A female long-eared owl waves its wings and screams to attract the attention of potential predators and lead them away from the nest or young. Learn about this and other High Desert species Feb. 4, the first event in ONDA's High Desert Speaker Series.

The Oregon Natural Desert Association will host a series of free, online events in February and March, a series of lectures intended to inspire deeper understanding of ecology and cultivate an appreciation for the land, water and wildlife of Eastern Oregon.

The lineup begins Feb. 4 with “A Year in the Life: Oregon’s Desert Owls,” featuring author and wildlife photographer Paul Bannick, who will take those who tune in through the lives of High Desert owls across all four seasons.

On Feb. 20, zoologist Tara Cornelisse will discuss the big roles butterflies, beetles and moths play in our deserts in the talk “Titans: Insects of the High Desert.”

On March 12, University of Oregon professor and earth sciences department head Samantha Hopkins, will share the research on the High Desert’s ancient mammals, how the ecosystem has changed over the centuries and what fossils reveal about our future in a changing climate in the talk “Fossils and the Future: Lessons from Oregon’s Ecological Past.”

March 19 features “Beneath the Surface: Desert Mussels,” a talk by Alexa Martinez, a wildlife biologist at Malheur National Wildlife, discussing the intriguing lives of native mussels that call the waterways of Eastern Oregon home.

“No matter how much you already know and love Oregon’s high desert, these insightful talks will deepen your understanding and leave you with an even greater appreciation for Oregon’s ‘dry side,’” said Claire Cekander, ONDA’s donor relations manager.

Advance registration is required. Details on how to register for all events can be found at onda.org/speakerseries. For more information, email onda@onda.org or visit onda.org.