Damian Fagan, Author at The Source - Bend, Oregon

The Running of the Dogs

With plenty of snow about, sled dog and skijor races are on in Central Oregon and beyond

by Damian Fagan February 28, 2024November 28, 2024

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 […]

Outside

Winter Walks along the Deschutes River

From mild to wild, explore these river reaches in the heart of the cold season

by Damian Fagan February 14, 2024March 14, 2025

As winter continues, snow and ice create challenges for getting out to trails in the region. Dog walkers miss cleared sidewalks and some hikers lament breaking trail through deep snow. Not only can the trails get blanketed with snow, but some of the trailheads have limited parking making access difficult. Fortunately, there are options. Numerous […]

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ONDA High Desert Speaker Series

Great presentations set for the spring cover indigenous knowledge, rocks and minerals, and exploring the Owyhee

by Damian Fagan February 7, 2024June 30, 2024

Oregon Natural Desert Association’s High Desert Speaker Series this spring covers a variety of topics related to the High Desert. Take a visual tour through the remote Owyhee Canyonlands Region of eastern Oregon. Learn how Indigenous knowledge works with western science to rehabilitate landscapes, and how the High Desert’s geology is expressed through minerals and […]

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Think Wild Hosts Training with Renowned Raptor Orthopedic Surgeon

Local wildlife hospital hopes to expand its treatment and post-op care for wildlife

by Damian Fagan January 17, 2024April 28, 2025

Renowned raptor orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Scott, former staff veterinarian at the Carolina Raptor Center and author of “Raptor Medicine, Surgery, and Rehabilitation” and other books used in veterinary medicine, recently led a Think Wild staff training in Bend. “Dr. Scott was teaching the team, including myself, how to manage avian orthopedic cases that require […]

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Explore Winter on Cross-Country Skis

With plenty of snow in the forecast, get ready to stride on some XC trails

by Damian Fagan January 10, 2024February 22, 2025

If you’re new to Nordic or cross-country skiing (XC skiing), there is a plethora of trails to stride out on to explore the winter wonderland of Central Oregon. Though the XC skiing has been thin this season, weather predictions for snow are on the rise! If you’re looking to get off the groomed tracks at […]

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USDA Releases Updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Team at OSU works on the project that helps gardeners and growers choose plants

by Damian Fagan December 20, 2023July 18, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released an updated version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map in November, with data provided by Oregon State University’s PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) Climate Group and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. This map answers the age-old questions for gardeners, landscapers, plant nurseries, and others: What plant zone […]

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Becoming a Beaver Believer

A tour aimed at bringing back the beaver, one stream at a time

by Damian Fagan November 29, 2023January 27, 2025

On a recent field trip to Shevlin Park with Think Wild and Beaver Works Oregon staff, the group learned about the important role of one of nature’s finest dam builders: the American beaver (Castor canadensis). But all has not been rosy for this keystone species. Historical estimates put beaver populations in North America between 60 […]

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Get Ready for Snowshoe Season

Check out some reroutes and new trails in the Cascades near Bend

by Damian Fagan November 15, 2023March 6, 2025

There is an old adage – If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Snowshoeing is a popular activity in Central Oregon. For those wanting to get out and explore the winter wonderland in the Cascades and beyond, snowshoeing is a low-impact alternative the whole family can enjoy. Of course, the usual caveats of winter safety, […]

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Protect Oregon’s Wildlife Unveils New Campaign

Reporting wildlife crimes relies on TIPs from citizens

by Damian Fagan November 1, 2023March 10, 2025

Poaching of wildlife is a serious crime in Oregon and around the country. This summer, a 28-year-old poacher from Pendleton pleaded guilty to 22 charges including killing several deer and elk, leaving animals to waste and trespassing. He was sentenced to pay $75,000 in fines, forfeit weapons and meat, and spend the next three, two-week-long […]

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October is Batacular!

Bat Appreciation Month borrows some bat-cool from Halloween

by Damian Fagan October 18, 2023January 6, 2024

Inspired by all things batty leading up to Halloween, chiropterologists (“studier of creature with winged hands”) utilize the popularity of “spooky bats,” vampires, Batman, and Batwoman with trick-or-treaters to inspire and educate people about real-life bats, proclaiming October to be Bat Appreciation Month. The last week of October is also Bat Week, an international celebration […]

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