Advocating for Wildlands and Wildlife

Imperiled Species and Habitats

Upwards of 350 species of plants and animals in Oregon’s high desert are at risk due to habitat loss. Facing climate change, invasive species, mining proposals, industrial development and other challenges, Oregon’s desert wildlife and their habitats are in need of conservation action.

ONDA works to protect essential habitat, wildlife corridors, and climate resilient ecosystems to provide native species the best chance for survival. We undertake efforts that usher in conservation measures that better manage and improve habitat. We do so because ensuring a species has a safe place to live addresses the root causes that lead to imperiled species and habitats.

• Protecting greater sage-grouse
• Protecting desert fish and wildlife

ONDA’s efforts conserve vast expanses of wildlife habitat and benefit iconic desert residents like greater sage-grouse, pygmy rabbits, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, redband trout, migratory birds and many more.

Improved Land Management

Many people don’t realize that Oregon’s high desert is rich with biodiversity. This desert ecosystem is also fragile and requires caretaking to remain healthy.

State and federal agencies manage millions of acres of public land across Oregon’s high desert. These agencies create numerous plans, host stakeholder work groups, and undertake community engagement initiatives that guide their decision-making on how to best manage the region’s public lands.

ONDA engages in countless efforts to encourage conservation outcomes and promote science-based decision making to improve land management and protect iconic landscapes, fragile ecosystems and unique fish, wildlife and plant communities. We advocate for policies, regulations and management that provides ecosystem integrity and addresses threats from development, extractive industries and other sources.

• Lake Abert: Finding Solutions for this Desert Oasis
• Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan
• Sage Grouse Planning
• Lakeview Resource Management Plan

Want to dive deeper into public lands management? Take a closer look at management planning in Oregon’s high desert.

Defending Public Lands and Wildlife

ONDA safeguards Oregon’s high desert, and we are committed to countering any plans and initiatives that harm the region’s public lands, waters and wildlife. ONDA leads campaigns to oppose detrimental proposals, ensures effective policy implementation, encourages science-based decision making, and enforces conservation laws to promote a healthy, resilient high desert ecosystem.

• Protecting the Owyhee from Impacts of Expanded Airforce Training
• Opposing Lithium Mining at McDermitt Creek

Over the years, this essential work has protected millions of acres of public land across Oregon’s high desert.

• Preventing Industrial-Scale Development in the Steens
• Bureau of Land Management Wildlands Policy
• Protecting Bull Trout Habitat in Malheur River Wild and Scenic Rivers

Visit our Accomplishments page to learn more about ONDA’s conservation achievements.