Mission

We flew over wetlands, and sites where the Tribes are actively engaged in restoring both habitat and cultural practices - including large ranches, river corridors, and the Tribal fish hatchery - to offer the aerial perspective to help inform their efforts.

From the air, we witnessed the expanse of the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, a critical sanctuary for migratory birds, secretive marsh species like the yellow rail, and the threatened Oregon spotted frog. With its wide wet meadows, riparian corridors, and open water habitats framed by the Cascade Mountains, the refuge offers vital nesting and feeding grounds for species like sandhill cranes, while continuing to support traditional land use and stewardship by the Klamath Tribes.

Our route also offered a glimpse into the broader mosaic of conservation and cultural restoration across the region. We flew over Upper Klamath Basin. The Klamath River is now free-flowing for the first time in over a century, after four Klamath River dams have been removed.

This flight aimed to illuminate the extraordinary ecological and cultural value of the Klamath Basin, and advise the efforts to restore and sustain this vital region.

Click for photos from the flights and geo-referenced flight photos