News

It’s always interesting to hear the US Fish & Wildlife Service leadership speak. Recently, Director Martha Williams provided testimony on the impact of the proposed FY23 USFWS budget to the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works. Watch the Video→ Did you know that the Friends of the Wichitas has a Governmental Affairs committee that…

Nature Positively Impacts Our Well-Being & Caring for It Can Enhance Our Moods Too  Read the Article on Leave No Trace→

On the Osage Nation Ranch just outside of Pawhuska, nearly 200 bison are roaming free on 3,000 acres of the tribe’s ancestral land. Osage Nation started building its herd about four years ago with bison donated from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and Colorado State University — all with a 100-percent pure American Bison bloodline,…

Although not all of our Friends members are USFWS volunteers, the vast majority are. This Washington Post article gives a great overview of different ways to volunteer in the outdoors on public lands. And if you’d like to join the Friends community of volunteers, we’re definitely here for you! Just drop an e-mail to volunteer@friendsofthewichitas.org!

“50 Free Things To Do in Oklahoma” “The breathtaking Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton is a haven for hikers, wildlife photographers and rock climbers. Hike or drive to the top of Mount Scott for spectacular scenery. Free-range buffalo, longhorn cattle and prairie dogs call the refuge’s 59,000+ acres home, so be sure to have your camera poised and ready.”

Oklahoma’s diverse topography makes it very popular for different hiking excursions. Most people are surprised to learn that the state actually draws in thousands of visitors every year. Check out the full article:

Member Randy Jones was recently featured in the Lawton Constitution as the longest running artist in the Arts for All festival, as well as finally receiving his 2019 Featured Artist of the Year honor. Check out the article here: https://www.swoknews.com/article_e98b4478-01aa-5e48-ae25-f4943b2323b1.html

Recently, the OnlyInYourState.com website featured an article about the 40-Foot Hole Waterfall off of Kite Trail (Dog Run Hollow trail).

Know before you go! The WMWR periodically closes portions of the Refuge to conduct invasive species eradication. Feral swine, for example, are  a nuisance species that compete with Oklahoma’s native wildlife for food causing significant disturbance to native habitat. Read the full article here: https://www.swoknews.com/article_143edf61-d858-588e-abe5-e9aed7f0073d.html