ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS
There are many activities and programs scheduled for the weekend. Check out these opportunities for fun, family and community involvement!
HOW, WHEN AND WHERE TO BIRD HARNEY COUNTY | Thursday, April 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m. / Friday, April 14, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: Harney County Community Center, 484 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
Birding the vast expanse of Harney County's 10,000+ sq. miles can be daunting! Which birds are where? and when? Dan Streiffert has been birding and photographing in Harney County for 12+ years. This presentation showcases his approach to taking advantage of particular birding 'routes' that cover the diverse landscape and discovers the array of birds and other wildlife available. Dan will share tips and tricks for seeing particular species at different times of the day or throughout the year. Take this opportunity to talk with a specialist face to face!
Cost: $10 / person, 30 spots available - CLASSROOM STYLE PRESENTATION
AIRLIE WINERY WINE TASTING | Thursday, April 13, 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Broadway Deli, 530 N Broadway Ave, Burns, OR 97720
Join Fran Davis, owner of Broadway Deli, 90+ Wines and Lone Pine Guest Ranch, for a social, pre-dinner tasting of three wines from Airlie Winery (Monmouth, Oregon). Fran’s husband, Rich, spent his early years on the very land that the Airlie Winery now resides, and the couple wants to share these sentimental spirits with you. Light appetizers and good company included!
Cost: $10 / person - PAY AT THE DOOR
WETLANDS HAPPY HOUR | Thursday, April 13, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
+ Beef Tasting with Doverspike Beef
Location: 1899 Foundry, 315 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
Ever wonder why birds use some areas more than others? What entices birds to rest and nest at different locations? Curious to know more about wetland restoration? Join Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative partners for this casual and educational gathering. Come learn more about the work being done by High Desert Partnership, Portland Audubon, Ducks Unlimited, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge staff, and other local stakeholders to improve wetland habitat while supporting the local economy. Come when you want. Stay as long as you want. Led by Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative.
Cost: Free; Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided; Doverspike Beef will supply meatballs as well; no-host bar on site (potentially)
THE “HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY” PRESENTATION & BOOK SIGNING WITH ALAN CONTRERAS | Thursday, April 13, 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Harney County Library, 80 W D Street, Burns, OR 97720
Join author Alan Contreras for a fun presentation about the "History of Ornithology". All has plenty of jokes, odd tales and historic details. He says the presentation runs precisely 38 to 40 minutes. Sure to entertain!
A new book just out from Oregon State University Press includes several chapters that mention Malheur and its environs - "A History of Oregon Ornithology: from Territorial Days to the Rise of Birding". Edited by Friends of Malheur Refuge board member Alan Contreras and two other leading Oregon bird observers, it covers early bird-related explorations beginning with the Lewis and Clark expedition and continuing through the mid-20th Century.
Cost: Free to attend! Books available for purchase.
BUILDING A POLLINATOR GARDEN | Friday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 69660 S Egan Rd, Burns, OR 97720
Join Lisa Sanco, Worthy Garden Club's Sustainability Educator, in this opportunity to get your hands dirty. You'll learn about the importance of supporting pollinators, growing native plants, and xeriscaping. As a bonus, you'll be supporting Malheur NWR's efforts to convert much of the landscaping at headquarters to more drought-tolerant plants in an effort to conserve water. Gloves and snacks will be provided. Plants will be available for purchase after the workshop.
Cost: $40 / person, 12 spots available
HOMESTEAD DINNER & SLIDESHOW | Friday, April 14, 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: Lone Pine Guest Ranch, 72172 Lone Pine Rd, Burns, Oregon
Decades of old Harney County Homestead and nature pictures and great stories to go with it! Many places have long been forgotten by most. Come join Fran and Rich Davis as they bring the past back to life in this interesting presentation. Two guest rooms are available to rent for the weekend. If you would like to rent one of these rooms and stay for the weekend call (541) 589-2898.
Cost: $50 / person, includes dinner and presentation; 10 spots available
CELESTIAL MIGRATION PROGRAM | Friday, April 14, 8 to 9 p.m.
Location: Harney County Fairgrounds, 69660 S Egan Rd, Burns, OR 97720
One of the more magical things about being in the Harney Basin during migration is the sound of cranes, geese, and other birds flying overhead at night. Join Oregon Observatory’s Paul Ponce and Portland Audubon’s Eastern Oregon Field Coordinator, Teresa Wicks, on a journey through the stars. We’ll discuss bird migration and the importance of dark skies, all while listening to birds in the surrounding landscape and flying overhead. Bring a telescope if you have one! A handful may be available for shared use.
Cost: $25 / person
COMPOSITION IN BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY | Saturday, April 15, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: Harney County Community Center, 484 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
Ansel Adams said “A good photograph is knowing where to stand”. So true. As bird photographers, the excitement of the scene often makes us shoot first, think later. But rules of composition apply for us just as they do for other artists. What rules? Join Gary Luhm for an enticing master class on composition in bird photography: Learn about light, subject placement, compositional elements and perspective to make the most of any situation.
Gary Luhm is a Seattle-area based photographer specializing in sea kayaking, scenics and birds. His website is www.garyluhm.net.
