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Volunteer

Each year, hundreds of Oregon Natural Desert Association volunteers protect and restore the public lands of Oregon’s high desert.

You might find yourself restoring streams, improving trails, mailing thank you letters, attending meetings, or welcoming people at ONDA events. With many different ways to pitch in and help, your effort, skills and passion are needed and appreciated. We’d love to have you join our vibrant community of desert advocates.

watch

Time Lapse: a night at Canyon Camp in six seconds

Time Lapse: a night at Canyon Camp in six seconds

fact

What defines Oregon’s high desert?

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.

Sources: The Oregon Encyclopedia; Wikipedia  

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!”

In the Desert

Our 2023 group stewardship trips and independent stewards projects are open for registration.

Join a trip or project today

Using Your Voice

Another critical way you can volunteer in support of your public lands is to become an advocate and your use voice to urge key decision makers to prioritize desert conservation.

You can get on ONDA’s action alert list by subscribing to ONDA’s e-newsletter.

Speak Up Now

At the Office and Events

Typically, ONDA works with many volunteers throughout the year who play an integral part in our outreach and events. We appreciate volunteers to assist with events, like those listed below. To join our list of office and event volunteers in either Bend or Portland, please fill out the volunteer interest form below, or email our team to learn more.

Upcoming Office Volunteering
  • Wild Desert Calendar Mailing Team – Bend Office: Spend 2-3 hours each week from September through the end of the year mailing calendars to our buyers. Commit weekly through December or sign up for just a few weeks. Flexible scheduling available. No computer experience necessary.
  • Bend Office Crew: Every Wednesday, volunteers assist with mailing, data entry, and a variety of other administrative tasks. Prefer to volunteer on a different day? Just let us know, and we can be flexible with scheduling. Computer and non-computer options available.
  • Portland Office Crew: Join us in our Portland office (2009 NE Alberta St) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for a shift of one to three hours. You’ll assist with hand-writing notes, stuffing envelopes, phone calls to ONDA members, data entry, and a variety of other administrative tasks.
Upcoming Event Volunteering
  • High Desert Hootenanny: Friday, December 8. Aspen Hall, Bend, OR. Join ONDA, friends and supporters in celebrating Oregon’s high desert and the conservation successes you’ve achieved this year. Volunteers will set up, break down and share information about ONDA.
Office and Events Volunteer Application Form

High Desert Hootenanny: Bend

8 Dec

Join Oregon Natural Desert Association board, staff and supporters in celebrating the many high desert conservation successes you achieved in 2023! Come to Aspen...

With a Group

ONDA also works with school groups, community organizations, and businesses that want to volunteer together.

Learn More and Apply