Author: Claire Cekander | Published: November 19, 2024 | Category: Profiles
Stories of giving from our community.
Our supporters contribute to Oregon desert conservation in many meaningful ways. Some restore cool, clean waterways by planting native plants along desert streams, others build community by attending events and introducing friends to ONDA and many support conservation through their donations. While most people who donate give cash, there are a few alternative ways to give to consider.
Here, we highlight six dedicated ONDA members who are supporting vital conservation efforts by donating beyond the checkbook. May their stories inspire you to consider additional ways you can sustain your commitment to a healthy and thriving high desert.
Claim a match from your employer
Sam Wilson first learned about Oregon Natural Desert Association while researching backpacking opportunities in the high desert. Eager to explore the desert backcountry, Sam signed up for ONDA’s stewardship trips that improve the health of the high desert, often in far-flung locations.
“ONDA has given me the opportunity to discover places in the high desert that I would not have otherwise visited. Stewardship trips offer a unique blend of exploring eastern Oregon with knowledgeable guides while also contributing to the restoration of the high desert.”
He believes that supporting such efforts is crucial and urges others to contribute. “It’s easy to do nothing, but if it matters to you, you have to throw some money in. Even small donations make a difference.” Sam enhances his contributions to high desert restoration by claiming a match from his employer. When asked about the process, Sam noted, “Many large employers have a matching program. It’s a very easy process and takes less than a minute to claim a match. If you’ve already donated, why would you not claim a match?!”
Make a distribution from your IRA if you’re 73 or older
Donaleen Kohn has a deep appreciation for the rugged beauty of the sagebrush steppe. Donaleen grew up in eastern Montana, and her love for remote and wild landscapes has cemented over many years of camping, hiking and exploring eastern and central Oregon with her husband John. The Owyhee Canyonlands holds a special place in their hearts because of the solitude and striking, deep canyons. A single visit left a lasting impression after they saw a breathtaking pink sunset over a dirt road between Rome and Three Forks. Donaleen and John appreciate Oregon Natural Desert Association’s efforts in publicizing important environmental issues and advocating for the preservation of natural spaces, and they donate to support this work by making a Qualified Charitable Distribution from their IRA.
Their advice to other ONDA members is straightforward: “Support what you love. Help to protect it.”
Donaleen and John’s greatest hope is for Oregon’s desert to remain intact and preserved in its natural state. Their passion for these remote places and their support for ONDA’s work reflect a deep commitment to conservation and the protection of the high desert’s unique beauty and solitude.
Donate stock
As a lifelong conservationist, Carl May’s connection to the high desert started in eighth grade when he worked on a small family ranch on the Crooked River in central Oregon. The summer spent surrounded by the fresh, wild aromas of sagebrush and juniper left a lasting impression on him. After returning home to California, Carl pursued a career in biology and ecology and always stayed connected to the high desert. He and his wife spent much of their free time exploring the geological features and enjoying the quiet, dark skies of eastern Oregon.
Carl became familiar with Oregon Natural Desert Association as he continued to explore eastern Oregon, and his admiration for the organization grew after spending more time with staff and supporters. He is particularly impressed by ONDA’s commitment to large-scale conservation projects, such as designating the Steens Mountain Wilderness and protecting the Owyhee Canyonlands.
“ONDA checks all the boxes for what a conservation group should be,” he says, citing our science-driven efforts, commitment to restoration and long-term thinking.
Recognizing the importance of sustaining this work, Carl donates appreciated stock. This giving strategy both benefits his tax situation and furthers his commitment to conserving the high desert. He urges others to consider similar donations, noting, “It feels good to donate to an organization like ONDA who has an ongoing track record of working to protect and improve what you care about into the future.”
Add ONDA to your will and make a legacy gift
Mary Poss’ conservation journey has traversed many ecosystems, from coastal marine and old-growth forest to the high desert. Today, her connection to Oregon’s high desert spans many special places, but the McDermitt Caldera holds particular meaning. For Mary, it epitomizes the tension between preserving intact, beautiful ecosystems and the pressures of resource extraction. Mary finds peace in hiking, camping, botanizing and birdwatching across eastern Oregon’s stunning landscapes, where she also treasures the gift of a dark night sky.
To Mary, conserving Oregon’s high desert is essential, as its ecosystem is often overlooked and therefore vulnerable. “The high desert of central and eastern Oregon is unique, and as such, provides irreplaceable habitat. These attributes are largely unknown because not as many people visit the desert, and hence the combined advocacy voice is smaller,” explains Mary.
She supports ONDA’s work through “exceptionally gratifying” volunteer work and active membership donations. She has also chosen to leave a legacy gift by naming ONDA as a beneficiary in her will, underscoring her belief in the importance of ONDA’s, “excellent coordination among government agencies, Tribes and the public.”
When asked why she decided to include ONDA in her will, Mary states, “I prefer to support local conservation efforts over large national ones, so leaving money for ONDA was a no brainer.”
Set up a recurring monthly gift
Julia and Nathan Bastuscheck’s connection to Oregon’s high desert runs back decades as fond memories from many camping trips deepened their love for the landscape. For Julia, her first visit to Hart Mountain was transformative. She and Nathan were living in Alaska, and seeing herds of pronghorn for the first time, alongside the beauty of the desert and hot springs, left a lasting impression. Nathan recalls his favorite memory as fishing for trout on the Blitzen River at Steens Mountain and spotting an impressive two-foot trout, although it ultimately escaped. Together, they’ve grown to love Oregon’s fault block mountains like Hart and Steens.
Longtime residents of Bend, Julia and Nathan moved from Juneau, Alaska to Oregon’s high desert and have been committed to supporting protections for the lands surrounding their new home ever since. They deeply appreciate ONDA’s work and support it with a monthly gift. Julia and Nathan see their donation as a consistent way to ensure future generations can experience the ecosystem they cherish.
“ONDA has been a large part of why we love it here in central Oregon,” says Julia. “Knowing we’re part of a community that cares as much as we do about conservation is a powerful feeling.” To them, ONDA embodies a welcoming and inclusive community.
“ONDA is open to all, and a donation to ONDA is never wasted,” Nathan explains. “As a local grassroots organization, ONDA brings together people from many walks of life and is always at the forefront of conservation efforts.”
Give through a Donor Advised Fund
Margy Cottriel supports high desert conservation through her Donor Advised Fund because she loves how ONDA collaborates with federal and state agencies to access and restore public lands.
“I found myself in a position to provide monetary support to Oregon Natural Desert Association, and I wanted to help out in the protection of the high desert,” says Margy.
As a lifelong outdoor recreation enthusiast, she values ONDA’s efforts to support recreation while prioritizing the preservation of the high desert for the health of the ecosystem.
Margy encourages others to support ONDA in any way they can. “Contribute to high desert conservation in a way that works best for you. Some people volunteer their time, others introduce new people to the organization, and some help financially.”