Cost: $10 / person, 30 spots available
LEATHERCRAFT LAB - BEGINNER LEVEL | Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Harney County Library, 80 W 'D' Street, Burns, OR 97720
If you are looking to learn the basics of a new and versatile skill, this is the class for you! Join instructor Doug Furr and learn about leather stamping. All materials are provided, and you’ll leave class with a leather coaster designed and completed by you! Fun for all ages, though youth under the age of 15 should be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free. Pre-registration is required (spots limited). Call the Harney County Library at (541) 573-6670, stop by 80 W ‘D’ Street in Burns, or sign up online at HarneyCountyLibrary.org.
KIDS' STORYWALK | Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Harney County Library, 80 W 'D' Street, Burns, OR 97720
StoryWalk® is a movement and literacy boosting project that places an illustrated children’s book, taken apart and displayed page by page, along a walking route in your community. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The Harney County Library’s StoryWalk is located in the park along the west side of the library, at 80 West "D" Street in Burns, and it features the book Paddle Perch Climb - Bird Feet Are Neat, written and illustrated by Laurie Ellen Angus. It was made possible by generous donations from Portland Audubon Society, the Harney County Watershed Council, and the Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Cost: Free! - FAMILY FRIENDLY
DOWNTOWN EGG HUNT | Saturday, April 15, 12 p.m. until all eggs are found
Location: Downtown stores, in Burns, Oregon
Our very own treasure hunt! Visit stores on Broadway Ave to find hidden glass eggs. Twelve marbled eggs will be hidden for you to find and keep. We would love to see a picture of you with your egg - send pictures to director@harneycounty.com for featuring on our social media pages!
Cost: Free! FAMILY FRIENDLY
KIDS’ NATURE FUN FAIR | Saturday, April 15, 12 to 2 p.m.
Location: Harney County Community Center, 484 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
Head to the Harney County Community Center and participate in a community-sponsored nature fun fair for kids! Symmetry Care, Department of Human Services, Burns Paiute Tribe Prevention, Harney County Kids Club and Hines Middle School Leadership Class, among others, will have stations set up with different activities and crafts for kids and families to enjoy!
Cost: Free! FAMILY FRIENDLY
KIDS’ BIRDHOUSE BUILDING | Saturday, April 15, 12 p.m. until supplies run out
Location: Arrowhead Plaza (outdoors), downtown Burns, across from U.S. Bank
Bring the kids and join the Harney County Lions Club for a birdhouse building workshop! All materials are pre-cut and provided by the Lions Club at no expense. Volunteers will be available to help with construction, though adults are encouraged to get hands on and help their littles. There are approximately 75-100 kits available and they usually go quickly!
Cost: Free! All materials provided. FAMILY FRIENDLY
POP & PAINT | Saturday, April 15, 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: The Soda District, 302 US-20, Hines, OR 97738
Join local artist Andrea Grigg for a fun and light afternoon of painting! Andrea will guide you along, step-by-step in a social, no-pressure environment. No experience is needed! The class is easy to follow, made to be enjoyable, interactive, and memorable. Take your painting home after the session! All materials, a soda pop and light snacks are provided.
Cost: $27 / person, 10 spots available
*The only way to sign up for this class is to call or text Andrea at (503) 480-9188! Pay at the door.
DINNER BANQUET & KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Flight Paths with Rebecca Heisman | Saturday, April 15, 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Burns Elks Lodge, 118 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
Join us for a fun, relaxing, social event of conversation and education. Share stories of your weekend with other festival goers and hear from keynote speaker Rebecca Heismen: "Flight paths: Untold Stories from the History of Bird Migration Research". No-host bar on site. Dinner provided. Silent auction throughout! MORE
Cost: $60 / per person (includes dinner and presentation); 120 people for dinner/presentation; no tickets for presentation only.
BRUNCH WITH THE BIRDS | Sunday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Malheur Refuge Headquarters Lawn, 36391 Sodhouse Ln, Princeton, OR 97721
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a morning must stop for every birder in the area during spring migration. You never know what will arrive to seek shelter among the small oasis of trees that surround the remarkable CCC-era buildings. Join Teresa Wicks, Portland Audubon's Eastern Oregon Program Manager, for a walk of the grounds followed by brunch hosted by the Friends of Malheur NWR at the Crane's Nest Nature Center Pavilion along the Marshall Pond Trail. Participants should indicate dietary restrictions.
Cost: $30 / person, 12 spots available
SONGBIRD SERENADE WITH SPARKBIRD | Sunday, April 16, 12:30 p.m.
Location: Malheur Refuge Headquarters Lawn, 36391 Sodhouse Ln, Princeton, OR 97721
Join non-binary singer and songwriter Stephan Nance for this afternoon performance. Stephan has been featured by National Audubon, Tiny Desk Concerts, and won 2nd place in Yishan Wong’s “2021 Solarpunk Contest” with their song “Metropolis of Eden.” Their songs feature birds and every performance is an opportunity to collect an audio bird list. This performance will be at refuge headquarters. Bring a blanket or chairs, binoculars, and a snack so you can relax on the lawn while birding and listening to Sparkbird. This event is sponsored by East Cascade Audubon Society.
Cost: Free