The unique hydrology and geology of this watershed have helped support diverse ecosystems, sustained human civilizations since time immemorial, and made the growth of the central Oregon cities of today possible. Today, the area is a beloved outdoor recreation destination. However, with accelerating climate change and overuse, the future of the Deschutes and all that rely on it is uncertain.

The River Democracy Act would protect over 3200 miles of streams across Oregon for the important values they provide, including dozens within the upper Deschutes River basin. Read on to learn more about this key watershed and how the River Democracy Act would safeguard it and the communities that rely on it for generations to come.

Outdoor Recreation

The upper Deschutes River and its tributaries flow through the Deschutes National Forest, one of the most visited National Forests in the state, which provides opportunities for year-round recreation. The river itself is renowned for its fishing and paddling opportunities, and hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers have a wealth of trails to explore nearby. Campgrounds and day-use areas can also be found all along the various streams that comprise the Deschutes watershed. 

Some can’t-miss activities include fly fishing the Fall River, paddling Hosmer Lake, and hiking the Tumalo Falls area.

Recreation Spotlight: Tumalo and Bridge Creek Loop

This 7.2-mile loop hike follows multiple proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers and brings hikers up close to dozens of spectacular waterfalls flowing through a mixed conifer forest full of lodgepole pine, mountain hemlock, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and white fir. The best waterfall hike near Bend!

Learn more about this hike and other hikes near River Democracy Act streams in our River Democracy Act Hiking Guide

Wildlife Habitat

The meadows, forests, high desert, and subalpine environments of the upper Deschutes River provide a diversity of important habitat for a wide range of wildlife species, including listed species like bull trout and Oregon spotted frog. 

Bald eagles, osprey, and other birds of prey are commonly spotted along the river corridor. Mule deer and elk are also abundant, beaver and river otters are found in both the Deschutes and its tributaries, and two known wolf packs have become established in the basin in recent years (wolves are native to this area, but were eradicated for decades before returning to their former habitats in recent years).

Species Spotlight: Redband trout

Redband trout are a subspecies of rainbow trout that have adapted to the drier climates east of the Oregon Cascade Range. They are similar in appearance to a rainbow trout, but can be distinguished by larger, more rounded spots and a rosy red stripe along their side. Currently, redband trout occupy approximately 42% of their historic range. Primary threats to redband populations include habitat degradation and fragmentation, impacts from climate change including drought, and introduction of nonnative species.

Geology

The upper Deschutes River has a fascinating geologic history and a unique hydrology. Volcanic activity has shaped the region and this river, creating massive underground aquifers, springs that carry cold, clean water back to the surface, and lava flows that stretch for miles and construct the many falls and whitewater rapids of the Deschutes and its tributaries. Despite its location in the semi-arid climate of central Oregon’s high desert, the Deschutes once had some of the most stable year-round flows in the world. It is also the world’s largest spring-fed river.

However, due to the increasing impacts of climate change, development, and overuse, the river’s streamflows and course have been modified, leading to negative impacts on water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife, and downstream communities.

Learn more about the geologic history of the upper Deschutes River and the current threats to it by watching our past webcast, “A River Through Time: The Geologic History of the Upper Deschutes River Basin.”

Drinking Water

Over 100,000 people in Bend rely on Bridge Creek, in the Tumalo Creek watershed–a major tributary of the upper Deschutes, for clean drinking water. Bridge Creek is another spring-fed stream that originates near Broken Top mountain in the Three Sisters Wilderness and joins Tumalo Creek below the scenic Tumalo Falls before flowing towards the Deschutes. Tumalo Creek is one of the few but critical tributaries providing a steady flow of cold, clean water to the upper Deschutes. 

Intact, forested watersheds, especially those flowing through public lands, play a vital role in ensuring the quality and quantity of our water sources. These natural ecosystems act as invaluable sponges, absorbing, filtering, and gradually releasing water, contributing to the consistent flow of clean water to downstream communities. The streams of the Tumalo Creek watershed flow through designated Wilderness areas, Roadless Areas, and mature and old-growth forests, depositing consistent, cold, clean water into the taps of Bend’s residents and the Deschutes River.

Threats to this watershed

Each fall, the river’s flow out of Wickiup Dam is reduced dramatically to store water over the winter for the next year’s irrigation season. When the agricultural season begins the next spring, flows are increased once again to levels much higher than they naturally would be. 

For a river system that has evolved with historically stable streamflows, this annual reduction and increase has led to more bank erosion, water quality issues, and has negatively impacted native species like trout and Oregon spotted frog. Streamflow gets so low so quickly in the fall that thousands of fish end up trapped on the bank within days of the flow reductions. Fortunately, most of these fish are saved by volunteers in an annual fish rescue event outside of Bend, but more work is needed to protect water quality and quantity in the Deschutes. 

