Natural World
Give owls a place to live. Then band them for study
One of the things I enjoy about growing older is that I still have the get-up-and-go to join old friends who not only share what I love to do, but never miss the opportunity to do so. Like when Dick Tipton sent me an email about a saw-whet owl using one of his kestrel nesting boxes to raise a family.
By Jim Anderson
May 27, 2020
Natural World
Outside Features
The pandemic ignited an interest in backyard gardens and raising animals
Since the early days of the pandemic, some grocery store shelves were bare for days as supply chains slowed. Around the same time, Americans heard stories from abroad of strict lockdowns: People couldn't even leave their homes.
By Laurel Brauns
May 27, 2020
Outside Features
Natural World
Make one for pygmy owls. Make one for another bird. But in any case, spend some time with our resident naturalist Jim Anderson.
Around these parts, he's known to spin a yarn that wraps around the block. Now, Naturalist Jim Anderson and longtime Source Weekly contributor sits down with us to talk about one of his favorite subjects: Birds—and how to help care for them.
By Jim Anderson and The Source Staff
May 25, 2020
Natural World
Outside Features
Deschutes National Forest opens day use, but don't expect bathroom service. And floating the river? Maybe, and only if it's DIY
As businesses begin to open—with restrictions—across various Oregon counties, the outdoor offerings are moving in that direction, too. State, National Forest, Bureau of Land Management and city properties parks are starting to allow more visitors in areas that can adhere to Phase One reopening policies.
By Isaac Biehl
May 20, 2020
Outside Features Bend Central Oregon parks and rec floating Deschutes
Natural World
At Blue Mountain Wildlife, saving raptors is the name of the game
I have a friend, Lynn Tompkins, who, with her husband, Bob, operate a wildlife facility that does wildlife rehab work near Pendleton. At the moment she and her irreplaceable Volunteers (Capitalized because they are so faithful and hard-working), headed by Michele Canon, are currently handling over 30 orphaned barn owls that have come to her attention as hay-haulers removed the bales from the barns, where the birds were nesting.
By Jim Anderson
May 20, 2020
Natural World
Outside Features
Finding solitude and wide-open spaces, just east of Bend
The Ochoco National Forest has a million roads with so few cars that I always give out a big HOWDY wave when they go by. It's the perfect place for gravel cycling; a recreational paradise. Late spring through mid-summer is my favorite riding time, with loads of wildflowers.
By Linda English
May 20, 2020
Outside Features
Go Here
Where should e-bikes be allowed to roam?
It's a controversial—and confusing—topic: Should e-bikes be allowed on the same remote trails now populated by the people-powered varieties of bikes? And if they're not allowed everywhere, where should e-bikes be allowed to roam?
By Nicole Vulcan
May 20, 2020
Go Here
Outside Features
Local filmmaker lands her film—about the Bend-based river divers—at the coveted outdoor film festival
You might remember this crew of river divers from a profile we did here at the Source in the September 2019—when our story prompted a lucky guy to get his wedding ring back. Turns out, more people are catching onto these divers' unique story—including a local filmmaker.
By Isaac Biehl
May 14, 2020
Outside Features Bend Loot The Deschutes Rebecca Hynes MountainFilm movie
Outside Features
Bend Park and Recreation District plans for summer programs; reopening of some facilities
Next month, Bend Park and Recreation District will resume its summer camp programs. The Districts plans to continue its popular offerings on June 15.
By Isaac Biehl
May 13, 2020
Outside Features Bend Parks and rec COVID-19 Larkspur Kids INC
Outside Features
FootZone's social media manager tells us what life has been like for runners during the pandemic and how he used running to raise over $15,000 for NeighborImpact
Central Oregon is often known as a runner's paradise. But with our lifestyles altered the last couple of months, things as simple as going to the grocery store and how we walk down the street were changed.
By Isaac Biehl
May 9, 2020
Outside Features
Outside Features
Visitors to popular trailheads in Central Oregon won't have to get permits this year after all, due to COVID-19
On May 22, the Central Cascades Wilderness limited entry system was supposed to go into effect. But due to setbacks from COVID-19, local officials from the U.S. Forest Service announced that the new permit system will be pushed back until May next year.
By Isaac Biehl
May 7, 2020
Outside Features hiking Deschutes National Forest wilderness permit Willamette National Forest
Go Here
Pilot Butte is back, baby! And so are some of its friends, as of Wednesday
It's been tough not being able to get out to all of Oregon's great state parks during the pandemic. We've had some incredible weather and nature is calling.
By Isaac Biehl
May 5, 2020
Go Here Oregon state parks hiking COVID-19 Pilot Butte
Outside Features
With limited resources available to the City, how safe can Greenways be? And how long will the Stay Healthy Streets initiative last?
A big part of living in Central Oregon is the great outdoors. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, organizations in the state and city worked to make sure that we still had some access to these great amenities.
By Isaac Biehl
May 5, 2020
Outside Features Bend Stay Healthy Streets COVID-19 recreation biking
Outside Features
Ikon passes now include Bachelor—so locals can access other mountains with their Outplay 365 pass
Snow riders who are able to travel to feed their snow habit already know what a steal it is to have an Ikon Pass—allowing you to ride dozens of mountains for multiple days for a price that rivals that of a single-mountain season pass.
The Ikon pass includes Crystal Mountain in Washington, Copper Mountain and Winter Park in Colorado, Squaw Valley and Mammoth Mountain in California, Alta and Snowbird in Utah and many more, on numerous continents.
By Nicole Vulcan
Apr 29, 2020
Outside Features
Natural World
The hypothesis that novel coronavirus stemmed from bats is not reason to mess with local species
The COVID-19 virus has come home to roost with concern for our native bats. As an Oregon wildlife researcher with duties that include banding birds and bats, I'm required to purchase an expensive permit from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to do my work.
By Jim Anderson
Apr 20, 2020
Natural World
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