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Oregon's High Desert Discovery

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Oregon's High Desert Discovery Oregon's High Desert Discovery Main theme: As the northernmost portion of the Great Basin, Oregon's high desert is characterized by wetland oases and isolated mountain islands. Rich in natural resources, these areas have attracted wildlife and humans for thousands of years. Burns Open dependent upon inside vs. outside location Projected average length of visit: 10 minutes Facilities and services available to the visitor Orientation sign in visual format/Tourism information (including facilities and mileage) Printed informational maps/brochures/newspaper Visitor experience "Through design of simple display utilizing symbols, visitors will easily locate what there is to see and do within the Oregon High Desert Discovery focusing on the USFWS/BLM facilities. *Interpretive information will provide visual introduction to the overall theme of the entire loop from Burns to Lakeview. *Orientation map will include symbols indicating where to find gas, lodging, campgrounds, picnic and contact stations. 'Information will be included for advertisements of local services such as lodging, food and gas stations. Topics 1. How far away major facilities are, how long it takes to get there, highlights of what there is to see and do with a sampling of activities and the amount of time it takes to do them with more specific detail on the northern end of the loop. 2. Photographs/drawings which highlight the major habitats, activities and facilities including scenic byways. Wrights Point Open year-round Projected average length of visit: 10 minutes Facilities and services available to the visitor: Orientation/Interpretive Signs with seasonal updates Visitor experience *Orientation information/map will simply and quickly welcome and orient visitors to the USFWS/BLM facilities and opportunities available within the Oregon High Desert Discovery "Interpretive information will introduce the overall theme of the entire loop from Burns to Lakeview . "Orientation map will include symbols indicating where to find gas, lodging, campgrounds, picnic and contact stations. "Future driving tour brochure will highlight the history of Wright's Point. Messages /Topics 1. Orientation information will include more specific focus on the northern end of the loop: "Malheur, Steens and Diamond Craters and byway driving times and mileage 2. Signs will briefly highlight the themes and stories of Steens, Malheur, and Diamond Craters: "the wetland habitat of Malheur and pre-history "the glacial mountain habitats and historic heritage of the Steens "the volcanic features of Diamond Craters 3. Signs will utilize the scenic views from Wright's Point to: "introduce the basin and range landscape. "create a sense of adventure and anticipation for the diversity of experiences awaiting the visitor. 4. Safety and regulatory information will be positively interpreted including reasons why they exist. Profile of Visitor Experience: Malheur National Wildlife Refuge April 29, 1991 Profile of Visitor Center: Accessible to visitor: . Open year-round, 7 days a week . Closed major holidays Facilities and services available to visitor: . Restrooms * . 2 Educational classrooms/meeting rooms . Water fountain* . Observation deck with spotting scopes * . Exhibits . Staffed Information/Reception area . Gift shop * These facilities accessible to visitors 365 days a year The visitor experience: . Scenic and wildlife viewing: . Outdoor observation deck with spotting scopes overlooking Malheur Lake . Interior windows provide panoramic view of Malheur Lake . Exhibits: Main exhibit theme: The wetlands of Malheur NWR are a relatively abundant and reliable source of water in an otherwise dry environment. As such, they are and have been important to both wildlife and humans for thousands of years. Exhibits will acquaint visitor with: 1. reasons why refuge is important to wildlife 2. concept of diverse habitats, especially wetland habitats 3. concept that different species use different habitats; some use a variety of habitats 4. reasons why refuge is managed 5. overview of human use of resources at Malheur 6. concepts of archaeology Projected average length of visit: 30 minutes Buena Vista Overlook: Accessible to visitor: . Year round, 365 days a year Services available to visitor: . Exhibits . Refuge map with information and orientation The visitor experience: . Excellent opportunity to see great variety of wildlife, esp. waterfowl . Panoramic overlook of ponds and fields . Exhibits will acquaint visitors with: 1. Waterfowl brood rearing needs 2. How and why management helps meet these needs 3. Other types of wildlife that also rely on these ponds throughout the year Projected average length of visit: 10 minutes Benson Ponds: Accessible