Public & Group Lodging
Malheur Field Station offers a plethora of lodging options for individuals, families, and large groups.
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All units include complete kitchens, bathrooms, heat, and potable water. Some have AC.
However, bedding is not provided. We have beds, but you need to bring your own pillows & bedding.
Pets not allowed.
Malheur Field Station has a gift shop, conference room, library, AV room, and rec hall.
Science museum under renovation.
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To Make RESERVATIONS:
Call 541-493-2629
Email:
malheurfieldstation@gmail.com
(Online Reservation System Coming Soon with pictures and videos!)
2026 Public Educational Programs
Relaxed Nature & Wellness Programs
Casual Birding at Malheur
Led by retired Wildlife Biologist Cliff Mitchell. Enjoy a 3 night, 4 day group program exploring the spectacular birds of Malheur without the pressure of any expectations or goals. Perfect for beginners or relaxed hobbyists.
April 9th - April 12th 2026
Private Room Lodging and meals included.
Shared bathrooms & common areas.
$900/person
Harry Fuller's Group Birding Programs
Harry Fuller is an author, and expert guide who leads Malheur Field Station’s birding programs, bringing decades of experience in bird identification, regional ecology, and field-based education to participants. His book Birding in Harney County is available in our gift shop.
All of Harry's programs are 5 nights, 6 days, and include dorm-style lodging, meals, and daily outings.
Cost $1100/person
Water Fowl Wonders
April 18th-23rd 2026
This is at the height of waterfowl migration—lots of ducks, geese and grebes. Shorebirds, cranes and pelicans have also returned. Many resident species are in courtship. Large raptors are already nesting or have offspring. Water levels are likely to be at their highest level and wetlands widespread. There may be coots, ducks or yellowlegs less than five feet from the edge of the road, swimming in a vernal pool with morsels aplenty. The first waver of spring wildflowers are also in bloom.
Explore Malheur & Restorative Massage
Led by retired Wildlife Biologist Cliff Mitchell, with a certified masseuse. Take day trips in Malheur and Steens Mountain. Enjoy shoulder and foot massage recovery.
Fall 2026 (Dates Coming Soon)
Private Room Lodging and meals included.
Shared bathrooms & common areas.
$1000/person
Casual Birding & Gentle Yoga
Details coming soon
Spring Malheur Basin Birding
May 21st - 26th 2026
We will bird the basin and foothills of Steens Mountain. A wide range of species will be sighted from raptors to pelicans, owls, to shrikes, cranes to gulls and many more. There are likely to be expected and unexpected species (any bird that migrates to northern Canada) of migrants at the hotspots.
Fall Malheur Basin & Steens Birding
September 10th -15th 2026
We will bird the basin and the entire Steens Mountain Loop. Fall birding means many fewer insects, cooler temperatures, yet still a plethora of birding activity. We will spot a large variety of raptors, owls, terns, ibis, and more, including possible migrants.
How to Register
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Call 541-493-2629
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Email:
Coming Soon
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Fall Entomology Program
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Landscape Art Painting/Sketching
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Dark Sky Programs
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Artist/Writer Residencies
Create a Program at MFS
Are you a scientist, artist, expert or teacher in an area of nature, science, arts, or wellness?
Would you like to develop a program at MFS?
Reach out to our Executive Director, and let's work together!
The mission of the Malheur Field Station is rooted in environmental education. In the past, the station has hosted university classes and visits by local K-12 students.
We are actively working to bring more formal educational opportunities back to the field station.
Contact us for more information.
K-12 NGSS Science Programs
K-12 NGSS Science Programs
For Educators & Scientists
K-12 NGSS Science Programs
University Fieldwork & Classes
Scientific Field Research
Are you a K-12 science teacher looking for an outdoor educational experience for your students?
We can work with you to develop a day-trip or overnight program to align with your curriculum goals.
We also have plans to develop ready-to-use NGSS aligned curriculum for each grade band.
If you'd like to bring your students out to the station, please contact us!
Are you a researcher seeking a base for field research in the Great Basin area?
We offer affordable, long-term accommodations for your team here at the field station.
Contact us for more information.
We are aiming to bring back university field classes, internships, and programs.
We have dormitories with kitchens, a dining hall, indoor classrooms, and access to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
If you are a professor or administrator looking to develop field coursework in the biological, geological, archeological, or astronomical sciences, please contact us.
We are also open to collaboration between institutions.
Reasons to Visit the Malheur Field Station
Geology & Archeology
Birds & Wildlife
Dark Skies
Exploring the High Desert & Steens Area
Getting Away -
A Place to Recharge, create, connect
Our Board
Elizabeth Basa -- Executive Director -- joined MFS in late 2025. Prior to moving to Oregon, Elizabeth, a Chicago native, worked in science education as a teacher and curriculum developer. She also founded and ran a social-based business for over 15 years. Elizabeth apsires to elevate MFS, inviting people to experience the magic of Malheur through educational and interconnected programs based on nature, science, art, and wellness or simply to visit the field station as a spring board to explore this extraordinatry area. Elizabeth has three grown children. Her hobbies include cloud and wildlife watching, painting, sewing, beading, cooking, tennis, and gardening.
