Kate Fitzpatrick of the Deschutes River Conservancy on Collaborative Stewardship

BEND DON'T BREAK - While there are quite a few environmental organizations in Central Oregon at least partially dedicated to restoring the Deschutes, the DRC is unique in both its mission and structure. Kate explains the history of the DRC: It was founded in the 1990s to function as a collaboration between various interest groups including farmers, recreation advocates, ranchers, environmentalists, loggers, tribal communities and government entities. The goal was to create market-based solutions to restore the Deschutes River. These include opportunities that allow water rights holders to lease or sell their water back to the river, for example. “Bend Don’t Break” is hosted by the Source Weekly’s publisher Aaron Switzer and co-hosted by Laurel Brauns. Every week, we feature a guest from the community with a new perspective on living through the COVID-19 pandemic including mental health professionals, economists, educators, artists, business people, local leaders and historians. Send us Fan MailSupport the show