The Environmental Center

Midtown Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossings Project
2022-06-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You are invited to an open house on June 22 to learn about the Midtown Crossings Feasibility Study. This study looks to find opportunities to improve east-west connectivity through safer walking and biking connections in the Central Core area of Bend.

Let's Talk About Electric Transportation!
2022-10-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join A Conversation About Electric Transportation and Your Community
Forth invites customers of Pacific Power to participate in focus groups to share their thoughts and suggestions with us. Your valuable insights will help shape Pacific Power’s Transportation Electrification (TE) Plans for Oregon.
On October 25, 2022, Forth is hosting a listening event in Redmond to address and answer your questions on this exciting new development in transportation and to take feedback and suggestions on how they can suit your needs.
A national transition to electric transportation is underway. Pacific Power wants to hear from the communities it serves to answer questions about electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging and your transportation needs and challenges.
Attendees will earn a $50 gift card as a token of appreciation for their time and effort. Meals will also be provided.
For more details, contact Forth’s Program Manager, JR Anderson at jranderson@forthmobility.org or (347) 306-0988.

Sustainable Bicycle Transportation - Models for Change
2022-12-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Hear what one of Bend’s transportation engineers learned about making walking and biking in cities safer and more enjoyable – and about how to apply similar strategies in Bend.
Robin Lewis joined a cohort of transportation professionals and students from Oregon to study transportation infrastructure and safety in Denmark and The Netherlands this summer. Their goal was to “discover how we can create great communities and what role transportation systems, including bicycling transportation, play to improve livability, connect people to other people and places to sustain a healthy environment.” Robin will share her take-aways and answer your questions.
Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to our Facebook event (click here!!).
*We will gather at The Environmental Center; this event does not necessarily reflect the mission/opinion of The Environmental Center.

Kristen Jokinen—author of Joy Ride: A Bike Odyssey from Alaska to Argentina
2023-05-20 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Barnes and Noble, 2690 NE hwy 20, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Meet the Author: Kristen Jokinen for a conversation and signing of her new book Joy Ride: A Bike Odyssey from Alaska to Argentina! After party at Crux Fermentation Project.

Cashing in on Clean Energy: Save Money and the Climate
2023-05-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
In 2022, Congress passed the largest climate investment in our history with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which included what is now the Affordable Clean Energy Plan. It passed because people like you never stop fighting for what we need – a clean energy future that centers racial justice and equity. It will be successful because of people like you, too. Join us on Wednesday, May 24th, at 6pm to find out more.
Pres. Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan is a game-changer for climate and clean energy. It will help put us on a path to cut climate pollution nearly in half by 2030, and better protect our communities from further devastation. How? In part, by providing tax credits and incentives so people like you can upgrade to clean energy and better energy efficiency, all while saving money on utility bills. Think: window upgrades, energy efficiency projects, electric vehicles, and more!
Join us and our West Coast partners next Wednesday for a virtual event going over the incentives coming our way.
What: Cashing in on Clean Energy: Save Money and the Climate
When: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6PM PT
Where: Zoom Webinar
REGISTER NOW
A just clean energy transition plan is critical to reduce climate pollution while ensuring all our communities thrive. The Affordable Clean Energy Plan is the biggest opportunity we have to jumpstart this transition right now. Climate action can’t wait.
Our invited speakers, including from national LCV and Rewiring America, will go over the different benefits and offer resources to help you plan your clean energy transition. RSVP today and learn how you can cash in on clean energy!

REI Presents: Kristen & Ville Jokinen
2023-05-27 - 2023-05-29 | REI, 380 SW Powderhouse Dr, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
10am-3pm

Federal Community Grants Program & the Justice40 Initiative
2023-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Event
The panel will analyze Justice40 initiatives and discuss merits and growth opportunities. The presenters will also share updates and considerations for entities intending to apply for funding from the discretionary grant programs that provide access to EV charging within rural areas, low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, and communities.

