On May 12, LandWatch hosted a community virtual Open House where we were joined by 50+ community members to plan for Central Oregon’s livable future. Since last year, LandWatch has been undergoing a strategic planning process to set our sights on facing the new challenges to our region. We were excited to share that mission and vision with our community.

During this time of year, you can visit the Deschutes twice on the same day and see two very different rivers. On Saturday, May 1, we took a trip to Benham Falls and caught the river just south of Bend.

For years, there has been an ongoing debate over a proposal to rezone certain rural areas across Central Oregon. The proposal would allow for removing land protections for forest and farm use and permit sprawling development across the County.

Oregon’s land use planning system may be our most effective tool to fight climate change.

Last week, the Bend City Council approved the Southeast Area Plan, which will guide development on 479 acres southeast of Bend’s current city limits.

Our regional identity is connected to our wildlife. They are a hallowed part of what makes this place exceptional and distinct. Now is the time to speak up for Central Oregon’s wild creatures.

Maps, as promised! Thanks for joining Central Oregon LandWatch on Tuesday for Mapping Sisters’ Future.

A note from our Executive Director, Ben Gordon.

On Wednesday, March 17th, the Bend City Council adopted six goals with promising strategies to achieve them.

This river holds the soul of Central Oregon. Photos still take our breath away. But, if you look closely towards the banks, you can see a river in dire want of restoration. The Deschutes still needs our help.

After 25 years of protection from logging, big trees on our public lands are once again threatened. The biggest trees make up only 3% of our forests. We should be protecting them, not cutting them down.

This Saturday, March 6 at 11 a.m. Register here. A chance to raise important issues with Representative Jason Kropf and Commissioner Phil Chang.

Guest Column at The Bulletin. Whether it’s the Zoom Effect or the curse of being a region known for its unsurpassed livability, Central Oregon is feeling a housing crunch. Affordable housing is almost nonexistent and available inventory is at all-time lows.

Industrial use doesn’t belong on farmland. LandWatch is challenging Deschutes County's decision to convert farmland into industrial use.

LandWatch’s 2021 Legislative Advocacy Kickoff event was a thundering success! On February 4, we “zoomed” in together, with our Executive Director, Ben Gordon, leading off as our emcee and outlining the importance of our legislative work. Read more…

On February 3, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced the River Democracy Act to Congress. This bill, the most extensive Wild and Scenic Rivers effort in U.S. history, would add 4,702 miles of Oregon rivers and streams to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system.

Your voice was heard loud and clear! Last month, we asked you to help us weigh in on the Bend City Council’s goals for the next two years.

How will this beloved town choose to grow? The City of Sisters recently launched its Comprehensive Plan Update, which will shape how the beloved town develops through 2040 and beyond.