Rhande Shaw, a Natural Resources Program Manager for the Oregon Military Department, hands a Burrowing Owl to one of the Oregon National Guardsmen and civilian employees taking the opportunity to learn more about the Environmental Natural Resource Team's work, part of the Oregon Military Department, during their recent work with the Western Burrowing Owl at the Rees Training Center from June 8–11, 2026. The team has been involved in Burrowing Owl conservation through outreach and education. Research and study of the Owls have become an inspiring recovery story at the Former Umatilla Chemical Depot in north-central Morrow County, Oregon. The construction of artificial burrows from repurposed materials has played a key role in enabling a once-declining population to rebound from just 3–4 breeding pairs in the early 2000s to nearly 100 nesting pairs and over 400 chicks in 2025. (Photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department)