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...

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.

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

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.

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

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.

"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...

Let's Talk Housing Solutions What can YOU do about the housing crisis? Come find out!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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"🌲

Looking Back on Oregon’s 2026 Legislative Session  — Central Oregon LandWatch A legislative session is a little bit like a weird Christmas. You spend all year making your wish list, and, when the gavel drops, you see what you got.   Come with us to the North Pole, ...

www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2026/...

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.

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.

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-...

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...

Our Top 3 Priorities for Oregon's 2026 Legislative Session YouTube video by Central Oregon LandWatch

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

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

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...

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.

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

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

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.

Sen. Cantwell at Roadless Rule rally

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.

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...

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/...

An uplifting story!

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...

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...

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...

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.

If @wilsonxcassie.bsky.social sent you here, hello and welcome!! Our last five blog posts are for you! www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/news

ha! thanks!

A wildfire burns near homes on rural land in Deschutes County.

Yesterday, LandWatch Executive Director Ben Gordon joined state + local leaders to discuss regional wildfire safety and call for stronger federal action on wildfire prevention and climate policy.

Watch: www.youtube.com/live/-lkncDb...

Neighborhood Commercial Discussion flyer Building local community Equal access to resources Better transportation With some photos of local neighborhood businesses

Come hear about Neighborhood Commercial in Bend from Kristin at @landwatch.bsky.social !

Next Tuesday, November 11th, at 5:30 PM at Wildwood Bar and Grill (Box Factory)

Central Oregon LandWatch

Today at 10 am, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, state and local leaders, fire officials, and climate advocates will discuss the growing danger of wildfires and related flooding in Central Oregon and urgent need for stronger mitigation and prevention measures. Watch Live: www.youtube.com/@centraloreg...

Meet The Man Who Speaks for Bend’s Trees — Central Oregon LandWatch Get to know Ian Gray, the City of Bend’s new and first-ever Urban Forester. With experience shaping city canopies across the West, he brings a clear vision for a thriving, climate-resilient Bend.

With experience shaping city canopies across the West, Bend's new Urban Forester Ian Gray brings a clear vision for a thriving, climate-resilient Bend. Get to know him in our latest community Q&A. www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/2025/...

Love a bit of community science?

Take part in @myodfw.bsky.social and the @oregonzoo.bsky.social's new Roadkills of Oregon project to help them learn where and when roadkills are occurring and what species are most often involved.