On October 2, 2026, Oregon Natural Desert Association will be hosting its Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Event at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon as well as offering a virtual version streamed online. Attendees can expect an inspiring evening of captivating short films that address pressing environmental issues, highlight incredible work being done by activists around the world, and celebrate the beauty of our planet. Their carefully curated lineup will take attendees on a breathtaking journey through the natural world, showcasing awe-inspiring landscapes and emphasizing the urgency of protecting wild places. For the hour before the event, they welcome folks to join them in the theater to chat with ONDA staff, learn about current advocacy and volunteer opportunities, buy raffle tickets, and catch up with ONDA community members.
ONDA is the only conservation organization dedicated exclusively to preserving Oregon’s high desert. In 1987, a group of community members based in and around Bend, Oregon realized that the high desert lands and waters they loved had no one dedicated to their protection. In the three decades since the Oregon Natural Desert Association was founded, this community has protected and restored millions of acres of Oregon’s high desert and grown to welcome members across Oregon and beyond. Building a strong community of desert advocates to speak up for public lands and take part in hands-on restoration projects year after year is their most important achievement.
Oregon Natural Desert Association encourages people to get to know the desert and to take steps to conserve these public lands. ONDA is a non-profit organization that defends public lands from threats, partners with public and private land managers to preserve natural values, encourages conservation advocacy, and restores lands and waters to support healthy habitat for wildlife.
Oregon Natural Desert Association conserves the most wild, spectacular, and ecologically important public lands in Oregon’s high desert, including treasured landscapes such as the John Day River Basin, Steens Mountain, the Greater Hart-Sheldon and the Owyhee Canyonlands. Their solutions-oriented and inclusive conservation initiatives support a thriving future for lands, waters, wildlife, and communities throughout eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Desert Association restores key habitats across Oregon’s high desert and advocates for management to support healthy ecosystems, clean water, and high-quality wildlife habitat. They partner with public land managers, Native American Tribes and conservation-focused landowners to provide long-term benefits to desert lands, waters, wildlife and communities. Their restoration work also connects people to the deserts and builds a community of conservation advocates.
Hana Sant, ONDA’s Engagement Director, says, “Hosting a WSFF On Tour Event is a fantastic way for us to reach new audiences and deepen engagement with our current supporters. The film selections are always great, and the custom program allows us to curate a lineup that allows viewers to draw parallels between the stories on-screen and ONDA’s work in Oregon — and leaves them inspired and ready to get involved, take action, and join as contributing members.”
Hana continues, “My favorite thing about putting on the event is the energy in the theater the night of the event. It always sells out, so we have a packed house, and folks are so excited to be there! The audience erupts into applause after films they like, laughs together, cheers for raffle winners, and hopefully leaves the event with a sense of connection and inspiration to get involved in issues they care about.”
