Eagle Crest on the outskirts of Redmond is located in Central Oregon, on the lee side of the Cascade Mountains. This creates a moisture gradient that results in an incredibly diverse landscape. This includes parklike Ponderosa pine forests near the Metolius River in the Cascades, to sage-steppe habitats of the high desert in the east, as well as drier pine and juniper forests of the Ochoco and Blue Mountains. Central Oregon is the headwaters to both the Deschutes and John Day River systems.

The partnerships in Central Oregon are as diverse as the landscape. A number of public-private partnerships/collaborations across the region have been instrumental in restoring stream flows, while simultaneously, improving critical irrigation infrastructure for agricultural producers. Key partners include Oregon’s Watershed Councils Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and irrigation districts. These landowner-led groups have accomplished a significant amount of conservation work in Central Oregon and have been some of the strongest partners for collaborative conservation efforts in Oregon overall.

A general agenda for the event will be an opening reception at 5 PM Monday October 7, an all day field trip on buses Tuesday October 8 and all day in conference at Eagle Crest Wednesday October 9. The meeting concludes with a closing dinner on Wednesday.