Badlands Fence and Trail Work Day #2

About the place

ONDA’s conservation work takes place on the traditional lands of the Northern Paiute, Wasco, Warm Springs, Bannock and Shoshone people, as well as ceded lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and on lands currently managed by the Burns Paiute Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Many Indigenous peoples live in Oregon’s high desert region today, including members of the Burns Paiute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (Wasco, Warm Springs and Paiute), the Klamath Tribes (Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin) and the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe.

Located just 15 miles east of Bend, the Oregon Badlands Wilderness is a 30,000-acre area containing fascinating lava flows and ancient junipers. This area was designated as wilderness in 2009 and was named for its harsh terrain and fantastic rock formations. Within this landscape, one can find incredible displays of desert wildflowers, dry river canyons, castle-like rock formations, and Native American pictographs.

About the stewardship work

In partnership with the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management, ONDA will lead three days of trail work and fence removal at Reynolds Pond and the Badlands Wilderness to support the construction of an accessible trail and improve the area for human visitors and native wildlife inhabitants.

These single-day experiences are a great opportunity for your first trip out with ONDA. No previous experience is needed to attend. All that is required is a love of the high desert, a big smile and a willingness to learn.

Trip timeline

• Friday, November 8, 9 a.m.: Volunteers will meet at the trailhead, approximately 30 minutes from Bend, directions to project locations will be sent out before the trip.
• Friday, November 8, 4 p.m.: We’ll be back to the trailhead and ready to head home by 4 p.m.

Difficulty

Level 2-3

This day-trip will focus on a fence removal project, with potential trail-related tasks. We will be using hand tools to complete asks such as removing barbed wire, pulling staples and unclipping wire, removing fence posts, and hiking up to 3 miles. While some of these tasks are physically demanding, there are many that are not, and volunteers will have opportunities to try a variety of tasks throughout the day and take lots of breaks.

Participant responsibilities

Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, long pants, and eye protection are required for this trip (sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses are suitable eye protection). Please bring work gloves if you have them. Be prepared to be away from the vehicles all day and  please bring a day pack, along with your lunch, snacks and plenty of water.

Gear provided

ONDA will provide all tools required for the work as well as extra work gloves and eye protection. We will bring extra water, expert leadership and perspective on current high desert conservation priorities.

Registration

An ONDA registration application and medical form are required for this trip.

Apply Now

You will receive a confirmation email within 2 weeks of submitting your form. The confirmation email will provide information regarding which trips you are on the “participant list” for, and which trips are full, and therefore you have been placed on the “wait list.”

Six weeks before the start of the trip, the trip leader will send out an RSVP to make sure everyone is still able to participate. Based on RSVPs, open spaces will be backfilled with people from the waitlist.

Three weeks before the trip start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive driving instructions, maps, and additional information in an email sent by the trip leader

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the trip leader.