My head is crooked upward more often in autumn, my eye drawn toward vibrant trees. But when I venture to look down, I see beautiful crunchy fallen leaves and one of the most abundant and obvious plants blooming throughout Oregon’s high desert in fall: the rubber, or gray, rabbitbrush. Gray rabbitbrush, or Ericameria nauseosa, is […]
Outside
Pray for Snow: 10 Barrel’s Winter Bash Welcomes Arrival of Snow-Riding Season
As the snow begins to dust Bend’s pine-covered mountains, locals know winter is right around the corner. For outdoor enthusiasts, snow means endless days of carving down the slopes of Mt. Bachelor, skiing at Hoodoo Ski Area or snowshoeing through powdery trails. To celebrate, 10 Barrel Brewing is hosting its annual Pray for Snow Party […]
It’s Time to Sow Your Seeds
Successfully growing plants from seed in Central Oregon is challenging. It’s also fun, inexpensive and deeply rewarding, once you learn the basics. Few people understand the struggles and rewards better than Lisa Sanco, the executive director of Worthy Environmental. “There’s nothing wrong with buying plant starts from nurseries,” she says, “but it’s more economical to […]
‘Cheers to the Land’ Beer Dinner Celebrates Oregon’s Bounty
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, The Cheers to the Land Dinner has been cancelled. Cheers to the Land, a program by the statewide nonprofit Oregon Agricultural Trust, has teamed up with Deschutes Brewery to host an evening celebrating sustainable dining. The Cheers to the Land Beer Dinner, held at Deschutes Brewery & Public House in downtown Bend, […]
Operation Lava Island Falls Fish Rescue
Volunteers conducted a fish rescue operation over several days in mid-October, after reduced flows stranded fish in a mile-long side channel at Lava Island Falls along the Upper Deschutes River. The event was organized by the Deschutes River Conservancy, with help from volunteers and staff from fisheries and environmental consulting firm Mount Hood Environmental. Several […]
Witches Paddle Returns: A Bewitching Halloween Tradition in Bend
What began as a fundraiser for MountainStar Family Relief Nursery has transformed into a beloved Central Oregon tradition. The fifth annual Witches Paddle returns to Bend on Halloween Day from 4-6pm at Riverbend Park. During the whimsical event, community members dress up in their best witch and warlock attire and take to the river on […]
Improving Lives through Aerial Innovations
This year has been a hard-to-forget fire season for both its longevity and intensity. Nowhere has been immune to the wrath of these wildfires, from sagebrush grasslands to mountain forests. Fires have been ignited by lightning or human-caused, compounded by a hot and dry summer season. With firefighting resources at maximum capacity, it wasn’t surprising […]
Running Through Nature: The Happy Girls Run in Sisters
Looking for a way to combine nature and exercise? The Happy Girls Run offers women an opportunity to lace up their running shoes and experience the autumn beauty of Central Oregon with a supportive community. On Saturday, Oct. 26, participants can choose from three race options: a 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon, all set against […]
Winged Creatures of the Night
By day, southern Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands stuns visitors with its colorful rock formations, vibrant wildflowers and bountiful wildlife species. But at night, when darkness falls over the rock spires and canyon walls illuminated only by the glow of starlight, the shadows of bats silently flittering through the air is a truly delightful sight. Although fabled […]
A Picture-Perfect Pumpkin Patch
As the crisp autumn air sweeps through Central Oregon and the leaves transform to vibrant hues, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than by wandering through a pumpkin patch framed by the Cascade mountains. Whether you’re seeking that perfect pumpkin or simply looking for a peaceful place to connect with loved ones and […]

