Editor's Note: The following introduction was provided by Andrea Bonadiman. The month of May in the Owyhee can often lead to unpredictable weather patterns. From heat to pouring rain, and usually a fair amount of wind is included in the package. However, no matter what - the scenery, solace, and company of those you're sharing an experience to last a lifetime is always worth it. Gravel Biking was offered as part of our recreation programming earlier this spring. While we rea

Understanding Policy. Protecting Place. Empowering People.

Who has contributed to conservation historically? How did the first conservation organizations get started? Can a person who is an avid environmentalist still be a hunter? May we learn about old ways in which the flora and fauna that exist today were preserved by those who harvested from the Earth. As time goes on, we set aside our differences to form a unified band of individuals that stand together to protect our public lands and the wildlife that lives on them.

Utah Senator Mike Lee recently removed controversial language from the federal budget that would have allowed for the sale of vast public lands. While some saw this as a victory, his reasoning revealed a concerning perspective: "I continue to believe that the federal government owns too much land, land it is mismanaging and, in many cases, ruining for the next generation." This statement reflects a worldview that fundamentally misunderstands the purpose and potential of publi

If you’ve spent any time on public land in eastern Oregon, especially in the Owyhee, you’ve likely felt the slow unraveling of care and capacity. It’s not because the people at the Bureau of Land Management don’t care. It’s because they’re being asked to manage more with less.

The Owyhee Recreation Club: Balancing Adventure and Stewardship- Recreation in the Owyhee is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a major draw to this vast and rugged landscape, bringing people closer to nature and public lands. On the other, increased recreation can threaten the very ecosystem that makes the Owyhee so special. For those unfamiliar with the area, recreation is not just present—it’s one of the most significant pressures on the landscape’s ecological health.

I grew up in the metropolis of Adrian, Oregon—if you can call it that. I spent my entire childhood in the same house, gazing out my...