How de we ensure a livable future for all? Act Local!

Community leaders in government, housing, transportation and more will join us to talk about ways we can make this place we call home more equitable and climate-resilient and, ultimately, livable. 

Gaze out over Central Oregon agriculture horizon with local farmers and ranchers Megan Kellner-Rode, Cate Havstad-Casad, and Sky Sharp join LandWatch’s Rural Lands Program Director Rory Isbell. You'll learn how Oregon’s land use system is key to preserving agricultural lands and water and come to see local agriculture in a new light.

Take a look at life from a mule deer's perspective at this talk by Jon Nelson, Curator of Wildlife at the High Desert Museum, and Jeremy Austin, Wild Lands and Water Program Director at Central Oregon LandWatch.

Hosted by the Bend Central District Initiative Visionary Board and the Bend Central District Business Association, BEND TOGETHER will be a late afternoon filled with engaging connection.

Environmental journalist and author Ben Goldfarb will join us to share from his latest book, Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, named one of the best books of 2023 by the New York Times, the New Yorker, Smithsonian and others.

What could be better than a late summer evening along the banks of the Deschutes River?

Join LandWatch members and friends for a celebration of recent accomplishments and a peek into what’s on the horizon.

“Crown Jewels” documents a year-long journey through some of the last ancient forests on US public lands. Through local advocates and grassroots storytelling, the film makes a case for protecting mature and old-growth forests across the federal estate and shows how the audience can help.

Part 3 of Building A Better Bend’s Land Use Series. How will our lives and our city be changed by a warming climate, population growth, less water, and hotter summers? And how can we effectively plan to keep and maintain our region's beauty and quality of life?

Find out more

We’re proud to be collaborating with our partners at Bend Bikes, City of Bend, Bend MPO, and The LPS Family Fund to bring you Safe Streets for All People – a two-day workshop exploring ways to better incorporate walking, biking, and rolling in Bend’s transportation systems.

Learn more

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of Oregon’s revolutionary land use planning system, and discover how it empowers us to face the current challenges of our time – from addressing the climate crisis to wildfire safety, water security, wildlife habitat, and more.

Featuring live music from Joel Chadd and his band, goods and bites from regional producers, local makers, artists, vendors, and community organizations.

Everyone is welcome - just be sure to register by clicking here

Oregon’s land use planning system is 50 years old this spring. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCD) which was created by Senate Bill 100 in 1973 to govern the new system is holding a celebration on Wednesday, May 24, noon-2 p.m., at the Capitol Mall Parking Structure in Salem, OR.

The free event will feature guest speakers, music, and an Oregon marketplace. Cake and refreshments will be served.

See the schedule of events.

Imagine Bend in the year 2048. What will life be like? Like we did 50 years ago, Oregon is again taking bold new action on growth laws aimed at building sustainable, resilient, and equitable cities. Learn more about our speakers...

Admission is free, but pre-registration is required due to space constraints. Register by clicking here.

Part 1 of a 3-part lecture series looking back on Oregon’s renowned Land Use Planning System. How did Oregon end up with these land use policies and what bold new laws are coming our way again. What does this mean for our great state, our beautiful city, and our quality of life? 

Join Central Oregon LandWatch for an evening of meaningful conversation and knowledge-sharing with your local legislators in this virtual event. Learn about what’s in the works at the Oregon State Capitol during the 2023 Legislative Session, and have the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on important issues affecting our community. 

We’ll cover key topics - including housing, water, and wildlife habitat - as we work towards a more sustainable future. We'll be joined by Rep. Jason Kropf (House District 54) and Rep. Emerson Levy (House District 53).

As an environmental and land use non-profit, Central Oregon LandWatch is dedicated to bringing community members and elected officials together for meaningful dialogue and action. Don't miss this chance to engage and make an impact, as we’ll be calling on you this session to take action!

Register here for virtual event access.

Join us at Open Space Event Studios to explore and celebrate the Bend Central District!

Learn about what’s up and coming for the vibrant heart of the city - from safer bike paths to bustling new businesses and more housing options - and how you can be a part of it.

Get to know more about LandWatch’s Cities & Towns Program and how we're working to deliver Complete Communities to Bend and Central Oregon.

We’ll hear from Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler on exciting moves in the BCD for the next year and how the community can be involved.

We’ll also hear from local folks with local businesses - Somewhere that’s Green, Oregon Spirit Distillers, and Open Space Studios - all about what’s on the horizon.

Enjoy food from local favorites El Taquero and Colima Market, drinks from Oregon Spirit Distillers and Humm Kombucha, and verdant decor courtesy of Somewhere That’s Green. We'll be spinning vinyl records from Big Story Bookstore throughout the evening.

All are welcome - Click here to register.

On Friday, November 11, LandWatch will be hosting a film screening of the newly released documentary film Elemental on wildfire in the West. View the trailer

Purchase your ticket(s) through the Tower Theatre here.

Let’s get together and enjoy the beauty of Central Oregon! Join the LandWatch community for a backyard BBQ. This event is open to all, but spots are limited, so let us know you are coming! Click here to RSVP

This fall, Central Oregon LandWatch is working with 1000 Friends of Oregon to host the Land Use Leadership Initiative (LULI). This program trains emerging community leaders on Oregon’s land use system and how it shapes the most pressing issues, and this year’s program focuses on local issues right here in Central Oregon.

The 2022 LULI Program will consist of nine training sessions from October through March all across the region, from Prineville to Bend. Topics include land use, housing, water, urban growth boundaries, transportation, wildfire, and more. Join us for this amazing training opportunity!

Dance. Drink. Protect. Repeat. Join us at Worthy Brewing for an evening of live music and drinks with a purpose. Worthy Brewing is releasing a limited-edition beer for this event and to celebrate the grassroots efforts to Save Skyline Forest. The Save Skyline Forest Pine Ale will be available on tap and is a great way to support local efforts to conserve this 50-square-mile landscape. This event is free and open to all. Click here and register to attend.

Central Oregon LandWatch invites you to join us for an evening of food and drinks in Portland.

Come celebrate 50 years of Oregon's visionary land use system with an evening of food, drinks, and conversation. Learn about LandWatch's work to uphold land use protections for farmland, wildlife habitat, and the open landscapes in Central Oregon and beyond. Join us to discuss what the next 50 years might hold for Oregon. We look forward to seeing you!

RSVP is required here.

Come join a lively symposium on the values of mature trees and forests in our efforts to combat climate change and build a resilient future. We’ll meet a Worthy Brew Co (485 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend, OR) and hear from Dr. Beverly Law and Dr. Dr. Dominick DellaSala, leading researchers on the value of Oregon’s national forests, along with Roger Worthington, Oregon Wild, and Central Oregon LandWatch.

Join Kavi Chokshi, LandWatch's Membership and Engagement Manager, and other folks, for a bright and early hike up Pilot Butte each month. We will keep an accommodating pace for everyone present. We will meet at the main trailhead (next to the bulletin board) at 7am.

Learn more and give us a heads up if you’re coming!

Join us for a fun and informal get-together to connect and have a drink at the LandWatch “HQ”. All are welcome. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

Click here to let us know you are coming.

Join Kavi Chokshi, LandWatch's Membership and Engagement Manager, and other folks, for a bright and early hike up Pilot Butte each month. We will keep an accommodating pace for everyone present. We will meet at the main trailhead (next to the bulletin board) at 7am.

Learn more and give us a heads up if you’re coming!

This Spring Hike Series features the lovely Metolius River Basin. Join us for some bird-watching and a walk along the crystal clear blue waters. Click here to register and learn more. Limited availability to 20 attendees.