Maria Johnson
The difference that ONDA volunteers can make in just a few hours or days of working together is pretty incredible. Here are a few before and after pictures to give you a taste and you’ll find even more photos in our post-trip photo albums.
As we return to project locations season after season and keep making improvements to habitats in need of help, the impact ONDA volunteers are having really adds up.
Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse
What defines Oregon’s high desert?
Bounded by the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Blue Mountains to the north, Oregon’s high desert covers approximately 24,000 square miles. Annual rainfall in the high desert varies from 5 to 14 inches. The average elevation is 4,000 feet; at 9,733 feet, the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest point in Oregon’s high desert. The terrain of the high desert was mostly formed by a series of lava flows that occurred between 30 and 10 million years ago.
Helen Harbin, ONDA Board Member
“I connect with Oregon’s high desert through my feet, my eyes, my sense of smell, and all the things I hear. Getting out there is a whole body experience.” Supporting ONDA, Helen says, not only connects her with wild landscapes, but is also a good investment. “I felt like if I gave them $20, they might squeeze $23 out of it.”
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.
Oregon Natural Desert Association sustains and enhances the health of Oregon’s high desert through stewardship and restoration. ONDA takes a holistic approach to conservation in Oregon’s high desert, pairing on-the-ground […]
Read MoreConserve high desert lands, waterways and wildlife by becoming an Oregon Natural Desert Association member.
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