to visitor: . Year round, 365 days a year Services available to visitor: . Exhibits . Refuge map with information and orientation The visitor experience: . Large shade trees invite visitors to rest and look for wildlife . Excellent place to see wildlife, esp. trumpeter swans and owls . Exhibits will acquaint the visitor with: 1. Concept of endangered species 2. History, recovery and needs of trumpeter swans 3. Habitat and dietary needs, and unique adaptations of several species of owls 4. Trees attract different species of wildlife Projected average length of visit: 15 minutes Knox Ponds: Accessible to visitor: .Year-round, 365 days a year Services available to visitor: .Exhibits .Refuge map with information and orientation The visitor experience: . Excellent place to see sandhill cranes and other wading birds . Exhibits to acquaint visitor with: 1. Variety of habitats needed by sandhill cranes 2. Concept that habitat loss makes refuge critical to sandhill populations, putting heavy de on the refuge 3. Life history/"gee whiz" information on cranes 4. Concept of colonial nesters, e.g. white-faced ibis Projected average length of visit: 10 minutes P Ranch: Accessible to visitor: . Year-round, 365 days a year Services available to visitor: . Exhibits . Refuge map with information and orientation The visitor experience: . Visitors can walk informally among the several remaining historic and reconstructed structures of French's residential site . Visitors can walk through the Long barn . Visitors get a good look at a variety of Malheur's habitats here . Exhibits will acquaint visitors with: 1. Pete French and the empire he built 2. French's innovativeness and resourcefulness 3. Riparian, river and meadow habitats and associated species Projected average length of visit: 15 minutes Interpretive Themes and Topics: Malheur National Wildlife Refuge April 29,1991 Main theme for Malheur NWR: The wetlands found on Malheur NWR are a relatively abundant and reliable source of water in an otherwise dry environment. As such, they are and have been important to both wildlife and humans for thousands of years. Visitor Center topics: I. Water makes Malheur NWR an important oasis that provides critical habitat for many species of birds, especially waterfowl. A. Water in the desert: a vital and scarce commodity B. Water creates a variety of habitats for wildlife 1. Wetlands: If you've seen one wetland, have you seen them all? Not from a bird's point of view! 2. Riparian zones attract a great diversity of wildlife 3. Meadows: This transition from wetlands to upland provides food and nesting cover for many species typically associated with wetlands; provides habitat for the widest array of wildlife needs on the refuge 4. Uplands: Although Malheur's wetlands attract many birds, there are species who depend on the uplands II. Humans have been drawn to Malheur's abundant resources for thousands of years. (A walk back through time) A. The refuge today, a magnet for people who enjoy observing the abundant resources B. CCC: helped shape the refuge, constructions to enhance habitats C. In the late 1800s, plume hunters wreaked havoc, nearly decimated the grebe and egret populations at Malheur. D. Cattle barons, esp. Pete French, were drawn to the lush grasslands and abundance of water E. Fur trappers scoured the area for beavers F. Historic Native Americans G. Prehistoric Native Americans Malheur: Topics for selected interpretive sites Buena Vista: 1. These ponds, and the surrounding areas, are important to ducklings, goslings, and cygnets. 2. Without management these ponds and the surrounding habitats would not meet the demands of so many waterfowl. 3. These ponds attract other wildlife year-round. 4. Refuge map and orientation panel Benson Ponds: 1. The variety of habitats here attracts different species of wildlife. 2. The survival of trumpeter swans depends on ponds like these. 3. Different species of owls find the food and habitat they need here. 4. Owls: These silent hunters in the night have unique adaptations Knox Ponds: 1. Sandhill cranes need a variety of habitats. 2. Life history/"Gee whiz" information on cranes 3. White-face ibis: colonial nesters: There are advantages to flocking together! P Ranch: (part of interpretive trail from Frenchglen Visitor Center) 1. Through his drive, know-how and innovativeness, Pete French rose from hired hand to cattle baron, building the largest single cattle ranch in the U.S. 2. Remaining structures are testimony to French's innovativeness 3. Thanks to habitat diversity, the greatest variety of wildlife on the refuge is found here. Steens Mountain Profile of Frenchglen Visitor Center Projected Average Length of Visit: 30-45 minutes Open seasonally, 7 days a week Facilities and services available to the visitor: All facilities will be barrier free including
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