People Who CollaborateSam Ellibee never planned to become a teacher. With an oboe in hand and performance dreams in his heart, he had mapped out a different future entirely. Yet today, as the Director of Bands and Guitar for both the high school and middle school in Burns, Oregon, Ellibee has found his calling in education—and he couldn't be happier about the unexpected turn his life has taken. READ MORE
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Public Hearings Allow Locals to Weigh in on Proposed Groundwater RulesGroundwater management is changing in the Harney Basin, with proposed basin-wide regulations, that affect everyone in Harney County, now open for public comment.
A series of informational sessions and public hearings held by the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) August 4 & 5 are the final hearings during the public comment period. READ MORE.
August public hearings to make comments on the new groundwater rules will be held:
- 5 - 6:30 pm, Aug. 4, Seneca Elementary School, 101 Park Avenue, Seneca
- 10 am - noon, Aug 5, Harney County Community Center, 478 N. Broadway Avenue, Burns
5 - 7 pm, Aug. 5, Harney County Community Center, 478 N. Broadway Avenue, Burns
Photo by Jon Black, Destination by Design.
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Graphic of Current Harney County Groundwater Conditions and Project Impacts
Put together by Harmony Burright who is working with High Desert Partnership to help us all navigate working with the Oregon Water Resources Department on this complex groundwater issue.
This hand written and drawn graphic is another way toward understanding the complex groundwater issue in Harney County.
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HDP Assumes Community Center Stewardship with Gratitude for HCOT's Founding VisionThe Harney County Community Center has found a new steward committed to preserving its vital role as a community gathering place. High Desert Partnership (HDP) has assumed ownership of the facility from the Harney County Opportunity Team (HCOT), marking a transition that promises continuity and enhanced community service for years to come. READ MORE
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A Peek Into A Day With the HDP Summer Crew In partnership with the Warm Springs Tribe and other agencies—including the U.S. Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife—the HDP Habitat Crew (Keaira Burns, Owen Graham, Preston Hill, Joe Weil, and Braeden O'Connor) joined the Stream Crew (Braedon Cornwall, Vanya Crumin, Forest Service Supervisor Ryan Monzulla, and Harney Basin Wetlands Coordinator Josey Wilson) to conduct a fish salvage effort using backpack electroshocking.
The salvage took place on the Middle Fork of the John Day River, which has been deeply incised over time—cutting it off from its historic floodplain and surrounding wet meadow system. As part of an ongoing restoration project to fill in the incised channel, raise the water table, and re-establish floodplain connectivity, all aquatic life had to be relocated prior to construction.
A wide variety of species were salvaged during the operation, including: Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon, Pacific Lamprey and many others.
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Rural Healthcare Camp Draws Record Attendance to Harney CountyThe 2025 Frontier MedQuest Camp was the most successful yet, hosting a record 19 Oregon high school students for a week-long exploration of rural healthcare. Run by the North East Oregon Health Education Center with community support, the camp brought together equal numbers of urban and rural students—some traveling as far as five hours from Portland.
Students stayed in Crane at the Crane High School dorms and were bused to Burns for hands-on medical shadowing experiences at Harney District Hospital, Mountain Sage Medical, and the Harney County Health Department. Beyond healthcare exposure, campers enjoyed local experiences including Crane Hot Springs, a ranch dinner at the the local Clemens' family home, downtown exploration, and their first-ever visit to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
The program's continued success stems from strong community partnerships with local businesses, healthcare facilities, and residents of Burns, Hines, and Crane.
A special thank you to the Harney District Hospital, Vicki Clemens, Alexa Martinez, Darcy Patterson, Lisa Roath, Kathi Wenick, Glory Days, Bella Java, the Crane School District, Subway, Mountain Sage Medical, the Harney County Health Department, and many more.
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An Unforgettable Thai-Inspired Made in Harney Farm-to-Table ExperienceWednesday, August 6, 2025
5:30-8:00pm
The Palace
260 N Broadway, Burns, OR
Harney County Food Systems invites you to join us for an extraordinary evening where fresh, local ingredients meet the vibrant flavors of Thailand!
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A Well Deserved Recognition is Finally Home in Harney CountyAfter a journey filled with cancelled flights and scheduling challenges, we're thrilled to announce that the 2023 Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) Conservation Partnership Award has finally made its way home to Harney County. The award was officially presented at the most recent Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative (HBWC) meeting.
We're deeply grateful to IWJV for this meaningful recognition. The Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative is fortunate to be composed of dedicated partners like IWJV, whose long-standing commitment to the health and restoration of the Harney Basin ecosystem has been invaluable. Thank you IWJV for your continued active participation and unwavering support of our collaborative efforts.
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2025 Upcoming Events
Monday, August 25 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Wednesday, August 27 | Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative Field Tour
Wednesday, August 27 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
Tuesday, September 23 | Harney County Wildfire Collaborative Meeting
Tuesday, September 23 | Youth Changing the Community Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, September 24 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, September 24 | Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Collaborative Meeting
Monday, September 29 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
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