[OR_Archaeology] Malheur Wildlife Refuge Centennial Celebration Sept. 20th

[Susan White]

MALHEUR REFUGE TO CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge's Centennial Celebration on Sept. 20
will be packed with opportunities to learn about the refuge, its history
and archaeology, and to enjoy some great wildlife viewing in southeast
Oregon. The day will start with the dedication of a bronze statue and
time capsule at Refuge Headquarters at 9 a.m. The dedication will be
followed by a 10 a.m. presentation by Trish Nixon from the Peregrine
Funds Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, and will include live birds
from the Center for Birds of Prey. A number of children's activities
will occur at refuge headquarters throughout the day. A children's
activity guide will be available for the Blitzen Valley Journey, a
self-guided tour of the Blitzen Valley.

Five staffed stops along the Blitzen Valley Journey will highlight
refuge related topics.  Visitors can begin their journey at Peter
French's Sod House Ranch. Volunteers will provide guided tours of the
ranch and discuss archaeological excavations at the ranch. Children's
activities will also be available at the ranch. The next stop on the
self-guided journey will take visitors to Buena Vista Overlook where
refuge staff will answer questions about habitat management and
wildlife use of the refuge.

The third stop on the tour will be at Benson Pond where Paiute weavers
from the Native Circle will demonstrate traditional Paiute weaving
techniques. Visitors can learn about the contributions the Civilian
Conservation Corps made to the refuge and local communities. Neotropical
birds (songbirds) using the refuge will also be highlighted at this
stop. The fourth stop on the Blitzen Valley Journey will be held at the
confluence of Bridge Creek and the Blitzen River where refuge staff will
talk about native fish using the refuge and visitors can view fish
habitat restoration efforts on the Blitzen River. The final stop on the
journey will be at Peter French's P Ranch where Refuge volunteers will
answer questions about Peter French and the restoration of the P Ranch
Long Barn. 

The Centennial Celebration will conclude with a no host barbeque at the
Narrows Café. For more information contact Malheur Refuge at
541-493-2612.