High Desert Academy

Vince Ready

fact

Badger

Badger

Badgers are generally nocturnal, but, in remote areas with no human encroachment, they are routinely observed foraging during the day. They prefer open areas with grasslands, which can include parklands, farms, and treeless areas with crumbly soil and a supply of rodent prey.

Badgers are born blind, furred, and helpless. Their eyes open at four to six weeks.

Latin name: Taxidea taxus

watch

Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse

Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse

fact

Bobcat

Bobcat

Found only in North America, where it is the most common wildcat, the bobcat takes its common name from its stubby, or “bobbed,” tail. The cats range in length from two to four feet and weigh 14 to 29 pounds. Bobcats mainly hunt rabbits and hares, but they will also eat rodents, birds, bats, and even adult deer.

Latin name: Lynx rufus fasciatus

 

The High Desert Wonders

This three-part series will take you on a tour of the spectacular highlights of Oregon’s high desert and connect you with timely conservation opportunities in these areas.

Steens Mountain: Wilderness Haven

Learn more about the crown jewel of Oregon’s high desert. Steens Mountain gained Wilderness protection 20 years ago, but the story doesn’t stop there. Discover places to explore and hear about the ongoing efforts to secure permanent conservation outcomes in this rugged landscape.
View the recording

Hart, Sheldon and the Land Between

The Greater Hart-Sheldon Region includes Hart Mountain and several million acres of the surrounding public lands. The region boasts huge blocks of extensively connected wilderness-quality lands that support the region’s rich wildlife populations. Learn more about the abundant conservation and recreation opportunities in this vast area.
View the recording

The Wild Owyhee

Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands is one of the wildest places in the country. Follow along on an exploration of this incomparable region, its awe-inspiring natural landscapes, rich culture and history, key wildlife habitats and recreation hubs. You’ll learn about timely conservation initiatives you can support to ensure that the Owyhee stays wild, forever.
View the recording

Where Conservation Meets Recreation

We know you’re all scheming your next trip to Oregon’s high desert. Join our team to learn about our best planning tips and tricks so that you can utilize this downtime to plan the perfect adventure.

Desert Hiking Tips & Trips

Do you have concerns about water, navigation, camping, animals, desert driving and more? We’ll answer your questions and offer ideas for your next adventure in Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands and beyond.
View the recording

Multi-Sport Adventures on the Oregon Desert Trail

The Oregon Desert Trail is not just made for hiking. Did you know there are sections that you can bike, paddle, horseback ride, and even ski in the winter? Join us as we dive into different options for “quiet recreation” on the public lands throughout Oregon’s high desert.
View the recording

Boots, Bikes, and Boats in Eastern Oregon

Go east on this virtual tour for a new desert adventure and a sense of solitude. You’ll learn about recreation and conservation opportunities in and around the Steens Mountain Wilderness, Fremont-Winema National Forest and the John Day River Basin.
View the recording

How to be a Better Desert Advocate

We hear that self-improvement is all the rage! Follow along for this three-part series to build your knowledge and skills base to be an even stronger desert advocate.

How to Protect Desert Rivers

Right now, we have a remarkable opportunity to secure Wild and Scenic River status for our beloved desert rivers – if we all speak up! You’ll learn how to write an effective letter to the editor, use your social media to rally your river-loving friends, and more!
View the recording

How to Build a Beaver Dam

Beaver are among nature’s most impressive ecosystem engineers. Learn how you can lend them a hand – and then let them take over – to create healthier and more resilient desert habitat.
View the recording

How to Use Your Voice For Public Lands

Whenever major changes to how our public lands are managed are in the works, you – the public! – get a chance to comment on those proposals. Learn how to use your voice to speak up for conservation in the desert, just in time for an important comment period opening this summer.
View the recording

Oregon’s High Desert
Amid an Outbreak

The sun on our faces, the scent of sagebrush carried by a breeze, a distant call of raptors flying overhead, and the crunch of bare earth below our feet. We […]

Read More

Please use Caution on that
Oregon Desert Trail Adventure

Please use caution with any Oregon Desert Trail plans due to COVID 19.  Last updated on February 1, 2021. Oregon cases of COVID-19 are still high in 2021, and even […]

Read More

High Desert Academy

By on March 31, 2020 | Posted in: Coming Up

Welcome to our digital event community ONDA launched this digital events series in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. When everyone was following directives to stay close to home, […]

Read More

Signs of Spring

By on March 19, 2020 | Posted in: Phenology

By Scott Bowler and Lace Thornberg After months of rejuvenating itself in subtle ways, Oregon’s high desert begins pulsing with undeniable signs of spring’s arrival in March, April and May. […]

Read More
Sagebrush in Oregon's high desert steppe is bathed in evening light.

Oregon’s High Desert
Amid an Outbreak

By on March 18, 2020 | Posted in: In the News

The sun on our faces, the scent of sagebrush carried by a breeze, a distant call of raptors flying overhead, and the crunch of bare earth below our feet. We […]

Read More
Why do pronouns matter to ONDA?

Why do pronouns matter to ONDA?

By on February 20, 2020 | Posted in:

ONDA respects gender identity. We understand that we cannot assume to know each others’ pronouns by our names or appearance. For some of us, it is a privilege to not […]

Read More

Appreciating Stormy Skies

By on January 22, 2020 | Posted in: How-To

Maria Mudd Ruth, author of “A Sideways Look at Clouds,” is fascinated by clouds. In this post, she identifies the clouds seen in the stormy skies over Oregon’s high desert. […]

Read More

Five New Year’s Resolutions
that Help Oregon’s Desert and You

By on January 2, 2020 | Posted in: How-To

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, there’s no denying that New Year’s resolutions are a thing. In “8 Reasons We Really Do Need to Make Resolutions,” Dr. Theo Tsaousides concludes that […]

Read More

How To Upcycle
Last Year’s Wild Desert Calendar

By on December 9, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

ONDA’s Wild Desert Calendar is chock full of desert beauty, and, each year around this time, we hear from members who simply can’t bear to just throw last year’s calendar […]

Read More

We hear you

By on November 26, 2019 | Posted in: Look Back

The results of our most recent member survey This fall, ONDA sent you, our members, a note with a question: what matters most to you?  Almost 500 of you responded […]

Read More

Stewardship Impact 2019

By on November 25, 2019 | Posted in: Look Back

ONDA’s stewardship program connects eager volunteers with meaningful projects to improve fish and wildlife habitat across eastern Oregon. Beyond the satisfaction of seeing a job well done, each volunteer gains […]

Read More

Before and After Stewardship

By on October 31, 2019 | Posted in: Look Back

The difference that ONDA volunteers can make in just a few hours or days of working together is pretty incredible. Here are a few before and after pictures to give […]

Read More