Friends of Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge

The Friends of Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge formed in 2006 and has members throughout the Treasure Valley, Idaho and in other states.  Our goal is to share our love for the out-of-doors as we work with the Refuge to fund and complete projects that will enhance wildlife habitats and refuge visitors opportunities and experiences. Our major funding comes from memberships, donations and grants.

Some of our accomplishments and ongoing programs include:

• Creating the Centennial Trail (with interpretive displays) adjacent to the refuge visitor center and across the upper dame.
• Constructing a wildlife viewing/photo blind on the shoreline of Lake Lowell.
• Constructing the Dell Johnson Memorial Trail to connect the wildlife blind with ADA access.
• Planting and maintaining a Pollinator Garden at the visitor center.
• Installing a webcam to live-stream osprey nesting and rearing activities.
• Installing wildlife cameras at two bald eagle nests to record nesting success.
• Conducting a winter bird feeding program for the enjoyment of refuge visitors.
• Sponsoring a bus scholarship program to encourage local schools to bring their students to the refuge to participate in "Discover Wildlife Journeys."

Future plans include:

• Restoring upland Sagebrush/bunchgrass Steppe habitats adjacent to the Refuge visitor center.
• Helping promote, design, fund, and construct a new environmental education facility at the lower dam recreation area.

We encourage youth to learn about earth sciences at early ages through on-site and off-site activities and we provide the bus scholarships for field trips.  We realize that today's youth are tomorrow's leaders and we hope to inspire them to look to nature and earth sciences for professional opportunities and leisure experiences.  We are always looking for other opportunities to engage students in “citizen science” and welcome input and ideas.

We assist with annual Refuge events such as this year's Migration Celebration on May 14th, Creepy Critter Encounters in October, and Earth Day Work Day in April.  We provide meals for event volunteers.  

Membership is open to all so we encourage you to join us!  To join or subscribe to our quarterly newsletter please send requests and inquiries to friendsofdfwr@gmail.com or visit friendsofdeerflat.org.

Thank you for considering our organization.  Please indicate which project you wish to support if you have a preference.