Protect the Owyhee Canyonlands

As the largest conservation opportunity in the American West, the colorful canyons, sweeping seas of sagebrush steppe, rambling rivers and snaking streams of the Owyhee Canyonlands provides habitat for more than 200 species of wildlife, including the imperiled Greater sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and one of the largest herds of California Bighorn sheep. The region boasts almost 30 plant species that are found nowhere else in the world and scientists even say it may become one of the last few places to view the night sky in the lower 48 without light pollution. With the Owyhee Canyonlands, we have the opportunity to manage and preserve an expansive, intact natural wonder before it suffers irreparable damage and degradation.

Oregonians agree

While we’re supportive of a proposal developed by Sen. Ron Wyden and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley known as the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act (S.1890), we’re uncertain of the legislation’s fate. So, along with a broad coalition representing a diverse array of Oregonians, we’re urging President Biden to establish the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument. With almost 80% of Oregonians across party lines supporting protection of the Owyhee, we believe that the administration’s monument designation should be based on Sen. Ron Wyden’s community-led, consensus-driven vision.

Better protections, still accessible

An Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument would conserve this Oregon treasure by preventing industrial development and other damaging activities that could fragment habitat, and harm the native plants and wildlife within the monument boundaries. The National Monument designation would ensure responsible, balanced recreation so that visitors could continue hiking the rugged trails, rafting the river, fishing for redband trout or sitting in the remote darkness and stargazing — for generations to come.

To build on what the Protect the Owyhee Canyonlands coalition has already accomplished, we’re increasing the visibility of this remote landscape, which is an eight-to-ten-hour drive from where most Oregonians live. We’re also working to get 100 more organizations, business owners and elected officials, as well as thousands of everyday Oregonians, from the Willamette Valley and beyond, to join the campaign.

When protections for three national monuments (Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments) were diminished, in conjunction with our national federation Environment America, we mobilized the public and generated more than 436,700 messages to decision makers — more than 1 in every 7 of the 2.8 million public comments submitted. And President Biden has since restored protections for these monuments.

Oregon’s senators can spur action

You can help convince the Biden Administration to permanently protect this spectacular landscape by urging Sens. Wyden and Merkley to support President Biden in establishing an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument before the end of 2024. Take action below to urge the senators to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands for generations to come.

The designation of an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument would protect the Owyhee’s most critical and vulnerable areas and wildlife while allowing for responsible, balanced access for Oregonians from all walks of life. So whether you’re someone who enjoys the excitement of rafting through racing rapids, the challenge of hunting the fastest animal in North America (a pronghorn antelope), or the serenity of soaking in a hot spring while gazing at the milky way, you’ll always be able to go to the Owyhee Canyonlands.

Learn more

A Taste of the Owyhee Canyonlands
Voices for the Owyhee Canyonlands
Wildlife of the Owyhee Canyonlands

Media hits

Help Protect the Owyhee Canyonlands (National Monument Status on the Horizon?)