This watershed is also experiencing more frequent and prolonged drought from the accelerating impacts of climate change on precipitation, snowpack, and annual temperatures. All of these factors translate to less cold, clean water in the upper Deschutes basin.

River Democracy Act

The River Democracy Act, co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would designate the headwaters of the upper Deschutes River and other important tributaries in the watershed as Wild & Scenic Rivers, providing additional safeguards for water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation opportunities. 

In total, the River Democracy Act would protect over 3,200 miles of streams all across Oregon.

Destructive activities like mining and dam building are prohibited in and along Wild & Scenic Rivers, and other projects like commercial logging and road-building that negatively impact the landscape are tightly regulated so as to not degrade the river and river values. The River Democracy Act extends these safeguards a half-mile from each river bank, offering enhanced protections for critical waterways and watersheds.

Streams in the upper Deschutes basin proposed for protection include essentially all the major tributaries in the watershed, such as Bridge Creek and Tumalo Creek, the Fall River, Paulina Creek, the Little Deschutes River, and Quinn Creek, which flows into Hosmer Lake. These are the streams that provide refuge for fish and wildlife, cold, clean water to the Deschutes, and help mitigate the impacts of drought, climate change, and overuse. 

Take Action

The River Democracy Act is currently making its way through Congress, but it needs your help getting across the finish line! Senator Ron Wyden developed and championed the bill, and Senator Jeff Merkley has co-sponsored it. The upper Deschutes watershed falls within Congresswoman Janelle Bynum’s district, and we need her to support this important legislation and protections for the Deschutes. 

Take action today and help protect the Deschutes River watershed and hundreds of other Oregon waterways by signing on as a Citizen Co-sponsor and urging your members of Congress to pass the River Democracy Act!

The post River Democracy Act Highlights: Upper Deschutes River appeared first on Oregon Wild.

This recent NBC article summarizes the study’s findings.

A new analysis of nearly 1,500 river locations over more than 40 years found that the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves is increasing in streams across the country, posing a threat to many species that are adapted to cooler temperatures.

Many aquatic species native to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, such as salmon and trout, rely on cold-water habitat. Increased stream temperatures can be deadly to these species, impacting native fish and wildlife populations, as well as the communities, cultures, and industries that rely on them. 

Higher stream temperatures can also lead to more severe drought conditions and water quality issues that impact clean drinking water supplies and outdoor recreation opportunities.

According to the article,

The authors found that human-caused climate change is the primary driver of the trend, as snowpack dwindles and streams flow more slowly.

Other human factors also affect the trend. Dams slow the flow of water downstream. Buildings and pavement absorb heat that warms the air and then the water.

When combined with all the other impacts facing our rivers and native species, this is a disturbing trend.

So what’s the solution?

Protecting healthy waterways that still provide cold clean water is a great starting place. For waterways that have been logged or degraded, active and passive restoration efforts will be needed.

Trees and vegetation in riparian areas shade and cool rivers. Studies also show that older and larger trees suck up less water than younger ones that are replanted after logging operations, leaving behind more cold water in the stream and the water table. Additionally, mature and old-growth forests in Oregon are climate regulators, creating their own microclimates that are significantly cooler than adjacent logged or developed areas. These same forests also help fight and slow climate change–the primary driver of these heat waves–by sequestering and storing immense amounts of carbon.

The River Democracy Act: hope for our watersheds

Fortunately, there is a proposal to provide widespread protections for rivers across Oregon. Senator Ron Wyden’s River Democracy Act would protect over 3200 miles of waterways across the state, including a half-mile-wide buffer on either side of each stream.

This bill would add these streams to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System, safeguarding the important values each river provides–whether it’s fish and wildlife habitat, clean drinking water, outdoor recreation, cultural, or others. It would also prohibit new dam construction on designated rivers, limit development and harmful activity within the protected buffer, and preserve the forests and riparian areas alongside streams that act as a natural climate solution.

Included in the River Democracy Act are the headwaters of critical salmon-bearing rivers in Oregon, such as the Rogue, Deschutes, McKenzie, Clackamas, Grande Ronde, John Day, and others. These are the streams that are the source of clean, cold water for these river systems, and where salmon spawn and give life to the next generation. These headwaters and tributaries are vital to protect as the harms there are felt–and compounded–downstream.

Take action today

Our rivers, and all who depend on them, need your help. Join the movement to protect Oregon rivers by becoming a Citizen Co-sponsor of the River Democracy Act. Reach out to your members of Congress and urge them to pass this bill before it is too late.

The post New study finds U.S. rivers are warming at alarming rates appeared first on Oregon Wild.

Growing up in Central Oregon, I developed a great appreciation for our local environment. I am fortunate to have always had access to abundant Oregon public lands where I explore, learn, and find inner peace among the chaos of everyday life. My childhood summers looked like canoe camping at different lakes along the Cascade Lakes highway, hiking in the mountains, spending time at the river, and exploring the beautiful outdoors of my home state. Every winter, my sister and I loved to spend time in the snow, sledding when we were young and skiing with friends on the weekends. As a kid, the luxury of enjoying these places that we call home, was something I never imagined going away. But over the years, I’ve come to realize that nature, as vast and wonderful as it is, has threats.

