The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land to protect natural resources like forests, streams, and meadows that our community—human and wild—need to survive. Our protected lands are the places that provide mule deer with needed winter range, young fish with refuge, migrating songbirds with rest and refueling opportunities along their journey or safe locations to establish mating territories and construct nests. There are calving grounds for elk, rimrock cliffs for golden eagles and other raptors, and so much more. Our highest priority on all of our Preserves is to care for these special places and the wildlife that occupy them.

We also value our local communities and look for responsible ways to provide access for education and, when possible, low-impact recreation. So when we’re approached by a group or individual with a request for a special outing or activity, we weigh whether the proposed use is compatible with the protection of these natural resources. Whenever possible, we gladly encourage:

• Educational use of Land Trust Preserves. Educational use includes school programs, research projects, and group tours (other nonprofits, scout groups, churches, hiking groups, Parks and Rec etc). If you would like to bring your group to a Deschutes Land Trust Preserve, please complete our Educational Use Permit.

Unfortunately, we cannot allow the following uses:

• Commercial use is prohibited. Commercial use includes: charging an entry or participation fee, or where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, regardless of the intent to produce a profit. We cannot allow commercial use because as a nonprofit organization the Land Trust cannot allow private benefit of our Preserves.
• Private use is prohibited. This includes weddings, elopements, memorials, reunions, etc.

Please note: Our Preserves are private property owned by Deschutes Land Trust. Preserve users failing to observe rules are trespassing and subject applicable laws and penalties.