The Horizon
The latest updates on our work defending rural lands, creating livable cities and towns and preserving wild lands and water throughout Central Oregon
Connection to the Land: From the Arctic to the Deschutes
Join us for an evening of adventure, where Dr. Len Necefer will share some of his latest films at the Livable Future Forum on October 15. Climber and climate advocate Graham Zimmerman will also share his unique perspective of climate and land use topics, while guiding us through proceedings.
Wildlife Crossings As Empathy in Concrete Form
With “The Crossing,” filmmaker Veronica Wood takes a cinematic look at the impact of roads in our communities and nature. Find out how you can get your name in the credits, and catch the debut on October 24, as part of the Livable Future Forum.
One Key Move Solves Many Water Challenges
In the final piece of our water waster series, we focus on one key move that could be achieved through legislative or administrative action to address wasteful water use practices and inequitable distribution in the Deschutes Basin. The amount of water that could be saved by this one move alone is astonishing.
That’s a Wrap!
This summer, to help mark our 40th anniversary, we headed out to explore three places that Central Oregon LandWatch has played an integral role in preserving and shaping.
A Future Without Water Waste
The Deschutes Basin is a dynamic watershed, an Indigenous homeland, a municipal water supply, a productive agricultural region, and the backbone of Central Oregon’s recreation economy. Unlike other basins across the West, the Deschutes Basin is fortunate to have enough water to reasonably meet all of these water users’ needs—if sensibly managed and allocated.
The Harms of Water Waste
Those who need water least often get the most, while the most productive farms in the region, municipalities, and river ecosystems struggle to get by with whatever water is left.
The Roots of Water Waste
An antiquated system for allocating Central Oregon’s surface water is colliding with 21st-century urbanization and county land use practices in ways that magnify waste and inequity.
Why So Many Roundabouts?
The City of Bend has constructed more than 50 roundabouts to date, and that number grows every year. We look into the reasons why, and share some insight into the future of roundabouts in Bend.
Water Waste by Design
Across Central Oregon, irrigation districts deliver nearly twice the water local crops require; water is applied to weeds and lands not currently practicing agriculture; porous canals lose up to half the water diverted from the river.
It sounds like something has gone very wrong. But in many ways, Central Oregon’s water management system is actually designed to create waste.
National Rivers Month Spotlight
It’s National Rivers Month, so we’re taking a look at two Central Oregon streams that are near, dear, and deserving of our care: the Crooked River and Whychus Creek.
Our Summer Stars
Central Oregon LandWatch is delighted to have two thoughtful students supporting our regional livability efforts this summer. Here’s your chance to get to know Rita Powers and Grant Strother and their reasons for being here, in their own words.
Planning for a fire-resilient future
Wildfire has always been part of Central Oregon’s landscape, but in today’s world of increasing heat and a growing development footprint in fire-prone areas—the risks we face are also increasing.
Thankfully, land use planning is one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—tools we have to reduce wildfire risk over time.
Casting Call!
Friendly neighbors needed for a new video series!
Live in Bend? Love your neighborhood? Have thoughts about what could make it even better? We want to hear from you—and potentially share your story.
(Plus, we’ll give you a $50 gift card to a beloved local business in your neighborhood!)
Legal victories make it harder to rezone farmland for rural sprawl
A recent decision by Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals marks significant progress in our long-running advocacy to ensure the landscapes, farmlands, water, and natural places that define Deschutes County are managed responsibly.
If You Build It (Bike Lanes), They Will Come
When we build safer places to ride, more people ride. LandWatch is pushing for a complete, route-focused approach to building out our bike lane networks. The more people who feel safe and comfortable biking, the more useful and valuable these infrastructure investments become.
We Showed Up For Our Wild, Roadless Forests!
The Central Oregon community rocked up to OSU-Cascades en masse to learn about, celebrate, and take action for roadless areas at home and across the country.
Looking Back on Oregon’s 2026 Legislative Session
A legislative session is a little bit like a weird Christmas.
You spend all year making your wish list, and, when the gavel drops, you see what you got.
Come with us to the North Pole, er … Salem, for a recap of how our priority bills fared during this short session that felt oh-so-long.
Rooting for Junipers
Bend residents have an opportunity — before March 11 — to submit comments on the continued implementation of the city’s tree code priorities and regulations, as developed by the Tree Regulation Update Advisory Committee. LandWatch will be encouraging the City of Bend to continue including junipers as both a regulated and priority tree under the updated code, and hope you’ll join us.
New Board Members, New Insights
At the end of January, Central Oregon LandWatch welcomed three new members to our Board of Directors. Each brings valuable experience, perspective, and commitment that will strengthen our work to defend and plan for our region's livable future.
Wildlife Crossings in Action
Recently, the Central Oregon community caught a glimpse of an elusive lupine species along a popular public path near Sunriver.