When I was in 4th grade, I began to notice the difference between snowfalls each season. Before then, my sister and I were able to build snow caves and structures with friends on snow days – some of my best memories. As the years passed, snowfall gradually decreased, limiting our days of snowball fights and good ski days. From the back seat as an 8 year old, I would observe the height of snow banks along the highway on our way up to ski at Mt. Bachelor. Vague memories of my view out the window reflect walls of snow taller than my Dad’s Jeep. Those days became far and few between until snow banks taller than 3 feet hardly existed…

My second epiphany was when our family friend’s summer vacation house in Detroit, Oregon burned in the 2020 Labor Day fires. I spent many summer days there and still remember the giddy excitement I felt each time we arrived at that house, eager to play cops and robbers, catch snails, and compete to find the biggest leaf in the surrounding forest. Tragically, we were shocked by the news in 2020 that the house and much of the community had been lost to the raging fire. We had to accept the difficult reality that we would never tell stories around that fire pit and chant songs from our beloved “chanting stump” again.

These collective positive and negative childhood memories have helped me realize the impact that human activities have on the natural world. Experiences like these have influenced my desire to protect and fight for nature and public lands so that generations to come can make memories like I have, exploring and enjoying our home in the great outdoors, which is also home to so much beautiful wildlife.

Being an Advocate

After graduating high school this Spring, I started an internship with Oregon Wild through NatureConnect Central Oregon’s Green Jobs program. This internship has allowed me to take a deeper dive into the work that goes into protecting these important natural places that define Oregon. Co-leading Oregon Wild hikes, attending staff meetings, and working alongside Sami Godlove and Erik Fernandez in the Bend office has expanded my understanding of the behind-the-scenes work of conservation. This opportunity has allowed me to be part of an important statewide movement to educate, inspire, and make measurable progress towards protecting our wild places.

Defending Our Roadless Wildlands

Hiking through the Tumalo Mountain Roadless Area on an Oregon Wild guided hike, I was impressed by the countless tumbling waterfalls and the old-growth forest that surrounded me. This forest, and the water flowing from the creek, provide clean water to the city of Bend, where I live, every day.

The serenity of the wild forest grounded me. Without the distractions of screens, the buzz of motorized vehicles, and the hustle of daily commotion, I felt I could focus and breathe.

This enjoyable activity outside also became a mission-driven and purposeful experience as we were also advocating for the Roadless Rule. Photographing the wild forest around me and talking with the hikers about the importance of protecting it made me feel like I was playing my small part in a vital movement that would have lasting impacts for generations to come. During lunch, we sat along the creek and wrote postcards to the Forest Service asking them to keep these places protected.

The Roadless Rule has been protecting a total of over 58 million acres of our most wild and intact public land for the past 25 years, including nearly 2 million acres in Oregon. Like the people on our hike, many Oregonians love and appreciate the access we have to outdoor recreation, fresh drinking water, and clean air. Now more than ever, the voices of the American people must be heard to continue to protect these places.

In June 2025, the Trump Administration announced its intent to repeal the Roadless Rule, which would open up these currently protected places to logging, mining, construction, road development, and more harmful activities. Once these areas are impacted, they are damaged for generations to come.

Over a three-week period through September, I worked with Oregon Wild to get as many people from the public as we could to submit a public comment in support of protecting the Roadless Rule. This included work such as hosting comment writing workshops, talking to local media, creating social media content, writing a Letter to the Editor, and supporting educational guided hikes to local Roadless Areas like Tumalo Mountain and Paulina Lake. In the end, thousands of Oregonians, and over 600,000 people nationwide submitted comments, with over 99% of them in support of keeping Roadless Rule protections in place!

Although the first comment period has come to a close, the fight is not done yet. The Roadless Area Conservation Act (RACA) is working its way through Congress and will hopefully be passed soon. Thank you to Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Representatives Andrea Salinas, Maxine Dexter, and Suzanne Bonamici, and my representative, Janelle Bynum, who have all signed on in support of this important piece of legislation. Passing this bill would mean permanent protections for all of our roadless wildlands.

Protecting Oregon’s Wild Rivers

Along with RACA, Oregon Wild is working diligently to pass the River Democracy Act, a piece of legislation that would designate 3,200 miles of currently unprotected rivers and streams around Oregon as National Wild & Scenic Rivers. These vital waterways provide habitat for wildlife, recreational activities that many businesses depend on, and clean drinking water for millions of Oregonians. These streams are also important for our fight against climate change as they naturally sequester and store carbon, and provide cold water refuges for fish and wildlife. 

