Kimi Guerra- Host
My Story
As a born-and-raised Bendite, I carry a deep connection to this land and strong feelings about how it has changed over time. I’ve always been drawn to the people doing the hard, often unseen work to care for, protect, and thoughtfully shape Bend and the surrounding High Desert. The Deschutes Current is my way of listening to those voices, learning from them, and sharing their stories with the broader community.
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Drawing on my coursework in Sustainability and Digital Communications, along with over a decade of experience managing businesses, coordinating teams, and communicating with diverse audiences, I research these topics and translate them into accessible, engaging stories. I interview local leaders and experts, then direct, edit, and produce episodes that make complex environmental issues relatable and human. My ongoing volunteer work with local schools and nonprofits further grounds this project in community voices and grassroots priorities.
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Through The Deschutes Current, I aim to highlight regional expertise, expand local environmental awareness, and foster a deeper collective understanding of the natural systems, and people that shape life in the High Desert.
As I’ve transitioned from years in food service and restaurant management into returning to school, raising a child, and reimagining my career in a shifting economy, this podcast has grown into a passion project rooted in curiosity, community, and place. It reflects my desire to understand not just what work is happening in Central Oregon, but why it matters, and who is doing it.
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Through my Sustainable Podcast internship, I aim to address the broad sustainability challenge of community-based environmental awareness and place-based knowledge sharing in Central Oregon. At a time when access to credible environmental information feels increasingly limited, it is especially important to create welcoming spaces where local experts, scientists, and community advocates can share their knowledge openly and honestly.
The conversations I will host explore sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Environmentally, Central Oregon faces increasing pressures on water systems, forests, and high desert habitats. Socially, our communities benefit from inclusive, trustworthy conversations that deepen people’s connection to where they live. Economically, informed residents and organizations are better equipped to support long-term regional wellbeing.
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