Owyhee Canyonlands
Posted inNews

Progress For Public Lands

The newly passed public lands bill helps with fuel reduction at Crooked River Ranch, but resource activists say it missed protecting some important public lands
Chris Miller

On March 12, President Trump signed the public lands bill— formally known as S. 47, or the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, into law. The Act, formerly known as the National Resources Management Act—includes the Oregon Wildlands Act. Included in this large piece of legislation was a new wilderness designation for […]

Posted inNews

Clash in the Canyonlands

Some want to turn a giant swath of land in Southeast Oregon into a National Monument. Others think it’s a waste of time.
Brian Jennings

If you want to ponder the wonder of the universe under a vast umbrella of stars, head to Owyhee country. Native Oregonian and Bend-area resident Karl Findling calls it “one of the darkest and most remote regions” in the lower 48 states—and that renders it perfect for watching the stars. Findling, who grew up in […]

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Wyden, Merkley Introduce Mineral Withdrawal Bill

Legislation helps farmers and ranchers, protects high desert
Hayley Jo Murphy

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley on June 9 introduced legislation that would protect more than 2 million acres of the world-renowned high desert in southeastern Oregon from outside mineral exploitation, including oil and gas drilling, and build on long-time local economic strengths by helping farmers and ranchers. Wyden and Merkley […]

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Owyhee Canyonlands Ecologically Important

Sherron Lumley

Submitted by Brett Dickson, Conservation Science Partners A study commissioned by the Pew Charitable Trust, a nonprofit think tank found that Southeastern Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands are one of the most ecologically important unprotected places in the western United States. Safeguarding the area “presents a significant opportunity to conserve key elements of native biodiversity and ecological […]

Posted inOutside

Canyonland Conservation

Diverse groups work toward consensus on Owyhee
Brian Jennings

One of Oregon’s strongest attractions is its outdoor environment. The state has it all—a rugged coastline, a fertile valley, snowcapped mountains, and an expansive desert. Much of the landscape is federally owned, which means that the people own it and can recreate on it. In fact, more than half of Oregon’s landmass is maintained by […]

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