In September, I assisted a second Oregon Wild hike along the Peter Skene Ogden Trail – a 6-mile scenic hike along Paulina Creek, near the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon. For years I had visited Paulina Lake with my family, but never realized that a thriving ecosystem was just beyond the thicket of trees. We had our lunch stop at a scenic waterfall, where I sat along the bank of the creek. I observed the underside of a Matsutake mushroom, with the cool mist from the waterfall on my face and dozens of California Tortoiseshell butterflies flitting around me. It was shocking that such a wonderful natural space, rich and abundant with life, is still unprotected. 

The River Democracy Act would also protect other Central Oregon streams such as Tumalo Creek, the Fall River, the headwaters of the Deschutes, and tributaries of the Metolius. Across the state, parts of the McKenzie, Rogue, Clackamas, John Day, and Grande Ronde watersheds are also included in the bill.

How You Can Take Action Too

Every Oregonian who values this land can become a part of this movement. As I learned over my internship, the voice of the public is so vital in public lands management, and your voice can impact the decisions being made for our environment.

You can take action and get involved through organizations such as Oregon Wild. Contacting your members of Congress and writing Letters to the Editor to your local paper can help influence decision-makers. Become a Citizen Co-sponsor of the River Democracy Act today and join the movement to protect our state’s vital waterways for fish and wildlife, clean drinking water, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Tell your representatives to pass the Roadless Area Conservation Act and save our last wild, undeveloped forests from the administration’s attack on the Roadless Rule.

I am one teen with one voice, and there are millions of other Oregonians who have the right to speak up. You matter in the fight to protect our wild places for future generations. Take action today.

Kyla Guerrero (she/her) is a Wildland Advocacy Intern for Oregon Wild, based in Bend, Oregon. She graduated from Bend Senior High School this Spring and plans to attend the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon in the Fall 2026.

The post A summer advocating for Oregon’s wildlands appeared first on Oregon Wild.

The River Democracy Act would protect these values, and more, for over 3200 miles of rivers across Oregon, including dozens within the McKenzie River basin. Read on to learn more about this key Oregon watershed and how the River Democracy Act would safeguard it and the communities that rely on it for generations to come.

Outdoor Recreation

Whether it’s rafting or fishing on the river itself, mountain biking the famous McKenzie River Trail, or enjoying the view of one of the river’s many waterfalls during a hike, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventure to be had here.

Recreation Spotlight: McKenzie River Trail

The McKenzie River Trail is a 24-mile-long trail that starts near the headwaters of the McKenzie River at Clear Lake and ends just upstream of the community of McKenzie Bridge. The trail is popular for both hiking and mountain biking. 

Mountain bikers will find technical riding over sharp lava rock, flowing downhill single track through old-growth Douglas fir forests, and dazzling views of waterfalls and the aquamarine waters of the McKenzie. Most of the trail is located within the current McKenzie River Wild & Scenic corridor, but the last 5 miles of the trail is unprotected. When passed, the River Democracy Act would add protections to these last 5 miles. 

Popular hikes include the 4-mile round-trip hike to Blue Pool/Tamolitch Falls and the 2.4-mile Sahalie and Koosah Falls loop.

Wildlife Habitat

The McKenzie River watershed is home to a wide variety of native species, including threatened and endangered species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead, northern spotted owls, and bulltrout.

Wildlife Spotlight: Bull Trout

Bull trout, like many other members of the salmonid family, begin their lives in cold, clear streams, feeding on small aquatic invertebrates. As these fish mature, they either migrate out of their home stream to larger streams and rivers or lakes and reservoirs, or remain in the stream where they hatched. The migratory bull trout tend to become much larger than their resident counterparts—sometimes growing as long as 40 inches and heavier than 30 pounds. Unlike Pacific salmon species that spawn once and die, bull trout will spawn multiple times in their lifetime. Migratory bull trout may migrate multiple times between spawning streams and their large river rearing habitats. Bull trout can be recognized by their particularly large, broad head and their dark olive or brown color with lighter yellowish spots. In Oregon, bull trout were historically found in streams in the Klamath basin, the Columbia and Snake Rivers and their major tributaries, and the Willamette River and its major tributaries on the west side of the Cascades.

This threatened fish has some very specific habitat requirements, and when they aren’t met, it can be disastrous for bull trout populations. Their physiology dictates that they need cold water (no higher than 60° F) to survive, as well as for the survival of their eggs. A river environment with low silt is equally important, with a gravelly bottom and plenty of protective habitat such as overhanging brush. Unfortunately, human activities such as logging have been steadily spoiling prime bull trout habitat. Logging and road building lead to siltation in rivers, lowering stream quality and raising water temperature, both of which lower the viability of eggs and hatchlings. Other threats, such as impassable dams, sometimes keep bull trout from spawning at all. Non-native brook trout also present a threat due to competition for food. In order to ensure the survival of this sensitive fish, it’s necessary that roadless areas be maintained and the fight for clean water continues.

