Appreciate Central Oregon
Seasonal guides for exploring our special part of the world.
Seasonal Guides
Out of the 30 conifer species native to Oregon, you can find more than a dozen different species in the forests that make Central Oregon so beautiful to live, work, and recreate in.
This time of year, Development Director Lorraine Murray feels extra grateful for Central Oregon’s high-quality farms and ranches where she can get fresh, seasonal food year-round.
One of her favorite meals to make when the chill takes hold is a hearty Bolognese sauce over pasta — and she’s sharing her recipe with you.
By early to mid-October, our Western larch trees will have turned completely yellow, in sharp and brilliant contrast to their evergreen neighbors. Time to drop everything and go out for a scenic hike, ride, or drive, because this golden hue lasts a few weeks at most.
In autumn, Suttle Lake issues a siren song — calling out for one more hike or paddle before winter sets in. As you pass through Tumalo and Sisters, through stands of Ponderosa pines, past Black Butte and the turn-off to the Metolius River Basin, the drive is part of the adventure.
Just remember: the road you’re on bisects ancient migration routes. Your caution and your support for wildlife crossings is needed.
The Metolius region is a pristine ecosystem, home to an array of wildlife, plants, and natural wonders that have earned our enduring admiration and deserve lasting protection.
Urban native gardens are certainly not a panacea to global environmental challenges, but they do make a difference locally, and anyone — even beginners with “black thumbs,” renters with only a small balcony and some pots, and homeowners with itty bitty yards — can support local wildlife by planting a native garden.
Looking for the best views in Central Oregon? Catch them from a kayak or raft. The Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius Rivers are all within a short drive for Central Oregon residents, offering whitewater adventures year-round with a range of difficulty levels.
With three prime birding locations near Terrebonne — the Crooked River Wetlands, Smith Rock State Park, and Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve — all within 25 miles, a birder can put together a rewarding excursion.