Our Vision, Mission and Values

Devin Dahlgren   Website

Vision

We envision a high desert in Oregon where eight million acres of public lands are conserved to ensure that fish and wildlife thrive and wild places exist for all people to treasure and explore, now and always.

Mission

Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) exists to protect, defend and restore Oregon’s high desert for current and future generations.

Values

  • We are committed, tenacious, passionate, nimble and unwavering in pursuit of our mission.
  • We are science-based and solutions-oriented, bringing innovative, strategic approaches to achieving our conservation goals.
  • We are inclusive and welcoming, and seek to build a strong, diverse and interconnected conservation community throughout our staff, membership, volunteers, board of directors and partnerships.
  • When working with stakeholders, agencies, partner organizations, the public and others, we respectfully consider all perspectives while pursuing our conservation goals.

fact

What defines Oregon’s high desert?

What defines Oregon’s high desert?

Bounded by the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Blue Mountains to the north, Oregon’s high desert covers approximately 24,000 square miles. Annual rainfall in the high desert varies from 5 to 14 inches. The average elevation is 4,000 feet; at 9,733 feet, the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest point in Oregon’s high desert. The terrain of the high desert was mostly formed by a series of lava flows that occurred between 30 and 10 million years ago.

Sources: The Oregon Encyclopedia; Wikipedia  

listen

Greater Sage Grouse and Sparrows at Hart Mountain

Greater Sage Grouse and Sparrows at Hart Mountain

voices

Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

“If I have to pick a favorite place in Oregon’s high desert, it would be Sutton Mountain, but I’m excited about all of the Wilderness Study Areas,” says Terry, adding, “Each is a gem to explore, and I hope they all get protection someday… I love the scale of the physical beauty of the desert.”