Great Old Broads for Wilderness leader to speak on wild lands protection

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The League of Women Voters of Deschutes County is hosting a presentation on April 2 focused on the protection and preservation of wild public lands in Oregon. Mary Fleischmann, leader of the Central and Eastern Oregon Bitterbrush chapter of Great Old Broads for Wilderness, will serve as the featured speaker for the event.

The event will also be live-streamed on our smart TV app KTVZ+, our mobile app, and on KTVZ.com. You can also watch the live stream directly on the League of Women Voters YouTube.

The presentation will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend as part of the League's First Thursday speaker series. Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a national women-led grassroots organization that combines leadership and activism to protect the last wild places in the United States.

The Central and Eastern Oregon Bitterbrush Broadband was formed in May 2013. The chapter operates under a vision that wild public lands are a heritage for all citizens and must be protected for their intrinsic value. Members work to ensure these lands remain a gift for future generations through active community engagement.

The organization focuses on several critical environmental issues, including the protection of mature and old-growth forests. Members monitor the impacts of grazing and roads on public lands to prevent habitat fragmentation. When necessary, the group submits comments to public agencies or uses litigation to challenge the mismanagement of natural resources.

Wildlife protection is another primary focus for the chapter. Members advocate for healthy habitats and increased connectivity for animal species across Oregon. This work includes challenging public agencies when they do not uphold the Endangered Species Act and educating the public on the importance of diverse ecosystems.

The chapter also supports the restoration of healthy rivers and the improvement of riparian health and water flows. Beyond water issues, the group engages in activism related to climate change. This includes efforts to mitigate environmental impacts on local communities and to build relationships with people in rural and tribal areas.

Stewardship is practiced through BroadWorks projects, which occur three to five times per year. These service projects focus on ecosystem health and include monitoring public lands for grazing and road impacts. Volunteers also participate in habitat restoration, native planting, and the removal of noxious weeds.

Educational and recreational activities include approximately 20 BroadWalks and hikes annually. These events range from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the Owyhee Canyonlands. Additionally, the group hosts six BroadChats per year, which are informal presentations focused on advocacy and wild lands protection.

Broadband leaders from the Pacific Northwest are currently meeting regularly to discuss the breaching of dams on the Lower Snake River. The organization is participating in these regional advocacy groups to address salmon protection and forest management issues.