Desert Conference XXV

Sierra Club volunteers exploring the Owyhee Canyonlands of Eastern Oregon.

Join us for the 25th Anniversary of the “Desert Conference!

Sept. 23rd-26, 2010

Washington Family Ranch
in the John Day Basin

The High Desert Committee of the Sierra Club is helping sponsor the 25th anniversary of the Desert Conference in conjunction with the Oregon Natural Desert Association, the Hells Canyon Preservation Council, Conservation Lands Foundation, The Peradam Foundation, and The Wilderness Society.

Desert Conference will take place at the Washington Family Ranch near Antelope, OR. Nestled in the John Day Basin, the Washington Family Ranch offers easy access to prominent natural areas including Sutton Mountain WSA, the Painted Hills and Spring Basin Wilderness.  Desert Conference will feature a day of hikes and restoration trips in nearby proposed wilderness areas and the Pine Creek Conseration Area. Friday evening special guest, author Craig Childs (http://www.houseofrain.com/), will present, “The Shape of Water: Exploring a Key Element in World Deserts.”

Saturday includes a full day of panels with topics including, public lands recreation and restoration, Saving the Sagebrush Sea, climate change and renewable energy, and Great Basin ecology. Saturday’s keynote address will be by Edward M. Norton Sr., activist, advocate and environmental attorney. Live music by Craig Carothers (http://www.craigcarothers.com/). Adult libations provided by Ninkasi Brewing, Fat Tire & Boneyard Brewing.

This is a great opportunity to connect with other desert activists or get a grand introduction to various issues regarding management and protection of Oregon’s desert wildlands.

Registration and organizational details are being handled through ONDA’s website at the two links below.

Click here for more details and agenda!
Have you registered yet? Don’t forget. Click here to register!