Steens Mountain – State Wildlife Action Plan

Geographic boundaries of the COAs were updated for the 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan and the associated COA profiles are intended to provide additional information. Content of each COA profile is being refined and will be updated to reflect current conditions when feasible. Please help us by submitting information on Local Conservation Actions, Plans, or Potential Partners to: OCS.revision@odfw.oregon.gov.

This COA includes much of Steens Mountain’s southwestern flank before moving north and skirting along the edge of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and then east into the northern Steens Mountain uplands and High Lava Plains.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Control spread of western juniper to maintain habitat values in sagebrush, aspen, and, riparian habitats
Initiate or continue wet meadow conservation and restoration efforts
Manage livestock grazing to promote recovery and maintenance of riparian habitats
Promote early detection and suppression of invasive plants.
Restore and maintain complex, continuous sage habitat
Restore aspen woodlands and forests

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Eastern Oregon (Taylor et.al. 2005)
Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy
Important Bird Areas of Oregon
Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project
Steens Mountain Cooperative Management And Protection Area Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Most of this area receives some degree of protection under the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act
The unique habitats in this area is widely recognized as having significant biological value for plants and animals, resulting in many rare and endemic species.
This area has an exceptional diversity of high-quality habitats with high value for a wide variety of wildlife

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID NBR-08 (Harney-Malheur area)
2006 COA ID NBR-09 (Steens Mountain High Lava Plains)
2006 COA ID NBR-09 (Steens Mountain Uplands)

Protected Areas

Blitzen River Wilderness Study Area
Bridge Creek Wilderness Study Area
Donner Und Blitzen-Ankle Creek
Donner Und Blitzen-Fish Creek
Donner Und Blitzen-Main Stem
Donner Und Blitzen-Mud Creek
Donner Und Blitzen-South Fork
Fir Groves
Frenchglen Corral
Frenchglen Hotel State Heritage Site
High Steens Wilderness Study Area
Home Creek Wilderness Study Area
Kiger Creek
Kiger Mustang
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
South Fork Donner Und Blitzen Wilderness Study Area

Specialized Local Habitats

Canyon Shrublands
Cliffs and Rim Rock
Mountain Mahogany Shrubland
Springs
Unique Grassland Habitats

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Key Habitats

Aspen Woodlands

Aspen (Populus tremuloides) woodlands are woodland and/or forest communities dominated by aspen trees with a forb, grass, and/or shrub understory. Aspen woodlands also occur within conifer forests.

Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are relatively large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land that were formed through geological processes, such as glacial scouring, tectonic movements, volcanic activity and river meander cutoffs. In Oregon, natural lakes are defined as standing water bodies larger than 20 acres, including some seasonal lakes. Depth is not a reference for characterization of …

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats include all naturally occurring flowing freshwater streams and rivers throughout Oregon as well as the adjacent riparian habitat.