Water Hero: Kate Fitzpatrick

Kate Fitzpatrick, the executive director of Deschutes River Conservancy, wears many hats as an advocate for water and the outdoors. Her work with DRC, a local nonprofit, helps to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes River Basin.

Fitzpatrick has been with the organization for 21 years, and in her current position for five. In her role as executive director, Fitzpatrick says every day is different. A lot of her work today revolves around building relationships with partners while supporting and creating programs, she said.

At DRC, Fitzpatrick said she’s constantly trying to innovate the work – adapting a centuries old water law system to the needs of today.

“The work is only getting more compelling. Obviously as Bend grows, the values continue to grow toward people that care deeply about the river. We have more engagement from the public, which is good,” Fitzpatrick told the Source Weekly.

As water management and conservation becomes more complex, she said, with more people moving here, climate change, groundwater declines and evolving policy frameworks, so does Fitzpatrick’s work, requiring a higher level of coordination.

One of Fitzpatrick’s constant missions within the organization is encouraging people to dig into the complexities of the river and to get involved. Recently, the organization introduced its Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series, to help educate the public about water.

“We want to make sure everybody has access to information so they can advocate for their interest and for the river,” Fitzpatrick said. “Just go out and enjoy it, because that connection to the water is what makes people care about it.”

Before getting into this work, Fitzpatrick was always drawn to the outdoors. Growing up on a lake in Michigan, she was in the water every day. “I think that’s why it’s in my blood,” she said. Throughout her time in school, Fitzpatrick worked in outdoor education. After grad school, she got this job in Bend.

“I was drawn to it, first and foremost, because I get to work for the river. Second of all, I love the community-based approach. It’s the most interesting work – trying to figure out how to find solutions that work for everybody,” Fitzpatrick said.

While Fitzpatrick never saw herself being in her current position, she’s happy she gets to pursue the work daily while maintaining her passions and interest.

“I never really sought out to be executive director. With the work, I just kept doing it and my passion for it grew. Then, I felt like I learned enough that I wanted to put it to the best use possible.”

This article appears in Source Weekly April 17, 2025.