Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
A view of Steens Mountain from an overlook located in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Location of the refuge in OregonHarney Basin and surrounding area
Location	30 miles (48 km) south of Burns, Harney County, Oregon, United States
Coordinates	43°15′57″N 118°50′39″W / 43.26583°N 118.84417°W / 43.26583; -118.84417[1]
Area	293.37 sq mi (759.8 km2)
Elevation	4,121 ft (1,256 m)
Established	1908
Website	Malheur NWR

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located roughly 30 miles (48 km) south of the city of Burns in Oregon's Harney Basin. Administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge area is roughly T-shaped with the southernmost base at Frenchglen, the northeast section at Malheur Lake and the northwest section at Harney Lake.

The refuge was created in 1908 by order of President Theodore Roosevelt to protect habitat for diverse waterfowl and migratory birds, and grew to encompass 187,757 acres (760 km²; 293 sq mi) of public lands. A popular site for birding, fishing, hunting and hiking, the refuge gained widespread attention in early 2016 after its headquarters complex was occupied by armed anti-government protesters.