Land Trust marks 20 years of service

The Deschutes Land Trust will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a party at Deschutes Brewery on October 2.

The Land Trust has partnered with Deschutes Brewery to host a backyard barbecue at their downtown Bend pub. Attendees can enjoy food and beverages, live music from the Moon Mountain Ramblers and the lively scene of Bend's First Friday art walk.

Though the event is in Bend, much of the work that is cause for celebration has been done in Sisters Country.

The Land Trust was founded in 1995 to conserve land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. Their first conservation project was acquiring Indian Ford Meadow Preserve outside of Sisters in 1996. Since then the Land Trust has worked with local landowners all over Central Oregon to conserve a total of 8,750 acres of land for wildlife and local communities.

"I've watched the Deschutes Land Trust for nearly 20 years and continue to be impressed by their vision, patience and strategic approach to land conservation. The Land Trust is a vital organization in the community and is committed to serving our region for generations to come," said Mike Hollern, CEO of Brooks Resources.

The Land Trust's Camp Polk Meadow Preserve and Whychus Canyon Preserve are signature projects and emblematic of the Land Trust's long-term approach to community conservation. The Land Trust purchased and protected the 150-acre Camp Polk Meadow Preserve outside of Sisters in 2000. They then worked with the community and key conservation partners to restore the meadow and two miles of Whychus Creek to benefit salmon, songbirds, and other wildlife. Over the years, thousands of people have walked Camp Polk Meadow on guided interpretive hikes, learning about the meadow, restoration, and the role these places play in our high desert.

Whychus Canyon Preserve was first protected in 2010 and expanded in 2014. Since acquiring the Preserve, the Land Trust has worked to restore native forests and will soon begin a major restoration of Whychus Creek. Whychus Canyon Preserve also provides the community with trails and access to Whychus Creek in a place that was previous inaccessible. The Land Trust is currently working to finish their conservation work on Whychus Creek via the Campaign for Whychus Creek.

"The Deschutes Land Trust is here for the community and because of this community," said Brad Chalfant, the Land Trust's executive director. "It's truly humbling to receive the support of so many people from Central Oregon and beyond for the past 20 years. Land trusts, like ours, are meant to be here forever. Together we can ensure our community remains livable for wildlife and humans for generations to come. We hope you'll join us to celebrate our collective accomplishments."