Join the Deschutes River Conservancy for the sixth Annual Tight Lines BBQ Dinner & Auction on Friday, May 11 at Aspen Hall located in Shevlin Park.
Starting at 5:30 pm, enjoy a festive evening of great food, spirits and fishing lore from guest presenter, Brian O’Keefe of Catch Magazine. Bid on spectacular fishing trips in locations throughout the western United States and beyond, unique art, and other wonderful items. Tickets are $50 per person and $500 per table of 8 (includes special event merchandise.) All proceeds from the event support the DRC’s mission to collaboratively restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin. To purchase your tickets, visit www.deschutesriver.org.
For the past 16 years, the Deschutes River Conservancy has been working collaboratively with the region’s vested interests to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes River and its tributaries. “Our work is a vital piece of rebuilding and sustaining a healthy ecosystem in this region,” says Bea Armstrong, development & communications director of Deschutes River Conservancy.
It’s easy to understand how healthy rivers benefit people, agriculture and fish, but the link between well managed natural resources and a healthy, thriving local economy is not always as readily apparent. Not surprisingly, tourism is one of the largest drivers of Bend’s economy. Approximately three million people visit the Bend area annually. According to a recent study by Visit Bend, of the many activities attracting people to Central Oregon, the top reasons given for visiting were 1) outdoor recreation, and 2) leisure & sightseeing. Activities such as hiking, trail running, biking, camping, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, bird watching and fishing all rank very high on visitors’ “to do” lists while in our region.
“As we pull together to rebuild the economy of Central Oregon, restoring streamflow to the Deschutes River and its tributaries is critically important. Our natural resources are what attract visitors, entrepreneurs, businesses, and new residents to the region,” adds Armstrong. “Ensuring that the Deschutes Basin remains a beautiful place to live and visit is critical for our long term well being. Healthy rivers and streams do equate to a healthy economy.”
The DRC is recognized as a leader in river restoration on both a regional and national level. Since 1996, the DRC has been on the cutting edge and triumphant in bringing together a vast array of stakeholders, public and private entities, to restore and preserve the health of our watershed. To date, the organization has restored more than 200 cubic feet per second of streamflow to our local rivers and streams, which is the equivalent of more than seven Olympic-sized swimming pools per hour protected in-stream. The DRC is a 501(c) 3 dedicated to restoring streamflow and improving water quality in the Deschutes Basin.
541.382.4077 ext.23 | www.deschutesriver.org
