The Union County Museum hosts its first Third Tuesday event of the 2026 season June 16, at 7 p.m., in the Little White Church in Union. Admission is free. The guest speaker is Steve Clements, whose topic is the History and Wildlife of Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.
Steve will cover the span of history of the Ladd Marsh area from just
before settlement to its recent Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife management period. There will be photos of what Tule Lake used to be, how it changed over time and what ODFW has been able to accomplish since the LM Wildlife Area was established in the late 1940s. He will share ideas about the likely bird life of the past and current resident and migrating species.
“I hope people will appreciate what we have currently in the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Management Area,” Steve said. “It has a rich and active history of people and wildlife and is a critical area for migratory and resident bird populations.”
Steve Clements said he has enjoyed the outdoors all his life. With an educational background in forestry and natural resources, He has spent hours and hours outdoors, camping, hiking, running, cycling and bird watching. In his 35+ years in Union County, Steve has worked for the OSU Extension Service, EOU Information Technology and College of Business, and served more than 20 years on the La Grande City Council, including eight years as Mayor. He is currently the Treasurer for Friends of Ladd Marsh, an advocacy non-profit working with the ODFW management of Ladd Marsh.
An added incentive for attending the June Third Tuesday presentation is the opportunity to win a birdhouse, handmade by valued longtime museum board member, Dick Hohstadt. Four of the birdhouses will be given away during the event. The Little White Church is located right beside City Hall on South Main Street in Union, across the street from the Union County Museum. We hope to see many of you there!
