Meet Mary Powell
Author: Allison Crotty | Published: February 2, 2022 | Category: Profile ONDA’s 2021 Alice Elshoff Award Recipient Mary Powell is a woman of many talents. Need to spruce up an […]
Read More
Meet Mary Powell
voices
Reid Williams, 2021 Conservationist of the Year
Reid Williams, 2021 Conservationist of the Year
How far are you willing to hike for conservation? Reid Williams offered to put in more than 20 miles a day, by himself, walking and monitoring fence lines on Beatys Butte. And that was on top of weekly visits to the ONDA office, where he is always eager to help with extra projects. In acknowledgment of his willingness and helpful spirit, ONDA named him our 2021 Conservationist of the Year.
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.”
listen
Great Basin Spadefoot Toads – a sleepy chorus
Great Basin Spadefoot Toads – a sleepy chorus
Having stood shoulder-to-shoulder working with Mary at many busy ONDA events, I am delighted to see her recognized with this lifetime achievement award. Mary’s kindness, upbeat energy, can-do spirit, and relentless commitment to conservation are beyond compare.
ONDA established the Elshoff Award in 2008 to honor individuals who embody ONDA’s conservation values, and to celebrate their significant contributions to protecting Oregon’s desert wilderness.
About being named the 2021 Alice Elshoff Conservation Award recipient, Mary said, “ONDA has always been near and dear to our hearts, and we never expected anything in return. The chance to help ONDA has been award enough. I am so deeply honored.”
If you haven’t already met Mary while monitoring sage-grouse, harvesting native plants, or at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, you can get to know her and learn her reasons for supporting conservation in Oregon’s high desert in this short video produced by ONDA in 2020.
In this video, Mary describes the ONDA community as “family” and shares her appreciation for all the people she’s met and things she’s learned while volunteering with ONDA.
Well, the feeling is mutual Mary! Thank you for your many whole-hearted contributions to our community.
A Love Story: Mary Powell & Harv Hillis
Author: Lace Thornberg | Published: September 28, 2021 | Category: Profile Many people contribute their time, talent and passion to make desert conservation successful. Today, we introduce you to two […]
Read MoreWhy I'm an ONDA Member
For ONDA member and volunteer Mary Powell, the ONDA community is more than a group of desert advocates – it’s a family, working together to conserve landscapes near and dear to her heart.
Read More