Oregon Natural Desert Association’s independent stewardship projects offers volunteers a self-directed option for promoting a healthy high desert in addition to our structured option of guided stewardship trips.
Independent Stewards
David Hanson
watch
Helen Harbin on Wildlife
Helen Harbin on Wildlife
voices
Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva, ODT thru-hiker 2017
Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva, ODT thru-hiker 2017
“To me, it’s a thru-hike in an isolated place that promotes a conversation in land management, ethics and usage. Hiking across a vast and remote landscape and having a random and chance encounter with cowboys and hunters to discuss how ‘all of us’ should treat the land, how we all have a responsibility, no matter our political leanings, really showed me the pulse of the people in rural areas, especially here out west.”
listen
Western Meadowlark Dawn Chorus
Western Meadowlark Dawn Chorus
How It Works
ONDA provides assignments and resources. Volunteers learn new skills and complete critical tasks on their own while giving their high desert adventures an elevated purpose. Stewards receive guidance from ONDA, but are primarily self-directed.
Why It Helps
Independent stewards are critical players in completing stewardship work in the high desert, and perhaps even bringing new stewardship needs to light as they explore Oregon’s dry side with a trained eye. The work our volunteers complete across eastern Oregon informs our conservation and legal work and underpins our ongoing commitment to protect, defend, and restore the high desert.
Find A Project
Ready to get out into the desert and give it some care? Visit ONDA’s stewardship trips page to learn more about current independent project offerings.
See The Impact
Independent stewards are critical players in completing desert restoration projects, and bringing new maintenance needs to light as they explore Oregon’s dry side with a trained eye.
This story map highlights work independent stewards have completed recently:
Scenes from Independent Stewards
Subscribe to ONDA’s E-News to hear about new projects and opportunities as they become available throughout the year and watch for new opportunities at the start of each year.