26 Sep 2025
By kdebone

County awarded $3.4 million grant for La Pine wildfire mitigation

Defensible Space
Deschutes County is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $3.4 million USDA Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant for its La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project. The project is a collaborative effort to reduce fire fuels, educate the public, increase wildfire preparedness, and mitigate wildfire risk within the La Pine Rural Fire District. “I’m proud to say that the La Pine Mitigation Project was one of 58 projects nationwide to receive a Community Wildfire Defense Grant,” said County Forester Kevin Moriarty. “The funds will be used by Deschutes County and its partner agencies to increase the community’s ability to…
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26 Sep 2025
By kdebone

La Pine wildfire risk reduction project awarded $3.5 million in federal grant

Defensible Space
La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project - Awarded $ 3,439,362This project is a collaborative effort to reduce fire fuels, educate and increase wildfire preparedness among residents, and mitigate wildfire risk in the communities within the La Pine Rural Fire District. Proposed projects include improving ingress/egress routes and reducing hazardous fuels from both private and County-owned public land within the WUI. Community engagement and education will also be a priority for the project partners through educational events, workshops, and community outreach. LA PINE, Ore. -- Nearly $3.5 million in federal grant money is going toward reducing wildfire risks near La Pine, the…
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24 Sep 2025
By kdebone

Get Together! Tuesday Trekkers Walking Group

Live Well La Pine
The La Pine Library hosts the Tuesday Trekkers Walking Group, a weekly walk for all abilities that meets on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM, weather and smoke permitting. The walk is roughly two miles and on a flat, wide walkway. To get walk reminders and updates, email Rya Fennewald at ryaf@deschuteslibrary.org.  Tuesday Trekkers Walking Group will start at 11:00 am starting November 4, 2025 due to the colder weather. Rya is a member of Live Well La Pine - Get Together! 
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24 Sep 2025
By kdebone

Wildfire Home Protection Strategies Workshop coming on October 18, 2025!

Defensible Space
We’re excited to invite you to the Wildfire Home Protection Strategies Workshop, a FREE class designed for contractors and the general public. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn practical ways to safeguard homes from wildfires. Learn more about defensible space landscaping, recommended building materials, and how to assess your home and neighborhood! Please help us to spread the word by sharing this with your neighbors, family, and friends. Together, we can build a safer, more prepared community. Register by emailing rachel.humpert@oregonstate.edu Earn 4 hours of CE credit for Oregon CCB, OSLAB, LCB, ISA
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17 Sep 2025
By kdebone

Regional Land Stewards Unite for Successful Public Lands Cleanup in McKay Area

Newberry Country Land Stewards
La Pine, OR – September 16, 2025 – The Newberry Regional Partnership (NRP), in collaboration with Public Land Stewards of Bend (PLS), proudly announces the completion of a vital public lands cleanup event held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in the scenic McKay area of Central Oregon. This community-driven initiative removed over 220 cubic yards of accumulated trash and debris from public lands, enhancing environmental safety and preserving recreational access for future generations. The event drew more than 100 dedicated volunteers, including local residents, families, and outdoor enthusiasts to make a tangible impact. Working hand-in-hand with land managers from the…
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09 Aug 2025
By kdebone

Project Wildfire Neighborhood Coalition Meeting – 7/17/25

Defensible Space, Defensible Space Meetings
Our Defensible Space Action Team recently hosted another incredibly informative event! We extend our sincere appreciation to the members of the Project Wildfire Neighborhood Coalition (PWNC) for holding their monthly meeting at the La Pine Senior Activity Center in La Pine. The meeting provided invaluable insights into wildfire preparedness, with a strong emphasis on empowering communities. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the Firewise USA® Program and received a vital update from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on local fire prevention efforts. Understanding the Firewise USA® ProgramAustin Reimer, Stewardship Forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry, highlighted the critical role of the Firewise USA® Program…
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19 Jul 2025
By kdebone

Newberry Land Stewards Score Big with Rapid RV Removal Grant 

Newberry Country Land Stewards
June 2025 -The Newberry Country Land Stewards successfully completed their second major cleanup of the year. This large-scale effort saw over 30 dedicated volunteers, with additional vital assistance from our neighbors, the Public Land Stewards. We’re especially grateful to April McDaniel for her generous donation of gloves and trash bags, which were essential for the cleanup. La Pine Figaros provided a delicious lunch, and we were graciously hosted by Legend Cider in La Pine. Just four days later, on June 25, 2025, we received exciting news: COIC staff notified us that we were awarded $30,000 for RV removal off of Public Lands. The catch? We had to complete the project…
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