People Who CollaborateMike Fox is a retired attorney whose life journey has taken him from Texas to Vietnam to Eugene, and ultimately to the high desert of Eastern Oregon.
His path to the region began somewhat unexpectedly when in October 2011, while staying at the Frenchglen Hotel with his wife and friends, he spotted "a derelict house that had a for sale sign" next door. As Mike understands it, this abandoned building, which had been "a B&B back in the 90's," started as a building on the historic P Ranch. The one-story part of it was built around 1890, to which "a two story house was dragged from Blitzen down P Hill and stitched to the one story portion" in the 1930s.
On their drive home, Mike's wife suggested they purchase the house as a second home, which they did. READ MORE
| |
Welcome Tracy, Marcus and Abbie
to the HDP Board
As a support organization for six collaborative working groups the High Desert Partnership board plays a critical role guiding the organization's mission. The current 11 member board is part of the support engine helping collaborative groups transform potential conflicts into opportunities for cooperation, resulting in practical, community-driven solutions for forest and wetland restoration, wildfire mitigation, youth development, and economic growth. Meet the HDP Board.
Pictured: Tracy Kennedy, Marcus Nichols and Abbie Villagrana
| |
Irrigation Infrastructure Emergency Repair Program Available
A program created to help landowners with irrigation infrastructure improvements serves as a timely response to the recent spring flooding throughout Harney County.
Jason Kesling, the District Manager for Harney Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), said the idea came about when there were some cost savings from an irrigation project funded through a legislative bill awarded to the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative. The SWCD approached the High Desert Partnership to see if it was possible to reallocate that money into an emergency fund to help irrigators either size up their culverts or repair roads or dikes that were damaged in the recent flooding. Kesling said they presented the idea to the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative, which operates under the High Desert Partnership umbrella, and the collaborative agreed that it would be a great use of that funding. READ MORE
Photo of the flooding in the Harney Basin March 2025 by Brandon McMullen
| |
Upper Hanley Canal Restoration Project to Begin This SummerThanks to funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Focused Investment Partnership program received by the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative, the Upper Hanley Canal project implemented by the Harney Soil and Water Conservation District, will improve wet meadow habitat while allowing grazing for a few weeks after the growing season. READ MORE
| |
AVID Community Night Coming Up!What's AVID? AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, a program that provides tools and practices to prepare students for college and careers. It's a program that spans K-12 schools and includes the Harney Internship Program, a community internship program of the Youth Changing the Community Collaborative. And, Thursday, May 8, 5-7pm at Burns HIgh School, students will share their work as part of the AVID program.
"[AVID] is a program that provides teachers, staff, and families with the tools, best practices, and mindset to be able to provide students with opportunities and skills necessary to become career and college ready while prioritizing relationships so everyone can achieve their full potential." ~Becca Birch, the AVID District Director;
The flyer you see here was designed by Burns High School sophomore and AVID elective student, Paisley Mesa.
| |
Thank you Meyer Memorial TrustThank you Meyer Memorial Trust for your ongoing support of High Desert Partnership and collaboration with a grant of $50,000. These funds will provide much needed capacity for HDP to support collaboration in southeast Oregon where community-driven solutions are being reached for forest and wetland restoration, wildfire mitigation, youth development, and economic growth. Thank you Meyer Memorial Trust!
| |
Spotlight on HDP from Nonprofit Association of OregonWe're honored to be featured in the Nonprofit Association of Oregon's recent member spotlight!
(NAO) recognized our collaborative approach to addressing rural challenges and highlighted several of our initiatives:
- Our six active collaboratives working on community priorities
- The success of our Harney Internship program, which has engaged 148 seniors and juniors since 2020 (about 50% of eligible students in Harney County)
- Our exciting dream for an Eastern Oregon Collaborative Center
As NAO noted, our work is "by community members and for community members"—addressing the specific needs of Eastern Oregon through partnership and cooperation.
Thank you NAO for shining a light on our mission and impact. And thank you to everyone who continues to support our vision of finding common ground solutions for rural challenges. Read the spotlight.
| |
2025 Upcoming Events
Monday, May 19 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Tuesday, May 27 | Youth Changing the Community Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, May 28 | Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, May 28 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, June 25 | Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, June 25 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
Monday, June 30 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
| |
|
