New Space for FANs at
​Crooked River Ranch!

In the works is a physical location for FANs, besides the great outdoors! In the Crooked River Ranch Clubhouse village is a little building. We will use this rental for our tools and supplies, and also for showing passersby what we do. We will hold some events here, have a window display of scheduled events and things of interest, and whatever else we come up with. Watch this space!  Big thanks to Diane Nunley for coordinating the renovations of the building to make it a great building that will operate as our hub.
Friends and Neighbors of the
​Deschutes Canyon Area: What We Do
Tom Iraci, FANs member and professional photographer, created a video that shows some of our work and play, along with the beauty of the Deschutes Canyon Area public lands.  Enjoy!
THANK YOU for making 2019 a
Year of Great Accomplishments!
FANs Membership and Fundraising:
  • Members:  We acquired member/donor engagement software in 2019, and it improved our ability to capture participation and volunteer hours.  We welcomed 53 new members in 2019, for a total of 444 members.
  • Total Participants in FANs Activities:  848
  • Total Volunteer Hours:  3,536
  • Steelhead Falls Trail Matching Funds Campaign:  We exceeded our goal of $20,000 through member contributions and grants from two of our conservation partners, Bend Paddle Trail Alliance and East Cascades Audubon Society.
FANs Stewardship Projects: 
We now have ongoing projects focused on golden eagles, American kestrels and mountain bluebirds; trail monitoring and maintenance; native plant restoration; and graffiti, trash and weed removal.

FANs Lens on Learning Programs:
In 2019, we offered six programs which were attended by both members and non-members, with topics varying from Recreation and Rivers to Shackleton's Antarctic Nightmare.
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FANs Guided Hikes:
Our hiking schedule in 2019 included 18 hikes.  In addition to trails within the Middle Deschutes and Lower Crooked River canyons, like Scout Camp, Steelhead Falls and Otter Bench, we offered wildflower hikes and birding hikes further afield.

We look forward to working with all of our members and partners in 2020 to further our mission to preserve and restore the wild landscapes of our public lands.

Tom Iraci created a video titled "Beauty in the Canyons,"  featuring images from the Deschutes Canyon Area.
Lens on Learning Series
Bringing Speakers on the Natural World To Crooked River Ranch
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Mysteries of the Belted Kingfisher
presented by Marina Richie, naturalist writer
October 24, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
Register Now
Delve into the secretive world of belted kingfishers with naturalist writer Marina Richie of Bend. Learn tips on where and how to find them on the Deschutes River and nearby waterways. Delve into what makes these cocky, jay-sized birds such expert anglers--from the art of the headfirst dive to superior vision. Discover why the kingfisher is the halcyon bird, linked to a Greek myth of transformation.

Marina Richie has followed belted kingfishers  in the field for more than a decade, and has authored a book-length manuscript, now in the publishing process. She's written for National Wildlife, Audubon, and Birdwatching Magazine (including a feature in the May/June 2020 issue). She's also an award-winning writer of interpretive panels--including a series of 67 signs along the Oregon coast for the Oregon Islands NWR. Her nature blog can be found at www.marinarichie.com. ​
belted kingfisher photo: Charles Wheeler (left)
Marina Richie, presenter (right)
Our Lens on Learning series is now available on video:

What's Blooming Now on the Canyon Rim?  May 2020
Learn about native plants that grow along the canyon rim above the Middle Deschutes and Lower Crooked Rivers. 
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What's Blooming Now in the Grasslands?  June 2020
Grab your Guide to Common Native Plants of the Deschutes Canyon Area and enjoy this virtual walk through the grasslands around the Deschutes Canyon Area.

​What's Blooming Now in the Riparian Zone?  August 2020
Enjoy a journey through the riparian zone of local rivers and streams that features flowering plants found on walks through riparian habitat.

Common Weeds of the Deschutes Canyon Area  Sept. 2020
Learn to recognize and manage common weeds found on public land and private properties of the Deschutes Canyon Area.
October 2020 Guided Hikes
FANs is offering three guided hikes, with temporary restrictions to mitigate COVID-19 risks, in October.  We believe our program meets all current health authority rules and recommendations.  Hikes are subject to cancellation due to changing conditions of weather, fire, and public health.
 
Space is limited to 8 hikers, including hike leaders, and registration is required. If you are interested in any hike, you can learn more and sign up using the links below. In addition to the conditions listed for each individual hike, participants need to abide by the following COVID-19 safety measures:
  • Hikers need to maintain 6 ft distance between each other.
  • Each hiker must bring their own face mask in case social distancing cannot be maintained when encountering other hikers.
  • Bring hand sanitizer to use in parking lot after hiker sign-in process.
  • Carpooling is limited to partners/family members.
  • Outside of partners/family members, no sharing supplies or equipment.
  • In the event of crowded trail indications, hike leader may opt for a near alternative location for the hike.
  • Hikers should stay home if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or if anyone in their household is currently in quarantine or awaiting results of a COVID-19 test. If you do not feel well before the hike, contact the leader as soon as possible to cancel, as we maintain a waitlist.

The Peninsula: Past, Present and Future
Crooked River National Grassland - Two different dates!
Thursday, October 8, 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 29, 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Rating: Easy (~2.5 miles of fairly flat, easy hiking; 0.5 mile of cross country hiking)
Guide: Eric Hanson, FANs trail monitor
This easy hike includes great views of the Lower Crooked River gorge, Middle Deschutes River gorge, historic homestead remnants, wildlife guzzler, wildflowers and a discussion about the past, present and future of this very special and unique landscape.
Learn more and sign up for the October 8 hike.
Sign up available on September 29 for October 29 hike.
 
Alder Springs/Whychus-Deschutes Confluence Hike
Ochoco National Forest
Friday, October 16, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (includes drive time)
Rating: Difficult (due to creek crossing), 7 miles
Guide: Cindy Murray, FANs board member
This hike starts along a scenic rim and steeply descends into Whychus Creek Canyon, passing below cliff towers and a dry waterfall.  A water fording at Whychus Creek (about knee deep) is required to continue on the mostly level trail to the confluence of Whychus Creek and the Deschutes River.  The trail ends in a pleasant ponderosa pine grove at the river's edge.  The confluence offers wonderful views of colorful canyon walls. 
Learn more and sign up for this hike.
Guide to Common Native Plants of the
​Deschutes Canyon Area
written by FANs President Marilynne Keyser

This field guide includes the most common native plants on public lands near Crooked River Ranch in Central Oregon.  This guidebook is small (8.25 x 4.5 inches) and durable, so you can take it on your hikes to identify native shrubs, bunchgrasses and wildflowers on the many trails around Lower Whychus Creek, the Middle Deschutes and Lower Crooked Rivers.  Organized by bloom time, this field guide is especially helpful in February through September.

FANs of the Deschutes Canyon Area member price is $10 and non-member price is $12.  Your purchase helps support FANs projects that preserve and restore public lands in the Deschutes Canyon Area.
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CLICK HERE to learn more and order Guide to Common Native Plants of the Deschutes Canyon Area.
Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area
fansofdeschutes@gmail.com
P.O. Box 2127, Terrebonne, OR  97760
541.771.FANS (3267)