As Oregon reels from destructive wildfires and oppressive smoke, we at Central Oregon LandWatch want to express our heartbreak and sympathy for the communities experiencing unfathomable loss.

For decades, LandWatch has been on the frontlines of defense against the negative impacts of destination resorts.

For more than a decade, Central Oregon LandWatch has been concerned about the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the forested area next to the west side of Bend.  Most of this land would have been developed at urban levels had it come in with the City of Bend’s 2009 Urban Growth Boundary proposal to expand the city by more than 8,400 acres. Instead, our advocacy helped reduce the approved expansion by 70% by increasing densities inside the existing city boundaries.

Thanks in large part to our advocacy, the Westside Transect is a new concept for Central Oregon that is being used to plan development on Bend’s western edge where we are at most risk of wildfire sweeping into town from the Cascade Mountain forests.

As development pressures grow in high-risk areas, we must consider every new development in the WUI carefully. Smart planning that takes wildfire risk into account will help avoid unnecessary loss of life and homes, risk to our health, and endangerment of firefighters.

The City of Bend is requesting public input as they plan their next Transportation System Plan.  The Plan will be the guiding document for transportation in Bend over the next 20 years.  

This is a big step toward the BCD's transformation into a healthy, vibrant, and resilient mixed use neighborhood with safe connections between east and west

Central Oregon LandWatch recognizes the urgent need to increase housing choices for people across the income spectrum. We also believe that existing Bend residents should be considered in the planning process as much as developers and potential new residents.
 

Watch What's Brewing and Supper Club discussions.

The "kid from Kansas" continues his tireless quest to preserve the local environment

Bend's new Urban Growth Boundary has been acknowledged by the Department of Land Conservation and Development in record time and goes into effect today.

Throughout Bend’s Urban Growth Boundary planning process, LandWatch has been the leading public interest group advocating for a limited expansion to prevent urban sprawl, encourage cost-effective growth, protect wildlife habitat, and foster affordable housing.