Opt Outside,
Act for Desert Rivers

Gena Goodman-Campbell

voices

Taylor Goforth, Sage Society member

Taylor Goforth, Sage Society member

“I support ONDA on a monthly basis as a way I can keep in touch with the root of my conservation ethic and allow for their strong advocacy work to keep going. I count on them!”

voices

Sarah Graham, Sage Society Member

Sarah Graham, Sage Society Member

“I contribute to ONDA monthly because it adds up to a larger annual gift than what I’d be able to comfortably afford if I were to do a simple one-time donation annually. I’m able to give more to ONDA this way and have greater impact which is important to me, and my dog Polly.”

voices

Elisa Cheng, member since 2013

Elisa Cheng, member since 2013

“ONDA stewardship trips inspire me. I get to learn new things and see new places, and in the process perform important work that improves the wildlife habitat.”

1.) Visit a Wild River

Greg Burke   Website

Alder Springs

Located on Lower Whychus Creek, Alder Springs is an oasis in the high desert. The trail starts at the top of the Whychus Creek Canyon and descends gradually to the creek, with panoramic views of the Cascades, towering rock formations, and the rushing waters of Whychus Creek below. At 1.5 miles, hikers reach Alder...

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Pike Creek

An old mining track leads 1.4 miles up the canyon through a rugged rock narrows with wildflowers and views of the desert playa below. Two creek crossings can be difficult to pass in early spring and after summer thunderstorms. Along this trail, you’ll find an old cabin and an old mine on the way...

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Greg Burke   Website

Guano Creek

Guano Creek is designated as a Wilderness Study Area and Area of Critical Environmental Concern. No trails exist but you can hike across the open country adjacent to Guano Creek. You can do an out-and-back hike or go for a 6-mile round-trip hike. As you proceed down, the canyon the walls will deepen and...

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2.) Nominate That River for Protection

While the sounds of wild water are still fresh in your mind, take a moment to write a nomination email to Sen. Wyden and tell him why you think the river or creek you visited should be designated a Wild and Scenic River!

Need some tips on how to get started? Check out our blog post on how to nominate a new Wild and Scenic River.

Greg Shine

Nominate a Wild and Scenic River

Senator Ron Wyden is calling for Oregonians to help him develop legislation to protect Oregon’s most special rivers, and he wants to hear from YOU! Please edit the message below to include the name and location of the river(s) or creek(s) you are nominating. Describe the “outstandingly remarkable values” that you believe qualify your...

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How to nominate a river
for Wild and Scenic protection

Oregon can already claim to be the state with the most Wild and Scenic Rivers, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has a not-so-secret goal to make Oregon the state with the Most Designated Miles, too. (Right now, that honor goes to Alaska.) Earlier this fall, Sen. Wyden announced a new effort to protect more rivers […]

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Wild Rivers

Explore the map below to find out which rivers in Oregon’s high desert are protected as Wild and Scenic, and which important waterways still need protection. This map may take a minute to load. Let your mind drift back to your favorite river memory while you wait.

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Category: How-To

Learn a new skill that will help you enjoy and protect the high desert.

Opt Outside,
Act for Desert Rivers

By on November 25, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

Escape the Black Friday crowds and #OptOutside to a wild river near you! Sen. Ron Wyden is asking Oregonians to help him develop legislation to protect Oregon’s most special rivers, and he wants to hear from YOU. The day after Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to take your family and friends on a hike...

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5 Unique Ways to Give

By on November 12, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

An inky night sky studded with endless stars. Quirky sage-grouse dancing at dawn. A soothing soak in a peaceful hot spring. Discovering delicate desert blooms. Spotting soaring migratory birds. That’s my personal top five list of desert wonders. What’s yours? Your list of reasons to love Oregon’s desert may be different than mine, but...

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Only You Can Prevent
Sagebrush Fires

By on July 1, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

You might think of forests when you think “wildfire,” but, as OPB reported in May, nearly 75 percent of all acres burned in the west over the past two decades were on rangelands — not forest. As someone who lives in or visits sagebrush country, you have an important responsibility to help prevent human-caused...

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How To: Raft the Lower Owyhee

By on May 14, 2019 | Posted in: How-To, Where-to

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 sweeping vistas are all highlights of this trip. Just be sure to gather some information ahead of time...

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Dark Desert Skies

By on March 29, 2019 | Posted in: How-To, Where-to

For those of us who have spent time in Oregon’s high desert, there is no need to explain how truly dark skies showcase the wonders of the stars viewable by the naked eye. Night skies relatively free from light pollution — that is, human-created artificial lighting and atmospheric disturbances such as smog — will...

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Happy Birthday!
Oregon Desert Trail Turns Five

By on March 20, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

In the spring of 2014, ONDA released a basic map-set for an ambitious route we’d started to call the “Oregon Desert Trail.” It wasn’t long before a few hikers set their sights on completing the route. Over the past five years, we’ve developed and refined many new resources to make our challenging eastern Oregon...

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How to Shoot a Desert Video

By on February 25, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

Videos can tell stories, convey ideas and immerse the viewer into an environment in ways that are difficult to achieve with photographs or the written word. And, with many video cameras becoming better and more affordable and a number of free editing programs available, creating videos has become increasingly accessible. Perhaps you’d like to...

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How to Shoot a Desert Video

By on February 25, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

Did you already read How to Shoot a Desert Video – Part 1 that covers planning for and shooting your video?  If so, check out this post to get some pointers on how to turn your raw footage into a final product! Editing 1. Determine the right length for your video For the kind of...

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The Milky Way is reflected in a pool in Oregon's High Desert.

How to find a hot spring in the dark

By on October 15, 2018 | Posted in: How-To

ONDA’s Owyhee Canyonlands Coordinator Corie Harlan shares a lesson learned from a particularly epic trip into the Owyhee. Three hours into our drive to Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands, the AC quit working and I had a sinking feeling I’d forgotten my hiking boots – but there was no time to worry about any of that....

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biking Steens

Bikepacking the Steens Loop

By on October 12, 2018 | Posted in: How-To, Where-to

If you’ve ever dreamed of a desert bike trip circling Steens Mountain, this post from Central Oregon Wheelers members Ben Groeneveld and Kevin Briggs won’t do anything to dissuade you.

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