OUR SUPPORTERS
Photo: Sam Couch
Hundreds of businesses, organizations and associations representing millions of supporters are calling on President Biden and Senators Wyden and Merkley to designate an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument.
COALITION MEMBERS
Hear from our supporters on why they are working to designate
an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument
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"The Owyhee Canyonlands is the original homelands of the Northern Paiute, Shoshone, and Bannock peoples. The places within these vast lands are all significant to our people; telling our creation stories, holding the first foods, medicines, hunting grounds and sacred spiritual places for our past, present, and future generations. These important lands are also under threat from development interests, extractive industries, untethered recreation, and urban expansion. We support the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument to ensure our lifeways, culture, tradition and legacy is ensured for our people to continue thriving on our lands now and forever."
— Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribal Descendants, People of Red Mountain
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“Preserving this national treasure is not just an environmental responsibility; it is a strategic move to market our community, attract visitors, and bolster our local businesses. The Owyhee National Monument aligns seamlessly with our mission by providing opportunities for economic growth, fostering sustainable practices, and enhancing the quality of life in our beloved community.”
— John Breidenbach, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
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"Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands boasts millions of acres of deep, rugged canyons, rolling sagebrush grasslands, and hundreds of miles of desert rivers. This vital landscape is home to hundreds of native species, preserves priceless cultural resources, and offers boundless recreational activities. Visitors from across the country relish the Owyhee for its unparalleled opportunities for hiking, camping, rafting, angling, hunting, and backcountry exploration and solitude which is increasingly rare in our noisy, busy world."
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“The Biden administration has, since day one, been a tremendous champion for our nation’s public lands – going as far as issuing their America the Beautiful plan to conserve thirty percent of our nation’s lands and waters by 2030. While great strides have been made, more is required in order to achieve this goal. A next step would be permanently protecting the rugged, remote Owyhee Canyonlands through a national monument designation. Like President Biden, Owyhee Canyonlands champions’ Senators Wyden and Merekly are always there for our nation’s veterans. This campaign is no exception. For generations, veterans and military families have proudly been a part of campaigns – in DC and throughout the country – to see our nation’s public lands safeguarded for future generations. In fact, many of us view this work as an extension of our service.”
— Janessa Goldbeck, CEO, Vet Voice Foundation
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"The Owyhee Canyonlands is one of the most significant landscapes to my people. As the descendant of Paiute Chief Paulina and Chief Weahwewa, I carry the stories and legends from my grandmother and tribal elders of this place. I implore everyone to work together to protect these revered places with all your power so the land and its people can restore their relational balance. For the ancestors of the Owyhee and their future generations, we cannot wait any longer to protect this sacred land. The time is now."
— Wilson Wewa, Northern Paiute Elder, Storyteller, Spiritual Leader, and Culture Keeper
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"The Eastern Oregon Visitors Association exists to develop, market and promote the Eastern Oregon region as a destination for visitors to enhance the regional economic vitality and quality of life for all residents. The designation of the Owyhee Canyonlands as a National Monument would be a dual opportunity to protect our natural heritage while fostering sustainable economic development in southeastern Oregon."
— Alana Garner Carollo, Executive Director, Eastern Oregon Visitors Association
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"We urge Congress to act promptly in advancing the Malheur CEO Act, recognizing its importance in preserving the Owyhee Canyonlands for current and future generations. Should bill passage in 2024 prove impossible, we stand ready to work with Senators Wyden and Merkley and the Biden administration to achieve national monument designation for the Owyhee Canyonlands."
— Oregon Legislature Environmental Caucus Members
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"Formed over millions of years, the Owyhee Canyonlands is a wild and iconic landscape that deserves permanent protection as a National Monument. Fed by the vital Owyhee River, this area serves as a pivotal route for wildlife migration and is a sanctuary for hundreds of species, including the Redband trout, Greater Sage-Grouse, and fleet-footed Pronghorn. Now is the time to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands for future generations.”
— Nicole Layman, Deputy Vice President of Conservation Campaigns, The Wilderness Society
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"Having spent countless hours exploring the rugged beauty of the Owyhee, I have come to deeply appreciate its pristine landscape, rich biodiversity, and cultural significance. It is a place of unparalleled beauty and wonder, deserving of the highest level of protection. That is why I am wholeheartedly endorsing the designation of theOwyhee Canyonlands as a National Monument."
— Deborah K. Folden, Mayor, City of Ontario
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“Conservation for the irreplaceable Owyhee Canyonlands has been decades in the making. Oregonians from rural to urban communities in every corner of the state have been calling on leaders to ensure this wonder of our state's southeastern perimeter is permanently protected. Senators Wyden and Merkley have championed legislation for the last several years, bringing together a coalition of diverse advocates honing in on various needs for a viable future of these lands. If Congress fails to enact this important vision for the Owyhee, the Biden administration should continue the Oregon Senators' legacy for all Oregonians to enjoy this treasured place, forever."
