July 2013
Camas National Wildlife Refuge is such a valuable asset for all of Idaho! The Friends of Camas NWR are excited to help make positive changes for it. Our Friends of Camas Board is blessed with very talented and diverse people, who appreciate the pressing needs of the refuge and are committed to using their various skills and experience in that effort.
One thing we are doing is exploring ways to increase water supply, which has drastically decreased since the refuge was founded in 1937. It has become prohibitively expensive to pump ground water -- up to $70,000 a year. The refuge is surrounded with about 70 center-pivot irrigation wells that are competing for this life-giving resource. A Comprehensive Conservation Plan for this refuge is currently in the draft state, and will address ways to deal with this dilemma.
Our past President, Dave Stricklan (Professor of Biology, BYU-Idaho) traveled to Washington, D.C. this past April to testify for support of the refuge system in general and Camas NWR in particular. Our Representative, Mike Simpson, is chair of the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies. At a time of reduced spending, Dave made a compelling case for continued support of the refuge. He pointed out that the refuge is quite literally an oasis in a sea of irrigated farmland, and pointed out the critical importance of water to a healthy riparian vegetation for migratory and resident land and water birds. Thank you, Dave.
We now have detailed plans for a new pavilion to be placed south of the parking lot at Camas. This will be useful for the general public, and especially as an education center for hands-on learning by local schools and scout groups. We envision having binocular microscopes and other equipment available for environmental studies. At some point we want to expand this space into a bookstore and gift shop. All this will require continued support from the community, and external funding by way of grants and other financial aid. I feel that as an organization, the Friends of Camas are now on firm footing, and so I look forward to seeing our influence continue to grow in a positive way for the refuge.
Dr. Chuck Trost
President, Friends of Camas NWR
July, 2013
December 2013
Camas National Wildlife Refuge continues to be a treasure for eastern Idaho, and the Friends of Camas are engaged in helping the refuge provide a quality recreational and educational experience for the public. I am honored by the trust placed in me by the Board of the Friends of Camas to take over as President of this organization. With the support of the Board and the membership I hope to continue the momentum of my predecessors in identifying and acting upon issues and opportunities which Friends can tackle to best serve the needs of the refuge and the public. Thanks to them for their leadership.
Probably the most significant issue facing the Refuge and Friends continues to be providing sufficient water to the refuge. The water supply has drastically decreased since the refuge was founded in 1937, and the cost to pump groundwater, up to $70,000 a year, has become prohibitively expensive. The refuge is surrounded with about 70 center-pivot irrigation wells that are competing for this life-giving resource. A Comprehensive Conservation Plan for this refuge will be available in the next month or so will address ways to deal with this dilemma. Friends is anxious to review and provide positive critique of the CCP.
During the past summer the foundation and the floor of the pavilion were completed, thanks to funding from the CHC Foundation and Fish and Wildlife Service. We are actively applying for grants to complete the next phase of construction. When completed, the pavilion will be useful for the general public, and especially as an education center for hands-on learning by local schools and scout groups.
Camas National Wildlife Refuge participated in a Peregrine Falcon restoration project starting in 1983. A hack tower was constructed in a remote area of the refuge. Captive-raised chicks from the Center for Birds of Prey in Boise were hacked back to the wild until 1988 when adult birds began nesting on the tower. Fifty-two Peregrine Falcon have now fledged from Camas. We are exploring funding for a web cam at the tower to allow the public to watch and enjoy these remarkable birds during the nesting process.
If you haven't visited Camas NWR recently, I encourage you to do so. Late fall and winter have a singular charm for the hardy soul.
Dr. Tim Reynolds
President, Friends of Camas NWR
December 1, 2013