2025 Deschutes Canyon Group Stewardship (October)

James Parsons

listen

Great Horned Owls and Western Screech Owls

Great Horned Owls and Western Screech Owls

fact

Young Desert Horned Lizard

Young Desert Horned Lizard

In the summer these lizards begin foraging for food as soon as their body temperature rises as the heat of the day increases. They feed on slow-moving, ground-dwelling insects. In the fall they hibernate by burying themselves in the sand.

Latin name: Phrysonoma platyrhinos

voices

Cregg Large, member since 2009

Cregg Large, member since 2009

“I came to Oregon 12 years ago from Texas. Texas, for all its size, has very little public land. Coming to Oregon has made me realize the special gift we as Americans have in our public lands. Volunteering with an organization like ONDA is my way of reciprocating for this gift. Through restoration efforts, I feel we are helping leave a better place than we found it. Through advocating for protection for public lands, we safeguard migration routes for animals and keep the land where it belongs: with the public.”

Organizer: Gena Goodman-Campbell

Date and Time: October 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Region: Central Oregon

Difficulty Rating: Level 2: Moderate

Maximum Group Size: 20 participants

About the place

ONDA’s conservation work takes place on the traditional lands of the Northern Paiute, Wasco, Warm Springs, Bannock and Shoshone people, as well as ceded lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and on lands currently managed by the Burns Paiute Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Many Indigenous peoples live in Oregon’s high desert region today, including members of the Burns Paiute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (Wasco, Warm Springs and Paiute), the Klamath Tribes (Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin) and the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe.

Located west of Terrebonne, the Middle Deschutes Wild and Scenic River flows through a deep, rugged canyon that remains remarkably wild given its close proximity to development. This region includes the Whychus-Deschutes proposed wilderness area and popular destinations such as Steelhead Falls and Scout Camp Trail. Salmon and steelhead call these waters home, as well as mule deer, golden and bald eagles, and many species of songbirds.

About the stewardship work

This project will involve rehabilitating wildlife habitat that has been damaged by years of illegal off road vehicle use, as well as the recent Alder Springs Fire that burned a portion of the Deschutes River canyon. Volunteers will spread native plant seed to restore habitat, and use hand tools such as rakes and shovels to disguise closed roads.

Anne White

Timeline

  • Friday, October 24, 10 a.m.: Meet at a public parking area near the Deschutes Wild and Scenic River to carpool to our work location. Participants should be prepared to spend the day away from their vehicle and have everything they need in a daypack.
  • Friday, October 24, 4 p.m.: Return to our vehicles and head home.

Difficulty

Level 2

The physical requirements for this project are moderate. Volunteers will hike up to 2 miles both on and off trail over mostly flat terrain and will carry tools, seeds, and other materials.

Participant responsibilities

Participants are required to provide their own transportation to the project meeting point, as well as their own work clothing, sturdy hiking boots, and food and water in a daypack that they are comfortable carrying all day.

Gear provided

ONDA will provide all training, tools and materials required for the work, safety equipment such as work gloves and eye protection, and extra water and snacks.

Registration

An ONDA registration application and medical form are required for this trip.

Apply Now

You will receive a confirmation email within 2 weeks of submitting your registration form. This email will provide information regarding trips where you are a confirmed participant and trips that are full where you have been placed on the waitlist.

Six weeks before the start of the trip, the trip leader will send out an email reconfirming participation. Based on responses, any open spaces will be filled with people from the waitlist.

Three weeks before the trip start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive driving instructions, carpooling options, maps, and additional information in an email sent by the trip leader.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the trip leader.

 

Meet Your Trip Leader

This trip will be led by ONDA's Stewardship Director, Gena Goodman-Campbell. For questions about the trip you can contact her by email gena@onda.org.

Meet Gena

Restoring Desert Ecosystems

ONDA works with partners, communities and the public to improve habitat quality, create healthy ecosystems, sustain clean water and support biodiversity in the high desert’s most ecologically important areas. What […]

Read More