2024 Stewardship Trips

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. 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:
  • Registration for spring trips opens on February 20, and registration for fall trips, which will be listed later in the year, opens on July 1.
  • You will only need to fill out the full form the first time you sign up for a trip in 2024. 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.

 

Click on the Project Title below for more information about each trip. Spring trip registration is now open:

Apply now

 

2024 Spring Stewardship Trips

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

watch

The Last Darkness

The Last Darkness

listen

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

fact

Badger

Badger

Badgers are generally nocturnal, but, in remote areas with no human encroachment, they are routinely observed foraging during the day. They prefer open areas with grasslands, which can include parklands, farms, and treeless areas with crumbly soil and a supply of rodent prey.

Badgers are born blind, furred, and helpless. Their eyes open at four to six weeks.

Latin name: Taxidea taxus

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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