The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in the high desert of southeastern Oregon plays host to 340 bird and 67 mammal species.

It is located 30 miles south of Burns in Harney County.

The land in the area was the native homeland of Paiute tribes, and the refuge contains items and places of cultural significance to the Burns Paiute Tribe. Europeans first explored the area in the 1820s.

The refuge was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt as “a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.”

The refuge originally encompassed 81,786 acres of unclaimed government land surrounding Malheur, Henry and Mud lakes. It has since grown to 187,000 acres.

The expansion of the refuge, partially through eminent domain, and a reduction in grazing led to a number of disputes with local landowners. Associated court cases led to Supreme Court rulings establishing the federal government’s claim to public lands.

Refuge facilities were occupied for a month in 2016 by armed protestors who demanded the land be returned to private ownership.

A stop for thousands migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway, the refuge is also a destination for bird watchers from all across the country. The refuge is a major boon to the local tourism industry.

We sent photographer Ryan Brennecke to document the spring migration.