Letter to the Editor: Not like the other birds
We received a curious letter recently and wanted to share it with our desert conservation community. Dear Human News Media, April has arrived and I am cringing because I know what’s coming. You’ll describe me as a “chicken-sized bird” or even worse, a “football-sized bird,” share a video of my mating dance, and move...
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Meet the 2020 Alice
Elshoff Award Recipient
Author: Corinne Handelman | Published: January 19, 2021 | Category: Profile Meet 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...
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Start 2021 Anew
Author: Corinne Handelman | Published: January 10, 2021 | Category: How-To Fresh Ideas for your New Years Resolutions 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...
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Recognizing Native American Heritage Month
Desert conservationists, did you know … That Oregon’s high desert lands and waters are the traditional lands and waters of the Northern Paiute, Wasco, Warm Springs, Klamath, Modoc, Yahooskin, and Shoshone peoples? That several of ONDA’s major restoration projects take place on lands currently managed by the Burns Paiute Tribe and the Confederated Tribes...
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High Desert Academy
Welcome to our digital event community While we’re all following directives to stay close to home, ONDA is bringing the desert straight to you! Wherever you might be, you can follow along with our new High Desert Academy. This series will include stunning tours of high desert highlights, informative workshops that will teach you...
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Oregon’s High Desert Amid an Outbreak
The sun on our faces, the scent of sagebrush carried by a breeze, a distant call of raptors flying overhead, and the crunch of bare earth below our feet. We feel the pull of Oregon’s wilder side each and every day. And we know that the high desert is calling to many now. If...
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We hear you
The results of our most recent member survey This fall, ONDA sent you, our members, a note with a question: what matters most to you? Almost 500 of you responded to our member survey, our strongest response yet. Thank you! Here’s what we learned. You love Oregon’s high desert Whether you have generations of...
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Meet Felice Kelly
Passionate desert advocate Since moving to Oregon in 2016, Felice Kelly discovered Oregon’s dry side and was immediately inspired, saying, “Once I made it out to the high desert, I knew that I wanted to play a part in the conservation of the landscape.” She savors the moments after crossing the Cascade Mountains from...
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How To: Raft the Lower Owyhee
Author: Corinne Handelman | Published: May 14, 2019 | Category: How-To Tips to plan your desert rafting trip Rafting the lower Owyhee River is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that introduces you to some of the most spectacular and untouched high desert landscapes found in eastern Oregon. Deep canyon walls, riverside camps, and hikes climbing to...
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Meet Mary McCord
ONDA Volunteer Extraordinaire Over the past few years, Mary McCord went from being newly introduced to ONDA to becoming a frequent volunteer in Bend. Mary and her husband, Tom, attended an annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival event and were instantly inspired to become ONDA members. They formed a personal connection with Oregon’s high...
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