In the Name of Desert Defense

voices

Durlin Hicock, Alice Elshoff Award winner

Durlin Hicock, Alice Elshoff Award winner

“Protecting public land is part of my spiritual being. It’s central to my identity to be in wilderness and to see it protected.” Durlin is proud to protect public lands for future generations, saying, “The highlight of my childhood was our family’s weekend outdoor trips. I look forward to my grandchildren having similar experiences outside in their lifetimes, and it wouldn’t be possible without ONDA.”

fact

Badger

Badger

Badgers are generally nocturnal, but, in remote areas with no human encroachment, they are routinely observed foraging during the day. They prefer open areas with grasslands, which can include parklands, farms, and treeless areas with crumbly soil and a supply of rodent prey.

Badgers are born blind, furred, and helpless. Their eyes open at four to six weeks.

Latin name: Taxidea taxus

watch

Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse

Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse

In the Name of Desert Defense

Author: Ryan Houston|  Published: October 22, 2025  | Category: Deep Dive This article originally appeared in the Fall + Winter 2025 Desert Ramblings Newsletter. Protecting public lands in Oregon’s high […]

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The Idea of Public Lands Needs No Defense, It Only Needs Defenders

Author: Ryan Houston  |  Published: March 26, 2025  | Category: In the News This Op-Ed originally appeared in The Source Weekly on March 20, 2025. The existence of public lands […]

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Owyhee Reflections

Author: Ryan Houston  |  Published: January 14, 2025  | Category: Deep Dive Reflections on the most recent chapter in our quest to protect Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands.   Growing momentum in […]

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Protecting Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands

Author: Ryan Houston  |  Published: December 5, 2023  |  Category: Deep Dive A deep dive into the Wilderness vs. National Monument pathways Even the most intrepid desert traveler can get […]

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Bill to Conserve Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands Introduced in Congress

Author: Ryan Houston  |  Published: June 9, 2023  | Category: In the News Four years in the making, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley’s bill could finally deliver protection […]

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Another Owyhee Canyonlands Milestone

Author: Ryan Houston  |  Published: October 4, 2022  |  Category:  In The News Another Milestone for the Owyhee Canyonlands It’s not hard to get lost in the deeply forked, meandering […]

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Lake Abert: What’s the Solution?

Author: Ryan Houston  |  Published: May 5, 2022  | Category: Deep Dive   Lake Abert was catapulted onto the front pages in January when in-depth reporting by The Oregonian exposed a […]

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A Justice, Equity and Inclusion Update

Author: Ryan Houston  |  Published: June 18, 2021  |  Category: In the News, Looking Back, Looking Ahead Today, our country is observing Juneteenth as a federal holiday for the first […]

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Standing against
racism and injustice

Dear ONDA members: The recent, senseless murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and the threat of violence against Christian Cooper have shaken all of us. The protests […]

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How Much Wilderness Do We Need?

In a recent editorial, The Bulletin asked a good question: “how much land does Oregon have that is appropriate for wilderness?” The answer is a lot. A heckuva lot. In […]

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