Drinking Water

Over 200,000 people living in the Eugene-Springfield area rely on the McKenzie watershed for clean drinking water. 

Intact, forested watersheds, especially those flowing through public lands, play a critical role in ensuring the quality and quantity of our water sources. These natural ecosystems act as invaluable sponges, absorbing, filtering, and gradually releasing water, contributing to the consistent flow of clean water to downstream communities.

The McKenzie River watershed is an excellent example of this natural phenomenon in action. At its headwaters, snowmelt, glacial thaw, and underground springs merge to form the mountain streams that feed the McKenzie. These streams flow through designated Wilderness areas, Roadless Areas, and mature and old-growth forests, depositing consistent, cold, clean water into the mainstem McKenzie River.

On the other hand, researchers have documented a direct correlation between industrial logging and increased flooding and peak flows.  Without a healthy forest ecosystem in place to absorb and slow the release of water, rain and melting snow tend to run off of heavily logged forests much faster. That run-off causes erosion, carrying with it large quantities of sediment and debris that reduce water quality and can cause problems for water filtration systems and fish habitat further downstream. 

The quick run-off during winter and spring storms also means there is less water available during the dry summer months when water demand is higher and supplies are lower. Oregon State University scientists have found that clear-cut plantation forestry can reduce water levels during summer months by 50% when compared to adjacent, unlogged old-growth watersheds.

Threats to this watershed

Despite the importance of intact, mature and old-growth forests for outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and clean drinking water, much of the forests in the McKenzie River watershed have been heavily logged and remain open to logging.

Aggressive commercial logging projects, such as the planned (and withdrawn) Flat Country timber sale, pose a significant threat to the mature forests and headwater streams of this area and all the important values they provide. 

The Flat Country sale was withdrawn due to widespread public opposition and potential devastating environmental impacts. This project would have logged 1,000 acres of trees between 98-170 years old within the vicinity of important McKenzie watershed headwater streams such as Anderson Creek and Olallie Creek. Without permanent protections, these forests and streams remain at risk. 

The Trump Administration has also recently announced that it aims to roll back the 2001 Roadless Rule, jeopardizing 58 million acres of intact, backcountry National Forest lands. In Oregon, the rule protects nearly 2 million acres of Oregon’s forests from destructive logging, road building, and development. In the McKenzie watershed, this includes thousands of acres of wild, old-growth forest surrounding the river’s headwaters.

The River Democracy Act

The River Democracy Act, co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would designate dozens of miles of the McKenzie River and other important tributaries in the watershed as Wild & Scenic Rivers, providing additional safeguards for water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and backcountry recreation opportunities. 

Streams in the watershed proposed for protection include the 15 miles of the mainstem McKenzie River, the South Fork McKenzie River, Blue River, Horse Creek, Lost Creek, Deer Creek, Olallie Creek, and Anderson Creek. 

Destructive activities like mining and dam building are prohibited in and along Wild & Scenic Rivers, and other projects like commercial logging and road-building that negatively impact the landscape are tightly regulated so as to not degrade the river and river values. The River Democracy Act extends these safeguards a half-mile from each river bank, offering enhanced protections for critical waterways.

Take Action

The River Democracy Act is currently making its way through Congress, but it needs your help getting across the finish line! Take action today and help protect the McKenzie River watershed and hundreds of other Oregon waterways by signing on as a Citizen Co-sponsor and urging your members of Congress to pass the River Democracy Act!

The post River Democracy Act Highlights: McKenzie River Watershed appeared first on Oregon Wild.

A biological wonder

Rough and Ready Creek is one of the most extraordinary watersheds in Oregon. It is a biodiversity hotspot for rare and endemic plants found nowhere else on earth. In fact the area has more plant diversity than anywhere else in Oregon. The waters here run crystal clear, even during winter storms and high flows. 

This impressive botanical biodiversity and water quality are thanks to the area’s unique geology and hydrology. When you first lay eyes on the Rough and Ready floodplain, you will find it almost desert-like with shrubs, bunchgrasses, a variety of wildflowers, and a few sparse pine trees scattered about. You may be surprised to learn that this area often receives over 100 inches of annual rainfall! Moist Douglas fir forests can be found just a few hundred yards away.

The floodplain is characterized by serpentine soils, which quickly drain (leaving the soil very dry relative to the amount of rainfall it receives) and contain heavy metals and low nutrient availability. As a result, highly specialized plant species have adapted to survive here, including many that are not found anywhere else in the world. This geology, combined with the area’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, has resulted in an exceptional diversity of one-of-a-kind landscapes, ancient wetlands, and some of the last native grasslands on the West Coast.

In addition to rare and endemic plant species, fish and wildlife also thrive here. Native chinook salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout have adapted to the creek’s naturally high summer water temperatures, and rare yellow-legged frogs flourish in this pristine habitat.

