People Who Collaborate

Rod Hoagland has called Harney County home since 1973. He and his wife Cindy make their life west of Fields where Rod can look out his window and see the top of Pueblo Mountain.

Rod has been actively involved with the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative (HCWC) for about three years. He estimates that he’s been to at least 30 meetings and while he admits that collaboration is a slow process he’s experienced a lot of good because of it. “We’ve made some big changes, [recently] I got called from Jacob Gear to go over to Hart Mountain to help out with that fire [Poker Fire]. These are the things that wouldn’t have happened without the fire collaborative. I think one of the biggest assets to come out of the fire collaborative is Jacob Gear’s position as Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) Liaison.” Read more.

Pilot Project Tests Megafire Prevention Methods

The Harney County Wildfire Collaborative began testing megafire prevention methods in September with a pilot project in a high fire risk area at the south end of the Pueblo Mountains.

Formed in 2014, the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative, a collaborative of the High Desert Partnership, has brought together representatives from county, federal and state agencies, local Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, the Burns Paiute Tribe, conservation groups, as well as scientists and ranchers to facilitate conversations around how to fight and prevent megafires in Harney County.

The group’s first major project is the National Environmental Policy Act approved Pueblo Mountain Pilot Project, which focuses on preventing a megafire by creating a vegetated fuel break along a road corridor between Oregon End Table and Hawks Valley. Read more.
Photo by Jeremy Hill of a Burns Helitack member, Walter Riley, blacklining the East side of the Pueblo Mountain burn unit. Blacklining is preburning of fuels adjacent to a control line before igniting a prescribed burn.

Strength In Diversity

"That diversity that often you see divides people around issues, we're using that diversity to come up with unique ideas and unique problem solving. That's what makes HDP successful is the people  . . . their relationships . . . and the diversity in thought perspective." ~Chad Karges
This is one thought shared from Chad Karges during a presentation and Q&A he, Gary Marshall and Brenda Smith gave at an event Friday, Sep 27 in Bend. This event was made possible through a partnership between City Club of Eugene and City Club of Central Oregon. Watch the talk for more about collaboration in Harney County. As one attendee to the event shared: "Wow, there's a lot going on in Harney County."

Portland Audubon
Nature Night

Tuesday, October 15, 7-9pm
Ecotrust's Billy Frank Jr. Conference Room
From Portland Audubon: "Author and University of Oregon Professor Peter Walker takes us back to the contentious 41-day takeover of Malheur Wildlife Refuge in 2016, revealing an unmatched account of the takeover itself to how the power of people standing together overcame the armed militants. We will also feature a special Malheur update from Portland Audubon Conservation Director, Bob Sallinger." More about this event here.

Sagebrush Collaboration

A heavily researched story by professor and author Peter Walker of the strength and resilience of Harney County as the community faced a challenge it could have never anticipated.
Thanks to The Ford Family Foundation for adding Sagebrush Collaboration to their Select Books program. Select Books is an amazing program providing resources to educate and help us make a difference in our communities. If you live in Oregon or Siskiyou County, CA "you may order one copy of this book at NO CHARGE if you provide feedback about it."
Also, books can be purchased through Oregon State University PressThe Duck Store and Amazon

Savoring Carp?!

That's what we may be doing at this year's Wetland Conservancy's annual Wetlands & Wellies. Award winning chefs will prepare small plates of Oregon’s iconic wetland delicacies while also introducing your palate to some less known, non-native foods that are living in our wetlands. It will be an evening of new tastes including tasting Harney Basin carp. Find more about this event here.

Upcoming Events    

Wednesday, October 9 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 15 | Portland Audubon Nature Night 
Thursday, November 6 | Event at Oregon Historical Society Honoring 20 Individuals and their Contributions to Oregon, including Jack Southworth. The book A Generous Nature by Marcy Houle which features Jack and High Desert Partnership will be launched.
Thursday, November 14 | Wetland Conservancy's Wetlands & Wellies Annual Event
Thursday, November 14 | Harney County Wildfire Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, November 20 | Harney Basin Wetlands Initiative Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, November 20 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 18 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting

Reviving Malheur Lake

Check out this new short film about Malheur Lake, its current condition and what is being learned to help stage its revival.

The Harney County Way

Reflections from The Harney County Way May 2018 Collaborative Summit.

You Can Be The Difference

Donate Today and Help Us Strengthen Harney County Through Collaboration. 
Click 'Make An Impact' below.
Consider leaving a gift to The High Desert Partnership in your will or trust so you can help 
Harney County's rural communities. You will help to protect the social fabric, economy and natural resources of Harney County for years to come. Contact info@highdesertpartnership.org for information.
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