WHERE WE WORK: RURAL LANDS

Preserving Farms and Forests

We protect our rural lands for open space and livelihoods in forestry, farming, and ranching.

Central Oregon’s rural lands are home to iconic vistas, intricate high desert ecosystems, and a bustling rural agricultural economy.

As an environmental watchdog for Central Oregon, we ensure our rural lands stay rural and unspoiled by inappropriate development. We support our agricultural communities and open space by stopping sprawl from encroaching on farm and forest land, and preserving open landscapes, clean water, and fresh air.

Key Strategies:

  • Monitor threats to rural lands, including proposed inappropriate development, across Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties.

  • Advocate to ensure Oregon’s land use laws continue to protect rural lands. 

  • Enforce state land use laws through litigation.

Interested in using your voice to preserve forests and farm lands in Central Oregon?

Public Involvement Is Goal 1

How To Participate in Land Use Applications

Anyone can comment on land use applications, no matter where they live or how they are impacted. Under Oregon’s unique land system, “Civic Participation” is enshrined as Goal 1 of Oregon’s 19 statewide planning goals.

But, it’s not particularly easy! We’ll be the first to admit: getting involved in local land use planning can be intimidating, confusing and technical. That said, the rewards for public participation can be great, as providing written or oral testimony on a land use application could convince a county official to make a decision you agree with.

To help more people participate in the planning process, Central Oregon LandWatch has created step-by-step guides for each county in Central Oregon.

DOWNLOAD A GUIDE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ongoing Efforts to Protect Farm and Range Land

At LandWatch, our mission remains rooted in protecting our open spaces and safeguarding livelihoods in farming, ranching, and forestry. We enforce land use laws to sustain local wildlife, protect clean air and water, and defend Central Oregon’s farming future. Preventing unnecessary rural sprawl supports our agricultural communities.

Read more about our recent Rural Lands work.

Featured
A wide-open way of life
A wide-open way of life

Central Oregon’s rural lands offer iconic scenic vistas, sustain complex high desert ecosystems, and enable a thriving regional agricultural economy.

Farmers Markets in Central Oregon
Farmers Markets in Central Oregon

When you stock up on local food, you’ll enjoy fresher, seasonal food with greater nutritional value.

Bonus: You get shorter transportation distances and a stronger local economy, too!

State reaffirms preservation of 710 acres of farmland in Lower Bridge Valley
State reaffirms preservation of 710 acres of farmland in Lower Bridge Valley

On January 24, the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed LandWatch’s and co-petitioners’ win at the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) concerning Deschutes County’s attempt to rezone 710 acres of farmland for sprawling luxury development.

Another significant setback for Thornburgh Resort
Another significant setback for Thornburgh Resort

LandWatch prevailed at Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeal in appeals of Deschutes County’s decision to approve Thornburgh Resort’s Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan (FWMP).

High Desert Cottage Pie
High Desert Cottage Pie

A comforting winter recipe that features ingredients that can be locally sourced in Central Oregon. It is also incredibly flexible and can be made vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten-free.

It's time to define the future of Deschutes County
It's time to define the future of Deschutes County

What do we want Deschutes County to look like in 20 years? The County is asking for your input on its draft update to the Comprehensive Plan.

Another triumph over rural sprawl
Another triumph over rural sprawl

Recently, LandWatch prevailed in a community effort to halt yet another instance of development interests seeking to convert agricultural land into rural sprawl.

County Commissioners reverse decision to limit destination resorts
County Commissioners reverse decision to limit destination resorts

On August 9, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) reversed their approval of LandWatch’s proposed amendments to the county code that would have limited new, luxury destination resorts in Deschutes County.

710 acres of agricultural land saved from sprawling development
710 acres of agricultural land saved from sprawling development

Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals ruled in favor of LandWatch’s appeal of Deschutes County’s controversial decision to approve a developer’s application to rezone 710 acres of agricultural land in Lower Bridge Valley.

OWRD proposes denial of Thornburgh's request for water rights
OWRD proposes denial of Thornburgh's request for water rights

On July 25, the Oregon Water Resources Department issued an order proposing denial of water rights requested by the developers of Thornburgh Resort.

 
 

MEET THE RURAL LANDS TEAM

Rory Isbell

Rural Lands Program Director; Staff Attorney

Carol Macbeth

Staff Attorney

Robin Hayakawa

Associate Staff Attorney