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Preserving the earth is something that benefits us all and ensures future generations a certain quality of life. Some Central Oregonians are more dedicated and passionate on that subject, making it their career or serving as volunteers. In this week’s Earth Heroes issue, we reached out to local nonprofits for “hero” nominations.

Our “earth” hero is Alex Hardison with Central Oregon LandWatch. Bill Kowalik with DarkSky Oregon was chosen as a strong champion of the air. Kate Fitzpatrick with the Deschutes River Conservancy is watching our water. Dr. Anne-Marie Eklund is our teacher hero, and Jay Bowerman is hailed as a trailblazer. Our youngest hero is Sally Compton with Think Wild, which was also chosen as the newest hero nonprofit. Read on to hear more about what makes them do what they do.

Read their stories below:

Teacher Hero: Dr. Anne-Marie Eklund

Fostering curiosity and environmental stewardship at Cascades Academy

Water Hero: Kate Fitzpatrick

Kate Fitzpatrick, executive director of Deschutes River Conservancy, is passionate about water and stewardship

Newest Hero: Think Wild & Youngest Hero: Sally Compton

Think Wild, which launched its wildlife hospital in 2020, offers protections for local wildlife, led by conservation enthusiast Sally Compton — earning it two “Earth Heroes” nods

Air Hero: Bill Kowalik

Local leader is a DarkSky defender

Trailblazer Hero: Jay Bowerman

The Bend biologist reflects on the joys of scientific discovery, mentorship and — at long last — being a grandparent

Earth Hero: Alex Hardison

A career in Central Oregon conservation: “an interesting tapestry”

This Year’s Earth Day Celebration Will Not Include a Parade

Organizers Give Multiple Reasons for Canceling Parade

This article appears in Source Weekly April 10, 2025.

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Earth Heroes

by The Source Staff, The Source - Bend, Oregon
April 16, 2025

					<h1>Earth Heroes</h1>
<p class="byline">by The Source Staff, The Source - Bend, Oregon <br />April 16, 2025</p>
					<p class="p1">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full aligncenter aligncenter"><a href="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/featurelanding.webp"><img src="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/featurelanding.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4138" /></a></figure>
<p>  <span class="fdnDropCap">P</span>reserving the earth is something that benefits us all and ensures future generations a certain quality of life. Some Central Oregonians are more dedicated and passionate on that subject, making it their career or serving as volunteers. In this week’s Earth Heroes issue, we reached out to local nonprofits for “hero” nominations. &nbsp;       </p>
<p class="p1"> Our “earth” hero is Alex Hardison with Central Oregon LandWatch. Bill Kowalik with DarkSky Oregon was chosen as a strong champion of the air. Kate Fitzpatrick with the Deschutes River Conservancy is watching our water. Dr. Anne-Marie Eklund is our teacher hero, and Jay Bowerman is hailed as a trailblazer. Our youngest hero is Sally Compton with Think Wild, which was also chosen as the newest hero nonprofit. Read on to hear more about what makes them do what they do.</p>
<p><i>Read their stories below:</i></p>
</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full alignleft alignleft"><a href="https://www.bendsource.com/news/teacher-hero-dr-anne-marie-eklund-23011186"><img src="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/feature1-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4139" /></a></figure>
<p> </p>
<h4 class="content_h4"><a href="/news/teacher-hero-dr-anne-marie-eklund-23011186" target="_blank">Teacher Hero: Dr. Anne-Marie Eklund</a></h4>
</p>
<p> <title></title> </p>
<p class="p1"> <b>Fostering curiosity and environmental stewardship at Cascades Academy</p>
<p></b> </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full alignleft alignleft"><a href="https://www.bendsource.com/news/water-hero-kate-fitzpatrick-23011190"><img src="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/feature2-1-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4140" /></a></figure>
<h4 class="content_h4"> <a href="/news/water-hero-kate-fitzpatrick-23011190" target="_blank">Water Hero: Kate Fitzpatrick</a></h4>
<p> <title></title> </p>
<p class="p1"> <b>Kate Fitzpatrick, executive director of Deschutes River Conservancy, is passionate about water and stewardship</b> </p>
</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full alignleft alignleft"><a href="https://www.bendsource.com/news/newest-hero-think-wild-and-youngest-hero-sally-compton-23011465"><img src="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/feature3-1-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4141" /></a></figure>
<h4 class="content_h4"><a href="/news/newest-hero-think-wild-and-youngest-hero-sally-compton-23011465" target="_blank">Newest Hero: Think Wild &amp; Youngest Hero: Sally Compton</a></h4>
<p class="p1"> <b>Think Wild, which launched its wildlife hospital in 2020, offers protections for local wildlife, led by conservation enthusiast Sally Compton — earning it two “Earth Heroes” nods</p>
<p></b> </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full alignleft alignleft"><a href="https://www.bendsource.com/news/air-hero-bill-kowalik-23011469"><img src="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/feature4-1-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4142" /></a></figure>
</p>
<h4 class="content_h4">
<p><a href="/news/air-hero-bill-kowalik-23011469" target="_blank">Air Hero: Bill Kowalik</a></h4>
<p class="p1"> <b>Local leader is a DarkSky defender</p>
<p></b> </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full alignleft alignleft"><a href="https://www.bendsource.com/news/trailblazer-hero-jay-bowerman-23011473"><img src="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/feature5-1-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4143" /></a></figure>
</p>
<h4 class="content_h4"> <a href="/news/trailblazer-hero-jay-bowerman-23011473" target="_blank">Trailblazer Hero: Jay Bowerman</a></h4>
<p class="p1"> <b>The Bend biologist reflects on the joys of scientific discovery, mentorship and — at long last — being a grandparent</b> </p>
</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full alignleft alignleft"><a href="https://www.bendsource.com/news/earth-hero-alex-hardison-23011478"><img src="https://www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/feature6-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4144" /></a></figure>
<h4 class="content_h4">
<p><a href="/news/earth-hero-alex-hardison-23011478" target="_blank">Earth Hero: Alex Hardison</a></h4>
<p class="p1"> <b>A career in Central Oregon conservation: "an interesting tapestry"</b> </p>
</p>
<div class="wp-block-group fdn-after-article-related">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Related Stories</h3>
</p></div>

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