Oregon High Desert Grotto

Oregon High Desert Grotto

Survey team in Redmond Caves
Abbreviation	OHDG
Formation	1989
Purpose	Cave exploration and protection
Location	Central Oregon
Main organ	Oregon Underground
Parent organization	National Speleological Society
Website	Oregon High Desert Grotto

The Oregon High Desert Grotto (or OHDG) is an American caving club, known as a grotto. It is affiliated with the National Speleological Society.

OHDG is involved with caving and conservation efforts in central Oregon and beyond, including the Oregon Caves National Monument, the Lava Beds National Monument in northern California, and caves in western Idaho and southern Washington. Members of the grotto have worked with the Department of State Lands and received a participation award from state leaders for their volunteer work. In 2013, the grotto was recognized by Region 6 of the United States Forest Service for various volunteer hours working with caves and bats. They received the R6 Volunteers and Service and Program Award.

The Oregon High Desert Grotto was first created in 1989 by Dan Best. It lasted only a year before complications terminated the grotto. In late 1995, the OHDG was reformed by the new founding member Ric Carlson, who was at the time an employee of the forest service. By 1997, the Grotto had over 30 members, a newsletter publication, and a growing knowledge of caves in the Central Oregon area and beyond. As of 2012, the OHDG continues to find new caves. Grotto member Matt Skeels has found over 100 new caves. Today, the grotto is actively involved with caving in most of Oregon and the adjacent states.

Members of the Oregon High Desert Grotto understand that caves are a fragile resource. They are dedicated to preserving these special underground spaces. Each year, the group organizes a number exploration trips, study efforts, and preservation projects. The group’s exploration work includes caving adventures, cave surveys, and photographic documentation of cave resources.