Bend Bulletin - Deschutes River kick-off event coming to Riverhouse

This article was published on: 01/28/19 12:00 AM

A reception and speaker series will bring together environmental nonprofit groups, irrigation districts, businesses and individuals based on their shared goals for the Deschutes River.

The kickoff event for the “Shared Vision for the Deschutes,” which will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riverhouse on the Deschutes, will feature speakers that have committed to balancing the water needs for Central Oregon farmers and citizens with the need for a healthy environment, according to a news release from the partnership.

Last year, more than a dozen irrigation districts, nonprofits and other organizations signed a memo titled “A Shared Vision for the Deschutes: Working Together so Families, Farms, and Fish can Thrive.” Its signatories work together as partners and commit to a shared vision for the Deschutes River of the future. That vision includes a healthy, restored river, which supports thriving farms, sustainable agriculture and robust and vibrant communities, according to the release.

Following a reception at 4:30, the speaking program will begin at 5 and will include 10 speakers providing a variety of perspectives on the river.