Our Mission

To deepen appreciation for and support of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and the extraordinary landscape, wildlife and cultural resources the refuge protects.

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by Brent Lawrence
Mar 23, 2020

The Spring Link: Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

“Friends of Malheur Refuge were founded in 1999 to promote the conservation and appreciation of natural and cultural resources at ...
The Fish and Wildlife Service is waiving entrance fees at wildlife refuges. Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state is pictured. FWS
Mar 23, 2020

Article: BLM lands, wildlife refuges drop entrance fees

The Interior Department today opened all national wildlife refuges and Bureau of Land Management sites for free, suspending entrance fees ...
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Mar 18, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE: Refuge Announces Temporary Suspension of Visitor Center

In keeping with guidance from the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and acting out of ...
Mt Scott Road Construction Completed - Open Dec 2020 - Photo O. Plumlee
Feb 1, 2020

Mt Scott Roadway Reopened

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge announced the reopening of the Mt. Scott Roadway on ...

COVID-19 UPDATE:

Visitors Center Closed

Planned Refuge events and programs may not take place as scheduled. This includes the Historical Tour on March 28th, upcoming Geology Tours, and our April 4 members meeting.

Refuge lands, including nature trails and outdoor recreational activities, remain open and accessible to the public.

The mission of the FOW is to deepen appreciation of and support for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Our non-profit was established to support the Refuge and provide outreach opportunities to the visiting public.

All donations received by the FOW are tax deductible and support the WMWR in areas federal funds cannot be allocated.

Events

Checkout our Facebook events page for a current listing of upcoming tours and programs.

Friends of the Wichitas

Who are The Friends of the Wichitas?

The Friends of the Wichitas is a non-profit organization committed to promoting environmental education opportunities for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Volunteer members conduct interpretive tours and work in the visitor center.

What Does the Association Do?

Donate funds and equipment to the refuge to enhance visitor enjoyment of the visitor center and other refuge public use programs.

Publish a monthly newsletter containing helpful hints of wildlife viewing, announcing upcoming tours, and giving visitors an in-depth look at refuge wildlife.

Provide materials and training for volunteer programs interpreters.

Provide materials and training for volunteer programs interpreters.

Get involved!

Three ways to support the FOW...

Become a Member

Become a Member!

Support FOW in providing outreach opportunities to Refuge visitors. We assist the Refuge and assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in meeting its conservation mandates.

Join Us!

Volunteer

Be a volunteer!

Be a tour guide, work in the visitor center, help with trail maintenance and refuge projects. Volunteers even help with the longhorn and bison sales!

Sign up!

Donate

Support the FOW

Help support conservation programs by donating! We are a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Donate!

Shop at The Nature Store

We are located in the Visitor Center of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Stop by to see us!
The Nature Store at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Our Partners

National Wildlife Refuge Association
Backwoods
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Logo
Fit Kids Southwest Oklahoma
REI Co-op