Twenty-five years ago, the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act was enacted, establishing Oregon’s first desert wilderness. Over a million acres were preserved from mining and geothermal development, and more than half a million acres were protected from the impacts of livestock grazing on public lands. This helped ensure that the diverse habitats—home to sage-grouse, bighorn sheep, redband trout, mule deer and antelope, as well as eagles, hawks and falcons—would remain healthy for future generations.

But how did the protection of a desert, over 2,600 miles away from Washington, DC, come about? For nearly four decades, the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) has led efforts to protect Oregon’s deserts and the plants and animals that inhabit them. In brief, their goal is to highlight the sagebrush plains, rocky ridges, wild rivers, and scenic views of our public lands. Overall, ONDA has helped advocate for more than 5.4 million acres through wildlife and environmental protection. They leverage their members’ organization to lobby state and federal agencies, host educational events, and organize volunteers to care for lands that have long been neglected. 

If you’re interested in helping improve habitats and ecosystems, ONDA offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Stewardship trips, both guided and independent, focus on restoration work and are available at no cost. Of course, there’s always work to be done in the office as well.

ONDA.org