2024 Stewardship Trips and Projects

Ready to get out into the desert and give it some care?

Oregon Natural Desert Association would love to see you on one of the dozens of stewardship trips and independent stewardship projects that we host. With options ranging from weekday to weekend trips, single-day to multi-day trips, front country to backcountry trips and projects taking place all throughout Oregon’s high desert, we hope you find something that is just right for you among this variety of opportunities.

Here are a few items to note:

  • Some of our projects are available for registration now, and some will open for registration later in the year.
  • This year ONDA will have two registration periods for seasonal trips; however, you will only need to fill out the full form once. A short form will be available for those registering for a second time.
  • If there are openings that need to be filled, we will communicate those opportunities via our e-newsletter.
  • Should you need special accommodations to attend an ONDA group trip or independent project, please let us know. We want to provide everyone with the opportunity to spend some quality time in the desert, contributing to the restoration, conservation and stewardship work at ONDA.
  • ONDA trips and projects involve varying levels of physical activity. Trip difficulty is rated from 1 to 5 for each trip. You can find a description of what each of these levels means on our trip difficulty ratings page.
  • Dogs are not allowed on group stewardship trips, but you are welcome to bring your dog on independent projects.
  • Have questions? Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

voices

Cregg Large, member since 2009

Cregg Large, member since 2009

“I came to Oregon 12 years ago from Texas. Texas, for all its size, has very little public land. Coming to Oregon has made me realize the special gift we as Americans have in our public lands. Volunteering with an organization like ONDA is my way of reciprocating for this gift. Through restoration efforts, I feel we are helping leave a better place than we found it. Through advocating for protection for public lands, we safeguard migration routes for animals and keep the land where it belongs: with the public.”

watch

Sage-grouse Mating Dance

Sage-grouse Mating Dance

voices

Craig Terry, ONDA member and stewardship volunteer

Craig Terry, ONDA member and stewardship volunteer

“The people I have had the privilege to share time with each season keep me volunteering again and again. Who else but those ONDA staff leaders would make fresh coffee at dawn each morning or pack a watermelon all day to serve as a reward under a juniper in a steep canyon?” Craig, who grew up in northwestern Nevada, says ONDA connects him with places he loves and a mission he believes in. “My grandfather and his father put up wire fences for their ranching needs. Taking out barbed wire sort of completes a circle for me.”

Dates Difficulty Project Title Trip Leader Registration
March 6 2 Reynolds Pond Accessible Trail Construction Sarah Lindsay Opens Feb 20
April 12-14 4 Pine Creek Conservation Area Spring Restoration #1 Gena Goodman-Campbell Opens Feb 20
April 19-21 4 Pine Creek Conservation Area Spring Restoration #2 Sarah Lindsay Opens Feb 20
April 25-28 5 North Springs Fence Exclosure Fence #1 Jefferson Jacobs Opens Feb 20
May 3-5 3 Pine Creek Conservation Area Spring Restoration #3 Gena Goodman-Campbell Opens Feb 20
May 16-19 4 North Springs Mesic Restoration Jefferson Jacobs Opens Feb 20
May 16-19 2 Summit Creek Planting Sarah Lindsay Opens Feb 20
May 30-June 2 4 South Fork Exclosure Fence Repair Sarah Lindsay Opens Feb 20
Feb-Dec 1-3 Badlands Wilderness Recreation Monitoring Independent Opens Feb 20
April-Nov 5 Oregon Desert Trail Impact Monitoring Independent Opens Feb 20
May-Oct 4 Malheur Wild and Scenic River Monitoring Independent Opens Feb 20