Essential

Kevin Clark

Oregon’s high desert is an arid landscape, defined by the scarcity of water, but that does not mean that this vast landscape is without water. It means that every stream, creek, spring and river matters.

In the face of biodiversity loss and climate change, public lands and waters in eastern Oregon’s sagebrush sea offer a chance to stem the tide. Conserving these natural areas would ensure a future for fish and wildlife, preserve connected, resilient landscapes, safeguard the region’s rich cultural and historic resources, and provide recreational opportunities for generations to come.

This short documentary takes you to to Lake Abert, the John Day River Basin and the Owyhee Canyonlands and highlights how Oregon Natural Desert Association is preserving the desert’s most precious resource.

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Western Rattlesnake

Western Rattlesnake

Also known as the Great Basin Rattlesnake, these pit vipers have buff-tan coloring and small, oval blotches to blend into their arid surroundings. Small heat-sensing indentations on each side of the snake’s snout detects warm-blooded prey for better striking accuracy in the dark. Source: The Oregon Encyclopedia

Latin name: Crotalus oreganus lutosus

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Bitteroot

Bitteroot

Bitteroot blooms on north-facing cliffs in western North America.

The Paiute name for bitteroot is kangedya. Traditional Native American uses of the plant included eating the roots, mixed with berries and meat, and using the roots to treat sore throats.

 

listen

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

ESSENTIAL was made possible thanks to the generous donations of several talented creative professionals.

The video footage was provided courtesy of Kevin Clark, Brian J. Clark Productions, Think Wild, James Parsons at Extreme Oregon, and Fine Grain Pictures.

Ben Finley composed the original score. Lauren Gombas created the animations.

Additionally, several members of the ONDA staff contributed to create this piece, with production management by Corinne Handelman, voiceover narration by Hana Sant, editing by Barksdale Brown and direction by Lace Thornberg.

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Thank Oregon's Senators for Protecting Desert Rivers

On February 3, 2021, Oregon’s Senators introduced the River Democracy Act, which would protect hundreds of miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers in Oregon’s High Desert, from Whychus Creek to the Owyhee!

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