Damian Fagan, Author at The Source - Bend, Oregon

Phase II of Santiam Pass Ski Lodge Restoration

Restoration project has come a long way since its inception

by Damian Fagan December 5, 2025December 4, 2025

When Susan and Dwight Sheets toured the defunct Santiam Pass Ski Lodge on a rainy October day in 2016 with Willamette National Forest Ranger Terry Baker, they were saddened with the condition of the historic lodge that had been unoccupied since 1986. “The archaeologist wouldn’t come in because it was horrible,” said Dwight. “We were […]

Natural World

Western Rivers Conservancy buys in to preserve lands, protect wildlife

Sometimes to save a river, you have to buy it

by Damian Fagan November 14, 2025November 13, 2025

If you haven’t heard of Western Rivers Conservancy, you’re not alone. The organization engages in purchasing private lands along Western rivers to conserve habitat, protect wildlife species at risk, and to provide public access. WRG’s motto is Sometimes to save a river, you have to buy it, Way more than a slogan; it’s the core […]

Natural World

Are Porcupines in Peril?

ODFW kicks off study with volunteer effort to answer the question

by Damian Fagan October 10, 2025October 8, 2025

Porcupines, which are the second largest member of the rodent family (Rodentia) and in the Beaver State (named after the largest member of the Rodentia), are classified as an unprotected species. But this status may change depending upon a new study of North American porcupines being initiated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. […]

Natural World

Keeping Alive Crosscut Saws

Doug Williams practices and preaches the art of saw filing

by Damian Fagan September 26, 2025September 30, 2025

Most old-time logging photos show two loggers standing on either end of some massive redwood, ponderosa pine, or Douglas-fir with a huge notch they’ve sawn into the base of the tree, before continuing the job of felling the old-growth monster. What they rarely show, is the guy back in the shop with a 12- or […]

Outside

In Praise of Wasps

The fascinating world of wasps and hornets is spoiled by a couple of bad actors

by Damian Fagan September 12, 2025September 11, 2025

This time of year, when yellow jackets invade a mountain picnic or backyard barbecue, it’s really hard to see the good in these insects and their relatives. But it’s there. “When people think of wasps, they think of only a couple ones that really are bad actors,” said Dr. Jerry Freilich, High Desert Museum volunteer […]

Outside

Volunteers Keep Wilderness Trails Passable

Friends of the Central Cascades Wilderness awarded for their work

by Damian Fagan August 20, 2025August 21, 2025

One of the nonprofit groups that is helping the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests out with trail work and signage repair is Friends of the Central Cascades Wilderness. Based in Bend, FCCW works with the USFS to protect and preserve the wilderness character of four wilderness areas in the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests. In […]

Outside

Celebrate National Moth Week July 19-27

A week-long celebration to shine a little light on moths and biodiversity.

by Damian Fagan July 16, 2025July 25, 2025

National Moth Week, #MothWeek2025, is a celebration and opportunity to contribute to a global citizen science project focused on primarily nocturnal creatures that flit and flitter through our backyards, local parks, woodlands, and wildlands under the cover of darkness. Fascinating yet often misunderstood, moths evolved over 200 million years ago from butterfly-like insects. With over […]

Outside

The 36th Annual Ochoco Butterfly Count

A day spent chasing butterflies in mountain meadows is a good day.

by Damian Fagan July 2, 2025July 29, 2025

Sue Anderson, leader of the annual Ochoco Butterfly Count, gathers the participants into a pre-count circle and gives the ten of us volunteers, including Juba the dog (named after the Juba skipper), a morning pep talk prior to all of us heading out in the Ochoco National Forest where this count, sponsored by the Lane […]

Outside

Native Plant Garden Tour

Join a curated tour of private and public native plant gardens.

by Damian Fagan June 18, 2025July 8, 2025

For native plant enthusiasts, the drought for a native plant garden tour is about to end in Bend during National Pollinator Month. The High Desert Horticultural Center is offering a curated tour of private and public gardens that feature and focus on native plants and pollinators on June 21 in Bend. There will be 12 […]

Outside

Two Bobcat Kitten Patients Admitted to Think Wild

Orphaned bobcats are a first at wildlife hospital and conservation center.

by Damian Fagan June 18, 2025July 21, 2025

Two orphaned bobcat kittens, estimated to be four-weeks old, were admitted to Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife hospital and conservation center, on May 19. ODFW notified Think Wild that a member of the public had picked up two female bobcat kittens at a rest stop near the Tygh Valley area. The young appeared abandoned due […]

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