Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge was established in 1936 to protect the range and breeding grounds of Pronghorn Antelope and other wildlife species. Located in southeast Oregon in the Northern Great Basin, Hart Mountain is a wildlife mecca for over 300 species including migrating waterfowl, bighorn sheep and sage-grouse. Hart Mountain and the adjacent lands have also recently been recognized as one of six key areas important to the long-term survival of sage-grouse. ONDA has worked in this region for decades to help maintain and restore healthy intact wildlife habitat.
The Warner Valley is located along the western edge of Hart Mountain. During the last ice age, Hart Lake filled this valley to a depth of up to 200 feet. The remnants of the lake remain today as a chain of smaller lakes that run for almost 40 miles. The lake levels along this valley fluctuate widely and fill from south to north depending upon precipitation. Today, this rare wetland habitat is managed by the Lakeview BLM and is an important resource for thousands of migrating birds each year.
About the stewardship work
For this trip, volunteers will be spending one day working with the Lakeview BLM and other local volunteers to construct a pathway and rehabilitate the Hart Bar Interpretive Site to improve the habitat and create a site where visitors can learn more about the Warner wetlands ecology on the northern shore of Hart Lake.
Trip timeline
Hart Mountain sunset. Photo: Jim Davis
Saturday, September 22: National Public Lands Day! Meet the BLM and other volunteers at Hart Bar at 8:30 a.m. Plan to work until about 1 p.m. Lunch, complimentary National Parks Passes, and a celebratory cake will be provided by the BLM.
Camp
You might want to camp on Friday or Saturday night or both, and the Hart Mountain Hot Spring Campground is a great option near the work site and within an easy walk to hot springs. It offers primitive camping with no water, but there are vault toilets. Note: there will not be an ONDA representative at camp, so you’re on your own.
Set up camp under the aspens and enjoy a fall soak!
Constructing the walkway will require bending, raking gravel and lifting up to 20 pounds, but everyone can work at their own pace and take breaks as needed.
Participant responsibilities
Participants are responsible for their own food, water, camping gear (if opting to camp) as well as transportation to and from the trip. Sturdy off-trail ankle-high boots are required for this trip. A more complete packing list will be sent out three weeks before the trip starts.
Gear provided
ONDA will provide tools for the work, work gloves, and sunscreen. The BLM will provide all the volunteers with lunch on Saturday.
Registration
An ONDA registration application and medical form are required for this trip.
You only need to fill this form out once per year and can join additional trips this year by e-mailing the trip leader directly. You will receive a confirmation e-mail within 10 working days of submitting your form. The confirmation e-mail will provide information regarding which trips you are on the “participant list” for, and which trips are full, and therefore you have been placed on the “wait list.”
Six weeks before the start of the trip, the trip leader will send out an RSVP to make sure everyone is still able to participate. Based on RSVPs, open spaces will be backfilled with people from the waitlist.
Three weeks before the trip start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive driving instructions, maps, car-pooling options, and additional information in an email sent by the trip leader
If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the trip leader.
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