Steens Rivers
Beloved Steens waterways like Kiger and Wildhorse Creeks were protected as Wild and Scenic Rivers by the Steens Act, but many others were left unprotected. Now, we have a remarkable opportunity to secure Wild and Scenic River status for other important Steens Mountain creeks – if we all speak up! You’ll learn which Steens waterways still need protection and how to use your voice to ensure...
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What Wild & Scenic Looks Like
Did you know that, in addition to rivers, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act can also protect creeks, streams and lakes? Wild and Scenic desert waters take many forms and every drop of desert water plays an important role in the desert ecosystem. From mighty salmon-bearing rivers, like the North Fork John Day, to...
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20 Years of Steens Stewardship
Join us for a look back at milestones from 20 years of advocating for and restoring Steens Mountain, in a live-stream presentation led by Corinne Handelman, ONDA’s engagement manager, along with special guests photographer and frequent ONDA volunteer Sage Brown and ONDA’s program director Mark Salvo. With a history ranging from legal victories to...
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#SteensWeek
ONDA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Oregon’s first desert wilderness with #SteensWeek, a series of online events and activations starting on October 3 and running through October 9. Saturday, Oct 3 – Steens Turns 20 – On October 30, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of...
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Summertime Strategies
Wow, it’s hot out there in the high desert! At least much of the time … not so much at night … and not every day either. (I can clearly recall July 4, 2010, when, camped out on the West Little Owyhee River, we got 4” of snow overnight and all our water was...
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Signs of Summer
Author: Scott Bowler | Published: July 2, 2020 | Updated: June 3, 2021 | Category: Phenology Across Oregon’s high desert, plants and animals spend the summer months “searching” — for shade, for water, for food, for safety from predators. Below, you’ll find a snapshot of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena you might see taking...
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Species Spotlight – Pronghorn
A long list of charismatic animals inhabits Oregon’s high desert. Species such as the Greater Sage-grouse, bighorn sheep, cougars, burrowing owls and even the occasional black bear or wandering moose (okay, just one moose), can all be found exploring the characteristic rimrock, sagebrush, and open spaces of the state’s eastern half. In fact, many...
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How Much Wilderness Do We Need?
In a recent editorial, The Bulletin asked a good question: “how much land does Oregon have that is appropriate for wilderness?” The answer is a lot. A heckuva lot. In Oregon’s high desert alone, federal surveys and volunteer-driven inventories have identified eight million acres of public lands and hundreds of miles of rivers and...
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How to Identify Native Plants
By Scott Bowler Hey, what’s that cool flower? After leading wildflower discovery and identification trips for 40-plus years, I can tell you that people’s most common reaction upon encountering a new flower is: “Oh, cool! What’s that?” They want a name. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the key steps to figuring...
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Steens Mountain: Wilderness Haven
This is part of our High Desert Academy digital event series. 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....
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