Central Oregon LandWatch

Fire Hazard: The Mounting Costs of Northwest Sprawl Honest information about homes’ fire risk can forge the way for more transformative changes to build out of harm’s way.

New @sightline.org report w/ @emilymoore.bsky.social!🔥 Policy tools to ⬇️ #wildfire risk in the PNW: steer development away from risky areas, strengthen building codes, rebuild safer post-disaster, disclose hazard to renters/buyers & price insurance accurately. www.sightline.org/fire-hazard-...

The law that makes Oregon uinque is under threat - @columbiainsight.bsky.social reports - and a coalition of farmers, environmentalists and others are pushing for protection of the state’s land use regulations

#environmental #news #OregonLegislature

columbiainsight.org/the-law-that...

YouTube video by Central Oregon LandWatch Our Top 3 Priorities for Oregon's 2026 Legislative Session

During this year’s legislative session, LandWatch’s Legislative Team is advocating for what matters most to Central Oregonians:

🏡 Communities where people can afford to live and thrive
🧑‍🌾 Rural lands that remain productive and protected
🦌 Wild lands that support the wildlife that define our region

The 2026 #Oregon Legislative Session is underway - as @bradleywparks.bsky.social aptly notes: "a short legislative session that is long on priorities."

Take Action to Support a Smart Approach to Managing Land Use and Water Use Oregon’s Water Resource Department is undergoing a rulemaking process to update how water is managed across Oregon. Now, public input is essential to ensure the final rules truly protect our limited w...

Oregon is undergoing a rulemaking process to update how water is managed statewide—and these rules affect our rivers, farms, and communities.

Now, public input is essential to ensure the final rules truly protect our limited water resources and better align land use and water user regulations.

The Museum at Warm Springs Hosts Navajo Elder for Special Lecture February 3 WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Diné Elder Lupita McClanahan from the Navajo Nation will share her profound journey of preserving Indigenous culture and living in harmony with nature at The Museum at Warm Springs on Feb. 3rd. Raised in secrecy to avoid boarding schools, Lupita's life story offers invaluable lessons on bridging traditional Diné practices with

The Museum at Warm Springs Hosts Navajo Elder for Special Lecture February 3

400+ of you signed our petition with Bend YIMBY or wrote in to Bend City Council about expanding neighborhood commercial.

From reducing traffic to supporting small entrepreneurs, you shared many thoughtful reasons, but the needs that came through strongest were for community connection and equity.

Sen. Cantwell at Roadless Rule rally

The Roadless Rule -- which limits clear-cutting and roadbuilding in America’s last remaining pristine forests -- turns 25 today! I've fought for the Rule since 2001 because Washingtonians depend on our 2 million acres to safeguard clean drinking water sources and our $25+billion outdoor rec economy.

Scenes + Stories from 2025 — Central Oregon LandWatch Every year, the LandWatch team and our community navigate unexpected twists and turns, make the most of difficult situations, and celebrate significant wins for Central Oregon’s livability. Here’s a r...

We’re reflecting on a year defined by persistence, partnership, and people.

From protecting farmland and advancing housing solutions to defending public lands, LandWatch's win this year were fueled by a community that showed up for Central Oregon.

www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2025/...

An uplifting story!

ALSOBROOKS, CRAMER, MERKLEY, CURTIS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE WILDLIFE CROSSINGS PROGRAM - Merkley WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senator John Curtis (R-UT) announced legislation reauthorizing the Wildlife Cros...

Kudos to @merkley.senate.gov, @alsobrooks.senate.gov, Sen. Kevin Cramer, and Sen. John Curtis for introducing legislation reauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program. www.merkley.senate.gov/alsobrooks-c...

Scenes + Stories from 2025 — Central Oregon LandWatch Every year, the LandWatch team and our community navigate unexpected twists and turns, make the most of difficult situations, and celebrate significant wins for Central Oregon’s livability. Here’s a r...

In a difficult year, we achieved significant wins for Central Oregon’s livability thanks to the members, volunteers, partners, advocates, donors, and neighbors who consistently show up for the places we love. Please enjoy this collection of scenes, stories, and accomplishments from 2025.

If @wilsonxcassie.bsky.social sent you here, hello and welcome!! Our last five blog posts are for you! www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/news

ha! thanks!

A wildfire burns near homes on rural land in Deschutes County.

Yesterday, LandWatch Executive Director Ben Gordon joined state + local leaders to discuss regional wildfire safety and call for stronger federal action on wildfire prevention and climate policy.

Watch: www.youtube.com/live/-lkncDb...

Neighborhood Commercial Discussion flyer Building local community Equal access to resources Better transportation With some photos of local neighborhood businesses

Come hear about Neighborhood Commercial in Bend from Kristin at @landwatch.bsky.social !

