Wild Waters Ahead
ONDA community members showed how much they value desert rivers, streams and creeks by nominating countless waterways for protection. Now, more than 1,000 miles of these waters could be protected under the River Democracy Act. Join us to learn more about the rushing rivers, hidden hot springs, and spectacular streams across Oregon’s high desert...
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Meet the 2020 Alice
Elshoff Award Recipient
Author: Corinne Handelman | Published: January 19, 2021 | Category: Profile Meet John Cunningham Like many ONDA volunteers, John Cunningham is up for any challenge — and his positive attitude and long-standing commitment to supporting ONDA’s conservation mission have landed him the honor of receiving our 2020 Alice Elshoff Conservation Award. “After 30+ stewardship...
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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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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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The Halfway Point
By Zavier Borja, Latino Outdoor Engagement Coordinator for Children’s Forest of Central Oregon The Painted Hills of eastern Oregon are one of the seven wonders that we have here in Oregon. Beyond the fact that it is a breathtaking geological structure out in what feels like the middle of nowhere, I also hold this...
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What Wild & Scenic Looks Like
Did you know that, in addition to rivers, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act can also protect creeks, streams and lakes? Wild and Scenic desert waters take many forms and every drop of desert water plays an important role in the desert ecosystem. From mighty salmon-bearing rivers, like the North Fork John Day, to...
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Member Q&A with Ryan Houston
Join ONDA’s executive director Ryan Houston for this live-streaming question and answer session. Ryan will provide updates on top conservation priorities across Oregon’s high desert and share information about how you can get involved with our work this year with opportunities from advocating to volunteering. Registration is closed, but you can email Corinne for...
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Sutton Mountain Dazzles, Inspires in Equal Measure
By Matt Wastradowski The Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument sees roughly 200,000 visitors per year, almost all of them dazzled by the brightly colored hillsides, arid landscapes, and explosive ecological history of the John Day River Basin. But just east of the Painted Hills sits Sutton Mountain, rising...
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