Siskiyou Mat, Azure Penstemon, and Scytheleaf Onion are among the unique plant species that have specialized to thrive in the serpentine soils of Rough and Ready Creek in southern Oregon.

Threats to this watershed

However, the watershed’s unique geology has also made it a target for the mining industry, threatening its water quality and ecological integrity. The soils here contain low-grade nickel laterite, which, if mined, would result in irreparable harm from smelter construction and operation, water pollution, road building, and surface and strip mining. It would devastate the many values of this watershed and impact nearby communities downstream along the Illinois River.

Rough and Ready Creek could also be degraded by the invasive Port Orford Cedar root disease if roads and mining are allowed. Rough and Ready Creek is one of the few watersheds in southern Oregon that is not yet infested with this disease, and its high botanical diversity values remain intact.

Proposals to protect Rough and Ready Creek

The River Democracy Act, co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would designate 13 miles of streams in the Rough and Ready watershed as National Wild & Scenic Rivers, protecting important values such as biological diversity, fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and outdoor recreation opportunities. 

The Oregon Recreation Enhancement (ORE) Act, also co-sponsored by Senators Wyden and Merkley, is another bill that would protect Rough and Ready Creek and other nearby watersheds from new destructive mining claims. The bill would also expand the Wild Rogue Wilderness. 

Both of these bills are making their way through Congress and need your help to get across the finish line! Take action for Rough and Ready Creek and other watersheds across Oregon by signing on as a Citizen Co-sponsor of the River Democracy and urging your members of Congress to pass the ORE Act.

If you visit

The easiest way to visit Rough and Ready Creek and experience its unique wonders is to walk the short trail at the Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside, located off the Redwoods Highway a few miles south of Cave Junction. Here, you will find many of the rare and endemic plants the area is known for. This is a great spot to stop for a short walk on your way to visiting the Redwoods in California.

Rough and Ready Creek is also a popular whitewater kayaking stream for experienced paddlers during high flows in the winter and early spring.

In addition to the Redwoods, other nearby attractions include the Oregon Caves National Monument, Smith River National Recreation Area, the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, and the Wild & Scenic Illinois River.

The post River Democracy Act Highlights: Rough and Ready Creek appeared first on Oregon Wild.

While there are so many things an individual can do, the best thing is to simply participate in democracy. Yes, that means voting, but it doesn’t stop there; we must also pressure our legislators and elected officials to stand up for our values and hold them accountable for their actions. One of the best ways to do this and speak directly to our legislators is to attend and ask questions at their town halls.

Fortunately, most of our elected leaders in Oregon prioritize holding regular in-person town hall meetings, and several are scheduled across the state in the coming weeks. With a slew of current threats to public lands and the environment at the federal level, it’s now more important than ever to attend these town halls and demand action from our members of Congress.

Check out our town hall guide below for important tips, suggested questions, and to find an upcoming event in your area!

Upcoming town halls

Josephine County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Monday, August 18 at 4pm
Rogue Community College gym, 3345 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass, OR

Benton County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Wednesday, August 20 at 4pm
Philomath High School auditorium, 2054 Applegate St., Philomath, OR

Eugene Town Hall with Rep. Val Hoyle
Wednesday, August 20 at 6pm
South Eugene High School, 400 E 19th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401

Clatsop County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Saturday, August 23 at 4pm
Astoria High School auditorium, 1001 W Marine Dr., Astoria, OR

Molalla Town Hall with Rep. Janelle Bynum
Monday, August 25 at 6pm
Location and details TBA

Silverton Town Hall with Rep. Janelle Bynum
Saturday, August 30 at 10:30am
Location and details TBA

Visit your legislators’ websites or social media channels to find out about upcoming town halls. Senators Merkley and Wyden each have a goal to visit every county in Oregon at least once per year.

Town Hall Tips

Get there early and get a good seat. If you want to ask a question, you will likely need to sign up upon arrival and be given a raffle ticket.

There is no guarantee that your number will be called, and there will likely be hundreds of others who will also sign up to ask a question. To make sure your point is made, we recommend bringing a sign to hold that will get the legislator’s attention (e.g. “Vote NO on F Our Forests,” “Pass the River Democracy Act,” “Save Our Roadless Forests,” etc).

Think about what you want to say or ask in advance. Prepare two or three key points.  Write them down.

If you get a chance to ask your question, be succinct and follow this general formula (see specific examples under “Suggested Conservation Topics and Questions” below):

• Identify yourself with your name and where you live. If relevant, say what your profession, expertise, or interest in the issue is.
• Thank the elected official for a past action/stance related to your question.
• Present your position and your ask/question of the official. Include any personal experience or connection you have on the issue but keep it brief.
• State your requested action of the elected official (support, oppose, introduce, protect, etc.)
• Thank them for their time.

Even if someone else has already asked a question on your topic, ask it again! The more our elected officials hear about a specific issue, the more they will understand its importance.

