For those looking for ways to assist those evacuating from Warm Springs as a result of the Bench Fire, this story includes a link to the recovery fund established by The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Oregonians look for ways to help evacuees as fires bear down on communities

As wildfires spread throughout the state, destroying homes and evacuating thousands of people, Oregonians are finding ways to help those who are most impacted.

opb.org

Rou ut nd Abo Abo nd ut Rou #Roundabouts have surged in popularity in the U.S., and #Bend was an early adopter. Check out our latest blog post to learn more about Bend's #transportation innovation! www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2026/...

Why So Many Roundabouts? — Central Oregon LandWatch

The City of Bend has constructed more than 50 roundabouts to date, and that number grows every year. We look into the reasons why, and share some insight into the future of roundabouts in Bend.

centraloregonlandwatch.org

Love your corner store, or hope to have one in your 'hood? Write in to the Bend City Council today. www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/action-cente...

Help Bring the Corner Store Back to Bend’s Neighborhoods — Central Oregon LandWatch

On June 22, the Bend Planning Commission and neighborhood district leaders will hold a roundtable on updates to Bend's development code to allow more small-scale commercial uses in our neighborhoods. ...

centraloregonlandwatch.org

#datacenters

We're looking for friendly #BendOregon residents to take people on a video tour of their #neighborhood. Does that sound like you or someone you know? Apply here: www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2026/...

It's #NationalBikeMonth!! Bendites, let's roll! bendbulletin.com/2026/05/01/i...

Ideas for riding in Bend during National Bike Month - The Bulletin

“I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride it where I like,” Freddie Mercury said. There is great wisdom in these words. Luckily, the thaw of springtime means […]

bendbulletin.com

A lot has changed since 1986, but our resolve to protect and enhance our region’s livability has grown stronger. TallTreeTrust has committed to matching every donation to LandWatch—dollar for dollar—for the next 40 days during our 40 Years of Fortitude Challenge.

40 YEARS OF FORTITUDE CHALLENGE — Central Oregon LandWatch

All donations made before June 9, 2026 will be matched, up to $100,000.

centraloregonlandwatch.org

Executive Director Ben Gordon wrote about how recent wins at Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals advance LandWatch’s long-running efforts to enforce protections for irreplaceable landscapes and push back against narrow private interests.

Legal victories make it harder to rezone farmland for rural sprawl — Central Oregon LandWatch

A recent decision by Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals marks significant progress in our long-running advocacy to ensure the landscapes, farmlands, water, and natural places that define Deschutes Cou...

centraloregonlandwatch.org

LandWatch called upon Crook County to initiate revocation proceedings for a mine permit in an area affected by groundwater pollution. Attorney Robin Hayakawa appeared on Central Oregon Daily News to explain how we're urging the County to take enforcement action to protect local residents.

Crook County weighs action on gravel mine amid water contamination claims

Crook County leaders on Wednesday are set to review a gravel mining permit after residents reported contaminated well water and health concerns. A growing legal challenge could determine whether opera...

centraloregondaily.com

Looking forward to seeing our people at many upcoming events, starting 4/21 at Open Space Event Studios. www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/events

Central Oregon events — Central Oregon LandWatch

Get engaged in local issues, meet community leaders, and learn new skills at Central Oregon LandWatch events.

centraloregonlandwatch.org

Looking forward to seeing our people at many upcoming events, starting 4/21 at Open Space Event Studios. www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/events

Central Oregon events — Central Oregon LandWatch

Get engaged in local issues, meet community leaders, and learn new skills at Central Oregon LandWatch events.

centraloregonlandwatch.org

"Oregon is lucky to have a program that helps us plan for the future. We should use it, not discard it, to address today’s challenges." - Nellie McAdams, Oregon Agricultural Trust oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/04/13/o...

Oregon's urban growth boundaries are essential for housing and economic development • Oregon Capital Chronicle

Simply adding land to cities or removing planning for housing and urban industrial needs is counterproductive to the problems we face.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com

Psyched to be teaming up w/ @bendyimby.bsky.social and @1000oregon.bsky.social on an interactive workshop and presentation exploring policy strategies for addressing Oregon's housing crisis. April 21 at Open Space Event Studios, if you're so inclined.

Let's Talk Housing Solutions

What can YOU do about the housing crisis? Come find out!

eventbrite.com

Google’s Oregon data centers drank a lot more water in The Dalles last year – they now use 40% of all the city’s water, and climbing. City leaders and conservationists disagree about the implications of Google’s enormous thirst. But they agree the company’s secrecy continues sowing distrust.

More Oregon water for Google’s data centers, more concern over secrecy

Conservationists and The Dalles disagree about the implications of Google's thirst, but they agree the company's secrecy is sowing distrust.

oregonlive.com

A reminder for our urbanist folks - the City of Bend is hosting drop-in open houses tomorrow (4/7) re: Hawthorne and Midtown Crossings

The 6th year of our outdoors journalism program is live! We’re hiring two college-age reporters to cover Oregon’s outdoors this summer. They’ll write breaking news & features, craft podcasts & videos, explore the state, dive into issues and meet fascinating people. Details here: tinyurl.com/yc4kuaj3

In 2001, the Forest Service held 600+ public meetings en route to adopting the Roadless Rule. Now the Trump administration is pushing to rescind it—potentially without a single public meeting. Join LandWatch and partners on April 6 for "Public Lands, Public Voices | Reclaiming Roadless Forests"🌲

Public Lands, Public Voices | Reclaiming Roadless Forests

Learn about the national threat to nearly 60 million acres of our wild, roadless public lands—and take action to defend them.

public-lands-public-voices-reclaiming-roadless-forests.eventbrite.com

Oregon's 2026 legislative session is in the rearview. The wins: $40M+/year for wildlife conservation, public lands kept in public hands, and better housing policy. Check out our full session recap below.

