Oregon Desert Land Trust

The Oregon Desert Land Trust was formed in 2017 to fill a gap in land trust service in Oregon’s high desert. The Land Trust works with landowners, Tribes, land managers and other partners to conserve private land throughout the region. These wild and working lands are critical to ecological, economic and community health in the region.  Conserved lands contribute to wildlife habitat, land conservation, cultural preservation, rangeland health, and recreational access in Oregon’s high desert. 

Oregon’s high desert is primarily characterized by small towns and working ranches sparsely scattered amongst mountains, rivers, and canyons. Similar to other areas in the West, the region is experiencing turnover in land ownership driven in part by inter-generational shifts and a transition towards more recreation-oriented properties. With support from volunteers with decades of experience in real estate, law, ranching, business and conservation science, as well as our relationships with landowners and knowledge of the region, the Land Trust has already conserved over 20,000 acres of private land.