High Desert Speaker Series
Bigger and Better in 2020

Sean Bagshaw

voices

Elisa Cheng, member since 2013

Elisa Cheng, member since 2013

“ONDA stewardship trips inspire me. I get to learn new things and see new places, and in the process perform important work that improves the wildlife habitat.”

voices

Aaron Tani, Sage Society Member

Aaron Tani, Sage Society Member

“It feels good to support ONDA on a monthly basis, because I know they never stop supporting our public lands. ONDA works to help make our lands a better place for the future, and I feel like I’m a part of that every month with my support.”

voices

Mary McCord, ONDA Volunteer

Mary McCord, ONDA Volunteer

“I find enjoyment in the peaceful wide open spaces, geology, and rich history of Oregon’s high desert,” says Mary. Reflecting on volunteering, she continues, “If you have the ability and desire, it’s important to do something to contribute. It doesn’t have to be big, because every little bit helps.”

We heard you

In order to honor the feedback we received about the 2019 registration process, we have moved the 2020 Bend events to the Tower Theatre! This venue will allow many more community members to attend these events and learn about intriguing topics related to Oregon’s high desert, in a historic and beautiful theatre.

Save the date

Mark your Wild Desert Calendars for November 22 when tickets for all three events in the series will go on sale through the Tower website.

Our 2020 lineup features expert guidebook authors, naturalists and conservationists and it will cover Oregon’s high desert from its deepest canyon bottoms to the sky above. We’ll share more details about the events on that date, along with a link to purchase tickets.

ONDA members, keep your eyes peeled for a special heads-up email that will give you a chance to purchase tickets before the general public.

Changes also coming to Portland

Our companion High Desert Speaker Series in Portland will also return in 2020 to a new venue. Look for an announcement of the Portland lineup in December for our 4-part series of free events, which will be hosted at TaborSpace in SE Portland. This venue will allow for more supporters to attend our events and has easy transit access and free parking!


Thank you for your feedback and enthusiasm for the High Desert Speaker Series. We’re looking forward to learning more about Oregon’s incredible wild places with you in 2020. For more information about the High Desert Speaker Series in Bend and Portland, visit ONDA.org/speakerseries

High Desert Speaker Series
Bigger and Better in 2020

Each year, ONDA’s High Desert Speaker Series highlights the wildlife, geology, culture, history, recreation and other unique and worthy-of-protection elements of Oregon’s high desert. In 2019, we were amazed by […]

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Meet Felice Kelly

Passionate desert advocate Since moving to Oregon in 2016, Felice Kelly discovered Oregon’s dry side and was immediately inspired, saying, “Once I made it out to the high desert, I […]

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Carl Axelsen, member since 1999

You folks at ONDA really have your stuff together. Such a well-planned opportunity to comment, since figuring out how to connect with the gummint is off-putting. You make it work […]

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Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

“If I have to pick a favorite place in Oregon’s high desert, it would be Sutton Mountain, but I’m excited about all of the Wilderness Study Areas,” says Terry, adding, […]

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Sagebrush Sipper: Portland

Join Oregon Natural Desert Association staff and supporters for Sagebrush Sippers happy hour this summer. Mix and mingle, learn about new aspects of Oregon’s high desert, and find opportunities to […]

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Meet Lizzy Potter

A desert advocate in profession and passion An Oregonian by choice and attorney by trade, Lizzy Potter has supported ONDA for about 10 years and feels a deep connection to […]

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Meet Mac Lacy

ONDA has protected millions of acres of public land throughout Oregon as a result of winning or successfully settling more than 85 percent of our federal actions since 2001. We […]

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2018 Volunteer of the Year

Meet Terry Butler. A search for information about Sutton Mountain led Terry Butler to ONDA. In 2014, he joined an ONDA stewardship trip in Logan Valley. By 2015, Terry’s volunteering repertoire […]

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High Desert Speaker Series 2018

Eastern Oregon is an incredible place to live, work and explore, with thousands of stories just waiting to be revealed. ONDA’s popular High Desert Speaker Series features knowledgeable and inspiring […]

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Jane Heisler, Sage Sustainers Member

I love to travel and I love the desert! Supporting ONDA monthly allows me to hit the road without forgetting Oregon’s high desert—even when I’m not there.

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