The Horizon
All the latest updates on our work defending rural lands, creating livable cities and towns and preserving wild lands and water throughout Central Oregon
Making Complete Communities Happen in Bend
Here are some exciting updates about how we’re helping make Complete Communities happen in our community, right now.
Deschutes County keeps growing. What does that mean for the region?
Growth in Deschutes County continues to outpace the rest of the state. But as places like Bend continue to boom, how can the county grow responsibly? We hear details from Ben Gordon, the executive director of Central Oregon LandWatch, and Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang.
Reimagining Midtown Crossings
We’ve been taught to reduce, reuse, and recycle, but to grow sustainably, we also need to reimagine to grow sustainably. Getting a new plastic bag every time you go to the grocery store wastes plastic, so we try to reduce waste by reusing sturdy bags we already have. The same principle applies to the land beneath us.
A fond farewell to Moey Newbold
Today, we say farewell to Moey Newbold, our Director of Urban Planning. After a decade of fierce advocacy work with Central Oregon LandWatch, Moey is stepping down from her position to embark on new adventures.
Crossing town from East to West
As cities and towns across Central Oregon grow, we need infrastructure to accommodate that growth without compromising livability.
Mapping Sisters Toolkit
Maps, as promised! Thanks for joining Central Oregon LandWatch on Tuesday for Mapping Sisters’ Future.
City & Towns Update: City Council adopts new goals!
On Wednesday, March 17th, the Bend City Council adopted six goals with promising strategies to achieve them.
Your Voice, Your Impact
Your voice was heard loud and clear! Last month, we asked you to help us weigh in on the Bend City Council’s goals for the next two years.
A pivotal moment for the City of Sisters
How will this beloved town choose to grow? The City of Sisters recently launched its Comprehensive Plan Update, which will shape how the beloved town develops through 2040 and beyond.
New City Councilors, New Goals for Bend
Put plans into action! Tonight, four new Bend City Councilors will be sworn into office. In the November 2020 election, Bend residents voted in Melanie Kebler, Rita Schenkelberg, Anthony Broadman, and Megan Perkins to the council.
A Place to Call Home? Take Action Today on Housing
Like air to breathe and food to eat, shelter is a basic human need. Unfortunately, Central Oregon’s housing crisis has grown dire this year. People continue to move here, housing prices continue to rise, and many of our neighbors might not be able to stay.
What's Next for the Bend Central District
With the plans, resources, and community support finally in place to revitalize the heart of Bend, we enter an exciting phase for the BCD. LandWatch will continue working to ensure the underutilized core transforms into a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive mixed-use neighborhood with safe connections between east and west Bend.
Bend Code Update Could Provide More Flexibility for Housing
While it won’t solve our housing crisis, the proposed development code updates will provide more options for housing that makes efficient use of land, which ultimately allows us to protect the landscapes we love while making housing available for people across the income spectrum.
Celebrating a huge win for the BCD Initiative!
After more than a decade of city planning and over two and a half years of community organizing, the vision for a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive Bend Central District is within reach!