaho Master Naturalists and Friends of Camas Volunteers.
Kent Christopher Habitat Project: Dubois Grouse Days
Environmental Education and Conservation Resources: CHC Foundation, Portneuf Valley Audubon Society, Snake River Audubon Society, and Friends of Camas matching funds.
None of these projects would have been possible without the generous support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service SE Idaho Refuge Complex, providing much needed and appreciated matching funds as well as many, many hours of workmen/women, heavy equipment, and expertise in many arenas.
The bottom line is that cooperation and conservation go hand in hand, benefitting the Refuge and the enjoyment by the public.
Refuge Manager's Notes
October 17, 2019
Brian Wehausen,
For sure the fall season has arrived at Camas NWR and some of our overnight temperatures show signs of winter already. We have had nights as cold as 11 F, and a couple of days with snow showers. The mountains in the northern part of the watershed have seen some decent amounts of snow already but significant melting has already occurred as one would expect this early in the season. At times the Refuge has seen snow showers and has received some much-needed fall rain.
The Refuge is currently still pumping water into the wetland complex and it seems to be holding decent amounts of water in Big, Redhead, Toomey and Two Way Ponds. With the water a variety of waterfowl have still been utilizing the Refuge habitats, mostly dabbling ducks, geese, and cranes lately. The Refuge will be shutting down wells in the next couple of weeks as we typically do this time of year as we start reaching the end of our water rights for the year.
The majority of the songbird migration has moved past, but last week saw a large influx of juncos, especially in the area of the pollinator garden.
White-tailed have been more active and visible around Refuge headquarters as of late. Their breeding activity should come into full swing in the next month or so. Deer numbers appear to up from recent years. Elk numbers remain about the same and still provide viewing opportunities.
Refuge staff is completing fall work and winterizing equipment that will be stored now for the season. Fall mornings are a great time to come out to the Refuge and see wildlife before winter actually sets in for good.