2020 Conservationist of the Year
Scott Bowler When we reached Scott to let him know that we wanted to acknowledge him as ONDA’s 2020 Conservationist of the Year, he was out on a hike along Whychus Creek. It was a fitting place for him to accept this honor, out among the ponderosa pines, as this is an area ONDA...
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John Cunningham
Like many ONDA volunteers, John Cunningham is up for any challenge — and his positive attitude and long-standing commitment to supporting ONDA’s conservation mission have landed him the honor of receiving our 2020 Alice Elshoff Conservation Award. “After 30+ stewardship trips completed,” John said, “ONDA’s work just fits me perfectly, because anything that’s dirty,...
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From Wildflowers to Butterflies
A photographer’s collections helped inspire the effort to save native trout in the Malheur rivers by Mac Lacy The sagebrush sea lost a fierce champion when Chris Christie passed away on December 15, 2020. A long-time ONDA supporter, Chris was talented and thoughtful, cheekily humorous, and deeply committed to making the world a better...
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Start 2021 Anew
If living through 2020 taught us anything, we have reinforced lessons on developing healthy routines, practicing gratitude, and finding personal healing by spending time in nature. Fortunately, ONDA members might be a step or two ahead of the curve on those practices, so here are some additional intentions to carry forward into a new...
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Goals for the New Year
Each new year presents new opportunities to pursue our vision for Oregon’s high desert as a place where eight million acres of conserved public lands provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife, and wild places exist for all people to treasure and explore, now and always. Check out the photos below to see what...
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Winter Wildlife Watching
By Scott Bowler What’s there to do in the desert in the winter? Watch wildlife! In many ways, especially at lower elevations, winter’s cold weather can provide some great hiking and exploring opportunities and it’s definitely a great time to be on the lookout for the rich array of wildlife species that inhabit Oregon’s...
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Meet Joanna Zhang
A Conservation Leader in the Making Please allow us to introduce our newest staff member, Joanna Zhang, who will be serving as our Conservation Fellow for the next two years. She’ll focus on propelling our efforts to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands and see desert rivers designated as Wild & Scenic Rivers. As an ecology...
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Conserving Your Connection
“One of my biggest personal feelings of loss for this terrible pandemic is that I had to give up these ONDA field trips.” When ONDA had to cancel our field-based stewardship trips and community get-togethers as a result of COVID-19, we expected people to be disappointed. After all, we were, too. What surprised us...
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Signs of Winter
by Scott Bowler Winter may seem harsh, and it is indeed a difficult time to live outdoors, but remember that snow on the ground is actually good insulation. It blocks the wind, thus protecting animals from the most serious cold, and keeping temperatures warm enough underneath to allow activity much of the winter. Many...
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The Perfect Gift for Everyone on Your List
A Completely Subjective, All-ONDA Gift Guide Looking for a beautiful, non-perishable, one size fits all, no need to wrap, easy-to-mail gift that you can give to many, many people on your gift list? We’ve got you covered. ONDA’s Wild Desert Calendar makes a great gift … For anyone you can’t spend too much on,...
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