Jim Monroe – President of the Board – is a semi-retired United Methodist pastor, and has been coming to Malheur annually and staying at the Malheur Field Station since the early 1990’s. He has lived most of his adult life in Oregon and has led week-long excursions to Malheur for a number of years, and also leads work teams to Kenya on a regular basis, always taking at least one day of safari just to focus on the birds of East Africa. He has been a board member since 2015. When not birding he is fly fishing.
Janet Lamberson -- Treasurer -- is a retired marine biologist and has been a backyard bird watcher all her life. She has been more actively birding since about 2003 and enjoys travel, especially finding new (to her) species of birds in new places. She has been visiting Malheur since 2006 and has been a Board member since 2016. She is interested in all aspects of natural history of the High Desert, including plants, geology and range management.
Matt Medeiros -- Director -- is a research biologist who splits time between the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Matt has been coming to Malheur Field Station since the mid-1990s and has spent time there as a student, maintenance man, guest lecturer, and instructor. Matt is a former, and hopefully future, resident of Harney County.
Mike Meyers -- Director -- works as the IT lead for the Oregon State Police. Mike first came to the Malheur Field Station as a young student, which had a lifelong impact, inspiring him to participate on the board. Mike works as the IT director of the Oregon State Police.
Elizabeth Basa -- Executive Director -- joined MFS in late 2025. Prior to moving to Oregon, Elizabeth, a Chicago native, worked in science education as a teacher and curriculum developer. She also founded and ran a social-based business for over 15 years.
Elizabeth Basa -- Executive Director -- joined MFS in late 2025. Prior to moving to Oregon, Elizabeth, a Chicago native, worked in science education as a teacher and curriculum developer. She also founded and ran a social-based business for over 15 years.
Elizabeth Basa -- Executive Director -- joined MFS in late 2025. Prior to moving to Oregon, Elizabeth, a Chicago native, worked in science education as a teacher and curriculum developer. She also founded and ran a social-based business for over 15 years.
Justus Anderson -- Maintenance/Service Staff --
Mike Meyers -- Director -- works as the IT lead for the Oregon State Police. Mike first came to the Malheur Field Station as a young student, which had a lifelong impact, inspiring him to participate on the board.
Mike Meyers -- Director -- works as the IT lead for the Oregon State Police. Mike first came to the Malheur Field Station as a young student, which had a lifelong impact, inspiring him to participate on the board.
Mike Meyers -- Director -- works as the IT lead for the Oregon State Police. Mike first came to the Malheur Field Station as a young student, which had a lifelong impact, inspiring him to participate on the board.
Mike Meyers -- Director -- works as the IT lead for the Oregon State Police. Mike first came to the Malheur Field Station as a young student, which had a lifelong impact, inspiring him to participate on the board.
Mike Meyers -- Director -- works as the IT lead for the Oregon State Police. Mike first came to the Malheur Field Station as a young student, which had a lifelong impact, inspiring him to participate on the board.
Thomas Townsend -- Maintenance/Service Staff / Cook
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Tom has called Oregon home for over 30 years. He has worked all over the state and always drawn back to the high desert. The big sky, the diversity of wildlife and the interesting geology. He's very excited to be a part of the team and make an impact at a very special place.
Our Story & Team
Libby Gillaspy -- Maintenance/Service Staff
Libby comes from a unique musical family that has traveled extensively. Her unconventional upbringing has enabled her to gain experience in a variety of industries and roles. Upon her first steps at the Field Station, she felt a connection with the earth. Her hobbies include rock hunting, stargazing, frogs, dogs, and tinkering on an old 1974 International bus.
Justus Anderson -- Maintenance/Service Staff --
PAST
Malheur Field Station began in the mid-20th century as a federal camp and was later transformed into a biological field station supporting scientific research and field-based coursework. Located adjacent to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, it has long attracted scientists, students, and birders and is recognized as a hub for educational birding and natural history programs in the northern Great Basin.
PRESENT
Today, the station supports educational programs while serving as a base for exploring the remarkable landscapes of the Malheur Refuge. Visitors have access to certified dark skies, diverse geological features, archaeological sites, and one of North America’s most important migratory bird corridors. The Field Station is funded by a combination of grants, lodging fees, and individual donations.
FUTURE
Looking ahead, Malheur Field Station is focused on expanding formal and informal educational opportunities for K-12 and university students, strengthening place-based learning, community engagement, and nature-and-wellness programming. These goals will be supported by strategic facility improvements, including renovations and expanded public lodging, to better serve researchers, students, and visitors into the future.
Volunteering with MFS
Volunteers play a vital role here at the Malheur Field Station.
Work Volunteers
We are always in need of extra hands to help with projects, renovations, and building. If you have time and skills to share, please reach out or watch our newsletter posts for when we need help.
Educational Volunteers
Many of our programs are led by volunteer scientists and educators. Please reach out if you'd like to join us in this capacity.
Supporting MFS
CURRENT WORK PROJECT - HIGH PRIORITY
STAFF HOUSING
With a new staff of three full-time service personnel, the field station is converting an old dorm building into a quadplex for comfortable staff housing.
We're in the process of developing the build plan, and soon will need builders, an electrician, and plumber to help us complete the conversion. We will also need materials.
Our goal is to have out staff in their new space prior to our spring busy season.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:
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Volunteers to come on site and build
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Electrician & plumber / HVAC support
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Donations for materials
MFS depends on financial donations from individual donors and we truly appreciate each and every dollar we receive.
We have a spring donation drive, which supports our annual operating needs.
However, giving is welcome (and needed) anytime!
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