Most of Oregon’s 1.2 million seabirds nest in the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, a 320-mile-long sweep of 1,400 islands, rocks, and reefs along the Oregon coast from Tillamook Head to the California border. The rocks, islands and all but one headland are classified as wilderness and are closed to the public as sanctuaries for nesting birds. Beach-goers can explore the tide pools teeming with sea life below the high tide line on the refuge’s protected rocks and islands.
Photo: Roy W. Lowe/USFWS
Crater Lake has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.
Photo: National Park Service
June is National Oceans Month. To celebrate, we will highlight great beaches across the country that are on public lands throughout the week.
The first photo come from the Oregon Coast, which is a popular summer destination. Of the 180 marine and coastal refuges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge complex has the highest visitation. Oregon Islands Refuge includes more than 1,400 coastal islands, rocks, and reefs scattered along the 320 miles of the Oregon coast. Visitors are especially drawn to viewing more than a million seabirds that breed in the refuge. Nationwide, coastal and marine national wildlife refuges contributed at least $900 million to local economies in 2010, with National Park Service coastal units contributing an additional 3.5 billion.
Photo by by Roy Lowe, FWS
Nez Perce National Historical Park is a non-traditional National Park site. The park tells a story about a people that is spread over a large geographic area. For countless generations, the Nimiipuu or Nez Perce have lived among the rivers, canyons and prairies of the inland northwest. Despite the cataclysmic change of the past two centuries, the Nez Perce are still here.
The park has thirty-eight sites in four states - Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington. A park map is available here and can be used in conjunction with this list. Comprehensive trip planning information is also available here.
In this photo, a 150-year-old buffalo hide tipi in the park’s collection was photographed. The tipi was probably made in the 1850s and consists of sixteen to twenty buffalo hides, stitched together with sinew.
Photo: National Park Service
In this photo, two Spotted Owl chicks rest on a tree branch in Oregon. Overall, northern spotted owl numbers have been declining 2.9% on average per year – leading to an estimated 40% decline in numbers over the last 25 years. The presumed causes of the decline are the continuing effects of lost old growth forest habitat prior to the 1990s and increasing competition from the barred owl.
Which is why this week, in compliance with an order from a U.S. District Court, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a science-based critical habitat proposal for the northern spotted owl that begins a public review process to determine what forest lands should be designated as critical habitat in a final rule that will be published in November. This proposal recommends substantially increasing active management of forests, consistent with ecological forestry principles, in areas designated as critical habitat. This week’s announcement, which identifies areas that may be considered for the final designation, also emphasizes significant benefits of excluding private lands, and that consideration along with the important economic assessment will help inform areas that will be excluded from the final designation. To learn more, click here.
Photo: Tom Kogutus - USFWS
For the wildlife enthusiast, a visit to the Klamath Basin Refuges at any season is a voyage of never-ending discovery. Year to year and season to season the dynamic ebb and flow of wildlife is a process of constant change. When you visit greatly determines what you will see. Click here for information on seasonal viewing opportunities. View a Refuge Wildlife Checklist of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish that you might see while at our refuges.
Photo: USFWS
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.
Photo: National Park Service
The North Umpqua River in southwest Oregon never fails to excite the imaginations of rafters, kayakers, and fishing enthusiasts alike.
And with a 34-mile stretch designated as a Wild and Scenic River, the North Umpqua is protected by the Bureau of Land Management to preserve its free-flowing figure for future generations to enjoy. Visit it online here.
Photo: Oregon BLM
A view from the north side of Harney Lake on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon shows the stark alkali saltgrass landscape seen by Stephen Meek’s 1845 wagon train. The pioneers’ hardships inspired the 2011 film “Meek’s Cutoff,” which includes scenes of the high desert refuge. The refuge protects habitat for migratory birds and wildlife. (Carla Burnside/USFWS)
Photo by Carla Burnside, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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