Next Tuesday, November 11th, at 5:30 PM at Wildwood Bar and Grill (Box Factory)

Central Oregon LandWatch

Today at 10 am, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, state and local leaders, fire officials, and climate advocates will discuss the growing danger of wildfires and related flooding in Central Oregon and urgent need for stronger mitigation and prevention measures. Watch Live: www.youtube.com/@centraloreg...

Meet The Man Who Speaks for Bend’s Trees — Central Oregon LandWatch Get to know Ian Gray, the City of Bend’s new and first-ever Urban Forester. With experience shaping city canopies across the West, he brings a clear vision for a thriving, climate-resilient Bend.

With experience shaping city canopies across the West, Bend's new Urban Forester Ian Gray brings a clear vision for a thriving, climate-resilient Bend. Get to know him in our latest community Q&A. www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2025/...

Love a bit of community science?

Take part in @myodfw.bsky.social and the @oregonzoo.bsky.social's new Roadkills of Oregon project to help them learn where and when roadkills are occurring and what species are most often involved.

Our Space // Nuestro Espacio — Central Oregon LandWatch Join Vámonos Outside , Protect Our W inters , and Central Orego n LandWatch for a night of short fi lms and a Q&A with filmmakers and athletes Jr Rodriguez and Vanessa Chavarriaga.&...

Gearing up and getting excited to host a great day with filmmakers and athletes Vanessa Chavarriaga and Jr Rodriguez on Oct 16, in collaboration with Protect Our Winters and Vámonos Outside!
www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2025/...

Rights of Nature October 30 Chuck Sams - the first Indigenous National Park Service Director - will join Central Oregon LandWatch for a conversation about the Rights of Nature—a movement that redefines how we relate to land, wat...

Enter by Oct 15 to win two tickets to Rights of Nature - A Conversation with Chuck Sams on October 30.

Hey #booksky - On November 13, we're hosting High Country News editor Michelle Nijhuis for a rousing talk on the 20 most influential environmental books we all need to read. What should be on the list??

We're Hiring! Program Manager Job Description - Bend Bikes Job Title: Program Manager (Independent Contractor – 1099)Organization: Bend BikesLocation: Remote within Central Oregon (with some in-person meetings/events in Bend)Reports To: Board of Directors Abo...

Gig Alert: Bend Bikes is looking for a passionate, organized Program Manager to help drive their vision of a Bend where walking, biking, and rolling are safe, accessible, and embraced by all. #bikes #activetransportation

infographic highlighting distance traveled in Deschutes County, the percent of all trips and recommended modes of travel.

Over half of daily trips in Deschutes County are under 3 miles. We don’t have far to go - literally - to shift many of our trips to walking, biking, rolling, and transit.

Rights of Nature October 30 Chuck Sams - the first Indigenous National Park Service Director - will join Central Oregon LandWatch for a conversation about the Rights of Nature—a movement that redefines how we relate to land, wat...

Our 2025 Livable Future Forum features passionate environmental advocates speaking on the mindset shifts and solutions needed to create a thriving world in our region and beyond. For a chance to win two free tickets to "Rights of Nature: A Conversation with Chuck Sams," enter by October 15.

Letters to the Editor - The Source - Bend, Oregon Bend’s Midtown Crossings: Moving through the muddy middle This summer, the build-out of the voter-approved 2020 Transportation Bond projects (looking at you, Greenwood and Olney) has tested the patien...

Transportation peeps - What do you think of our Guest Opinion, "Bend’s Midtown Crossings: Moving through the muddy middle"? Does it hit the mark, what would you add? www.bendsource.com/opinion/lett...

portrait of Chuck Sams in a gray suit with blue accents and Tribal regalia

portrait of Michelle Nijuis in a black shirt

portrait of Kiliii Yuyan in a fur-trimmed coat

Our 2025 Livable Future Forum lineup = National Park Service director Chuck Sams (Oct 30), High Country News editor Michelle Nijhuis (Nov 13), and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yuyan (Dec 4).

a low perspective of a mountain landscape with brush in the foreground

From our latest play to end spot zoning in Deschutes County to preparing for the return of our Livable Future Forum ... read on to learn what’s on the horizon. bit.ly/Horizon-Sept...

Why Deschutes County Must Stop Spot Zoning — Central Oregon LandWatch Either voluntarily or by enforcement, we call on Deschutes County to honor that covenant by ending its practice of spot zoning. Originally published as a Guest Column in the Bend Bulletin on 08/27/...

Rural Lands Program Director and Staff Attorney Rory Isbell explains the damage spot zoning inflicts on Central Oregon and the remedy LandWatch is seeking in his latest Guest Column.

The Museum At Warm Springs annual membership drive ends August 31.

Sign up to support enlightening exhibitions and receive free admission, a gift shop discount, and invitations to special events!