The campaign to Protect the Owyhee is urging Congress to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands by passing the broadly supported legislation developed by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and co-sponsored by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. 

Since 2019, Senator Wyden has worked with local ranchers, conservation organizations, Tribal nations, sporting groups, recreationists, and others to develop a legislative proposal to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands.

This bill, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act, protects more than 1.1 million acres of the Owyhee Canyonlands as wilderness while promoting improved land management and important priorities for the Burns Paiute Tribe and local ranchers.

Despite passing the U.S. Senate in 2024 with broad bipartisan support, the legislation’s future in Congress remains unknown. Congress can ensure the Owyhee is protected by immediately passing this legislation. 

To understand the proposed areas for conservation, view a general overview map and more detailed maps below, and click here to read more about how the proposal would protect the Owyhee Canyonlands.