Bend, Oregon, is more than a postcard-perfect destination. It’s a place where mountains meet mindset—where community, conservation, and connection are as much a part of the landscape as the trails and rivers. On June 3, this ethos came to life during the latest Bend 101 event, held at Open Space Event Studios. The evening, themed “Connecting Through the Outdoors,” invited attendees to explore not just Bend’s natural beauty, but their role in protecting it. “We must take care of the places that take care of us as we are all visitors here. Take care of the land we adventure on. Smile, go the right away, and simply slow down. That’s how we do it here. That’s how we do it in Bend,” explains Brian Ladd, a top performing broker at Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty.
Years ago, Brian realized that helping people buy homes in Bend as a Real Estate Advisor was only part of the equation. He wanted to help them become thoughtful, engaged members of the community. That vision led to the creation of Bend 101—a welcoming space where both newcomers and longtime locals can come together, build connections, and learn what it truly means to live well and responsibly in Bend.
Every Bend 101 event begins with a grounding introduction to the city’s past and present. It’s an intentional move—one that recognizes that you can’t truly care for a place until you understand where it’s been.
This historical overview acknowledged the complexity of Bend’s growth. While visitor travel has exploded and tourism has become a vital economic driver, the region is also grappling with serious challenges. From climate change and catastrophic wildfires to housing affordability and infrastructure strain, the pressures of popularity are real. Attendees were reminded that with access comes responsibility: follow fire restrictions, pick up after your pets, be courteous on trails, and model the kind of behavior you want others to follow.
The evening’s panel featured voices from across the spectrum of outdoor leadership and public engagement. Zavier Borja of Visit Bend opened with a call for kindness and intentionality. Jeff Kitchens, a public lands management expert, explained the difficult task of balancing competing land-use interests—from mountain bikers and hunters to timber companies and conservationists. Rika Ayotte of the Deschutes Land Trust spoke about the region’s ongoing efforts to protect wildlife, including plans for crossings on Highway 20, one of Oregon’s deadliest routes for mule deer.
The panel was rounded out by Kelly Cannon-Miller of the Deschutes Historical Museum, who offered rich insights into Bend’s early 20th-century booms and busts. City of Bend City Manager Eric King added a forward-looking perspective, describing how the city is navigating the delicate balance between growth and sustainability. Each speaker brought a unique lens, but the message was consistent: we all have a role in shaping Bend’s future. They make a compelling narrative about Bend’s evolution—from a once-quiet logging town to a booming outdoor and tourism hub.
How can residents be active participants in preserving the outdoor beauty of Bend? The panelists encouraged attendees to go beyond passive appreciation and get involved—whether that means volunteering with a local trail group, donating to a conservation organization, or simply showing up to events like this one. Instead of pointing fingers when something needs to be changed or fixed., the panel urged the audience to lean into the shared responsibility of stewardship.
Bend 101 isn’t just about orientation—it’s about integration. The event series, created by Brian Ladd is designed to help residents understand what it means to truly belong here. That starts with history: not just the romanticized frontier version, but the full story, including Oregon’s exclusionary past and Bend’s early economic reliance on timber. It continues with real talk about housing shortages, land use challenges, and the balancing act of preserving what makes Bend special while welcoming new people into it.
Backed by sponsors like OSU-Cascades, Deschutes Brewery, and community organizations across the region, Bend 101 has become a vital platform for civic engagement. It’s a space where newcomers and longtime locals can share ideas, learn from one another, and recommit to the values that make Bend unique.
As the night wound down, the message was clear: showing up is just the beginning. Stewardship starts with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. It continues with small choices, everyday actions, and a willingness to care not just for the landscape, but for the community that surrounds it.
Because in Bend, community doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built, one story, one trail, and one connection at a time