Project: PLS Bend Spring Cleanup
Location: Oregon
Description: On April 11, 2026, 140 dedicated volunteers came together along China Hat Road within a designated closure area to support the U.S. Forest Service in an ongoing multi-year NEPA project focused on cleaning, rehabilitating, and ultimately reopening a heavily impacted area.
Over three hours, volunteers removed over 35,000 pounds of trash and debris from trails and surrounding landscapes, directly contributing to reduced wildfire risk, improved conditions for flora and fauna rehabilitation, and long-term conservation goals that will allow the area to be responsibly reopened for recreation upon project completion.
A standout aspect of this effort was the commitment of volunteers who brought their own heavy equipment to assist in removing large, difficult-to-haul items, greatly increasing the overall impact and efficiency of the cleanup.
This yearslong collaboration has demonstrated a strong community investment in restoring public lands and protecting natural resources for future use in the Deschutes National Forest. Thank you the Public Land Stewards for the incredible work and dedication to improving this area.
Thank you to the partners who made this possible:
• Public Land Stewards-Bend
• Sons of Smokey
• U.S. Forest Service
“The dedication of the Central Oregon community to the public land surrounding China Hat Road in the Deschutes National Forest is incredible to witness firsthand. With this area of misuse now clean, the restoration and rehabilitation of wildlife can commence, and in time, be reopened for responsible nonmotorized and motorized recreation.” – Grace Schuessler, Oregon Program Manager for Tread Lightly!
Want to get involved in your own Tread Lightly! project? Find upcoming activities, events and grant opportunities at treadlightly.org.
