High Desert Museum celebrates National Wildlife Day on Sept. 4

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- The High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore., recognized National Wildlife Day on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, highlighting its ongoing care for more than 100 ambassador animals. The occasion coincides with the one-year anniversary of the museum receiving accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Opened in 1982, the museum operates as a 501(c)three nonprofit organization and is designated as a Smithsonian Affiliate. Its collection of ambassador species—which includes bobcats, beavers, skunks, foxes and rattlesnakes—supports daily educational presentations and regional conservation initiatives.

The museum's summer program, Raptors of the Desert Sky, is entering its final weekend. Held daily at 11:30 a.m. weather permitting in a natural amphitheater, the flight show features owls, hawks, falcons, vultures and eagles soaring above attendees. The program is recommended for ages 5 and older.

In addition to birds of prey, the museum houses Pacific lamprey in the Autzen Otter Exhibit. Developed in collaboration with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the exhibit details the ecological role of the lamprey and highlights recent population declines.

Visitors to the Hollern Atrium can view North American porcupines in their habitat, where the nocturnal animals can be seen sleeping or eating pine needles and manzanita leaves. The museum also invites the public to record wild porcupine sightings through the iNaturalist community and the Wildlife Watch program. Additionally, the daily Desert Dwellers program takes place at 3 p.m. and is included with admission.

Beyond its AZA accreditation, the High Desert Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The facility was awarded the Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association in 2025 and received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2021.

The summer presentation of Raptors of the Desert Sky will conclude following its scheduled flight shows this weekend.