Before and After Stewardship

Volunteers removed ~1.5 miles of barbed wire fence from the High Lakes region, an important migration corridor for pronghorn antelope south of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. These accomplishments were reached in partnership with Lakeview BLM.

Over the past two years, ONDA volunteers tackled trail maintenance on a steep alternate route to the Oregon Desert Trail in the Steens Mountain Wilderness. The Nye Trail uses 22 switchbacks to climb up one mile out of the Little Blitzen Gorge to reach the top of the rim at the Cold Springs Road. Part of the challenge in maintaining this trail was trying to re-bench the trail tread to make it wide enough for both equestrians and hikers. Multiple springs run into and along the trail, making water management an issue, and abundant vegetation grows into and out of the trail corridor. The steep grade necessitated taking plenty of breaks to enjoy the view before clearing the next stretch of trail. Luckily, the scenery was well worth the sweat equity. A special thanks to the Burns BLM for working with us to accomplish this momentous undertaking.

Hay Creek’s habitat is already being dramatically improved by the tireless work of ONDA volunteers.  Last season, volunteers protected hundreds of established trees with fencing. This season, volunteers constructed six beaver dam analogs and planted 2,500 additional riparian shrubs and trees. All of this work adds up to a lasting improvement in the streamside habitat. This work is being done in partnership with Oregon State Parks.