— Lindsey Scholten, Executive Director, Oregon League of Conservation Voters
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"The mission of the Ontario Recreation District revolves around fostering quality recreation opportunities for our community members. We strongly advocate for the inclusion and enhancement of outdoor recreation opportinties within the Owyhee region. The landscape of the Owyhee presents immense potential for outdoor activities that can contribute significantly to the well-being and enjoyment of our residents and visitors alike."
— Andrew Maeda, Executive Director, Ontario Recreation District
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“As one of the most significant landscapes to the Bannock, Shoshone, and Northern Paiute people, designating the Owyhee Canyonlands as a National Monument can offer protections needed for Native people to reconnect with the land and restore fragmented relationships due to a history of displacement. These protections will open up additional resources to care for, monitor, and protect countless cultural and archaeological sites while limiting further damage.”
— Ka’ila Farrell-Smith M.F.A., Klamath Modoc Artist, Writer, Activist
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“Unmarred habitat for fish and wildlife that also supports rural economies and sporting traditions are invaluable and uniquely American. At a time when we’re rapidly losing wildlife habitat, we have an obligation to conserve the last remaining pristine landscapes for the people and the fish and wildlife that reside there.”
— Aaron Kindle, Director of Sporting Advocacy, National Wildlife Federation
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"I believe that the Owyhee National Monument designation is a critical step towards preserving the integriy and beauty of this extraordinary landscape. It would provide much-needed protections against threats such as irrresponsible development, while also enhancing opportunites for sustainable recreation and tourism that benefit our local communities."
— Tom Vialpando, Mayor, City of Vale
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“Oregon’s natural beauty is recognized throughout the country and has been periodically protected by bold Presidential action, beginning with President Grover Cleveland’s sweeping land withdrawals that led to the creation of Crater Lake National Park and the protection of millions of acres of national forests in the Cascades. Other Presidents soon followed in Cleveland’s conservation footsteps when Teddy Roosevelt created the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 1908 and President Taft created the Oregon Caves National Monument in 1909. The time has now come for President Biden to match the Oregon conservation vision of his predecessors and establish the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument under the Antiquities Act. This is an area of extraordinary geological beauty and exceptional wildlife habitat and it warrants bold Presidential action to preserve its natural beauty for generations to come.”
— Donald Barry, former Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior
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"As an educator, I believe it is crucial to instill in our students a deep appreciation for the natural world and a sense of stewardship for its protection. The Owyhee Canyonlands proposed National Monument offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor education and experiential learning. By designating this area as a National Monument, we can ensure that future generations have the chance to connect with nature, learn about its importance, and forge lasting bonds with the land."
— Joel MacKenzie, English Language Instructor, Ontario High School
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“One of Oregon’s greatest treasures, the Owyhee Canyonlands, is a recreational wonderland; from rafting, to hiking, to camping, to hunting and fishing. I have rafted the wild Owyhee waters for decades and experienced the grandeur of the place that is worthy of the nickname ‘Oregon’s Grand Canyon.’ It is essential that we guarantee its protection so generations can continue to explore and enjoy this outdoor gem forever.”
— Mary Fleischmann, Leader, Bitterbrush Broads, Great Old Broads For Wilderness
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"As someone who calls this region home, I urge you to join me in supporting designation of the Owyhee Canyonlands as a National Monument. Together, we can ensure that this special place remains a source of inspiration and wonder for generations to come."
— Eddie Melendrez, Councilor, City of Ontario
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“The Owyhee Canyonlands is the largest unrealized conservation opportunity in the American West and the window of opportunity to take timely action is closing. Whether by congressional action, or through cooperation with President Biden, it is time to make permanent protection of the Owyhee Canyonlands a reality.”
— James Kenna, retired Bureau of Land Management California State Director, Arizona State Director, and Associate State Director for Oregon/Washington
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“The Owyhee Canyonlands is a special place that should be permanently protected. It has a diverse set of natural wonders: colorful canyon peaks, racing waters and rare wildlife living undisturbed in their natural habitat. The area also provides endless recreational opportunities, such as hiking up towering rock formations, walking along lava flows, and kayaking, canoeing or rafting on the Owyhee River as rainbow and redband trout swim alongside. This spectacular place, one of Oregon's greatest treasures, should become our country's next national monument.”
— Celeste Meiffren-Swango, State Director, Environment Oregon
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"We are dedicated to curating exceptional wilderness backpacking experiences that showcase the natural wonders of our region. The Owyhee National Monument epitomizes the pristine wilderness we strive to explore, offering a haven for unforgettable adventures amidst its expansive and unspoiled terrain. Preserving and acknowledging the Owyhee National Monument is pivotal to our ability to continue offering these upscale wilderness experiences, ensuring future generations can partake in immersive adventures that foster a deep appreciation for the wilderness and its importance in our lives."
