Steens Mountain: 25 Years Later

listen

Wind and Birds in Quaking Aspen

Wind and Birds in Quaking Aspen

watch

Jeremy Fox on Steens Landscape

Jeremy Fox on Steens Landscape

voices

Nate Wilson-Traisman, member since 2019

Nate Wilson-Traisman, member since 2019

“My greatest hope is that Oregon’s desert continues to gain public lands protections, and is guarded from unsustainable development, so that future generations may benefit from all the region has to offer.

I felt inspired by trips to Oregon’s high desert, and was actively searching for ways to contribute to the protection of these wild places. ONDA stood out as a leader in this respect, and when I’ve had money to contribute, ONDA has been a clear choice.”

More on Steens Mountain Wilderness

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Oregon’s first desert wilderness On October 30, 2000, President Clinton signed the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act, creating Oregon’s first desert wilderness. This accomplishment was the result of […]

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Advocating for Wildlands and Wildlife

Oregon’s desert lands and waters are home to a rich diversity of fish, wildlife and plants, including species that cannot survive without the sagebrush steppe ecosystem. Oregon Natural Desert Association […]

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Steens Mountain: 25 Years Later

By on October 30, 2025 | Posted in: In the News

Author: Bill Marlett |  Published: October 30, 2025  | Category: In the News This guest column originally appeared in The Bulletin on October 24, 2025. Looking Back on a Landmark […]

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Wilderness Inventories, and Why They Matter

By on September 18, 2025 | Posted in: Brief Update

Author: Mark Salvo | Published: September 24, 2025  | Category: Brief Update This article originally appeared in the Fall + Winter 2025 Desert Ramblings Newsletter. The foundation of public land […]

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Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

By on March 18, 2025 | Posted in:

A centerpiece of Oregon’s high desert, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is located at the foot of Steens Mountain, from which the Wild and Scenic Blitzen River provides a constant and […]

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flock of Snow Geese above Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Birding in Malheur

By on January 7, 2025 | Posted in: How-To, Where-to

Author: Renee Schiavone  |  Published: January 7, 2025  | Category: Where-To This article originally appeared in The Source on January 8, 2025. A guide to observing migrating birds at the […]

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Spend a Weekend Biking in the Steens

By on December 27, 2024 | Posted in: Where-to

Author: Renee Schiavone  |  Published: December 27, 2024  | Category: Where-To This article originally appeared in The Bulletin. Discover the stark contrasts and deep beauty of Oregon’s first high desert […]

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Steens Mountain Wilderness Trail Maintenance

By on July 15, 2024 | Posted in:

In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management’s Burns District, ONDA will improve a portion of the Fred Riddle Trail in the Steens Mountain Wilderness. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management […]

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Steens Mountain Trail Work

By on July 11, 2024 | Posted in:

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Steens Mountain Wilderness Trail Maintenance

By on June 1, 2023 | Posted in:

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Steens Mountain Wilderness Trail Maintenance

By on June 1, 2023 | Posted in:

In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management’s Burns District, ONDA will improve a portion of the Fred Riddle Trail in the Steens Mountain Wilderness. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management […]

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Sheepshead Mountains WSA Group Route Inventory

Sheepshead Mountains WSA Group Route Inventory

By on May 31, 2023 | Posted in:

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