Stewardship Trips

Registration for 2025 Spring Stewardship Trips is now open! For updates, subscribe to ONDA’s e-newsletter.

Oregon Natural Desert Association hosts dozens of stewardship trips and independent stewardship projects each year. 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. No experience is needed, and ONDA provides all of the tools and training that volunteers need to complete the restoration work, stay safe, and have fun!

Here are a few items to note:
  • 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 ONDA’s restoration, conservation and stewardship work.
  • 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.

 

2025 Spring Stewardship Trips
Dates Difficulty Project Title Trip Leader Registration
March 14 1 Clarno Willow Harvest Gena Goodman-Campbell Apply Now
April 11-13 4 Pine Creek Conservation Area Spring Restoration Gena Goodman-Campbell Join Waitlist
April 29-May 2 4 South Fork Crooked River Water Well Installation Jefferson Jacobs Join Waitlist
May 7 2 Reynolds Pond Accessible Trail Construction (#1) Gena Goodman-Campbell Apply Now
May 8 2 Reynolds Pond Accessible Trail Construction (#2) Gena Goodman-Campbell Apply Now
May 15-18 4 Beatys Butte Fence Build (#1) Jefferson Jacobs Apply Now
June 6 3 Badlands Wilderness Fence Removal Gena Goodman-Campbell Join Waitlist
June 26-29 4 Beatys Butte Fence Build (#2) Jefferson Jacobs Apply Now
April-June 3 Pine Creek Conservation Area Cottonwood Cage Removal Independent Apply Now

 

voices

Michelle Frisella, member since 2017

Michelle Frisella, member since 2017

So proud of ONDA and its members and volunteers. Such hard work gets done. To use an overused word, this is patriotism!

voices

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!”

fact

Swallowtail

Swallowtail

The Oregon Swallowtail butterfly is the official state insect of Oregon and a true native of the Pacific Northwest. The Swallowtail can be seen in the lower sagebrush canyons of the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Snake River drainage area.  Source: State Symbols USA

Latin name: Papilio oregonius

Scenes from Past Stewardship Trips

Volunteering on an ONDA stewardship trip offers you a whole new perspective on the wonders of Oregon’s high desert.

Up in the predawn light to monitor a sage-grouse lek

Darin Swanson

Lunch breaks with expansive views

Mark Darnell

Clearing trails to keep hikers safe

Michele Patrick

Goofing around in the mid-day summer sun

Lisa Foster

Learning new skills and working together

Elizabeth McLagen

Volunteer T-Shirts for Sale

Show your commitment to the high desert with one of our new volunteer t-shirts. With four fun designs and five colors from which to choose, you are sure to find one you'll love. A portion of each sale benefits our stewardship program.

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Sage Sustainers Membership

Live your values with a monthly gift in support of Oregon’s desert public lands, waterways, and wildlife. Sage Sustainers members propel critical conservation efforts alongside a dynamic community of advocates. […]

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