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
High Desert Cottage Pie
A comforting winter recipe that features ingredients that can be locally sourced in Central Oregon. It is also incredibly flexible and can be made vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten-free.
What's next for Bend's tree code?
Trees are a terrific tool for making our city climate-resilient, livable and equitable. Bend is updating its tree code, and we’ve been working to ensure that more trees - especially large, mature trees - are being preserved as we continue to build the housing our community urgently needs.
3 places in Central Oregon to practice gratitude
Central Oregon’s unique spirit captivates the hearts and minds of those who know it well. From Cascade peaks to high desert horizons, there’s a lot to appreciate and explore!
Announcing: A New Challenge
Exciting news: we have a Winter Challenge Match underway, with three generous entities matching funds so that gifts from our community have twice the impact! Read on for the logistics and answers to questions you might have.
Guest Column: Reforming Water Policy at the Local Level
Most of the Deschutes River Basin’s water is used for irrigation and waste happens at every step in the process. It is time for irrigation districts to step up and truly embrace reform at the local level.
Making Complete Communities Happen in Bend
Here are some exciting updates about how we’re helping make Complete Communities happen in our community, right now.
It's time to define the future of Deschutes County
What do we want Deschutes County to look like in 20 years? The County is asking for your input on its draft update to the Comprehensive Plan.
Addressing water waste in Central Oregon
It’s clear there is an appetite amongst irrigators for solutions to wasteful irrigation practices, improved irrigation infrastructure, and policy reform to allow easier reallocation of water to those who need it the most.
Another triumph over rural sprawl
Recently, LandWatch prevailed in a community effort to halt yet another instance of development interests seeking to convert agricultural land into rural sprawl.
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.
Guest Column: Attack the Reservoir of Wasted Water
It is time to focus on solutions to water waste to ensure that both our frogs and our farmers get the water they need - and time is of the essence as climate change tightens its grip.
County Commissioners reverse decision to limit destination resorts
On August 9, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) reversed their approval of LandWatch’s proposed amendments to the county code that would have limited new, luxury destination resorts in Deschutes County.
710 acres of agricultural land saved from sprawling development
Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals ruled in favor of LandWatch’s appeal of Deschutes County’s controversial decision to approve a developer’s application to rezone 710 acres of agricultural land in Lower Bridge Valley.
OWRD proposes denial of Thornburgh's request for water rights
On July 25, the Oregon Water Resources Department issued an order proposing denial of water rights requested by the developers of Thornburgh Resort.
Time to limit large-scale, luxury development on rural land
Will you support our application to limit large-scale, luxury resort development in Deschutes County?
$25 million and a plan to keep nature nearby
A vision for a safe and accessible way to cross east and west Bend has been years in the making. And we’ve got big news!
Habitat should be a higher priority for Deschutes National Forest
Will the Forest Service choose to be a dedicated partner on wildlife crossing projects in Central Oregon?
Help shape Oregon’s 5-Year Water Strategy
Take the survey by June 15th and help shape a water strategy that prioritizes stronger protections for instream flows and improved management of groundwater.
To shape Central Oregon's future, learn from the past
There are glimpses of abundance all around us. We have Oregon’s land use planning system to thank.