WildfiresWe are beyond thankful for the efforts of thousands of firefighters for their hard work under extreme conditions to salvage what they can of the landscape, protect homes, other structures and livestock. Many of these firefighters are participants of the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative and the Harney County Forest Restoration Collaborative, they know the land well and we're so thankful for their hard work. We want to extend a special thanks to all the Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) volunteers working tirelessly along the firefighters.
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We are immensely saddened by the loss of firefighting pilot James Bailey Maxwell. As shared by the U.S. Forest Service-Malheur National Forest: "The Grant County Sheriff has confirmed that single engine air tanker pilot James Bailey Maxwell, 74, died while working in the vicinity of the Falls Fire on July 25, 2024. James was an experienced pilot who had spent 54 years of his life flying and who had logged approximately 24,000 hours of flight time. He is survived by and will be missed by family members in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington."
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To the many of you who have reached out with how you can help Harney County during this intense wildfire season, thank you for your concern. We are seeing good communications among agencies for large and complex fires and so many dedicated people are doing everything possible to put the reins on the multiple wildfires Harney County is experiencing. We have heard that our Rangeland Fire Protection Associations have been coordinating well with agencies; we are grateful to hear this as we have been working on this important coordination in our wildfire collaborative for several years.
Once threats have passed and people are able to catch their breath and get back to some normalacy, HDP will be digging in bringing people to work together to the benefit of the land and community. We know there are long term issues that will need to be addressed in a way that would benefit from collaboration. We will be prepared to listen and learn from the different perspectives of partners who responded during the fire. What we learn and hear will likely guide the long term collaborative efforts, it will likely even change some focus and strategies for continued collaboration.
Your support of HDP will help us in supporting our collaborative partners in assessing where past work may have kept fire risk lower, where our community was resilient or where we need to refocus. We don't know what that will be until we hear from our collaborative partners. We hope you will stay connected.
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Post Fire Recovery ResourcesThere has been cattle loss, loss of grazing land and structure loss. We're still in the thick of it but if you are in need of recovery resources, Eastern Oregon Ag Research Center compiled the list below complete with names and contact information. In addition to this list, two more resources:
1. The Oregon Cattlemen's Association is now accepting donations to their Wildfire Fund. Funds collected will assist ranchers affected by wildfires. Donate here.2. The Oregon Disaster Network Fund (ODFN) is accepting applications for organizations in need of disaster-related funding. According to ODFN completing this application does not guarantee funding but does "helps track disaster needs statewide and helps them be seen by about 35 philanthropic funders." Hope this is helpful. If we learn of other resources, we'll be sure to share.
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'How Trust Helps Tame Wildfires' - An article from Chronicle of PhilanthropyMid June, weeks before the Falls Fire became a reality, journalist Geoff Nudelman spent a day with rancher Gary Miller and his good friend Mike Fox. The reason for the visit, Geoff was writing an article for the Chronicle of Philanthropy about wildfire mitigation and the ability of ranchers and agencies to work together on this complex issue. The story is told through a profile of Gary, his difficult history with catastrophic wildfires and the Bureau of Land Management. It's about what has changed since the 1990 Pine Springs Fire and the 2012 Miller Homestead Fire caused so much devastation; the role Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, the Harney County Wildfire Collaborate and High Desert Partnership play and the ability of people to work together around a complicated and what can be, contentious issue. READPhoto by Bob Keefer
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People Who CollaborateDominic Bachman, Aquatic Biologist at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, is all about aquatic health with a focus on the enhancement and restoration of Malheur lake wetlands for migratory birds. This involves creatively managing invasive common carp populations, while assisting with and supporting any research or restoration projects that Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative partners are doing to improve Malheur Lake aquatic health; for example, working with partners to find solutions to wetland turbidity that reduces food for native wildlife. READ MORE.
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How Does a HDP Collaborative Form? (Part 7)It begins with the need to address a complex issue or seize an opportunity, a coordinator has been identified, the search for funding is underway, relationships among the coordinator and partners develop, evolve and strengthen, a facilitator is contracted, meetings convene, partners work together exploring the essence of the issue, culture of the collaborative is developing, a coordinating committee is determined, operating principles are developed, a meeting schedule is agreed upon and strategic planning begins. Ultimately each collaborative seeks to find common ground, and uses a consensus model when it comes time to make decisions that are accepted by the collaborative.
For HDP, consensus means that "all participants can accept the recommendation or decision." In facilitated conversations, collaborative participants discuss complex issues. It is the responsibility of each participant to voice any concerns they have and to suggest alternative solutions that align with the collaborative's vision. Ultimately, a facilitator guides the participants through a consensus decision-making framework, clearly presenting the decision that needs to be made. Consensus is reached when all participants agree that they can accept the decision. If any participant cannot accept the decision, the discussion continues until consensus is achieved.
