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
What Does the Future Hold For America’s Old-Growth Forests?
LandWatch and partners across the country are calling on the Forest Service to strengthen protections for the United States’ remaining old-growth and mature forests.
Join us by adding your name to our petition today!
73,000 acres of Ochoco National Forest in question
This past fall, we were concerned to see a series of projects proposing large tree logging across a total of 73,000 acres on the Ochoco National Forest.
We won! Big trees protected across 7 million acres of national forestland
On August 31, a federal judge made a sweeping recommendation to set aside an illegal Forest Service rule change made under the Trump administration.
Press Release: Federal protections for big trees
Today, a federal judge made a sweeping recommendation to set aside an illegal Forest Service change to the Eastside Screens - a longstanding set of rules to protect old growth on six national forests in Eastern Oregon and Washington.
We just filed a lawsuit to protect 7 million acres of national forests
Determined to protect Oregon’s biggest trees east of the Cascades, LandWatch and five other environmental organizations filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service over its decision to allow logging of large and old trees in national forests across Central and Eastern Oregon.
Commercial logging on Phil’s Trail?
Why are the biggest, oldest trees marked for removal in the Deschutes National Forest?
Why we support the Westside Transect Zone for Deschutes County
Thanks in large part to our advocacy, the Westside Transect is a new concept for Central Oregon that is being used to plan development on Bend’s western edge where we are at most risk of wildfire sweeping into town from the Cascade Mountain forests.
What can we learn from California's devastating wildfires?
As development pressures grow in high-risk areas, we must consider every new development in the WUI carefully. Smart planning that takes wildfire risk into account will help avoid unnecessary loss of life and homes, risk to our health, and endangerment of firefighters.
More information about the Tree Kill Along Highway 20
More than 100 of the iconic, old-growth ponderosa pine trees which greet us when we arrive back into Central Oregon from the Santiam Pass or the Metolius River Basin are dying because they were sprayed with a deadly herbicide by the Forest Service and ODOT over the course of three consecutive years.
Groundbreaking new protections proposed for 717 acres west of Bend
Last night, LandWatch advocated for wildlife habitat and protection from wildfire risk adjacent to Shevlin Park by supporting an application for a new zone in Deschutes County. The proposal to create a Westside Transect zone will extend to the county the 2016 UGB concept of tapering density as the city boundary nears the forest where there is higher risk of wildfire.
Federal Judge Rules 137-Mile Off-Road Vehicle Trail System Would Harm Elk Habitat
A victory in Central Oregon LandWatch’s fight to protect elk habitat and quiet recreation opportunities in the Ochoco National Forest came out Monday, August 27th, 2018.
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).
Speak up for rural quality of life at Deschutes County Meetings
Ever wonder why it's so easy to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city to explore the peaceful mountains, high desert, and farm and range land around Central Oregon?
Action Alert: Stop HB4079 From Eroding Our Quality of Life
Currently, a bill is moving quickly through the Oregon State Legislature that threatens our quality of life under the guise of providing affordable housing.