Congratulations to DRC Programs Director, Dani Wise Johnson for becoming a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) through the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).
Deschutes River Conservancy News
Lisa Seales Joins the DRC as Programs Manager
Lisa is the DRC’s new Programs Manager. She is a native Oregonian and traveled the world visiting over 30 countries and most of the US before deciding to make Bend her home.
Deschutes County invests $1.45 million in relief funds for water conservation project
The Deschutes County Commission has approved an additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investment of $1.45 million for an On-Farm Efficiency Water Conservation Investment project. “The money couldn’t come at a better time as Central Oregon endures another year of extreme drought,” Fitzpatrick concluded. “Impacts are being felt in every stream and every irrigation district throughout the Deschutes Basin.”
Deschutes Basin Irrigation Districts Remain Firmly Committed to HCP
Despite extreme and persistent drought conditions this summer, all eight irrigation districts belonging to the DBBC remain firmly committed to implementing the conservation measures outlined in the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan.
Senate Appropriations Bill Continues to Invest in Central Oregon Water Conservation
Senator Merkley was able to use his position on the Senate Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee to protect funding for the WaterSMART program, which is used in Central Oregon to help support water conservation projects like large canal piping and the development of a water marketing strategy.
Merkley Champions Senate Bill to Support Habitat Restoration for Migrating Fish
Oregon’s Senator Merkley won support in the Senate agriculture funding legislation for family farms, rural housing, habitat restoration, and wildfire smoke recovery. This includes $750K for DRC’s McKay Creek Project and $4.8M for projects benefiting Crooked River flow restoration.
Welcome Jacob Kimiecik, DRC’s New Project Manager
Jacob is our new Project Manager. Prior to joining the DRC, Jacob earned a BS in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics along with a BA in Economics from Colorado State University in 2016. Jacob also earned a JD from Lewis & Clark Law school in 2021 with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law.
Dani Wise Johnson Joins DRC as Programs Director
Dani joins the DRC as our Programs Director. For the past 10 years, Dani has been working independently, conducting restoration projects, performing watershed assessments, leading trainings for professionals, guiding municipalities and non-profits through water quality challenges, and generally trying to spend as much time on the rivers as possible!
Program Manager Natasha Bellis Leaves DRC for New Opportunities at The Deschutes Land Trust
“We’ll miss Natasha dearly. She has been an invaluable part of this organization. We look forward to continuing to work with her in her leadership role at the land trust.,” said Kate Fitzpatrick, DRC Executive Director.