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A Greenprint for Deschutes County

The Greenprint is moving forward, and we need your input! Help us rank the Greenprint goals and priorities in this survey, which takes approximately 7 minutes. Take survey

See the results of the previous public opinion surveys (pdf).

Deschutes County: Exceptional Quality of Life, Economic Vitality
In the past ten years, Deschutes County has experienced the most rapid growth of any county in Oregon, largely due to its quality of life and year-round recreation The beautiful scenery, accessible recreation (primarily hiking, biking, horseback riding), and abundant wildlife here are all critical to our way of life and local economy.

Building a Vision for the Future
Currently, there is no comprehensive regional vision that focuses on the lands most important to the community for conservation and recreation. TPL and partners recognize that careful, insightful planning is key to maintaining and improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the region.

A Collaborative Solution
A broadly based group of local conservation groups, recreation groups, businesses, and residents who, with the support of our Federal, State, County, City, Park and Recreation Districts, has gathered to help create a "Greenprint" that will identify and prioritize the values that shape our community. Through the Greenprint we can conserve the things that make Deschutes County a great place to live, work, and play.

What is a Greenprint?
A voluntary approach for conservation that fully engages the community and helps us make informed decisions about land conservation, recreation priorities, and balanced growth. These decisions are based on interactive maps that highlight and prioritize key protection areas for important scenic views, wildlife habitat and trail connections - as identified by the local people who use them. This plan will help guide future conservation purchase of land and easements, in order to protect and enhance these important resources.

Why a Greenprint for Deschutes County?
Our county's prosperity is directly tied to the local quality of life. People are drawn here to enjoy our scenery, outstanding recreation opportunities, and abundant wildlife. Our quality of life is also a key driver in attracting footloose entrepreneurs and high tech businesses, which helps diversify our local economy. Through the Greenprint, we can ensure conservation investments in Deschutes County benefit the local economy. Ultimately we believe that by enhancing the local quality of life through conservation purchases, we create the conditions that will pay off in the future with jobs and investments.

Why Now?
With the current slowdown we have the chance to think ahead about what we can do to maintain our competitive advantage and ensure people continue to find Deschutes County desirable. Right now is the most cost-effective time to invest in land and water conservation. Thinking ahead is the only way we can make sure our community continues to be such a great place to live and work.

A Regional Vision = Competitive Fundraising
The Greenprint is an essential component of any strategy for securing new public and private sources of funding as it provides strong, competitive and qualifying data. Having a collaborative process and regional vision for land conservation and recreation strengths the collective efforts of all the organizations involved.

The Greenprint project will be an asset to the community. This plan can help preserve the quality of life, which is why people move here. It will be a plus for the economy and the environment. Bob Evans, Developer and Trout Unlimited and Deschutes Land Trust board member.

For more information about the Greenprint, please contact:
Kristin Kovalik, Project Manager, (541) 382-2092
Nelson Mathews, Program Director,(541) 322-0133

Related links:
"Rolling out the Greenprint: Inside Deschutes County's largest conservation planning effort to date," The Source Weekly, August 19, 2009

Thanks to all the partners supporting the Greenprint for Deschutes County
City of Bend
City of LaPine
City of Redmond
City of Sisters
Deschutes Land Trust
Oregon Parks & Recreation Department
Bend Metro Park and Recreation District
Redmond Area Park & Recreation District
Sisters Park & Recreation District
Deschutes County
The Trust for Public Land

Deschutes Greenprint Public Opinion Surveys

Deschutes Greenprint Online Questionnaire
TPL posted an online survey to gather public input and help shape the goals of the Deschutes Greenprint. The survey ran from June 24 until October 9, 2009 and was publicized in local newspapers, radio, e-mail newsletters, and through Facebook. Over 250 people completed the survey. Download a summary of the online survey results (PDF).

Deschutes Greenprint Public Opinion Phone Survey
From May 12th - May 19th, 2009, public opinion research firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, (through generous funding from the Brainerd Foundation) conducted a statistically-valid, telephone-based public opinion survey of 400 Deschutes County residents on behalf of the Deschutes Greenprint. This survey allowed the Greenprint team to assess how Deschutes County residents feel about the conditions and quality of life throughout the county. The executive summary (pdf) shows that residents enjoy a high quality of life in Deschutes County and mainly attribute this to the natural environment. Residents are highly interested in safeguarding their quality of life by conserving natural areas, and protecting water quality and wildlife habitat.

Updated 10/2009