If you aren’t selected, or you can’t attend, you can still call the legislators’ office afterwards and ask your question or make your comment. Several of their staff will also likely be in attendance to answer questions before or after the event. You can also bring and leave a pre-written comment with staff.

Suggested Conservation Topics and Questions

Thank you: It’s best to start any comment or question with a thank you.

• E.g.: “Thank you for opposing efforts to sell off and privatize our national public lands”
• For Wyden: “Thank you for your efforts to protect Oregon rivers through the River Democracy Act.”

Sample Topics:

• “I am concerned about the Trump Administration’s efforts to repeal the Roadless Rule and expand logging on public lands.”
• “I am concerned about the Trump administration’s attacks on our public lands and bedrock environmental laws.”

Sample Questions:

• “From the Executive Order to increase timber production to the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, our forests and public lands are under attack. Our mature and old-growth forests provide critical habitat for imperiled species, clean drinking water, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and are critical in the fight against climate change. I hope you will defend Roadless Rule protections for our wild forests and support the Roadless Area Conservation Act. What else can you do to ensure our environmental laws are upheld and our forests remain standing?”
• “The harmful and poorly named Fix Our Forests Act is making its way through Congress. Despite its proponents’ claims, the bill does little to invest in proven wildfire community protection measures and instead provides loopholes to allow for cutting large trees and skirting environmental laws. Will you oppose legislation that aims to expand commercial logging on public lands and remove public oversight of logging projects?”
• “The current attacks by the administration and Congress on our national public lands underscore the urgent need for more meaningful and lasting protections. I am encouraged by legislation that would do just that, such as the River Democracy Act, Roadless Area Conservation Act, and Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act. Can we count on you to pass these bills and finally give our public lands and waters the protection they need and deserve?”

For more information on town halls or how to advocate for public lands in other ways, make sure to visit our Activist Toolkit.

Now grab your friends, draft your questions, make your signs, and use your voice to speak up for Oregon’s public lands, forests, and wildlife! Together, we can make a difference. 

The post 2025 Town Hall Guide appeared first on Oregon Wild.

BEND, OR — As the busy summer season kicks off over Memorial Day weekend, outdoor recreation businesses, guides, nonprofits, and industry leaders across Oregon have come together in a unified show of support for the River Democracy Act, legislation that would add over 3,200 miles of Oregon rivers and streams to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

According to a recent poll, 71% of Oregonians support additional Wild & Scenic River designations like those proposed in the River Democracy Act. 

In a letter sent today to Oregon’s congressional delegation—Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Cliff Bentz, Maxine Dexter, Val Hoyle, Janelle Bynum, and Andrea Salinas—these businesses and organizations highlighted the critical importance of Oregon’s rivers to the state’s economy, culture, and environment.

“Outdoor recreation is one of Oregon’s premier economic drivers,” the signers wrote. “In 2022 alone, spending on outdoor recreation in Oregon exceeded $16 billion and supported 192,000 jobs. Many of these jobs exist in rural communities where iconic rivers like the Rogue, Deschutes, and McKenzie attract visitors from around the world.”

The River Democracy Act, championed by Senators Wyden and Merkley, seeks to safeguard thousands of miles of river segments across the state by granting them Wild and Scenic designation—offering permanent protections against damming, pollution, and development. 82% of Oregonians think Wild & Scenic designations are very important or somewhat important for protecting community drinking water.

The proposal comes at a time of increasing threats to public lands and water resources, both from climate impacts and shifting federal priorities.

“Our way of life in Oregon is deeply connected to our rivers and public lands,” the letter states. “Whether we’re fishing, guiding, paddling, or simply enjoying the natural beauty, these rivers power both our economy and our identity as Oregonians.”

The signatories—from fly fishing guides in Madras to eco-tour companies in Gold Beach—are calling on Congress to pass the legislation and provide adequate resources to the federal agencies charged with protecting these waters, such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Even as we work to enact strong, permanent protections for these rivers, it’s vital that we support the people on the ground—the federal land managers who safeguard these places every day,” the letter notes.

The coalition praised the efforts of Senators Wyden and Merkley in advancing the legislation and urged the full Oregon delegation to prioritize passage of the River Democracy Act as a critical investment in the state’s recreation economy and natural legacy.

Signatories include:

• Fishing and hunting groups like Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Trout Unlimited Chapters across Oregon
  
• River guides and outfitters from Bend, Eugene, Roseburg, La Grande, and more
  
• Lodges, tour companies, outdoor brands, recreation organizations, and trail alliances from across the state
  

Full list of signatories:

The post Oregon Outdoor Businesses and Recreation Leaders Rally Behind River Democracy Act appeared first on Oregon Wild.

