The City has released its completed draft of its “Update.” This document is the result of the City’s process over the past year – including public comment from the various Open Houses, committee feedback, and other forms of public input.

“I support organizations that protect beautiful spaces from overdevelopment, urban sprawl and resource/access inequalities. Thank you for your work!” - Amanda P.

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.

We defend & plan for Central Oregon’s livable future. Check out our Summer 2021 print newsletter for a midyear update.

The Deschutes was once a very stable river. Before Wickiup Dam was completed in 1949, the Deschutes River exhibited very consistent seasonal flows. It’s common for most rivers to experience high flows with the onset of spring rains and melting snow and very low flows by the end of the summer.

While we can celebrate some big victories for wildlife and conservation efforts, it’s clear we’ve got more work to do.

This past January, just days before the inauguration of President Biden, a President Trump political appointee in Washington D.C. signed a last-minute decision to roll back protections for big trees on six National Forests in Central and Eastern Oregon.

If you’re a Central Oregonian, chances are you are well-acquainted with Skyline Forest. But did you know that it’s not federally protected public land?

On Friday, June 18, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals issued a remand of Deschutes County’s previous decision to approve industrial development near Deschutes Junction.

For 50 years, Oregon’s statewide land use system, envied and emulated nationally and internationally, has provided for planned and relatively sustainable patterns of development balanced by prudent restraint.

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.

On Monday, June 14, a settlement was reached between Central Oregon LandWatch, Oregon Wild, and the U.S. Forest Service to exclude sensitive riparian habitat from a proposed logging project in the Ochoco National Forest.

LandWatch is stepping up to challenge the conversion of over 60 acres of prime farmland in Jefferson County

As cities and towns across Central Oregon grow, we need infrastructure to accommodate that growth without compromising livability.

We are excited to announce that a generous donor has agreed to match donations dollar for dollar - up to $50,000. That means every dollar you give will be doubled. We know we can reach this goal, but we need your support!

On May 12, LandWatch hosted a community virtual Open House where we were joined by 50+ community members to plan for Central Oregon’s livable future. Since last year, LandWatch has been undergoing a strategic planning process to set our sights on facing the new challenges to our region. We were excited to share that mission and vision with our community.

During this time of year, you can visit the Deschutes twice on the same day and see two very different rivers. On Saturday, May 1, we took a trip to Benham Falls and caught the river just south of Bend.

For years, there has been an ongoing debate over a proposal to rezone certain rural areas across Central Oregon. The proposal would allow for removing land protections for forest and farm use and permit sprawling development across the County.

Oregon’s land use planning system may be our most effective tool to fight climate change.

Last week, the Bend City Council approved the Southeast Area Plan, which will guide development on 479 acres southeast of Bend’s current city limits.