Nestled in the heart of the American West lies a haven of beauty: Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands. This expansive landscape, with its vibrant canyons, vast sagebrush steppe, and winding waterways, teems with more than 200 species of wildlife, including the Greater sage-grouse, pronghorn antelope, and one of the largest herds of California Bighorn sheep. It also harbors nearly 30 plant species found nowhere else on Earth, and you can soak in hot springs while gazing upon the star-studded night sky. And there’s no better way to visit it than by rafting the Owyhee River, taking you through dramatic landscapes, towering cliffs, and pristine desert scenery, in a mix of adrenaline and serene tranquility from the untouched wilderness.
But this natural wonder is under threat. Without action, the Owyhee Canyonlands risk irreversible damage and degradation.
With almost 80 percent of Oregonians across party lines supporting protection of the Owyhee, many have already rallied behind the cause, throwing their support behind the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act (S.1890), led by Sen. Ron Wyden and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley. Even though this bill has made it further than any previous attempts, it is still unsure whether it will succeed. To ensure lasting protection, advocates are urging the senators to work with President Biden to designate the Owyhee Canyonlands as a National Monument to help protect the Owyhee Canyonlands.
Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument in the Cards?
As a National Monument, the Owyhee Canyonlands would safeguard its fragile ecosystems, ensuring that native plants, such as the Owyhee clover or Packard’s blazing star, and wildlife, from Redband trout to Townsend’s big-eared bat, thrive undisturbed. All without sacrificing accessibility—visitors will still have the freedom to hike its rugged trails and navigate its winding river.
But it needs help to amplify the call for action. By joining the campaign to protect it, you’ll help broaden support across the nation, raising awareness of this remote paradise and bolstering support for the preservation of the Owyhee Canyonlands, which truly offer something for everyone. Together, we can ensure that the beauty of the Owyhee Canyonlands remains unspoiled for generations to come.
—Justin Boyles, Conservation Advocate, Environment Oregon
Sign the petition here: https://environmentamerica.org/oregon/center/take-action/protect-the-owyhee-canyonlands/
Learn more here: https://environmentamerica.org/oregon/center/articles/protect-the-owyhee-canyonlands/
Need more info? Email jboyles@environmentoregon.org