A remarkable way to make an impact

A sunset view from Skyline Forest: James Parsons

A note from our executive Director

Whether you grew up in Central Oregon or just recently moved to the high desert, the effects of population growth are on everyone’s mind. How we respond to the change will define what it is like to experience this landscape for generations to come. 

As the watchdog for Central Oregon’s livable future, LandWatch has taken on our region’s defining challenges with legal rigor and policy innovation for 36 years.

So that our work can scale to meet the pressing needs of the moment, three generous supporters have posed a one-for-one giving campaign to raise $60,000 by year-end. Your gift today, of any amount, will be matched until we reach our goal.  

This summer’s drought was one of the worst on record. A moratorium was placed on fishing for steelhead, and farmers had to let their crops wither, both of which were avoidable. This year, we could have saved nearly 120,000 acre-feet of water by reducing waste in just one inefficient irrigation district and distributing this resource more equitably. LandWatch will continue to use state and federal environmental laws to leverage a meaningful response to better serve our river and community as the climate changes.

As cities and towns across the region consider how they will grow, LandWatch continues to advocate a balanced approach that accommodates a changing population while protecting open space outside the city limits. We continue to champion the Bend Central District as a revitalized urban center. Our efforts have led to new plans that show the area has the potential to house more than 9,000 people who live and work here by using existing space more efficiently.

With increased pressure to develop our farms and forests, we reviewed over 2,000 proposed development applications this year, an increase of nearly 50% over last year. Our legal team challenged those proposed developments that would have fragmented intact rural lands. On our watch, we will keep proposed development accountable to environmental and land use laws.

We know more challenges lie just over the horizon. With your support today, LandWatch will continue to safeguard what we all love most about living and visiting here.

Together for Central Oregon,

Ben Gordon, Executive Director

Cline Buttes recreational area near Redmond, Oregon: Bureau of Land Management