Letter to the Editor: Not like the other birds
We received a curious letter recently and wanted to share it with our desert conservation community. Dear Human News Media, April has arrived and I am cringing because I know what’s coming. You’ll describe me as a “chicken-sized bird” or even worse, a “football-sized bird,” share a video of my mating dance, and move...
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Winter Wildlife Watching
By Scott Bowler What’s there to do in the desert in the winter? Watch wildlife! In many ways, especially at lower elevations, winter’s cold weather can provide some great hiking and exploring opportunities and it’s definitely a great time to be on the lookout for the rich array of wildlife species that inhabit Oregon’s...
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Signs of Winter
by Scott Bowler Winter may seem harsh, and it is indeed a difficult time to live outdoors, but remember that snow on the ground is actually good insulation. It blocks the wind, thus protecting animals from the most serious cold, and keeping temperatures warm enough underneath to allow activity much of the winter. Many...
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Greater Hart-Sheldon: Sagebrush Stronghold
The “Greater Hart-Sheldon: Sagebrush Stronghold” story map is a science based, user driven exploration of one of the last sagebrush strongholds on the planet. Below, additional resources and content are provided to assist in further exploring the region, its values and why it deserves permanent protection.
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Recognizing Native American Heritage Month
Desert conservationists, did you know … That Oregon’s high desert lands and waters are the traditional lands and waters of the Northern Paiute, Wasco, Warm Springs, Klamath, Modoc, Yahooskin, and Shoshone peoples? That several of ONDA’s major restoration projects take place on lands currently managed by the Burns Paiute Tribe and the Confederated Tribes...
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Healthy Escapism
“A Year in Oregon’s High Desert” offers escapism you can feel good about Feeling stressed? A dose of natural beauty could help. Studies have shown that spending time in a natural setting, or even viewing scenes of nature, can lower stress level, heart rate and blood pressure and make people feel more trusting and...
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Sage-grouse are down, but not out
Author: Jeremy Austin | Published: October 13, 2020 | Category: In the News The numbers are in. Oregon’s sage-grouse population essentially remained flat in 2020. Following years of steep declines, the bird is dwelling at the second-lowest population level ever measured in our state. For nearly 60 years the scientific community has documented the...
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