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
Defending Habitat in Deschutes National Forest
Two recently released forest service project plans have caught our eye. The Green Ridge Project and the Klone Management Project both seek to weaken protections for mule deer habitat by reducing deer hiding coverage below 30%.
Notes from the Field: Deer Winter Range
There is probably no species of wildlife more iconic of Central Oregon than mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Their elegant adaptations to the arid ecoregions east of the Cascades and their seeming ubiquity across both rural landscapes and urban areas give us the impression of an abundant population. But long-term studies show significant declines in regional mule deer herds. Protecting their winter range is one of the most effective measures we can take to slow and reverse this decline.
Stop: Trouble For Wildlife Ahead
Central Oregon LandWatch is the ONLY watchdog organization protecting wildlife habitat and migration corridors in rapidly growing Deschutes County.
Court rules in favor of LandWatch & Wildlife AGAIN
After the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals ruled in favor of wildlife earlier this year, Deschutes County went back to court to challenge their ruling. In a recent ruling from the Court of Appeals, LUBA's decision was affirmed, upholding protections for wildlife in the deer winter range!
A win for wildlife! Upholding protections for mule deer when they are most vulnerable
Last year when Deschutes County proposed amending the code to weaken winter range protections, LandWatch's members and allies, including the friends of the Tumalo Wildlife Corridor, voiced their strong support for protection of winter range habitat and the species that depend on it.
An Historic Victory: The Battle for the Metolius
The Metolius Basin was once threatened by clearcuts and destination resorts, but thanks in large part to our Executive Director Paul Dewey's unwavering defense of the area, it is now protected as an Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC).
ACTION ALERT - Mule Deer habitat at risk
Tonight, the Deschutes County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on whether to weaken critical wildlife habitat protections in the Metolius Deer Winter Range. This is an opportunity for you to make your voice heard!