Date: 7/15/25 9:20 pm From: <rriparia...> Subject: [KlamathBasinBirdNews] Supporting a Klamath Basin refuges and wildlife liason
I am sharing a letter I received from a concerned advocate for the refuges. This person already has stepped up to support a dedicated and committed liason for the refuges in the Klamath Basin. But this person can't do it alone and is reaching out to other concerned supporters who may be able to join him in supporting Teresa Wicks for the next several years. Please read the following letter. Thank you. Kevin Spencer Dear Concerned Klamath Basin Refuges advocates, I’m writing to you today because of my deep concern for one of Oregon’s most incredible and threatened habitats for migrating birds: The Klamath Basin. As I share below, I’m doing my part to help facilitate its recovery, but I can’t do this alone. I need the help of other passionate birders and conservationists like you. This email is a bit lengthy, but please read it, and please call me if you have questions.
In Chapter 5 of his 1986 book, Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez waxes profusely about migratory birds in the Klamath Basin.
“Tule Lake is not widely known in America, but the ducks and geese gather in huge aggregations on this refuge every fall, creating an impression of land in a state of health, of boundless life. On any given day a visitor might look upon a million birds here — pintail, lesser scaup, Barrow’s goldeneye, cinnamon teal, mallard, northern shoveler, redhead, and canvasback ducks; Great Basin and cackling varieties of Canada geese, white-fronted geese, Ross’s geese, lesser snow geese; and tundra swans. In open fields between the lakes and marshes where these water fowl feed and rest are red-winged blackbirds and Savannah sparrows, Brewer’s sparrows, tree swallows, and meadowlarks. And lone avian hunters —marsh hawk [northern harrier], red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, the diminutive kestrel.
“The Klamath Basin, containing four other national wildlife refuges in addition to Tule Lake, is one of the richest habitats for migratory waterfowl in North America."
Indeed, the Klamath Basin, which encompasses 5.6 million acres in southern Oregon and northern California, was once called the “Everglades of the West.” It was a dynamic wetland ecosystem, with vast shallow lakes that ebbed and flowed with the seasons. As a birder, I have long considered it one of Oregon’s birding treasures. But in the past century, 80% of those wetlands have been lost to agriculture and grazing. An article in The Guardian puts this figure at over 95% (10/22/23).
Together with other factors, including 20 years of severe drought, the loss of these wetlands has compromised the health and resiliency of the entire system, which is in serious decline. A century ago, 80% of birds along the Pacific Flyway stopped here (Jefferson Public Radio, 5/15/22). But over the past decade, according to counts, the number of migratory birds visiting annually has dropped from a high of 5.8 million in 1958 to just 93,000 in 2022 (The Guardian). The shortnose sucker population has crashed from over 20,000 five years ago to an estimated 3,400 in Upper Klamath Lake (Jefferson Public Radio). The overabundance of phosphorus resulting from agricultural practices and the loss of wetlands now threaten the very survival of Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake.
For several years, including the winter of 2022 when I visited there, one of the two largest reservoirs at Tule Lake had become a vast expanse of cracked soil (see photo above) while the other one was rapidly drying. Thankfully, the last two winters brought wetter than average precipitation which helped increase migratory bird numbers somewhat. However, this did little to improve water quantity and quality. Last year was catastrophic when an estimated 100,000 waterfowl died from the worst outbreak of botulism in recorded history due to the lack of water in late summer. Without adequate wetland retention and water, we could see this happen again this year. The long-standing Winter Wings Birding Festival that drew so many people to the Klamath Basin each February is no longer an event due to drought and is another signal of the struggle birds and other wildlife are facing in the Basin without adequate water and wetland habitat.
To reverse this trend and bring this incredible ecosystem back to life, hydrology and wetland functionality must be restored throughout the Basin. It is my dream to see that happen. There is currently a lot of potential for expanding existing good partnerships emerging between land owners, agencies, NGOs, Tribes, businesses and other stakeholders in the Basin. Acting now will increase the likelihood of successes that include wetlands and birds at the core of the effort.
Towards this goal, I have allocated funds in my Donor Advised Fund to support one full-time equivalent staff person through Bird Alliance of Oregon to help restore this ecological treasure. It is my intent to continue to help fund this position for at least three years. Recently, Bird Alliance of Oregon assigned staffer Teresa (Bird) Wicks to represent its interests in the Klamath Basin. Teresa most recently helped implement a coordinated approach to management in the Malheur National Wildlife area, and she is from the Klamath area, so she has the tools, skills and familiarity with the area and issues to get the work done.
Among her many actions to help restore basin hydrology and wetland functionality, Teresa will work to connect communities to the importance of the refuges for people, birds and suckers. She will do this through participation in working groups, outreach efforts, education, monitoring and community science, refuge events, providing technical, grant-writing and other support, advocacy, and other means. Emphasis will be placed on collaboration, coordination, and support for Klamath Basin tribes. All this is critical for the effort to succeed.
But the funds I am providing are insufficient to cover her overhead and expenses. To cover those costs, we likely need an additional $25,000-$35,000 a year.
Towards that end, I am writing to you and others who love birds and wildlife or have a strong attachment to the Klamath Basin, to ask for your financial support. Would you be willing to donate $500, $1,000, $5,000 or even $10,000 for one, two or three years, to help cover the costs of this work? If so, please let me know. You can help by clicking here to make a donation or by sending a check to Bird Alliance of Oregon, 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland Oregon 97210. IF YOU SEND A CHECK (Preferred - it saves 3% on credit card fees), BE SURE TO NOTE THAT THE MONEY IS EARMARKED FOR OUR KLAMATH BASIN WORK.
Let’s bring truth to Barry Lopez’s words once again.
Thank you so much for considering this. Again, I’d be happy to chat more individually if you want to learn more.
Mark
Mark Greenfield Sauvie Island, Oregon 97231 <sauviemark...> (503) 539-3582
P.S. - If you know other folks who you think might be interested in supporting this cause, please forward this letter on to them. Thank you.
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It has come to my attention that 2 current technicians working for the Basin refuges lack federal funding to be trained for Air Boat use. The main hurdle right now is to raise approximately $1200 for per diem for their ten days of off-site training.
Without the training the technicians won't be available for Air Boat use. The technicians are valuable and essential for the efficiency of necessary projects and work at the refuges. Duck banding is coming up and that is important to track waterfowl populations. Air Boat use is essential in large shallow wetlands for supporting waterbird health, such as retrieving sick or dead birds at the very onset of a possible botulism outbreak. These are just two important and vital uses for Air Boats. Having those technicians trained is important. Air Boats are a key tool for the refuges. Without training the refuge personnel is basically reduced for times when Air Boats are needed.
And their training supports them as valuable employees in the long-term. Having dedicated and knowledgeable employees is important for managing our public and beautiful wetlands.
I am putting this out on this site to encourage donations that will support this training, which in turn supports the refuges. I am collaborating with other non-profits to raise these funds quickly. We discussed that small donations, such as $20 from many individuals, can make this happen, while some may opt to donate more.
Please contact me, Kevin Spencer by email: <rriparia...>
I will likely ask you for a check to be made out to
Klamath Basin Audubon Society
You can send that to:
Klamath Basin Audubon Society
P.O. Box 354
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Note: Refuge Intern Air Boat training
I hope to get a separate account in our chapter for this:
I appreciate your support.
While it may seem like things are out of control,
Controlling what we can is the way to go.
Thank you.
Kevin Spencer
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