Mark Darnell
What defines Oregon’s high desert?
Bounded by the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Blue Mountains to the north, Oregon’s high desert covers approximately 24,000 square miles. Annual rainfall in the high desert varies from 5 to 14 inches. The average elevation is 4,000 feet; at 9,733 feet, the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest point in Oregon’s high desert. The terrain of the high desert was mostly formed by a series of lava flows that occurred between 30 and 10 million years ago.
Durlin Hicock, Alice Elshoff Award winner
“Protecting public land is part of my spiritual being. It’s central to my identity to be in wilderness and to see it protected.” Durlin is proud to protect public lands for future generations, saying, “The highlight of my childhood was our family’s weekend outdoor trips. I look forward to my grandchildren having similar experiences outside in their lifetimes, and it wouldn’t be possible without ONDA.”
Stewardship Fence Building Timelapse
Mi Mamá, a film by Jade Begay, tells the story of Nadia Mercado and her single mother, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, and three sisters. In this film, Nadia recounts the ways that her mother helped shape the woman she is today: a cardiac nurse, an outdoor athlete, and a woman who is dedicated to helping the Latinx and People of Color outdoor communities.
Where Life Begins, a film by Katie Schuler, takes viewers to the northmost point on American soil to explore the inseparable bond between mother and child, the sacred and fragile moments after birth, and the importance of protecting the place where life begins.
Detroit Hives, a film by Palmer Morse and Rachel Weinberg, introduces Tim Paule and Nicole Lindsey – a young couple working to bring diversity to the field of beekeeping and create opportunities for young Detroit natives. Tim and Nicole are transforming their community one hive at a time by converting vacant housing lots in Detroit into urban bee farms.
Spawning Hope, a film by Roshan Patel, dives down to the coral reefs of the Caribbean to follow a team of scientists as they attempt to use cryopreserved coral sperm to introduce coral DNA to new populations of elkhorn coral. If this technique works, it could have lasting impacts on how conservationists are able to protect and restore endangered corals from near extinction.
And, these are just four of the 11 awe-inspiring films that will be shared at the event. We can’t wait for you to join us for an inspiring movie night at home on Friday, October 2, 2020. Register for your free Wild and Scenic Film Festival ticket today!
Oregon Natural Desert Association presents the Wild & Scenic Film Festival! Join us for an evening of short films showcasing our earth’s natural wonders and the amazing stories of activists working to conserve the environment. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is fully virtual this year. Enjoy our lineup of the year’s best conservation films, screened […]
Read MoreONDA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Oregon’s first desert wilderness with #SteensWeek, a series of online events and activations starting on October 3 and running through October 9. Saturday, Oct 3 – Steens Turns 20 – On October 30, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000, […]
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Join us on Friday, October 2, 2020 for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, presented by E2 Solar. This year’s festival will be a virtual, streamed-in-HD celebration of the best conservation films of the year and we can’t wait to have you join us! This year’s lineup will take you on a journey throughout...
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