Improving habitat health through sustainable ranching

Harney County, a vast and ecologically diverse region in southeastern Oregon, is embarking on an exciting new chapter in conservation, thanks to a transformative $18.4 million grant allocated to High Desert Partnership (HDP), our partner in Oregon, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

A pronghorn standing amongst tall grass peers innocently into the camera. — A pronghorn standing amongst tall grass.

Spanning over 6.5 million acres, the county’s unique habitats - ranging from sagebrush steppe and wetlands to pine forests and meadows - are home to iconic species like the greater sage grouse, pronghorn, sandhill crane, and pygmy rabbit. As a key part of the SONEC (Southern Oregon Northeastern California) Region of the Pacific Flyway, it supports nearly two million migratory waterfowl annually and sustains critical agricultural landscapes. The funding will address pressing challenges like water scarcity, invasive species, wildfire risk, and drought, while fostering a sustainable future for Harney County’s ecosystems and communities.

WildLandscapes played a pivotal role throughout this initiative, working alongside HDP to help coordinate the successful application for RCPP funding. WildLandscapes contributed technical expertise and helped to identify and prioritize conservation needs, fostering collaboration between local stakeholders, private landowners, and government agencies. These efforts ensured that Harney County’s unique challenges and opportunities were represented in the funding proposal, laying the groundwork for this ambitious project.

A grassland landscape with a mountain range in the far distance with clouds hovering in a dimly lit evening sky after the sun fell below the mountains.

View of a lowland lake in the middle ground with mountains in the background.

Several dozen cows standing on the shore of a lake at the base of mountains.

A brown cow with horns stands in a vast sagebrush landscape.

A stream with lime green grass growing along the edges runs through a sagebrush habitat.

A stream flowing through a rocky hillslope in sagebrush habitat.

Four cow heads peering out of sagebrush.

A mountain view of the sagebrush lowlands and rolling hills in the distance.

Three deer among a sea of grey-green sagebrush.

Sagebrush landscape.

View of grasslands from a hilltop with rolling hills in the distance.

Green grasslands interspersed with orange and yellow wildflowers.

Rolling hills of sagebrush and yellow wildflowers under a blanket of white clouds hanging in a blue sky.

Panorama of green grasslands beneath grey clouds.

Building on nearly 20 years of collaborative work, HDP and its partners will now implement a range of innovative projects designed to enhance the resilience of local ecosystems and communities. These include water conservation measures, wetland restoration, invasive species management, and the establishment of conservation easements to protect critical habitats.

Starting in Summer 2025, HDP and NRCS will begin work bringing these projects to life, with on-the-ground efforts continuing through 2030. This initiative not only represents a significant step forward for Harney County but also serves as a model for collaborative, climate-focused conservation nationwide. Through WildLandscapes involvement and HDP’s leadership, this project demonstrates the power of partnerships in creating lasting environmental and agricultural resilience.

A map of the Sheldon-Hart-Malheur landscape that aims to be dedicated to sustainable ranching and nature preservation.

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