Portlanders explored and took action to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands

Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center gave folks a chance to experience Oregon’s hidden treasure without leaving Portland and more than 50 people attended. The event featured a 3D illusion art piece to help folks imagine the majesty of standing on the rim, three experts from various backgrounds who spoke to their experiences, an action center where folks could sign our petition and take pics for a photo petition, and cosponsors of the event sent a few lucky explorers home with some new outdoor gear.

Experts featured at the event included Whitney “Allgood” La Ruffa; Ted Brownrigg and Dove Miller; and Tim Davis. Whitney is an avid long-distance hiker based in Portland, and he completed a thru hike of the Oregon Desert Trail in 2018. Ted and Dove have been guiding rafting trips on the Owyhee River for 15 and 20 years respectively. And as an Ontario, OR resident and the Executive Director of Friends of the Owyhee, Tim was able to offer a local perspective on this Oregon treasure.

Here’s some of what these experts had to share:

“During a new moon, it was magical the way the starlight would light up the sagebrush, and I hiked in the Owyhee for several days without seeing another human.” —Whitney “Allgood” La Ruffa

“When you take off in a raft from Rome, after the first six miles when you enter the canyon, it’s like you’ve entered another world.” —Ted Brownrigg

“My journey from skeptic to conservationist exemplifies the power of personal exploration and community engagement in protecting our natural heritage.” — Tim Davis

As the largest remaining conservation opportunity in the American West, the colorful canyons, seas of sagebrush and rambling Owyhee river combine to create a truly unique landscape that we have an opportunity to protect for future generations. Through this campaign, we’ll continue introducing more people to this Oregon treasure, as we build and share more support with our senators and the president to support the call for the creation of the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument.

Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center organized this event along with cosponsors including the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Friends of the Owyhee and Next Adventure, as part of the Protect the Owyhee Canyonlands coalition.