ECBA News

February’s Malheur Musings

At Malheur and across the National Wildlife Refuge System there has been much ado about a lot these days. Those of us in leadership positions with Refuge or Hatchery Friends groups have been closely monitoring the communications and guidance related to Director's Order 230, which is likely to mean nothing to most people if not everyone reading this newsletter.

Wildflowers: Missing Link in Sage Grouse Conservation?

Josh Collins, ECBA member of our Conservation & Science Committee works with Stu Garrett’s group of enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers on our Greater Sage-Grouse Project.  Josh recently gave an excellent talk on Wildflowers and Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation in Central Oregon.  This talk was given by Josh for the Bird Alliance of Oregon as part of their Nature Night speaker series.  

January’s Malheur Musings

Greetings! The beginning of a new year is often a time for retrospection, and this January is no exception.

Osprey Watch

OSPREY WATCH is a global community science project that tracks osprey nesting activity over time. Think Wild is leading local efforts here in Central Oregon with participation from ECBA volunteers. Observing, monitoring nests, and submitting data on a regular basis contributes to a much larger data base that is growing all the time.

Sevilla Rhoads, First place winner of December 2025 OBA Contest

I was in the Sisters school parking lot taking photos for a student group that needed photos of White-headed Woodpeckers and Pinyon Jays for a presentation to the school board about a conservation-friendly 'fuel reduction' of the Trout Creek Conservation Area. I was lucky. Not only did two White-headed Woodpeckers turn up, but also a flock of Pinyon Jays and they were fighting over a puddle of water!

Pollinator Pathway Bend

Here’s a fun and informative video to start dreaming about spring. Pollinator Pathway is a national organization dedicated to the establishment of native plant communities for pollinators that are managed without pesticides. photo by Barb Rumer

Olympic Bird Fest 2026

Online Registration Open Now!

Caring for Winter Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds can and do die when deep cold, blizzards, and ice storms set in. Keeping them alive requires warm feeder solutions and, in some cases, an additional heat source. Elise Wolf

December’s Malheur Musings

Greetings! The winter season is one of contradictory realities. It can be harsh and uncomfortable while it can also be serene and calm. The holidays we human beings celebrate this time of year are diverse and offer the joyous counterpart to the less enjoyable elements such as short days, icy mornings, and cold nights. It is also a time of surprises - my favorite.

City of Redmond Wetlands Complex Update

Latest updates

Are you an ECBA Volunteer ?

ECBA now uses Track it Forward to help volunteers keep track of volunteer time. Compiling the hours that volunteers give to ECBA is something that really does matter to all non-profits.

November’s Malheur Musings

As we near the benchmark for a second lapse of federal appropriations to last 35 days we wonder, 'Just how much longer can this go on?' We make our calls and send out letters, which is valuable does have an impact in raising our voices but it can feel like yelling into a void. An act bordering on absurdity. BUT I HAVE SO MUCH HOPE.