Of course, there are many more rivers and streams in Oregon that are deserving of Wild & Scenic River protection. The River Democracy Act, one of Oregon Wild’s priority campaigns, would protect an additional 3,215 miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers across the state. Developed with an extensive public process, Senator Ron Wyden first introduced the bill in Congress in 2021. Under the Act, each Wild & Scenic River segment would gain a protected buffer of ½ mile on each side – enhancing the recreation experience, as well as safeguarding fish and wildlife habitat, clean drinking water, and preventing reckless and exploitative development like logging and mining. 

At a time when we are seeing unprecedented attacks on public lands and waters, protections for Oregon’s rivers and streams are more important than ever.

Let’s get hiking!

Many of the waterways proposed as Wild & Scenic Rivers in the River Democracy Act feature trails that wind through the wild forests and meadows along their shores. Want to experience some of these places for yourself? We’ve developed a trail guide to 20 streamside hikes (plus suggestions for 16 more) to help you explore, enjoy, – and most importantly – advocate for these special places all across the state. 

Download the RDA hiking guide here!

Before you head out on a hike, be sure to download a good map, and be well prepared. Check out Oregon Wild’s resource library for what you need to know!

Oregon Wild staff also lead guided hikes throughout the year, including some in this guide. Check here for upcoming guided hikes.

Learn more and take action

• Learn more about the River Democracy Act here.
• Read our report on how the River Democracy Act protects drinking water sources in Oregon.
• Want to do more? Become a citizen co-sponsor of the River Democracy Act and contact your Congressional representatives about supporting the Act.

The post Explore and Speak Up for Oregon’s Rivers With Our New Hiking Guide! appeared first on Oregon Wild.

View the full PIELC program and schedule

Friday, Feb. 28

Saturday, March 1

Sunday, March 2

Bryce Wade

The post Oregon Wild at PIELC appeared first on Oregon Wild.

They were wearing hard hats and carrying long wooden beams and posts. Most looked to be struggling under the weight and awkwardness of their loads, audibly sighing in relief once they could drop them at their intended destination right next to the riverbank. Others in the group configured these posts and beams into a fence along the river’s edge. Enthusiastic smiles and high-fives were passed around, and then a few of them started up the hill again to retrieve more beams and posts.

In case you were one of the confused onlookers that day walking by this odd sight, this was, in fact, a group of Avid Cider, Oregon Wild, and U.S. Forest Service staff working to build fencing to protect sensitive riparian vegetation and streambanks along a popular section of the Wild & Scenic Deschutes River.

Northwest Is Our Core: Cider for a Cause

This Fall, Avid Cider partnered with Oregon Wild and Conservation Northwest to launch the Northwest Is Our Core program, an initiative to raise awareness and funds for wildlife and forest conservation across the Pacific Northwest. A portion of cider sales and 100% of profits from some very cool merch were donated to these conservation causes.

Avid Cider has been a proud partner of the Oregon Brewshed Alliance© since the Spring of 2024 and we were honored when they reached out to Oregon Wild asking us to be their conservation partner for the first year of this campaign.

Cider and conservation? We’ll drink to that!

Putting in the (restoration) work on the Upper Deschutes

To celebrate the end of the Northwest Is Our Core program, Avid, Oregon Wild, and local staff from the Deschutes National Forest teamed up to continue building fencing along the Deschutes. This restoration work, focused on a designated Wild & Scenic section of the Deschutes near Rimrock Trailhead (aka GoodDog), has been ongoing for several years in an attempt to protect sensitive vegetation in the riparian area. Due to the high popularity and traffic at this area, the trails and streambanks have become significantly eroded in recent years. Fencing helps direct people (and dogs) to designated trails and river access points, reducing the amount of erosion from off-trail use.

The Upper Deschutes River was designated Wild & Scenic in 1988 for its incredible ecological, scenic, and recreational values. Hundreds of miles of trails run along the river and within its adjacent forests, visitors from all over flock to the Deschutes for its world-renowned whitewater and fly fishing opportunities, and locals enjoy the vast physical and mental health benefits of a stroll or picnic along a wild river. The river corridor also provides important habitat for mule deer and elk, eagles and osprey, native trout, threatened species like Oregon spotted frogs, and a whole host of other wildlife. 

Unfortunately, climate change, drought, development, and poor upstream and downstream water use activities have threatened this special river and those (human and non-human) who rely on it. Trail work and restoration work like the Avid/Oregon Wild/USFS crew did that day helps. Oregon Wild is also working to pass Senator Wyden’s River Democracy Act, which would protect over 3200 miles of stream all across the state, including many within the Upper Deschutes watershed. By protecting these critical headwater streams of the Deschutes, we help protect clean water and wildlife habitat downstream.

Thanks to businesses like Avid Cider and everyday Oregonians who care about this special river, we can safeguard the Deschutes and the important values it provides. Become a Citizen Co-sponsor of the River Democracy Act today and tell your members of Congress to pass this historic bill.

For a wilder Deschutes.

The post Teaming up with Avid Cider to Protect Oregon’s Wildlands and Waters appeared first on Oregon Wild.