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Bend proclaims National Public Lands Day, groups stress protection and stewardship
Summary
Council proclaimed Sept. 27, 2025 as Public Lands Day in Bend; representatives from Vamonos Outside, Central Oregon Land Watch and Oregon Wild accepted the proclamation and urged protection of public lands and access.
The Bend City Council adopted a proclamation declaring Sept. 27, 2025 as National Public Lands Day in Bend and invited residents to participate in stewardship and protection events. Representatives from local organizations accepted the proclamation and urged support for public-land protections.
Speakers: Zavi Aborha of Vamonos Outside (an outdoor access group serving Latino and communities of color) accepted the proclamation and said connecting underserved communities to the outdoors fosters stewardship. Lace Thornburg of Central Oregon Land Watch described public‑lands rites of passage and encouraged stewardship and advocacy. Sammy Godlove of Oregon Wild thanked the city and warned local protections are important in the face of proposed federal rollbacks to protections such as the roadless rule and the Endangered Species Act; he emphasized public lands’ importance for drinking water, carbon storage and local economies.
Proclamation and vote: Councilor read the proclamation and Councilor Perkins moved to approve; Councilor Platt seconded. Council adopted the proclamation by voice vote.
Why it matters: Speakers and the proclamation linked local quality of life and economic activity to nearby public lands, urged residents to serve in volunteer events, and urged local leadership to oppose measures that would reduce public protections or sell federal public lands.
