A national call to protect old-growth forests

Forests pull carbon out of the atmosphere, and it accumulates in living trees and soil. In this way, mature forests act as carbon sinks, where the world’s forests absorb a net 7.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2 per year. Let the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management know large trees are worth more standing.

Wild Lands, ClimateCO LandWatchAugust 18, 2022Old Growth Trees, Public Participation, Public Lands

Notes from the Field: An Ode to Public Lands

For 50 years, Oregon’s statewide land use system, envied and emulated nationally and internationally, has provided for planned and relatively sustainable patterns of development balanced by prudent restraint.

Wildlife Habitat, Central Oregon LandWatchCO LandWatchJune 16, 2021Public Lands, nathan's notes

Success in our case to Protect the Ochocos

In a victory for public lands, wildlife, and native fish, Judge Marco Hernández ruled that the Forest Service failed to satisfy its legal obligation to study the environmental impacts of a major new trail system for off-road vehicles, and to ensure that sensitive habitat for elk, wolves, and native fish are protected.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchJanuary 3, 2019Ochoco National Forest, Wildlife Habitat, Elk, US Forest Service, Recreation, Public Lands

Federal Judge Rules 137-Mile Off-Road Vehicle Trail System Would Harm Elk Habitat

A victory in Central Oregon LandWatch’s fight to protect elk habitat and quiet recreation opportunities in the Ochoco National Forest came out Monday, August 27th, 2018.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchAugust 27, 2018Crook County, Elk, Forests, Off-Highway Vehicles, hiking, Win, Ochoco Summit Trail System, Public Lands, Population Decline, Redband Trout, Recreation, Wildlife Habitat

Devastating Tree Kill Along Highway 20

Many dying trees along Highway 20 between Sisters and Black Butte are planned to be cut down because they were sprayed with a deadly herbicide over the course of three consecutive years. These aren’t just any trees, but trees that the public had earlier saved, and the killing of the trees was easily avoidable.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchMay 25, 2018Action Alert, Public Lands, US Forest Service, ODOT, The Bulletin, The Nugget, Old Growth Trees, Highway 20

New Ally in Fight to Save Ochoco Wildlife

The Oregon Hunters Association filed suit in federal district court to oppose the Forest Service's plan to build a 137-mile off-road vehicle trail system through the heart of elk and deer habitat in the Ochocos.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchSeptember 6, 2017Ochoco Summit Trail System, Ochoco National Forest, Public Lands, Oregon Hunters Association, US Forest Service, Elk, hiking, Fish, fishing, Mule Deer, Off-Highway Vehicles, Population Decline, Recreation

Who should apologize for expensive and harmful Tumalo Creek project?

Tumalo Creek provides a peaceful refuge, outdoor recreation opportunities and crystal-clear cold water to the Middle Deschutes River. Although it is known as one of Central Oregon’s iconic gems, the Bend City Council voted to build a $60+ million water project to take more water from the creek.

Rivers & SpringsCO LandWatchAugust 30, 2017Tumalo Creek, Bend, Bend Water Project, City of Bend, Deschutes River, Fish, groundwater, Shevlin Park, Irrigation Districts, LandWatch in the Media, US Forest Service, Public Lands

Central Oregon LandWatch Files Comprehensive Challenge to Defend the Ochoco Mountains

Today, Central Oregon LandWatch filed a detailed challenge to a Forest Service decision to carve up the Ochoco National Forest by creating a 137-miles off-road vehicle (ORV) route system.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchJuly 13, 2017Elk, Ochoco National Forest, Ochoco Summit Trail System, Off-Highway Vehicles, Public Lands, Redband Trout, Recreation, Crook County

Only in hindsight does the protection of a place seem obvious

A vast majority of LandWatch's work centers around Oregon's state wide land use planning system, but the importance of preserving public lands on a national level is not lost on us.

Wildlife Habitat, Rivers & Springs, Farm & ForestCO LandWatchMay 25, 2017National Monuments, Recreation, Protect Open Space, Public Lands

Source Spotlight: Paul Dewey

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

Bend, Farm & Forest, Rivers & Springs, Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchMarch 2, 2017Paul Dewey, LandWatch in the Media, The Source, Our History, Whychus Creek, US Forest Service, Elk, Mule Deer, Wildlife Habitat, Public Lands, ugb, Ending Sprawl

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