For those of us who love the high desert of Oregon, the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) is a perfect fit. Their long-standing devotion to the protection of the high desert environment is what drew me to volunteer with ONDA. ONDA restores high desert riparian areas by planting trees and creating beaver dam analogs. ONDA also removes old barbed wire to protect wildlife from injury and death. Often collaborating with Native communities, land managers, and many others, ONDA has established wilderness areas and worked to protect fish and wildlife. ONDA's reputation as an effective conservation group has drawn members from all over the country - not just in Oregon. It is really amazing how much they have accomplished. I highly recommend you visit their website (onda.org) to learn more.
I have been volunteering for, donating to, and on the boards of environmental nonprofits for more than 35 years; ONDA is far better than most and every bit as good as the best from my experience. The word "natural" in their name means something. They don't compromise away wilderness values. They don't pooh-pooh the natural sciences. They think big and take on as much as they can handle--but not more than they can handle--which speaks well of their management. When all else fails, they are not afraid to go to court. ONDA is not at all dismissive of the people living on the dry side of Oregon, as evidenced by their volunteers, their local commercial supporters, and the citizen, commercial, and government participation in their biannual desert conferences. I would encourage anyone to check out their website and see if it resonates with your perspectives and values.
ONDA is dedicated to restoring the Oregon High Desert to its "pristine condition", however they fail to give due consideration to the residents of this beautiful land. ONDA fails to realize that thousands of people live and work in the High Desert of Oregon and have for generations. The current actions of ONDA, while well intended, are preventing any and all economic development in the area. The residents of Oregon's High Desert want to preserve it as well, but we also must live off the land. We must be allowed to utilize the natural resources. It is our belief that we can protect the envoronment and utilize it at the same time.
Review from Guidestar