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Environment

OSU researchers’ drone footage provides new insight into gray whales’ acrobatic feeding behavior

NEWPORT, Ore. (KTVZ) – Drone footage captured by researchers in Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute is offering new insight into the acrobatics undertaken by gray whales foraging in the waters off the coast of Oregon. The whales’ movements, including forward and side-swimming, headstands and the use of “bubble blasts” change as the whales grow,

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Warm Springs Tribes voice relief that lower Deschutes sampling found water quality among ‘best in the nation’

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation on Monday shared the results of a report that tested water quality on the lower Deschutes River, saying it found some of the nation’s best water, easing potentially costly requirements for a major water treatment system upgrade. The tribes said repeated water

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State agencies issue Lower Umatilla Basin nitrate reduction plan

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The State of Oregon, through collaboration between the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Water Resources Department and the Oregon Health Authority, released a Nitrate Reduction Plan on Friday to outline the state’s key strategies to reduce groundwater nitrate concentrations to less than seven mg/L

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Wyden, Merkley announce $200,000 federal award for Farmers Conservation Alliance efforts in Central Oregon

 WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced Friday the Farmers Conservation Alliance in Bend has earned a $200,000 Energizing Rural Communities award from the U.S. Department of Energy.   “In my meetings and town halls throughout Oregon, I hear regularly from farmers and ranchers about the negative impacts the climate crisis is

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Oregon Wildlife Federation promotes three wildlife crossing projects, one on Hwy. 20 in Central Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As wildlife move around their habitat for food, shelter and to find mates, the roads and highways that crisscross our state make that a dangerous and sometimes fatal journey. According to Oregon Department of Transportation’s carcass collection records, each year in Oregon, approximately 5,000 large-bodied animals are killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions.

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Deschutes County Solid Waste to host inaugural ‘Drop It, Swap It’ event on Sept. 28

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Solid Waste is encouraging county residents to gather their gently used, unwanted items and participate in the inaugural Drop It, Swap It event on Saturday, Sept. 28. The objective is to promote sustainability and help reduce the amount of waste going into the county landfill. Residents are invited to drop off

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Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District puts first tax measure on Nov. 5 ballot, seeking stable funding source

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District said Monday it has placed Measure 9-176 on the Nov. 5 ballot, asking Deschutes County voters to approve a permanent tax rate at a limit of six cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. If approved, the measure would provide a stable funding source

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Governor Kotek declares drought emergency in Lake County, second of the year, after Jefferson

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought in Lake County through Executive Order 24-26, and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Lake County has been in moderate drought since July 9. Drought metrics like the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) are

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Despite rain, Oregon DEQ continues air quality advisory for Deschutes County; fewer areas of state hit by smoke

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Wednesday for the following areas due to smoke from fires in Oregon: Deschutes County Grant County Wheeler County DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least Friday morning. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in

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Think Wild looks at how wildfires, smoke affect Central Oregon wildlife, offers ways you can help them out

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Despite summer winding to an end, wildfire season is rearing its head again, as many more wildfires have popped up throughout the state, causing evacuations, poor air quality, and concerns around life and property. At Think Wild, a wildlife hospital and conservation center in Bend, nearby fires – including the Little

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DEQ continues air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke for much of Central Oregon, state

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency issued a new air quality advisory Monday for the following areas due to smoke from fires in Oregon: Crook County Deschutes County Eastern Douglas County Southern Grant County Northern Harney County Southern Jefferson County Northern Klamath County Northern

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Oregon DEQ issues air quality advisory for Crook, Deschutes counties as wildfire smoke returns to much of High Desert

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After a break of clear skies for several days, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Wednesday due to smoke from wildfires in Oregon, Idaho and California, expecting it to be in place until at least Friday. The following areas are affected: Crook County Deschutes County Grant

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