The U.S. Forest Service has awarded the Deschutes National Forest $70,000 to support the development of a Deschutes "Children's Forest". Spokesperson for the Deschutes National Forest, Jean Nelson-Dean says they were one on nine national forests to receive the funds: "We've got great partners here in Central Oregon that are already doing conservation education; great schools that we have. Our hope is to bring all of these folks together and develop a coalition and using this money to leverage resources and start strategic planning." Nelson-Dean says the Children’s Forest will be a network of sites within the Deschutes; so all areas of Central Oregon can be a part of getting more kids out into the woods. She adds that their partner, Discover Northwest will take the lead in getting the coordinator hired.