High Desert Speaker Series

Each year Oregon Natural Desert Association hosts a speaker series featuring intriguing stories, exquisite photography, and fascinating natural history from the high desert and across the West.

The 2025 High Desert Speaker Series inspires a deeper understanding of ecology and cultivates an appreciation for the land, water and wildlife of eastern Oregon. Join us virtually for these engaging events and dive into the wonders of the high desert.

All Speaker Series events are free and hosted online via Zoom. Make a donation when registering to begin or renew your ONDA membership. Register through the event pages below.

 

Speaker Series Events

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Taylor Goforth, Sage Sustainers member

Taylor Goforth, Sage Sustainers member

“I support ONDA on a monthly basis as a way I can keep in touch with the root of my conservation ethic and allow for their strong advocacy work to keep going. I count on them!”

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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.”

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Sarah Graham, Sage Sustainers Member

Sarah Graham, Sage Sustainers Member

“I contribute to ONDA monthly because it adds up to a larger annual gift than what I’d be able to comfortably afford if I were to do a simple one-time donation annually. I’m able to give more to ONDA this way and have greater impact which is important to me, and my dog Polly.”

A Year in the Life: Oregon’s Desert Owls

4 Feb

Join Oregon Natural Desert Association as we kick off our 2025 High Desert Speaker Series with an absorbing evening all about high desert owls....

Tiny Titans: Insects of the High Desert

20 Feb

Get ready for an exciting exploration into the crucial role insects play in Oregon’s high desert. Oregon Natural Desert Association’s High Desert Speaker Series...

Fossils and the Future: Lessons from Oregon’s Ecological Past

12 Mar

Spend an evening with Oregon Natural Desert Association as we continue the High Desert Speaker Series by uncovering the fossilized world of eastern Oregon....

Beneath the Surface: Desert Mussels

19 Mar

Join Oregon Natural Desert Association for the final event of the High Desert Speaker Series as we dive beneath the surface of high desert...

Raffle

The 2025 High Desert Speaker Series features a raffle with an incredible prize package full of gear and gift certificates from Patagonia, Osprey, Andina Restaurant, Willamette Valley Vineyards, MiiR, Kleen Kanteen, and Portland Leather Company. This entire one-of-a-kind bundle could be yours! One lucky winner will be drawn at the end of the Series and notified on March 21. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or 3 for $10, and they can be purchased when you register for each event.

100% of proceeds support high desert conservation!

Sponsors

Thank you to Killian Pacific, our presenting sponsor for the High Desert Speaker Series.

The High Desert Speaker Series is also generously sponsored by First Interstate Bank.

 

Past Event Recaps and Recordings

Look Back: High Desert Speaker Series

Author: Claire Cekander  |  Published: March 6, 2024  | Category: Look Back Reflections on the 2024 High Desert Speaker Series Each year, Oregon Natural Desert Association presents the High Desert […]

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A Look Back at the 2022
High Desert Speaker Series

Author: Corinne Handelman  |  Published: April 29, 2022  |  Category: Look Back Each spring, ONDA presents the High Desert Speaker Series featuring intriguing stories, exquisite photography, and fascinating natural history […]

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