Friends of the Bear River Refuge

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

True story: America has the best wetlands!

May is American Wetlands Month – when we celebrate the many ways wetlands support communities and wildlife across the United States.

Wetlands cover just over 5 percent of the contiguous United States, yet their benefits are immense! They keep people and infrastructure safe by buffering the impact of storm waves, reducing flood waters, and preventing the spread of wildfires. They offer clean and abundant freshwater water to people and farms by filtering pollutants and recharging groundwater. They provide habitat for wildlife like waterfowl and shrimp, as well as our nation’s noble bald eagle. Wetlands support recreation, tourism, and fisheries too!

Is there anything wetlands CAN'T do? Not really. They're the best.

Wetland conservation equals improved health and wealth for Americans!

Photo of bald eagle at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge by Daniel Umstead (sharetheexperience)

05/04/2026

🌼 Wildflower Week is May 3-9! 🌼

Spring is in full bloom, and it is the perfect time to celebrate Wildflower Week at the Refuge! As temperatures warm, colorful wildflowers begin to dot the landscape, providing important food for pollinators and adding beauty to the wetlands.

Take a walk along the trails and see how many different blooms you can spot. From bright yellows to soft purples. Be sure to stop by the Refuge's pollinator garden in the Outdoor Nature Explore Classroom area. This special space is designed to support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and it is a great place to get a closer look at the plants that help keep local ecosystems healthy. Each flower plays a role in supporting the Refuge’s ecosystem and the wildlife that depend on it.

Be sure to bring your camera, take your time, and enjoy the small details that make this season so special. Wildflower Week is a great reminder of how vibrant and alive the Refuge becomes each spring.

PHOTO: Wildflowers Near the Refuge Visitor Center/USFWS

04/10/2026

04/02/2026

Be sure to sign up for the Greatest Wild Bird Challenege this weekend at the Wild Wonders of the Bear River event at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge!

03/26/2026

🖌🖍📢Calling all Box Elder School District K-8 artists! 📢🖍🖌

Entry forms with approved species list can be picked up at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

03/14/2026

Mark your calendars: Registration for the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival officially opens tomorrow (March 12) at 10 AM MT. Our most popular field trips fill up fast, so we recommend setting those alarms now. You won’t want to miss this year’s lineup. Prepare for registration now by looking through the field trip options.

https://www.daviscountyutah.gov/greatsaltlakebirdfest/festival-schedule

As a reminder, field trips loaded into your cart are not guaranteed or secured until credit card payment has been finalized.

03/14/2026

Happy early birthday to the National Wildlife Refuge System!

On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge at Pelican Island, Florida, to protect brown pelicans from slaughter by market hunters.

One hundred twenty-three years later, the National Wildlife Refuge System includes more than 570 national wildlife refuges, 38 wetland management districts and five marine national monuments. With progress like that, celebrating is as easy as 1-2-3!