Outside Archives - The Source

Go Clean Energy Conference Coming in September

Upcoming gathering covers solar power, EVs and other clean energy options

by Damian Fagan August 21, 2026August 20, 2026

It’s appropriate that the Go Clean Energy Conference, slated for Friday, Sept. 18, will be held at the OSU-Cascades Edward J. Ray Hall, because the building is a “North Star” for sustainability. In green building, “North Star” means prioritizing energy efficiency and incorporating sustainable principles in the phases of construction and operations. Hosted by 350 […]

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Where Did Summer Go? Thrilla Cyclocross Series is Nigh

The four-date bicycle race series gives local racers a chance to sharpen up before the mud and rain of later-season ‘cross races

by Peter Madsen August 20, 2026August 21, 2026

In as much as the Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium rings in summer, the Thrilla Cyclocross Series ushers us toward fall. For racers both wholly dedicated and those trying, at long last, to get back into race shape, the four-date bicycle race series is a place to catch up with teammates, heckle friends and, most certainly, […]

Outside Features

Motus Comes to the Crooked River Wetlands

Recently installed antenna will be used to help solve the mystery of migration

by Damian Fagan August 11, 2026August 13, 2026

A newly installed Motus antenna in Prineville’s Crooked River Wetlands will help biologists and the general public better understand the migratory patterns of small wildlife species such as birds, bats, butterflies and dragonflies. “Migration is a mystery in many ways,” said Kalysta “Kaly” Adkins, regional diversity biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. […]

Outside Features

Bend into Balance: Nathaniel Perullo & John O’Sullivan

A national boulder champ and founder of Changing the Game Project

by Adriana Marino August 7, 2026August 11, 2026

Bend is not short of incredible athletes, nor amazing coaches and transformational leaders. Nathaniel Perullo, 2025 Under 19 National Boulder Champion of the U.S., and John O’Sullivan, founder of Changing the Game Project, are two top examples. Both shared profound reflections on the role of youth sports, intrinsic motivation and the value of a “multi-movement […]

Outside

Annual Midnight Event Creates Excitement in Central Oregon

The Perseid meteor shower continues through Aug. 24

by Julie Furnas August 7, 2026August 7, 2026

One of the most famous meteor showers, the Perseid, is making its annual journey through the skies over Central Oregon. Perseid meteors are unique in that they are very small (the size of a grain of sand or small pebble), very fast and very, very bright. The showers occur in August, making them easy to […]

Natural World

Why is Central Oregon So Biodiverse?

Examining the vast microclimates that make our region unique

by Rick Martinson, Founder High Desert Horticultural Center August 3, 2026August 4, 2026

As gardeners, landscapers and owners of a native plant nursery for over 30 years, we’ve had our fair share of interesting, sometime humorous, but never stupid questions. One common theme is the difficulty of growing ANYTHING in our challenging area, but more specifically, what CAN we grow in our wonderful soils and climate. Our answer is always […]

Outside Features

With Public Lands Under Threat, Local Students Reflect

From hikers and bikers to fly fishermen, Central Oregon teens are passionate about the future of public lands

by Lauren Shein July 29, 2026July 27, 2026

On any given day in Central Oregon, locals and visitors alike can be found hiking, biking, skiing, fishing and more on the region’s vast tracts of public land. These federally-managed areas are a quintessential part of life both here and nationwide, where the national forest system encompasses around 193 million acres of land, and about […]

Outside

Bend into Balance: Interview with Dr. Kevin Jones of Flow Wellness

Keeping the pounds off

by Adriana Marino July 22, 2026July 22, 2026

In 2010, I traveled with a small film crew to Monterey, Mexico to meet Manuel Uribe for a documentary on obesity I was directing for National Geographic. At that time, he was 44 years old and held the Guinness Record as the heaviest man alive at 597 kilos or 1,320 pounds. For the last 13 […]

Outside

Dave Chun: Craftsman

The Source spent a day with Dave Chun in his Bend Surf shop to hear more about what makes the surfboard shaper tick

by Eli Zatz July 15, 2026July 14, 2026

The walls are dotted with images of surfing legends and rows of unshaped surfboard blanks line the tall wooden shelves. A series of finished boards are hung as art pieces around the shop, as light classical music echoes from the shaping rooms in the back. A respirator-clad Dave Chun shuffles around a newly minted surfboard, […]

Natural World

Waterwise and Resilient Gardens on Display

The annual garden tour returns to educate and inspire

by Nic Moye July 14, 2026July 14, 2026

The 31st annual High Desert Garden Tour will guide you to five locations including the OSU Demonstration Garden and outdoor learning lab. The demonstration garden, which started at the Deschutes County fairgrounds in 2003, includes perennials, trees and shrubs that demonstrate cold hardiness, water wise and fire-resistance. It also features a watersmart controller and a […]

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