The People Who Make Us

Mary Powell

Day after day, a little bit of everything goes a long way. In simple, kind and quiet ways, Mary gives, advocates and volunteers for ONDA on a near daily basis. From lending a hand at countless events, to getting her hands dirty on stewardship trips, to taking part in online advocacy, she does it all. Perhaps her most impactful contribution has been her significant financial gift in honor of her late husband, Harv. Her generosity allowed ONDA to create the Hillis Internship, a paid opportunity for early-career individuals to participate in Oregon desert conservation efforts.

Myron Smart, Ka’ila Farrell-Smith, Gary McKinney, Wilson Wewa

Indigenous leaders are visible and vital advocates for landscape protection in Oregon’s high desert. A small group went so far as to travel to Washington, D.C., to encourage decision makers to permanently protect the Owyhee Canyonlands. Home to the Northern Paiute, Shoshone and Bannock peoples since time immemorial, the Owyhee continues to hold deep, ancestral reverence for Tribes and Indigenous communities across the region. Empowered by a knowledge of place, these Tribal leaders spoke directly and from the heart to elected leaders about the immeasurable cultural, social and ecological importance of conserving this sacred landscape.

Jackson Gango

Many creators are forced to draw lines between work and advocacy, as they love to create for the things they care about but also need to pay the bills. Despite this, Jackson is generous and selfless with his art, offering many hours to shoot, edit and produce video content for ONDA. From taking his camera to catalog restoration work, to interviewing staff for short films, to capturing members at events, thanks to his work, we are able to tell visually compelling stories that attract new conservation advocates.

Julie Weikel

Hailing from southeastern Oregon, Julie has spent a lifetime committed to safeguarding the high desert. A tireless volunteer and advocate, she has worked on innumerable initiatives, sharing her valuable local perspectives and inspiring all of us with her passion along the way. One of her most recent and notable contributions stemmed from her service on the Southeastern Oregon Resource Advisory Council. Alongside ONDA, Julie and the council was instrumental in shaping a new federal management plan for the Owyhee Canyonlands that specially protects more than 400,000 acres of public lands across the landscape.

Karl Findling

People enjoy and support public lands for all sorts of reasons. As a sportsman and small business owner, Karl promotes getting outside in healthy, thriving environments. That’s why he’s an ONDA supporter—and why he’s bridging the gap between recreationalists and conservationists. From gathering recreationalist’s endorsements for the Protect the Owyhee campaign, to weighing in on environmental concerns to guide the Bureau of Land Management’s solar development in Oregon’s high desert, he speaks on behalf of sportsmen, vocalizing our shared interest: protecting high desert public lands.

Alison Jean Cole

While many conservationists speak on behalf of wildlands and wildlife, Alison speaks for what’s happening under our feet. As an avid rockhound and conservation advocate, Alison has a unique perspective on the state of the desert. She shares this with others to inspire activism, as she did as a presenter at our 2024 High Desert Speaker Series event. She also serves as an advisor to land managers in southeastern Oregon, offering her expertise as an outfitter guide throughout the region. In coordination with ONDA and others, these efforts contributed to new protection achieved in the Lakeview Resource Management Plan.

A Strong Community

Participation in ONDA’s conservation community creates a healthy, thriving Oregon desert for all to enjoy. Whether it’s online advocacy from your armchair, writing a letter to a newspaper editorial board, sending in membership dues, or testifying in front of congress, each action enables us to reach new milestones for desert conservation.

Together, we’re a force to be reckoned with, and we will meet every challenge ahead fueled by our incredible community, channeling the power of the people to protect, defend and restore Oregon’s high desert.