Look Back: 2024 Speaker Series

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

voices

Helen Harbin, ONDA Board Member

Helen Harbin, ONDA Board Member

“I connect with Oregon’s high desert through my feet, my eyes, my sense of smell, and all the things I hear. Getting out there is a whole body experience.” Supporting ONDA, Helen says, not only connects her with wild landscapes, but is also a good investment. “I felt like if I gave them $20, they might squeeze $23 out of it.”

fact

What defines Oregon’s high desert?

What defines Oregon’s high desert?

Bounded by the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Blue Mountains to the north, Oregon’s high desert covers approximately 24,000 square miles. Annual rainfall in the high desert varies from 5 to 14 inches. The average elevation is 4,000 feet; at 9,733 feet, the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest point in Oregon’s high desert. The terrain of the high desert was mostly formed by a series of lava flows that occurred between 30 and 10 million years ago.

Sources: The Oregon Encyclopedia; Wikipedia  

Explore the High Desert

High Desert Speaker Series

Each year Oregon Natural Desert Association hosts a speaker series featuring intriguing stories, exquisite photography, and fascinating natural history from the high desert and across the West. Join us online […]

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Look Back: 2024 Speaker Series

By on May 6, 2024 | Posted in: Look Back

Author: Claire Cekander  |  Published: March 6, 2024  | Category: Look Back Reflections on the 2024 High Desert Speaker Series Each year, Oregon Natural Desert Association presents the High Desert […]

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By on April 25, 2024 | Posted in: Where-to

Author: Scott Bowler  |  Published: April 25, 2024  | Category: Where-To This article originally appeared in The Source Weekly on April 17, 2024. Find color in one of the least […]

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By on April 18, 2024 | Posted in: Coming Up

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Species Spotlight: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout

By on April 10, 2024 | Posted in: Species Spotlight

Author: Scott Bowler  |  Published: April 10, 2024  | Category: Species Spotlight  This article originally appeared in the Spring + Summer 2024 Desert Ramblings Paragon of adaptation and legacy of […]

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Discover the Desert in a Day

By on March 29, 2024 | Posted in: Where-to

Author: Renee Patrick  |  Published: March 29, 2024  | Category: Where-To This article originally appeared in The Bulletin on March 22, 2024. These short hikes will give you a taste […]

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Recovering Essential Desert Waters

By on March 18, 2024 | Posted in: How-To

Author: Gena Goodman-Campbell  |  Published: March 18, 2024  | Category: How-To This article originally appeared in The Source on March 13, 2024. Working with Tribes to restore the lifeblood of […]

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A Guide to Stargazing

By on March 15, 2024 | Posted in: Where-to

Author: Renee Schiavone  |  Published: March 15, 2024  | Category: Where-To This article originally appeared in The Bulletin on March 14, 2024. Appreciate the high desert’s dark skies It’s no […]

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Women of the Owyhee

By on March 6, 2024 | Posted in: Profile

Author: Karly Foster  |  Published: March 6, 2024  |  Category: Profile Dive into a journey of empowerment and inspiration as we celebrate Women’s History Month with profiles on the remarkable […]

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Securing Historic Wildlands Protections in the Owyhee Canyonlands

By on March 4, 2024 | Posted in: Deep Dive

Author: Mac Lacy  |  Published: March 4, 2024  |  Category: Deep Dive A deep dive into the history of the Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan and the future of Oregon’s […]

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Nature’s Ecosystem Engineers

By on March 1, 2024 | Posted in: Species Spotlight

Author: Renee Schiavone  |  Published: January 17, 2024  | Category: Species Spotlight This article originally appeared in The Source on February 14, 2024. What we can learn from beaver about […]

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