Unlike a democratic system where the majority rules, the consensus model fits well with HDP collaboration. This approach may take more time, but it prioritizes making the right decisions vs. the right now decisions. The consensus model places a high value on relationships and fosters people working and learning together. This leads to more innovative solutions, and participants tend to feel a deeper commitment to and support for the decisions they help create. As we highlighted in May, the success of this model hinges on exceptional facilitation skills, a critical element in HDP collaboration.
*In September, we talk about how the collaborative table is set to optimize healthy, productive collaborative conversations.
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Frontier MedQuestThis year’s Frontier MedQuest, hosted by Northeast Area Health Education Center and High Desert Partnership, went off without a hitch for a second year. 10 high school students were able to experience what rural healthcare looks like, while able to enjoy some Harney County specific activities. Students went to Crane Hot Springs, enjoyed a historic downtown tour, were able to speak to a number of non clinical professionals at Harney District Hospital, experience what it is like to stay in the Crane Dorms, and had a ranch dinner hosted by Denise and Jeff Rose. This camp is thanks to the hard work and collaboration with Harney District Hospital, who provided over 40 job shadows during the week, supplied a stethoscope to each student, a full day of education, a number of meals, and CPR/First Aid training and activities to students. This camp provides not only healthcare job shadows for students, but also can help them to gain confidence, skills, and the personal development needed as their healthcare journeys begin. Thank you to Burns Dental, Harney County Home Health/Hospice, Juniper Cookhouse, Lisa Roath, Crane Union High School, the Pine Room, Figaro's Pizza, as well as all others in the community for being involved in this great experience. See you in 2025 for next year's camp!
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Community Garden Flourishing
The tomatoes are turning red and ripening and the crops are growing. Delicious, fresh, locally grown sustenance is on the horizon.
And, thanks to the Oregon Food Bank and their contribution of $2500 to the community garden which will go toward its further development and hopefully expansion.
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Educators Get Hands On Experiences Learning About Natural Resources Jobs
In June, about 20 educators from around Eastern Oregon had the opportunity to participate in four days of activities centered around careers in natural resources. Field trips took the participants to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Vale and Ontario and served to demonstrate hands-on skills needed in different positions ranging from forestry to fisheries. READ MORE.
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A Lovely Farm-to-Table DinnerOn a beautiful, warm sunny evening in late June Harney Food Systems, an initiative of the Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative, celebrated local food and community spirit with a farm to table dinner at The Palace.
Dinner guests enjoyed a menu of Caprese Skewers, Steak Bites and a Charcuterie Board; Mixed Greens with Edible flowers, Toasted Pine Nuts, Parmesan and Olive Oil Lemon Vinaigrette; Fresh Asparagus Soup & Crusty Bread with Whipped Herb Butter; Osso Buco with Creamy Polenta and Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots; Lemon, Lavender and Mint Granita; and Fresh Berry Pavlova. Celebrating Made In Harney, this menu was prepared with local ingredients from Doverspike Beef, And the Plot Chickens, Sonni Designs and Rural Roots Ranch. Beautiful, locally grown wildflower bouquets from Buckaroo Bouquets adorned the table.
Throughout the meal, there was a tangible sense of connection, each bite a tribute to the hard work and passion poured into every ingredient. Guests departed with bellies satisfied and an appreciation for Made in Harney through the simple pleasure of good food.
Harney Food Systems is an initiative working toward building sustainable food practices for Harney County. This dinner was the first of its kind celebrating Made in Harney with the hopes that there will be more dinners like this to come.If you're interested to learn more about Harney Food Systems contact Kellie Frank at kellie@highdesertpartnership.org.
Photos by Brandon McMullen.
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Youth Entrepreneurship TrainingLearning entrepreneurship skills early thanks to Onaben's Real Change program. In early June several budding youth entrepreneurs spent two days learning about starting and operating a business including: marketing, supply costs, pricing, management roles and more. Each 'camper' then came up with a business idea, made a shopping list of what they would need to start their business, they figured out pricing and pitched their idea to 'the bank'. The youth tell 'the bank' (ONABEN staff) how much money they need to set up their store and sell at the market. Once approved by the bank, ONABEN staff go to the store to get supplies. The youth prepare their product, make marketing signs and prepare to go to market.
Market day is when the public was invited to shop; any profits made by the entrepreneurs, they pocket.
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2024 Upcoming Events
Wednesday, August 21 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Tuesday, August 27 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, August 28 | Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative Meeting
Tuesday-Saturday, September 3-7 | Harney County Fair & Rodeo/Celebrating 100 Years
Wednesday, September 18 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Thursday & Friday, September 19 - 20 | Youth Changing the Community Collaborative 2024 Youth Summit
Tuesday, September 24 | Youth Changing the Community Collaborative Meeting
Tuesday, September 24 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
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