Accomplishments
2025 Progress Report
Another banner year of the Association of the Friends of the Wichitas. In 2025, big and important projects got accomplished because of the teamwork between the Refuge Staff and the FOW. Here are some of our accomplishments:
- Fully funded a new state-of-the-art Audio/Visual system for the Visitor Center Auditorium.
- Fully implemented our online FOW Tours registration system.
- Funded the installation of a StarLink system for the new Refuge Headquarters Building.
- Provided a new laptop computer for use at the Camp Doris Kiosk.
- Provided funding for a radio communications repeater station located on Mount Scott.
- Maintained Nature Store operations by temporally relocating to the Refuge Headquarters Building during the Visitor Center’s closure for renovations.
- Managed to keep all Nature Store employees during the record setting 43-day long government shutdown in the Fall of 2025.
- Funded a host of repair parts for mowers and other maintenance equipment used on the Refuge.
- Partially funded and supported various refuge hosted events:
- Junior Explorers
- Spring Fling- Bison Summit
- Annual Tribal Summit
- Tribal Youth Camp
- National Public Lands Day
- Invasive Plant Pull
- Continued our quarterly ODOT roadside trash pickup for the two miles outside each refuge entrance.
- Conducted FOW tours for refuge visitors during 2025.
- Continued our annual donations to the “National Wildlife Refuge Association” and the “Leave No Trace” organizations.
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2024 Progress Report
2024 was a great year for the Friends of the Wichitas! Here’s a roundup of what we accomplished in 2024 within our organization and in support of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge!
- Finished a comprehensive review of the FOW bylaws and made recommendations which were approved by the full board.
- Financially supported the refurbishment of the old Law Enforcement building which was put into service in 2024 as lodging for refuge visitors here temporarily on official business.
- For the first time we implemented our online FOW Tours registration system for the Fall Foliage Hike.
- Funded the Elk Study conducted by Cameron University.
- Funded the upgrade of the EEC overhead lighting; along with installation of Wi-Fi capability via a StarLink system.
- Upgraded the Nature Store telephone and Wi-Fi capabilities by installing a StarLink system.
- Funded two FOW members to attend a grant writing workshop offered by the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits.
- Partially funded and supported various refuge hosted events:
- Junior Explorers
- Spring Fling- Bison Summit
- 2nd Annual Tribal Summit
- Tribal Youth Camp
- National Public Lands Day
- Invasive Plant Pull
- Continued our quarterly ODOT roadside trash pickup for the two miles outside each refuge entrance.
- Conducted 25 separate FOW tours for refuge visitors during 2024.
- Continued our annual donations to the “National Wildlife Refuge Association” and the “Leave No Trace” organizations.
2023 Progress Report
In 2023 the Friends of the Wichitas made significant strides in support of our Partnership Agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service managing the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge including:
- Successfully managed the Friends Nature Store and its staff, ensuring all proceeds benefit the Refuge
- Reestablished regular membership meetings
- Reestablished various annual Refuge tours as approved by Refuge Management
- Purchased signage for various locations throughout the Refuge
- Supported the Biology Department with the removal of invasive species
- Conducted Friends outreach, education, and membership campaigns
- Co-hosted the Keep Our Refuge Beautiful event celebrating National Public Lands Day
- Funded the restoration of the Bunkhouse in the old residential area
- Funded the interior remodel of Law Enforcement staff quarters near the Environmental Education Center
- Funded replacement of storm damaged windows at Ferguson House, Headquarters and Residences
- Partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on their Adopt-A-Highway program
- Paid for Elk Count, Helicopter Hog Hunts, and assisted in Bison Roundup
- Purchased equipment for the Marvelous Monarch program
- Cut, bundled, and sold firewood, as well as ice, to Camp Doris visitors
- Developed and printed the 2023 calendar sold in the Friends Nature Store
- Provided the Refuge with stop-gap funding for trash removal
- Supported the Refuge’s First Annual Tribal Summit with food and gift bags
- Provided funding for the Refuge Explorers Program
- Supported the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation controlled hunts on the Refuge
- Sent two board members to the Friends Workshop at the National Conservation Training Center
- Continued to support and donate to the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the Leave No Trace foundation
- Shared significant lessons learned through participation in the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates
These and many other activities were made possible through the generous donation of Friend’s time, talent, and treasure. THANK YOU! for your continued support of the Association of the Friends of the Wichitas and, through us, the extraordinary mixed grass prairie habitat that is the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors, Association of the Friends of the Wichitas
FOW Year in Review 2023 (PDF)
2021 Progress Report
With over 300 volunteer members the Friends of the Wichitas (FOW) logged more than 20,000 hours in 2021 assisting the Wichita Mountains NWR staff in their efforts to fulfill the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mission “… working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people”.
This past year was a challenge for everyone, including the Friends of the Wichitas, but despite the constraints the organization made significant strides in support of our Partnership Agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service managing the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge including:
Friends of the Wichitas:
• Purchased and placed an engraved monument completing the Ferguson House restoration.
• Opened an online Nature Store. https://shop.friendsofthewichitas.org
• Assisted Refuge biologists in preparation fora pollinator meadow.
• Produced a 2022 WMWR Calendar, which is now on sale in the online Nature Store.
• Provided volunteers for the operation and maintenance of Camp Doris.
• Funded WiFi for Camp Doris for recreation.gov reservations and payments.
• Assisted with Search and Rescue operations.
• Renewed our partnership with the Leave No Trace Foundation.
• Assisted with the controlled White-Tailed Deer and Elk hunts.
• Funded aerial wildlife surveys to aid Refuge biologists in Elk herd management.
