Black Butte Conservancy

05/11/2026

Have you chosen your plants yet? Scan the QR code!

The Pre-Order Sale is open now through May 15th. Skip the line, choose your favorites, and pick them up on May 23rd.

Native favorites are going quickly—and we’ve expanded inventory this year. We have showy milkweed! Don’t wait—we sold out by noon last year!

Or come shop in person:
May 23, 2026 | 10am–2pm | BBR General Store

Let’s grow something good for the Black Butte landscape.

Questions? Contact lead volunteer Cathy Mick | [email protected] | 503-780-4329
More info? Visit us at www.blackbutteconservancy.org.

05/03/2026

The Pre-Sale is now LIVE! We have expanded our selection this year. Find your favorite native plants - yarrow, red columbine, lupine and more! Pre-order now and pick up on the day of the sale. Or visit our sale on Saturday, May 23rd at the Black Butte Ranch General Store. Open to the public!

Pre-Sale Link: https://givebutter.com/c/bbc-native-plant-sale-2026

More info? Head to our website: https://www.blackbutteconservancy.org/

04/12/2026

If you’d like to help, sign up on our website under “Events” - or if that’s too complicated just comment here or email us. Let’s clean up the mess on Highway 20!

04/12/2026

Looking for four more volunteers for highway cleanup on Thursday, April 16, from 8-10 am. Sign up on our website under “Events” or just comment here if you would like to participate. You’ll be paired with one other person and we’ll provide equipment and safety vests.

04/09/2026

First work party of the year, ✅! 17 volunteers today spent their time to help clear bitterbrush around BBR’s water treatment facility. We have never had that many people join us and we got a lot of flammable material cleared. With pickaxes, shovels and a lot of elbow grease we made a difference. Come join us on May 2 to finish the project! Sign up on our website under “Events.”

04/01/2026

Come join your COMMUNITY for a fire mitigation effort near one of Black Butte Ranch's key infrastructure locations - the water treatment plant by the Big Meadow entrance gate! On April 9 and May 2, BBC is seeking at least 20 volunteers to work on removing bitterbrush and pine needles under the supervision of Ranch management. This will fulfill the requirements of a grant from Deschutes County which removed hazard trees in the same area. It is actually fun to do this in tandem with your neighbors - we promise!

To sign up, visit our website and click on "Events."

01/28/2026

Attention BBC Bird Lovers! Looking for a nature-themed way to start your Valentine's Day or just a fun way for the whole family to celebrate love and connection while learning about local birds?

Sevilla Rhoads, our local beloved bird-whisperer, is working with the Ranch to provide some special birding events. On Valentine's Day at 10:00 am, you'll have an opportunity to join a special celebration at the Black Butte Ranch Activity Center. The program will start with an entertaining slide show talk (feel free to bring your coffee and pastries) followed by an interpretative bird watching experience at the Lodge fire pit.

From stories about hawks and eagles spiraling with talons locked in a courtship trust fall, to finch couples that create special songs together, we'll explore the dramatic and sweet relationship stories of our local birds.

Register through www.deifer.net (click on the Register button). LIMITED SPACE SO REGISTER EARLY. Cost: $25 per person with free admission for kids under six (food and beverages not included).

12/07/2025

Don't Miss Out! The Wildlife Crossing Panel will be happening on
Tuesday, Dec 9th from 5:00pm - 6:30pm, in the Three Sisters Event Space in the Lodge (no RSVP required). Come learn more and have your questions answered by a panel of people invested in this initiative to improve safety for all on Highway 20.

Oh...and you can grab a drink at the Lodge bar to enjoy during the presentation. Afterwards, dinner can be just a few steps away at the Lodge Dining Space (although you might consider making a reservation since we're hoping for a good turnout) or upstairs at Aspen Lounge. 🍽🍷

12/04/2025

Sad…but a smart decision.

WEATHER UPDATE: The Metolius Preserve Tree Hunt is canceled due to forecasted weather in the Camp Sherman area.

Significant rainfall is in the forecast for both Friday and Saturday. This weather, combined with a large event, can damage access roads, parking areas, trails, and habitat at the Preserve. Thus, to protect the Preserve, the Land Trust has made the difficult decision to cancel.

Still looking for a tree? You can purchase a tree cutting permit for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. We look forward to bringing the Metolius Preserve Tree Hunt back next year!

12/01/2025

Improving Safety for All Along Highway 20

Join us on Tuesday, December 9 from 5:00-6:30 pm in the Three Sisters Event Space in the Lodge to learn about plans to improve safety for both wildlife and people along Highway 20.

When you drive on Highway 20, do you worry about wildlife crossing the highway in front of you? That's understandable; the stretch of highway between Suttle Lake and Sisters has the highest vehicle-wildlife collision rate in the state of Oregon.

Coalition partners from the Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Crossing Initiative will discuss recent progress on the efforts to improve motorist and wildlife safety along Highway 20, including plans for four overcrossing structures near Black Butte Ranch. Panelists will include representatives from:

- National Forest Service (Sisters Ranger District)
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Oregon Department of Transportation
- Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Branch of Natural Resources
- Black Butte Ranch Natural Resources Department
- Oregon State University - Cascades
- Central Oregon LandWatch

The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session, so bring any questions you may have! The event is co-hosted by Black Butte Conservancy and the Ranch’s Natural Resources Committee. Grab a drink at the Lodge bar to enjoy during the presentation.