Major progress for the Owyhee, and more
Major progress for the Owyhee, and more
Greetings sagebrush fanatics, 
Did you hear? Senator Ron Wyden with Senator Jeff Merkley as cosponsor introduced a new Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act in the Senate in September. It's a big deal, and represents major progress in ONDA's multi-decade effort to protect Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands. 
 And, this is just one example of the quickening pace of planning and policymaking in Washington, DC, as federal agencies dig into the Biden administration's conservation agenda and the November election approaches. 
Pronghorn movement in the Greater Hart-Sheldon
Support for BLM's plans in the John Day River Basin
The infamous Burnt Car on Steens Mountain
As summer yields to autumn, here are a few of our latest efforts on behalf of the high desert: 

  • In the Greater Hart-Sheldon, ONDA is preparing to engage in overlapping planning processes that could help to conserve pronghorn with new mapping that depicts just how important public lands are to North America's "prairie ghost". Think that's cool? Our next map will demonstrate the value of the region to sage-grouse as well.

  • Bouncing north to the John Day River Basin, desert advocates threw their support behind the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) proposal to work with neighbors to consolidate and expand public lands ownership and public access along the John Day River Wild and Scenic River. Thoughtful, visionary, inclusive agency planning like this deserves recognition.

  • Heading south, to Steens Mountain, ONDA and an energetic group of volunteers joined BLM staff to restore an illegally bladed road in the Steens Mountain Wilderness last week. The crew had a fabulous time reclaiming the entire length of the illicit route leading to the infamous "Burnt Car." 


Want to learn more about these efforts and others?
Celebrate with ONDA at one of our annual High Desert Hootenanny events, in Portland on November 4, 2022 or in Bend on December 9, 2022.
Enjoy refreshments, achievements and the company of your desert friends.
For a vibrant high desert, 
Mark Salvo
Conservation Director
Photos: Juniper Gulch, Aaron Redecliffe; pronghorn usage, ONDA; supporter signatures, Mark Salvo; Burnt Car on Steens, Mac Lacy; John Day River Basin, David Rein.
Sent every other month, "Across the Steppe" keeps ONDA supporters informed of the latest news and policies affecting Oregon’s high desert, from Washington, DC, to the heart of the Sagebrush Sea.
Oregon Natural Desert Association | Visit onda.org | Donate Now
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