Central Oregon LandWatch is the ONLY watchdog organization protecting wildlife habitat and migration corridors in rapidly growing Deschutes County.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchNovember 8, 2018Nathan's Corner, Wildlife Habitat, wildlife, Mule Deer, Elk, Deschutes County, Deer Winter Range, Donate, fragmentation, Migration, Population Decline

Court rules in favor of LandWatch & Wildlife AGAIN

After the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals ruled in favor of wildlife earlier this year, Deschutes County went back to court to challenge their ruling. In a recent ruling from the Court of Appeals, LUBA's decision was affirmed, upholding protections for wildlife in the deer winter range!

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchOctober 16, 2018Deer Winter Range, Deschutes County, Donate, LUBA, Court of Appeals, Mule Deer, Migration, Population Decline

LandWatch Files Appeal to Protect Riparian Habitat

Central Oregon LandWatch is the only group on the front lines in defense of Deschutes County’s wildlife habitat code protections. Last week, we filed an appeal of an alarming change to the county’s Flood Plain Zone to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.

Wildlife Habitat, Rivers & SpringsCO LandWatchOctober 9, 2018Deschutes County, Deschutes River, wildlife, Fish, fishing, fragmentation, Wildlife Habitat, LUBA, Spotted Frog, Tumalo Creek, Riparian Habitat

More information about the Tree Kill Along Highway 20

More than 100 of the iconic, old-growth ponderosa pine trees which greet us when we arrive back into Central Oregon from the Santiam Pass or the Metolius River Basin are dying because they were sprayed with a deadly herbicide by the Forest Service and ODOT over the course of three consecutive years.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchSeptember 18, 2018Highway 20, Old Growth Trees, ODOT, US Forest Service, Forests, Pesticide

Groundbreaking new protections proposed for 717 acres west of Bend

Last night, LandWatch advocated for wildlife habitat and protection from wildfire risk adjacent to Shevlin Park by supporting an application for a new zone in Deschutes County. The proposal to create a Westside Transect zone will extend to the county the 2016 UGB concept of tapering density as the city boundary nears the forest where there is higher risk of wildfire.

Wildlife Habitat, BendCO LandWatchSeptember 12, 2018Deschutes County, Ending Sprawl, Elk, Forests, UGB, wildfire, Mule Deer, Migration, Tumalo Creek, Paul Dewey, Shevlin Park

What a Catch! LandWatch's Board President a Fisheries Pioneer

Rivers & Springs, Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchSeptember 5, 2018Crook County, Fish, fishing, LandWatch in the Media, Ochoco National Forest, The Source, ODFW, Women, Wildlife Habitat, wildlife, Redband Trout, Crooked River, Agriculture

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

A win for wildlife! Upholding protections for mule deer when they are most vulnerable

Last year when Deschutes County proposed amending the code to weaken winter range protections, LandWatch's members and allies, including the friends of the Tumalo Wildlife Corridor, voiced their strong support for protection of winter range habitat and the species that depend on it.

Wildlife Habitat, Farm & ForestCO LandWatchMay 31, 2018Deer Winter Range, Deschutes County, wildlife, Land Use System, LUBA, planning commission, Mule Deer, Population Decline, 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

We ❤️ Goal 5

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchApril 9, 2018Wildlife Habitat, Deer Winter Range, Forests, Land Use System, Metolius River, Mule Deer

A Big Win for Threatened Crook County Wildlife

LUBA ruled that Crook County did not adequately consider the effects of their plan on significant wildlife, and in doing so, failed to comply with the law.

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchFebruary 7, 2018Crook County, Elk, Mule Deer, Ochoco National Forest, Off-Highway Vehicles, Ochoco Summit Trail System, Wildlife Habitat

ACTION ALERT - Mule Deer habitat at risk

Tonight, the Deschutes County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on whether to weaken critical wildlife habitat protections in the Metolius Deer Winter Range. This is an opportunity for you to make your voice heard!

Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchSeptember 28, 2017Action Alert, Deschutes County, Deer Winter Range, Mule Deer, Population Decline

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

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

Victory for Wildlife Habitat & Ranchers

Wildlife Habitat, Farm & ForestCO LandWatchJuly 10, 2017Crook County, Family Farms, fragmentation, Wildlife Habitat, Land Use System, Mule Deer, Protect Open Space, Ranching

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

Speak up for rural quality of life at Deschutes County Meetings

Ever wonder why it's so easy to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city to explore the peaceful mountains, high desert, and farm and range land around Central Oregon?

Farm & Forest, Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchMarch 13, 2017Deschutes County, Land Use System, Family Farms, Ranching, Local Foods, Action Alert, Ending Sprawl, Forests, Protect Open Space, events, Events

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

Student Mixer on Wednesday, February 15th

We're hosting a Student Mixer for OSU Cascades students, COCC students, and other young professionals to learn more about our work to protect farm and forest land, wildlife habitat, recreation areas and keep quality urban areas from inappropriate development.

Bend, Farm & Forest, Rivers & Springs, Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchFebruary 13, 2017Events, Oregon State University

Bring your bags to Whole Foods to help LandWatch

Now through April, when you shop at Whole Foods you can donate your bag credit to LandWatch!

Bend, Farm & Forest, Rivers & Springs, Wildlife HabitatCO LandWatchJanuary 23, 2017Whole Foods, Donate, Community

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