2023 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 multiple 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 or third 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.

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Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”

Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”

Our quest to protect the Oregon Badlands

Located just 15 miles east of Bend, Oregon Badlands is a 30,000-acre wilderness area filled with fascinating lava flows and ancient juniper trees Arriving in the Badlands, so named for its rugged and harsh terrain, can feel like stepping

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Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse

Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse

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Scott Bowler, ONDA member from Portland

Scott Bowler, ONDA member from Portland

The desert speaks for itself, but very softly. I support ONDA to promote and enable discovery of the amazing beauty and recreational opportunities of the high desert by much broader groups of people; and most especially to protect forever the full and diverse landscape of the Owyhee Canyonlands, a place without parallel or equal in our country.”

Dates Difficulty Project Title Trip Leader Registration
Feb-Dec 1-3 Badlands Wilderness Recreation Monitoring Independent Open Now
Feb-Dec 1 Wildlife Monitoring Independent Open Now
April-Oct 1 Alvord Desert Monitoring Independent Open Now
April-Nov 5 Oregon Desert Trail Impact Monitoring Independent Open Now
May-Oct 4 Malheur Wild & Scenic River Monitoring Independent Open Now
June-Oct 4 ODT/Fremont Forest Recreation Monitoring Independent Open Now
June-Oct 2-4 Steens Mountain Wilderness Recreation Monitoring Independent Open Now
Sept – Oct 3 Sheepshead Mountains WSA Group Route Inventory Independent Open Now
Sept 16 2 Badlands Stewardship #2 Beth Open Now
Sept 16-19 4 North Springs Mesic Restoration Jefferson Open Now
Sept 18-21 4 Steens Mountain Wilderness Trail Maintenance Renee Open Now
Sept 20 2 Badlands Stewardship #3 Beth Open Now
Sept 29-Oct 1 4 Pine Creek Spring Restoration  Gena Open Now
Oct 7 3 Badlands Stewardship #4 Beth Open Now
Oct 14-17 4 North Springs Exclosure Fence Construction Jefferson Open Now
Oct 17 2 Badlands Stewardship #5 Beth Open Now
Oct 22-25 3 Malheur River Planting Project Gena Open Now
Late October 3 Summit Creek Planting Beth Opens July 7
Nov 18 2 Badlands Stewardship #6 Beth Open Now