Friends of Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges

Friends of Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges Friends partners with USFWS to connect people with local ecosystems. Volunteers restore habitat, improve access, educate and engage all ages.

- Affiliate with others concerned about wildlife and conservation.

- Diverse opportunities for volunteers to support the Refuge Complex.

- Become familiar with refuges in the Mid-Columbia River Complex.

- Be involved with Friends meetings, celebrations, projects and events.

- Build community in our region through partnerships which cultivate earth stewardship.

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.

The heat and the air quality cooperated (a bit) to provide a lovely evening for our Adventure Sisters Two-Mile Tuesday w...
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!

After a Friends' Board meeting at McNary HQ, I thought I should at least make the trek to the Bird Blind, despite the 96...
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 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.

For our Celebrate Invertebrates event on June 6th visitors had the opportunity to learn about aquatic invertebrates and ...
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.

Displays are ready to go for Saturday's Celebrate Invertebrates event! 9 to 12 tomorrow.
06/06/2026

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

Address

64 Maple Street
Burbank, WA
99323

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