Oregon Natural Desert Association

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Oregon Natural Desert Association ONDA protects, defends and restores Oregon's high desert public lands for future generations. From those initial days, ONDA was born.

In 1987, a diverse group including teachers, doctors, students, naturalists and retirees came together over their shared love of public lands Oregon’s desert, which makes up nearly half the state. The high desert in Oregon had received little attention until that time, and these desert lovers were determined to change that. It was the first -- and remains the only -- organization dedicated exclusively to protecting, defending and restoring the high desert in Oregon. Now a respected state and national leader in the public lands conversation, ONDA works together with its members, supporters and other stakeholders in critical high desert areas, including the Central Oregon Backcountry, Greater Hart-Sheldon Region, John Day River Basin, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Owyhee Canyonlands and Steens Mountain. We aim to preserve this region's ecological and cultural values, as well as its stunning beauty, for future generations.

Mark your calendar for the Portland High Desert Hootenanny!Join us at the KEEN Garage from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Novembe...
10/11/2026

Mark your calendar for the Portland High Desert Hootenanny!

Join us at the KEEN Garage from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, to commemorate a year of desert conservation and restoration achievements.

Stop by to connect with our community of advocates while enjoying live music, complimentary light appetizers and drinks, and highlights from this year’s conservation work.

All attendees will have a chance to win prizes from local businesses, engage in advocacy initiatives, and learn more about what’s at stake and how to support Oregon’s high desert conservation.

Learn more: https://onda.org/event/hootenanny-portland-2026/

Photo: Laura Epperson

2027 Wild Desert Calendar is on sale now!Featuring stunning photography of Oregon’s high desert landscapes and wildlife,...
10/09/2026

2027 Wild Desert Calendar is on sale now!

Featuring stunning photography of Oregon’s high desert landscapes and wildlife, each month the calendar delivers unique desert beauty accompanied by the rhythms of the natural world. Track your own schedule alongside key observation windows for meteor showers, bird migrations, wildflower blooms, and more.

Get your copy for just $15 plus shipping and enjoy a year of high desert inspiration. Your purchase supports Oregon Natural Desert Association’s work to protect, defend, and restore eastern Oregon’s public lands. https://onda.org/wild-desert-calendar/

Photo: Jim Davis

And that’s a wrap on Oregon Natural Desert Association’s 2026 Wild & Scenic Film Festival!Thank you for an excellent nig...
10/06/2026

And that’s a wrap on Oregon Natural Desert Association’s 2026 Wild & Scenic Film Festival!

Thank you for an excellent night celebrating the beauty of our natural world, the art that it inspires, and the communities of people working to protect it.

This year’s event may be over, but you can still stream the show online for free until Thursday, October 8! Sign up for access: https://www.tfaforms.com/5229918

Which was your favorite film?

Choose your autumn color palette: classic fall foliage. Autumn has arrived in Oregon’s high desert, offering incredible ...
10/06/2026

Choose your autumn color palette: classic fall foliage.

Autumn has arrived in Oregon’s high desert, offering incredible leaf peeping that rivals even the most sought-after regions across the country. While you may not associate the desert with vibrant hues, Oregon’s dry side puts on quite a colorful show this time of year.

Which of these is your favorite autumn color palette?

Photo 1: Ralph Daub, photo 2: Dan Hawk, photo 3: John Aylward, photo 4: James Parsons, photo 5: Dan Hawk

Together, our conservation community has achieved incredible milestones—securing strong protections for magnificent land...
10/01/2026

Together, our conservation community has achieved incredible milestones—securing strong protections for magnificent landscapes, completing critical restoration projects, and more.

But as pressure on Oregon’s public lands grows, your action is more important than ever.

Donate today to defend Oregon’s high desert public lands from unprecedented threats. Contribute today: https://onda.org/donate/

Photo: Eric Poulin

09/29/2026

Oregon Natural Desert Association’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival will take you on a journey from the granite cliffs of Yosemite to the savanna grasslands of Kenya to Oregon’s McDermitt Caldera, and beyond.

We hope you'll join us on Friday, October 2, for an extraordinary lineup of films, a fun evening mingling with fellow desert lovers, and a chance to win coveted raffle prizes!

Thank you to our sponsors: Focus Physical Therapy, Inc. - Bend, Oregon, Mt Bachelor, Patagonia, Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, High Desert Museum, Mountain Supply, Bend Source, Sawyer Products, Wanderlust Tours, MiiR, and Pine Mountain Sports for their generous contributions.

Get your tickets today: https://onda.org/filmfest/

If you were to envision Oregon’s high desert decades from now, what would you see? Perhaps you’d imagine healthy streams...
09/28/2026

If you were to envision Oregon’s high desert decades from now, what would you see?

Perhaps you’d imagine healthy streams winding through rolling sagebrush hills, pronghorn moving freely across wide-open landscapes, or flourishing native plant communities stretching to the horizon.

Your action in support of conservation today will make your vision of thriving public lands, waters, and wildlife a reality.

A legacy gift directed to ONDA in your will or through your retirement plan is a meaningful way to express your deep connection to Oregon’s desert. This gift costs you nothing today, yet it ensures that the waters, wildlife, and landscapes you care about will continue to thrive tomorrow.

Learn more about legacy giving: https://onda.org/mike-and-annie-parr-leaving-a-legacy-for-the-high-desert/

Photo: Gregory Shine

NEXT WEEK: Join us for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival for its 16th year in Bend, Oregon (and online)! ➡️ Friday, Octobe...
09/23/2026

NEXT WEEK: Join us for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival for its 16th year in Bend, Oregon (and online)!

➡️ Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Tower Theatre.

This unforgettable evening of captivating short films addresses pressing environmental issues, highlights incredible work being done by activists around the world, and celebrates the beauty of our planet.

Join us before the show to chat with ONDA staff, learn about current advocacy and volunteer opportunities, buy raffle tickets, and catch up with Oregon Natural Desert Association community members. Tickets to the event are $20 per person plus an $8 Tower Theatre historic preservation fee.

Not in Bend? Register for our free streaming version to watch at home.
https://onda.org/filmfest/

Address

50 SW Bond Street, Ste 4
Bend, OR
97702

Telephone

+15413302638

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