Summertime in Central Oregon means dipping your paddle in the Deschutes River or one of the High Cascade lakes. Between the river, subalpine lakes and a couple of large reservoirs, there are options for everyone, from tubing to wakeboarding. If you’re inclined to avoid the motorized crowd, here are a few options for a flatwater […]
Damian Fagan
Damian Fagan is a freelance writer, outdoor enthusiast and avid birder. He is the author of several wildflower field guides including "Wildflowers of Oregon" and "Wildflowers of North America." Fagan lives in Bend with his wife, Raven, and a pollinator-friendly garden.
Posted inNews
Rally for Green Ridge
Conservation groups call for protection, not logging, of 20,000 acres of forestland near Sisters
Wild Ecosystems Alliance and the Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project are calling for citizens who care about federal lands in Central Oregon to the Rally for Green Ridge Friday, June 28 at the Deschutes National Forest Sisters Ranger District office in Sisters, to protest the Deschutes National Forest’s Record of Decision for the planned Green Ridge […]
Posted inOutside
Celebrate Pollinators During National Pollinator Week
34th Annual Wildflower Show & Pollinator Festival are highlights of the week
The importance of pollinators is often overlooked. Bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles play a huge role in pollinating agricultural and horticultural plants, while bats and hummingbirds also get in on the pollination action, too. This year’s theme for National Pollinator Week 2024 is: “Vision 2040: Thriving ecosystems, economies, and agriculture,” which shines a spotlight on […]
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It’s time for a Summer Adventure!
Tips and Suggestions to Start Your Adventure
The warm weather is finally here, and I don’t know about you, but I have lakes, rivers, bikes, boats and maybe a few beers on the mind. If that’s your vibe, too, then this week’s issue might be of service. Inside this Summer Adventure issue, we share some outings for the intrepid local and newcomer […]
Posted inOutside
Woodpecker Wonderland Weekend
The Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival starts May 30
Central Oregon is known for its magnificent landscapes, colorful history and, if you’re into birds, its great diversity of woodpeckers. “Central Oregon is one of the few places where it’s possible to find nearly a dozen species of woodpeckers,” said Chuck Gates, Prineville Bird Club president and field trip leader. “This is made possible by […]
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From the Dunes of Arrakis to the Oregon Coast
"Dune" morphology is more than just a sci-fi genre
The connection between the movie “Dune: Part Two” and Oregon invites fans to explore the writings of Frank Herbert, ecological principles and the shifting dune environments along the coast. And, if you do happen to explore these dunes on foot, just remember to not make your steps regular. Frank Herbert (1920-1986), author of “Dune” and […]
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The Godfather of Ultralight Backpacking Comes to Bend
Glen Van Peski’s new book, “Take Less. Do More.” encompasses life lessons learned from ultralight travel spiced with generosity, gratitude, and curiosity
Author Glen Van Peski’s byline reads “Entrepreneur/Engineer, Author/Speaker, Philanthropist/Dishwasher,” which provides a unique introduction to this man of many accomplishments, especially the “dishwasher” moniker. Van Peski will do a book signing and presentation at Roundabout Books and Cafe in Bend on May 2 for his new book, “Take Less. Do More: Surprising life lessons in […]
Posted inCulture
Bend’s Upcoming BioBlitz
Think Wild hosts inaugural City Nature Challenge
Get ready for Central Oregon’s first ever City Nature Challenge from April 26-29, hosted by Think Wild and other community partners. For three days, the Central Oregon community is encouraged to record wildlife and native plant observations through the free smart phone app, iNaturalist. This worldwide “bioblitz” will provide a baseline of data highlighting the […]
Posted inOutside
Birds Headline Upcoming Festivals and Field Trips
Explore the wonderful world of birds this spring in Central Oregon
If you have not caught on to the amazing world of birds and birdwatching, perhaps this is your lucky year. Not only can these incredible creatures fly, but their ability to migrate thousands of miles through adverse and ever-changing conditions, is a feat worthy of a hero’s welcome. So, here are a few selected birding […]
Posted inOutside
The Running of the Dogs
With plenty of snow about, sled dog and skijor races are on in Central Oregon and beyond
Humans have been harnessing dog power to pull sleds for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years. One of the oldest sleigh runner artifacts in existence, discovered in Finland, dates back to around 9,000 years ago — although whether dogs or humans pulled or pushed the sleigh is still a bone of debate. These ancient sled […]