Community Conversations for Central Oregon's Future
On May 12, LandWatch hosted a community virtual Open House where 50+ community members joined us to plan for Central Oregon’s livable future. You can watch a recording of the event here.
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.
We spent time focusing on our program areas.
We gathered in small groups to have community conversations about the obstacles and opportunities we have here in Central Oregon.
Here are some takeaways from those conversations.
WATER
Why are Central Oregon’s rivers and streams important to you, and how could they be better managed?
Water is a part of our regional identity – for recreation, wildlife, food, and sustenance. Water is the currency of this century.
We can better manage our water for more equitable access by:
Addressing an outdated water rights system
Creating more balanced irrigation practices
Changing the water narrative (It isn’t Frogs vs. Farmers, but a complex story of balancing water usage with ecosystem health)
Fostering a culture of conservation throughout the region
Using water law and land use laws for conservation
Considering more sustainable alternatives to current irrigation systems (i.e., canal design)
Creating conservation incentives (including senior water rights holders)
Wild Lands
Why are Central Oregon’s public lands important to you, and how could they be better managed?
Preservation of our public lands is vital for human and ecological health. These lands provide open space, prevent sprawl, and preserve the regional beauty we cherish.
Our public lands are unique because:
Land is open to the public – there is public interest and voice in decision-making.
They allow us to connect with the land and envision our place in nature.
They provide safe and intact habitat for wildlife.
They ensure public access (i.e., concern over Skyline Forest and future access).
They keep places wild.
They can provide safety from wildfires affecting housing and development.
We can better manage our public lands through sustainable practices that prioritize regenerative natural systems, such as:
Minimizing pressure on areas from development
Managing lands to prevent abuse (i.e., litter, degradation of areas due to overuse)
Minimizing pressure from excessive resource extraction (i.e., over-grazing, clearcutting)
Changing the narrative from emphasizing resource extraction to foster a culture of stewardship of the land
Rural Lands
Why are our local farmlands important and how can we best support and sustain local agriculture?
Our local farmland is important because it carries on a regional identity of agriculture and sustains us, providing food for our communities and habitat for wildlife.
Our agricultural lands are unique because:
There is a distinct line in our region when going from urban to rural areas, an appreciated and important characteristic of our region.
They ensure our cities are surrounded by open space and wildlife habitat.
They provide fresh, healthy food with minimal transportation and climate stress.
Farming can foster a return to the land and an ethic of conservation.
We can better protect farmland and support local agriculture by:
Limiting sprawl outside of urban growth boundaries, and reducing housing development pressure on or near farmland
Paying close attention to development in rural areas that take away agricultural land
Buying local food, from CSAs to restaurants
Advocating for statewide legislation that supports small farms
Cities & Towns
What makes a “livable city?” What are the components of a vibrant city or town?
A livable and vibrant city is one where:
Owning a car is an option but not a requirement
Walking, biking, or rolling to services is possible in every area
Safe pedestrian paths connect areas of town
Public transportation options are convenient and accessible
Housing is available for everyone at all income levels
Wildlife can live in the urban environment
Pocket parks and greenways are a part of every neighborhood
“Urban forests” – trees and green space – offer an accessible connection with nature
Neighborhoods are multicultural
Lighting is a thoughtful balance – for livability, safety, and dark sky preservation
There are community gathering spaces and a shared sense of ownership and responsibility in community well-being
A good education system is available to all
Pets are welcome
Many cultures overlap with one another
Good jobs are available to all
No one is unsheltered
Work, food, shops, and services are never too far away
Smart planning lessens our carbon footprint
Our Work at LandWatch
At LandWatch, our work is continually evolving as we rise to meet challenges as they emerge. Using staunch policy advocacy, legal accountability, land use planning, and community outreach, Central Oregon LandWatch plays a unique role in defending our region’s waterways, wildlife, farms, and forests.
Take a deeper dive into some of our work with our virtual programs coming up. Each one focuses on a niche area of our work - from fighting for forest protections to understanding how wildlife rely on farmland to thrive.
$50k Challenge Match
At the event, we launched a $50k Challenge Match! An anonymous donor has agreed to match up to $50,000 in donations over the next 8 weeks.
This means every donation you make right now, one-time or through a monthly recurring donation, will be matched dollar for dollar. A $500 donation will raise $1000 for LandWatch. If you sign up as a sustaining member at $20/month, LandWatch will receive almost $500 over a year.
How important is it to you to help protect Central Oregon’s unique characteristics? Can you support us in protecting our wild lands, wildlife, water, and vibrant neighborhoods?
Here’s a chance to support that vision, while doubling your impact.