New @sightline.org report w/ @emilymoore.bsky.social!🔥 Policy tools to ⬇️ #wildfire risk in the PNW: steer development away from risky areas, strengthen building codes, rebuild safer post-disaster, disclose hazard to renters/buyers & price insurance accurately. www.sightline.org/fire-hazard-...

Fire Hazard: The Mounting Costs of Northwest Sprawl

Honest information about homes’ fire risk can forge the way for more transformative changes to build out of harm’s way.

sightline.org

The law that makes Oregon uinque is under threat - @columbiainsight.bsky.social reports - and a coalition of farmers, environmentalists and others are pushing for protection of the state’s land use regulations #environmental #news #OregonLegislature columbiainsight.org/the-law-that...

During this year’s legislative session, LandWatch’s Legislative Team is advocating for what matters most to Central Oregonians: 🏡 Communities where people can afford to live and thrive 🧑‍🌾 Rural lands that remain productive and protected 🦌 Wild lands that support the wildlife that define our region

Our Top 3 Priorities for Oregon's 2026 Legislative Session

YouTube video by Central Oregon LandWatch

youtu.be

The 2026 #Oregon Legislative Session is underway - as @bradleywparks.bsky.social aptly notes: "a short legislative session that is long on priorities."

Bradley W. Parks@bradleywparks.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Oregon's short legislative session starts today. A court hearing is set regarding federal officers' use of chemical munitions on demonstrators outside the Portland ICE building. Blazers lose, but Deni's an All-Star. Here's what we're following on @opb.org today: www.opb.org/article/2026...

Oregon is undergoing a rulemaking process to update how water is managed statewide—and these rules affect our rivers, farms, and communities. Now, public input is essential to ensure the final rules truly protect our limited water resources and better align land use and water user regulations.

Take Action to Support a Smart Approach to Managing Land Use and Water Use

Oregon’s Water Resource Department is undergoing a rulemaking process to update how water is managed across Oregon. Now, public input is essential to ensure the final rules truly protect our limited w...

secure.centraloregonlandwatch.org

The Museum at Warm Springs Hosts Navajo Elder for Special Lecture February 3

The Museum at Warm Springs Hosts Navajo Elder for Special Lecture February 3

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Diné Elder Lupita McClanahan from the Navajo Nation will share her profound journey of preserving Indigenous culture and living in harmony with nature at The Museum at Warm Springs on Feb. 3rd. Raised in secrecy to avoid boarding schools, Lupita's life story offers invaluable lessons on bridging traditional Diné practices with

ktvz.com

400+ of you signed our petition with Bend YIMBY or wrote in to Bend City Council about expanding neighborhood commercial. From reducing traffic to supporting small entrepreneurs, you shared many thoughtful reasons, but the needs that came through strongest were for community connection and equity.

The Roadless Rule -- which limits clear-cutting and roadbuilding in America’s last remaining pristine forests -- turns 25 today! I've fought for the Rule since 2001 because Washingtonians depend on our 2 million acres to safeguard clean drinking water sources and our $25+billion outdoor rec economy.

We’re reflecting on a year defined by persistence, partnership, and people. From protecting farmland and advancing housing solutions to defending public lands, LandWatch's win this year were fueled by a community that showed up for Central Oregon. www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2025/...

Scenes + Stories from 2025 — Central Oregon LandWatch

Every year, the LandWatch team and our community navigate unexpected twists and turns, make the most of difficult situations, and celebrate significant wins for Central Oregon’s livability. Here’s a r...

centraloregonlandwatch.org

An uplifting story!

Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)@garnglobal.bsky.social · 8mo ago

💚💧 The Animas River in Durango, Colorado, U.S., has been enshrined as a living, rights-bearing entity under a new local resolution driven by an extraordinary group of Fort Lewis College students: https://f.mtr.cool/dkuajtdeph

Kudos to @merkley.senate.gov, @alsobrooks.senate.gov, Sen. Kevin Cramer, and Sen. John Curtis for introducing legislation reauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program. www.merkley.senate.gov/alsobrooks-c...

ALSOBROOKS, CRAMER, MERKLEY, CURTIS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE WILDLIFE CROSSINGS PROGRAM - Merkley

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senator John Curtis (R-UT) announced legislation reauthorizing the Wildlife Cros...

merkley.senate.gov

In a difficult year, we achieved significant wins for Central Oregon’s livability thanks to the members, volunteers, partners, advocates, donors, and neighbors who consistently show up for the places we love. Please enjoy this collection of scenes, stories, and accomplishments from 2025.

Scenes + Stories from 2025 — Central Oregon LandWatch

Every year, the LandWatch team and our community navigate unexpected twists and turns, make the most of difficult situations, and celebrate significant wins for Central Oregon’s livability. Here’s a r...

centraloregonlandwatch.org