Oregon’s high desert supports a remarkable diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are unique, rare, and endangered. The Sagebrush Steppe is home to sage grouse, pronghorn, and pygmy rabbit.  Eastern Oregon’s wetlands attract tens of thousands of migrating birds, including waterfowl such as greater sandhill cranes and tundra swans. Important populations of salmon, steelhead and redband trout ply Oregon’s desert rivers.  These fragile desert lands and rivers are threatened by livestock grazing, off-road vehicle use, mining, and road building.

Loss of habitat and other human activities have driven many of these desert species toward extinction.   Populations of summer steelhead and bull trout are currently listed as threatened species under the endangered species act.  Conservationists have filed petitions for the federal government to list greater sage grouse and pygmy rabbit as endangered species.  A large number of plants throughout Oregon’s outback are found only in a small area, and are listed as threatened, endangered, or sensitive species, either federally or by the state.