Newberry Regional Partnership

06/09/2026

06/05/2026

Redmond, La Pine and Sisters, you're on the clock! Your FireFree collection days start today, June 5. The events run through Saturday, June 13.

Residents can drop off yard debris for free during open hours at these locations:

La Pine: Southwest Transfer Station
June 5-13 (closed on Sunday)
8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday
54580 Highway 97, La Pine

Redmond: Negus Transfer Station
June 5-13 (closed on Sunday)
8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday
2400 NE Maple Way, Redmond

Sisters: Northwest Transfer Station
June 5-6 and June 10-13
8 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday
68200 Fryrear Road, Sisters

The FireFree program encourages residents to get ready for wildfire season by clearing dry leaves, pine needles, branches and other flammable yard debris from around their homes. During a wildfire, embers can travel miles and ignite dry material near a house. Clearing that debris and making a defensible space around a home can help lower that risk.

What will be accepted (and what will not)

Accepted: grass clippings, brush, plant prunings, pine needles, pine cones, weeds, trimmings, branches, stumps or trees no larger than 12 inches in diameter.

Not accepted: sod, dirt, rocks, lumber, metal, trash, or plastics of any kind (including plastic bags), and any stumps or trees larger than 12 inches in diameter.

**Please remember to cover your loads when traveling to the collection site.**

For more information, call 541-322-7129 or visit projectwildfire.org.

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

We are sharing this important poll at the request of the Central Oregon Civic Action Project. Please participate!

"AI is reshaping Central Oregon — and we have a choice in how we respond. This is a place for us to weigh in.
The 2026 Community Solutions Assembly on AI asks how Central Oregon can ensure the benefits of AI are widely shared and its risks responsibly managed in our communities. It starts with an Open Poll you can access today; this only takes a few minutes and it shapes everything that follows.
What is an "Open Poll"?
The Open Poll isn't a traditional survey. Anyone can add their own thoughts to be considered by others. It then takes all the contributions and votes to measure the community's full opinion landscape, showing where people agree, where they diverge, and what common ground already exists.
You'll see statements submitted by other community members about this question. You can vote: agree, disagree, or unsure… or add your own thoughts.
Your responses — combined with everyone else's — will help surface what we have in common, where we differ, and what we might tackle together."

The Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP) is bringing Central Oregonians together online, in small groups, and in a representative deliberative problem-solving forum to discuss how AI is shaping the communities we love and how we can build an approach to AI that benefits everyone.

It starts with us. Take a few minutes to add your voice to the Open Poll: cocap.us/ai (link in bio)

Join us for facilitated conversations with others in your community to discuss the issues further. Invite your friends and neighbors to have their say too.
Your input directly informs the recommendations to policy-makers that follow.

Together we can do great things!

06/01/2026

A message from Monte. Our community champion and action team leader of DSAT.

“We did it! After all the hard work and navigating weather challenges, the Demonstration Project was a great success. Thank you to all the DSAT partners for your contributions.

I want to extend a special thanks to Kevin. Without his organizational leadership and expertise, this project would not have been possible.

Another big thank you goes to the NRP leader, Kathy DeBone. She took this project on with her usual energy and enthusiasm, providing a "can-do" attitude whenever we needed to move things forward. She is an amazing leader.

Kellyn, your behind-the-scenes facilitation skills were invaluable.

Toby, it was such a pleasure working with you. Your professionalism and experience were exceptional, and you made everyone appearing on camera feel comfortable. We look forward to seeing the final video product.

Thank you to Lauren, Jenna, Paul, and Heather. Your presentations were amazing and kept the audience fully engaged with the information you provided.

Sam and Zach, the work you did on the forested areas is a thing of beauty. Many people commented on how the transformation improved the defensibility of the properties while maintaining privacy screening.

Finally, a big thank you to Jeannie and Ken Thorp. We could not have asked for more gracious and accommodating homeowners for this project. After reviewing over 60 properties, we truly found a winner.

This is just the beginning. NRP and DSAT will continue to grow as the primary resources for residents and businesses seeking defensible space information. It is incredible how far we have come since we first created DSAT in January 2025.”

05/29/2026

Newberry Country Land Stewards Update
This morning our team visited at least half a dozen camps — both abandoned and active — as we prepare for our next big cleanup on June 13th.
It’s heartbreaking to witness the evidence of human suffering and the environmental damage left behind. But we’re also seeing real hope and progress.
In less than two years, working in strong partnership with the City of La Pine, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Deschutes County Behavioral Health and the Newberry Country Land Stewards, (NCLS focuses on the cleanups) some areas have been cleared of illegal camping so the public can once again safely enjoy our public lands. Numerous people have been connected to housing and/or treatment. We know there is frustration and there is so much more work to be done.
In south Deschutes County, active camps have dropped from 44 to 14. That’s real change.
Focusing on what we CAN do and not what we can't do, makes a difference.
Thank you to every volunteer, partner, and supporter who’s been part of this important work. Cleaner, safer public lands benefit all of us.

05/28/2026

Our next cleanup is scheduled for June 13. Click the link below to learn more and to sign up!

May 9 - Removed 60 yards of trash and RV from a site in North Klamath

March 29 - Hazardous Material Training and cleaned up 30 yards of trash, removed 12 propane tanks.

https://newberryregionalpartnership.org/newberry-country-land-stewards/