Bowman Museum invites the community to explore the history of public lands in the American West during From Survey to Stewardship: The Progression of
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Thursday, November 12, at 6 p.m. at the Bowman Museum in Prineville.

Presented by Tory Kurtz, Assistant Field Manager for the Bureau of Land Management’s Prineville Deschutes Field Office, Kurtz will guide attendees through the evolution of the Bureau of Land Management, tracing its roots to the General Land Office and the U.S. Grazing Service and exploring how these organizations developed into the modern agency responsible for managing millions of acres of public lands. Through historical stories, significant milestones, and lessons from the past, the presentation will examine how settlement, land policies, conservation, and multiple-use management have shaped the public lands we know today. In addition, Kurtz will explore the broader meaning behind the letters “BLM,” connecting the agency’s history with the enduring relationship between people, public lands, and responsible stewardship.

With more than 25 years of public land management experience in Central Oregon and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from Oregon State University, Kurtz brings a wealth of professional knowledge and a deep appreciation for the history behind the region’s landscapes. She believes understanding the people, events, and decisions that shaped the land is essential to making informed resource management decisions today.
The lecture is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and learn more about this important chapter in Oregon’s history.

• From Survey to Stewardship: The Progression of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• Presenter: Tory Kurtz, Assistant Field Manager, BLM Prineville Deschutes Field Office
• Thursday, November 5, at 6 p.m.
• Bowman Museum, Prineville, Oregon

For more information, contact the Bowman Museum at 541-447-3715 or bowmanmuseum@gmail.com.About the Saunders Memorial Lecture Series

The Saunders Memorial Lecture Series brings the community together to explore history, culture, and topics of regional interest through engaging presentations and knowledgeable speakers. The series is cohosted by the Crook County Historical Society and Friends of the Crook County Library.