• Advocated for full funding of the USFWS Operations budget through our partnerships with the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates.
• Removed and recycled tons of trash from the Refuge.
• Assisted regional Trail Maintenance crews.
• Eradicated nearly 100 thousand invasive flora species.
• Assisted the Fire Crew with traffic control during prescribed burns.
• Removed graffiti in an environmentally sensitive manner.
• Cleaned and repaired picnic grills and fire rings.
• Continued outreach on our updated social media platforms.
• Assisted Refuge Biologists with Bison and Longhorn herd management.
• Purchased a Turbo Saw Forestry Attachment for the Refuge.
• Continued landscape maintenance of all picnic areas.
• Funded re-plumbing and repair of Camp Doris facilities.
• Assisted in repurposing a storage shed abandoned by Job Corps.
• Repurposed residential area carport as an equipment shelter.
2020 Progress Report
As 2020 comes to a close, we need to take a moment to reflect on this past year. With the global pandemic, record-breaking weather events due to climate change, unprecedented wildfires and social unrest from injustices faced by people of color, this past year has led many to despair. While members of the Friends of the Wichitas (FOW) have had to endure those same challenges, their resiliency has kept them moving forward in their efforts to help conserve, protect and enhance the Wichita Mountains NWR. Here are a few of the FOW accomplishments during this chaotic and challenging year:
- Led more than 150 Nature Hikes.
- Conducted more than 30 Public Interpretive Tours.
- Eradicated tens of thousands of Invasive Species.
- Picked up several Tons of Trash from the refuge.
- Removed Graffiti in an environmentally sensitive manner.
- Started construction on the restoration of the historic Ferguson House.
- Partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to fund the aerial Elk Survey.
- Assisted with the annual, controlled White-tailed Deer and Elk Hunts.
- Was awarded a $5,000 Feed-A-Bee Grant for Pollinator Meadows at the Visitor Center.
- Purchased fencing for the new Pollinator Meadows at the Visitor Center.
- Staffed National Public Lands Day, Natural Resources Journey and the Wildlife Expo.
- Provided volunteers to assist with repairs on the reopening of the Mt. Scott Road.
- Reconstructed the Trail from Camp Doris to the Environmental Education building.
- Assisted the Fire Crew with Traffic Control during prescribed burns on the refuge.
- Awarded grants to schools for K-12 field trips.
- Worked with staff in preparation for and during the annual Bison Auction.
- Expanded outreach on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the FOW Website.
- Partnered with Stonecloud Brewing Co. for the opening of the REI Co-op OKC store.
- Continued the profitable operation of the Nature Store.
- Sponsored CPR and First Aid training for volunteers.
- Produced the annual FOW Calendar.
- And, much, much, more.
2019 Progress Report
With over 300 volunteer members the Friends of the Wichitas (FOW) logged more than 20,000 hours in 2019 assisting the Wichita Mountains NWR staff in their efforts to fulfill the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mission “… working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people”.
- Led more than 150 Nature Hikes.
- Conducted more than 30 Public Interpretive Tours.
- Eradicated tens of thousands of Invasive Species.
- Picked up several Tons of Trash from the refuge.
- Removed Graffiti in an environmentally sensitive manner.
- Started construction on the restoration of the historic Ferguson House.
- Partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to fund the aerial Elk Survey.
- Assisted with the annual, controlled White-tailed Deer and Elk Hunts.
- Was awarded a $5,000 Feed-A-Bee Grant for Pollinator Meadows at the Visitor Center.
- Purchased fencing for the new Pollinator Meadows at the Visitor Center.
- Staffed National Public Lands Day, Natural Resources Journey and the Wildlife Expo.
- Provided volunteers to assist with repairs on the reopening of the Scott Road.
- Reconstructed the Trail from Camp Doris to the Environmental Education building.
- Assisted the Fire Crew with Traffic Control during prescribed burns on the refuge.
- Awarded grants to schools for K-12 field trips.
- Worked with staff in preparation for and during the annual Bison Auction.
- Expanded outreach on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the FOW Website.
- Partnered with Stonecloud Brewing Co. for the opening of the REI Co-op OKC store.
- Continued the profitable operation of the Nature Store.
- Sponsored CPR and First Aid training for volunteers.
- Produced the annual FOW Calendar.
- And, much, much, more.
2018 Progress Report
- Increased FOW to more than 300 members.
- Volunteers logged more than 20,000 hours of trail maintenance, invasive species eradication, litter pickup, traffic control, public use area maintenance, graffiti removal, public information outreach, environmental education, the annual Bison and Longhorn auctions, visitor tours and hikes, and more.
- Volunteers eradicated tens of thousands of invasive plant species.
- Volunteers conducted more than 30 public interpretive programs.
- Volunteers led more than 150 nature hikes for visitors.
- Awarded grants for K-12 school field trips.
- Partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and donated funds to complete the annual aerial elk survey. Population estimate 1,100.
- Applied for and received $17,000 grant from Union Pacific for trail maintenance infrastructure.
- Hosted National Wildlife Refuge Association meeting in June.
- Completed minor renovations to the Nature Store.
- Continued restoration efforts on the historic Ferguson House.
- Replaced metal roofing on the three corral buildings used for vehicles and conservation equipment storage.
- Constructed new Prairie Dog Town fence.
- Purchased 72" Hustler riding mower and trailer for maintaining public use areas.
- Purchased 40ft Conex for FOW equipment storage.
- Purchased 20ft Conex for Nature Store inventory stock.
- Purchased A/V system for the Environment Education Center.
- Initiated website redesign and Nature store point-of-sale system upgrade with PixelMongers.