For 35 years, Paul’s leadership has propelled Central Oregon LandWatch to become the tireless defender of our farms and forests, our rivers and streams, and our thriving communities.

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.

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.

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 recent bombastic opinion column by Victor Chudowsky muddies the water on Tumalo Creek and needs correction.

The "kid from Kansas" continues his tireless quest to preserve the local environment