The High Desert of Eastern Oregon, called the Sagebrush Steppe, is one of North America's most imperiled and neglected  ecosystems.   This often overlooked landscape is home to species such as sage grouse and sage sparrow that rely solely on Sagebrush Steppe habitat.  The American Bird Conservancy has ranked the Sagebrush Steppe third among the twenty most threatened bird habitats in the United States.  Other species that rely on this landscape include pronghorn, pygmy rabbits, and many unique plant species.

This "sea of sagebrush" has been fragmented by development, damaged by livestock grazing, and torn up by off-road vehicles.  Oil and gas mining remains a growing threat in Oregon's desert, and invasive species increasingly threaten the health of native systems.

ONDA works to protect Sagebrush Steppe and its imperiled species through a variety of habitat conservation strategies.  Throughout Oregon's Outback, ONDA leads restoration trips, advocates for Wild and Scenic River and Wilderness designation, legally enforces conservation laws, and facilitates third party buyouts of grazing permits on public land.