— Dan Sizer, Go: Wild American Adventures
Local, Regional and National Organizations and Associations that Support Designation of an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Contemporary Art & Culture, Willamette University
Central Oregon Lady Anglers
Climate Justice League
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
Environmental Center
Friends of Cascade Siskiyou National Monument
Friends of Central Cascades Wilderness
Greater Hells Canyon Council
Greenaction for Health & Environmental Justice
Latinos Outdoors
Lewis & Clark Law School Environmental Law Caucus
Love is King
Lower Columbia Canoe Club
Northwest Horse Trails
Oregon Outdoor Alliance
Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Conservation Lands Foundation
Environment America
Environment Oregon
Friends of the Owyhee
Great Old Broads for Wilderness
League of Conservation Voters
National Wildlife Foundation
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Oregon Natural Desert Association
People of Red Mountain
Sierra Club
Trout Unlimited
The Wilderness Society
Vet Voice Foundation
350PDX
American Long Distance Hiking Association West
American Whitewater
Bethlehem Inn
Oregon Trails Coalition
OSPIRG Students
Outdoorist Oath
Reno Food Systems
Rogue Climate
Siskiyou Rising Tide
Soul River
Southern Oregon Women on the Fly
The Outdoorist Oath
Trailkeepers of Oregon
Travel Southern Oregon
Trout Unlimited Bluebacks Chapter
Trout Unlimited Clackamas River Chapter
Trout Unlimited Deschutes Redbands Chapter
Trout Unlimited Oregon Council
Trout Unlimited South Coast Cutthroat Chapter
Trout Unlimited Tualatin Valley Chapter
Business Supporters
Dynamic Acupuncture
eNRG Kayaking
Falling Sky Brewery
Feathered Friends
Fetch Coffee Roasters
Flutter
Foster Outdoor
Free Range Equipment
Garage Grown Gear
Gather Nuts
Go Wild
Goodwater Boatworks
Gossamer Gear
Gradient River Essentials
Heather's Choice
Hiker Trash Radio
Honey, I'm Home
Hymel and Associates
Ibex Apparel
Immersion Research
Indigo Creek Outfitters
Just Bob
Katabatic Gear
Kate's Ice Cream
Kayak Tillamook
Kula Cloth
LEKI USA
Adventures Without Limits
AdventurUs Women
Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe
Alpacka Raft
Anderson's Outdoors
Animosa
Arrowhead River Adventures
Astral West Coast
Average Joe's Vintage
Base Camp Oregon
Bend Rock Gym
Black Rose Coffee
Black Wagon Kids
B-line Urban Delivery
Blue Sky Whitewater
Briggs Rogue River Trips
Bronwen Jewelry
Brown Claw Media
Caddis Fly Shop
Cascade Rack
Claudio Starzak Jewelry
Cog Wild
Confluence Fly Shop
Deschutes River Anglers
Dirty Freehub Gravel Bike Routes
Magnet Designs
Meloy Ady
Midtown Mod
MiiR
Minam Store Outfitters
Minimal Gear
Momentum River Expeditions
Nature Nicole Whitewater
Next Adventure
Noahs River Adventures
Northwest EcoTours
Northwest Outward Bound
Northwest River Guides
NW Horse Trails
OARS
Orange Torpedo Trips
Oregon Outdoor Alliance
Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association
Oregon River Experiences
Oregon Whitewater Adventures
Ouzel Outfitters
Pact Outdoors
Patagonia
PDXCHANGE
Piece of Mind Fabrication
pStyle
Pure Green Portland
Purple Rain Adventure Skirts
Radiant Coffee Roasters
Redbird Studio
Rhino Skin Solutions
Rose City Barbers
ROW Adventures
Sambob
Sawyer Paddles and Oars
Sawyer Products
Six Moon Designs
SkyGOAT
Soul River
South Coast Tours
Sundance Kayak School
Sunlan Lighting
Superior Wilderness Designs
Symbiosis Gear
Tater Boost
Telios Farm
The Caddis Fly Angling Shop
The Fly Fishers Place
The Gear Fix
The Joseph Fly Shoppe
The Paddled Pub
The Realm Refillery
The Trail Show Podcast
The Trek
TheTentLab / Inkling
Tip Top Tattoo
TOAKS Outdoor
ToughCutie
Tov Coffee
Trailkeepers of Oregon
Trails Magazine
Travel Southern Oregon
Treeline Review
Tributary Whitewater
Triple Crown Coffee
True North Fly Fishing
Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe
Under Solen Media
Victory Bee Garden Care
Wanderlust Tours
Werner Paddles
Whitewater Cowboys
Wilde Gild Collective