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
Notes from the Field: Wildlife Crossings
Highways present formidable barriers to wildlife movement. Thousands of deer and elk are hit by vehicles and injured or killed every year in Oregon; these wildlife-vehicle collisions also result of course in human injury, loss of life, and many thousands of dollars in property damage.
Success! Central Oregon wildlife corridor protected
Central Oregon LandWatch has for years worked to preserve the last remnants of a critical wildlife corridor that was threatened by a planned expansion of Caldera Springs Destination Resort south of Sunriver. After LandWatch’s legal action blocked an initial proposal to expand across the 600 acres of forested elk and Mule Deer habitat, we successfully negotiated redesign of the resort site plan.
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!
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.
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).
A Big Win for Threatened Crook County Wildlife
LUBA ruled that Crook County did not adequately consider the effects of their plan on significant wildlife, and in doing so, failed to comply with the law.
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!
New Ally in Fight to Save Ochoco Wildlife
The Oregon Hunters Association filed suit in federal district court to oppose the Forest Service's plan to build a 137-mile off-road vehicle trail system through the heart of elk and deer habitat in the Ochocos.
Source Spotlight: Paul Dewey
The "kid from Kansas" continues his tireless quest to preserve the local environment
LandWatch Protects a Critical 614-acre Wildlife Corridor
Central Oregon LandWatch succeeded in getting the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals to reject Deschutes County’s approval of an expansion of the Caldera Destination Resort near Sunriver. The County now has to reconsider.
Summer 2016 Hike Series: Lookout Mountain
This will be a beautiful hike with scenic views of Big Summit Prairie and stunning views of the Cascades.
Help Save the Bull Flat Wildlife Area
The Upper Tumalo Reservoir is a beautiful natural area west of the rural community of Tumalo. Here, the sagebrush and juniper spotted high desert landscape gives way to the green foothills of the Cascades.
The Upper Tumalo Reservoir is a beautiful natural area west of the rural community of Tumalo. Here, the sagebrush and juniper spotted high desert landscape gives way to the green foothills of the Cascades.
Letter: Watch out for deer and elk
For generations mule deer have come to Bend and surroundings this time of year to birth their young and to raise them for six months, until they are ready to travel the hundred miles or so to their wintering grounds east of here. Little do they know this is no longer safe for them.