Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Springtime in the Wichita Mountains
Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors. The animals are active and visible. The wildflowers are starting to bloom. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold. The number of people visiting the refuge are not overwhelming, yet. So, this is the ideal time to break out of those winter doldrums and enjoy…
Read MoreInterpretive Tours to begin in March
March is not only the month that officially ushers in spring, it is also the month that the Public Interpretive Tours begin on the Wichita Mountains NWR. The first tours, the Historical Sites Tours, will be offered on two Saturdays this year – March 2nd & 9th at 1:30 pm. A complete schedule of all…
Read MoreUpdate: Government Shutdown
The Federal government shutdown is still in progress, but the US Fish & Wildlife Service has expanded operating guidelines for 38 National Wildlife Refuges starting Monday, January 14. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (WMWR) is one of those 38 refuges. The expanded guidelines for the WMWR are: Normal activities are permissible during daylight hours. All…
Read MoreOklahoma Eagle Spotting
Oklahoma’s January weather is dicey at best. So it’s no wonder that the “In Search of Eagles” tour was the least well attended, and most often cancelled tour FOW assist with. The fact that Oklahoma’s wintering Bald and Golden Eagles prefer to fish in large lakes with tall trees on the shorelines like those of…
Read MoreWinter on the Refuge is a Great Time to Visit
Winter is a very nice time of year to visit the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is quieter with considerably fewer people. The deciduous trees have lost most of their leaves, which makes spotting large animals much easier. “Winter is my favorite time for visiting the refuge. There are hardly any two-legged animals running…
Read MoreVolunteers continue to clean up graffiti on the Refuge
As has been reported through various media outlets – KSWO, Lawton Constitution, KJRH, KFOR – vandalism is on the rise at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. In July, large areas of graffiti were removed in the Parallel Forest and on Mt. Scott thanks to a number of volunteers including the OKC Chapter of the Alpine Club. The…
Read MoreLitter Pickup Tues. June 5th at 8 am
Did you know that the First Tuesday of every month we designate as “Litter Pick-Up Day” on The Refuge. We meet at the Visitors Center at 9:00 AM ( 8:00 AM during the Hot Summer) and pick up litter till around noon and then adjourn to Ann’s for lunch. You don’t have to be a…
Read MoreLonghorn Auction Thursday Sept 21st
Time for the Annual Longhorn Auction at The Refuge! You won’t want to miss this great event, it is always a fun time! Come on out and get up close and personal by working with the refuge staff or help with FOW booth. Enjoy a great burger luncheon and visit with everybody. Contact Helen at volunteer@friendsofthewichitas.org…
Read MoreHistorical Sites of the Wichitas Tours
Reservations open February 27, 2017. Tours on March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2017. Visit various locations throughout the Refuge as guides discuss the establishment and purpose of the Refuge, contributions by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the origin of the Refuge herds of American bison, elk, and Texas longhorn cattle. While the tour will…
Read MoreNature Store Grand Opening – January 15, 3-5pm
Friends of the Wichitas invites you to the Grand Opening of the Nature Store on Sunday January 15, 2017 from 3-5pm in the Wichita Mountains Visitor Center. We’ll have refreshments, a silent auction, door prizes, and a ribbon cutting. Recognition will be given to the generous donors who made this possible. Come out and see the…
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