Lower John Day
Greg Burke Website
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Spring Basin Wilderness
Spring Basin Wilderness
Spring Basin Wilderness
With 10,000 acres of undulating terrain, secluded canyons and spectacular vantages of the John Day Country, Spring Basin is magnificent to explore This public treasure, forever protected as Wilderness, offers a profusion of desert wildflowers in the spring and year-round recreational opportunities for hikers, horseback
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Bitteroot
Bitteroot
Bitteroot blooms on north-facing cliffs in western North America.
The Paiute name for bitteroot is kangedya. Traditional Native American uses of the plant included eating the roots, mixed with berries and meat, and using the roots to treat sore throats.
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Tibetan Monks Visit Sutton Mountain
Tibetan Monks Visit Sutton Mountain
A thrilling river ride, with wild lands to explore
To be sure, it is an incredible paddling experience, but what makes the experience so coveted by river enthusiasts lies just beyond the river itself: acres of public land offering great hiking and true solitude. The 70-mile stretch of Wild and Scenic River is framed by three Wilderness Study Areas; North Pole Ridge, Thirtymile and Lower John Day, totalling more than 39,000 acres and endless cross country hiking opportunities. Look for bighorn sheep on the basalt cliffs, effusive wildflowers in the grassy rolling hills and pictographs in the caves that pepper the landscape.
ONDA is working with the neighboring communities to build a conservation proposal that balances the best interests of local residents, recreation-oriented visitors, and fish and wildlife. If you’re interested in helping shape this proposal, please contact Ben Gordon, ben@onda.org.
Conserving the best of the region
To ensure this stretch of federally designated Wild and Scenic River and the nearby lands remain the recreation and wildlife haven they are today, ONDA has devised the Lower John Day Conservation Proposal. This initiative would combine several Wilderness Study Areas, public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, into a 54,300-acre protected area. Doing so would expand the recreational potential of the region, bolster local economies, and support ecological health.
Celebrating 30 years of high desert conservation
For three decades, ONDA has been a strong, consistent voice for Oregon’s high desert. It all began in 1987 with extraordinary people concerned about an extraordinary place, and today has […]
Read MoreLegacy Giving
Legacy gifts are about planning for the future – your future and the future of Oregon’s wild desert lands, waterways and wildlife. Contact Allison Crotty at (541) 330-2638 or email to discuss your […]
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