CANCELED - July Power Hour - Deschutes Energy Future
2023-07-20 17:00 - 18:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO COVID. You can still sign up and we will send you an update when we have one!
We are excited to share that our energy planning work over the last couple of years has resulted in a new initiative called Deschutes Energy Future! Come to this event and learn about the work we’ve done so far for community-based energy projects, as well as our plans for launching this initiative.
We’ll also be sharing a brand new community energy analysis of Deschutes County. Ever wondered where your energy comes from, what energy is most used for, or how much of it is really produced locally? We’ll share new insights on all these questions and more in a first look at our new energy inventory.

ThinkBike Ride & Learn #1
2023-07-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Juniper Swim and Fitness Center, 800 NE 6th St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
During a two-day workshop, local and Dutch experts will exchange ideas for how to include walking, biking, and rolling in Bend’s transportation systems. This workshop is invite only but we want to keep the conversation going with the community!
Join us for a bike ride after the workshop to learn about the activities and explore a few of Bend’s key bike and pedestrian infrastructure elements on the east side of town.
Meet at Juniper Swim & Fitness by the horseshoe courts for a party-pace community ride!

ThinkBike Ride & Learn #2
2023-08-01 17:00 - 18:00 | Mirror Pond Plaza, downtown off Brooks St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
During a two-day workshop, local and Dutch experts will exchange ideas for how to include walking, biking, and rolling in Bend’s transportation systems. The ThinkBike workshop is invite only but we want to keep the conversation going with the community!
Join us for a bike ride after the workshop to learn about the activities and travel to the public presentation at Open Space Studios.
Meet at the Mirror Pond Plaza to ride together to the event.

ThinkBike Public Presentation
2023-08-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Want to learn about Dutch urban and street design philosophy and how Bend can increase ridership through intentional planning? Join cycling and infrastructure expert, Sjors Van Duren, and colleagues, as well as other ThinkBike Workshop participants for a public presentation. The presentation will recap the workshop activities and share some of the concept designs in which Dutch strategies were applied to Bend’s streets.
No registration required but seating is limited. Light refreshments will be provided.

BEYOND THE BEYOND: PREPARING BEND FOR A WILD FUTURE
2023-09-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
How will our city and our lives be changed by population growth, a warming world, hotter summers and less water, new technologies and other emerging trends? And how can we plan to maintain our region’s beauty and quality of life?
Being resilient and seeking out opportunities to innovate is what moved Oregon into the forefront of planning 50 years ago and it’s what we strive to be far into the future. Come learn how planning will need to change in future decades with case studies on transforming traditional suburbs, developing new models for infrastructure planning, and building resiliency in an era of climate-driven events — and what we can do to retain the best of Bend as it moves into a wild future.
Admission is FREE but due to space constraints, pre-registration is required. Doors will open at 6:30pm and the program starts at 7pm. A no-host bar will be available.

REGISTER FOR FREE

THIS IS PART 3 OF A THREE-PART SERIES CELEBRATING OREGON’S LAND USE LAWS. YOU CAN VIEW PART 1 AND PART 2 HERE.

2023 Go Clean Energy Conference
2023-10-04 08:30 - 16:30 | COCC, 2600 NW Collge Way, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Go Clean Energy Conference: Get a Jackpot of incentives for Your Electrification Projects
Whether you rent, own a home, or commercial building, cash and tax credits are coming your way from government incentives that will help you electrify. Learn from 25+ experts how to put your project together. Don’t be left out of the funding stream to electrify for cost savings and health. Solar, efficiency, Electric vehicle Charging, home heating and/or cooling are among your many options. Oct 4, 8:30-4:30 at Bend Central Oregon Community College.
Register at GoCleanEnergy.org.

Climate Friendly Areas Open House
2023-11-07 17:00 - 19:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Join the City of Bend for an informational open house to learn more and provide your feedback on Climate Friendly Areas!
City staff are in the phase of analyzing locations throughout the city to designate as Climate Friendly Areas in a multi-year project driven by the state. As a part of this phase, the community is invited to the Climate Friendly Areas Community Open House on Nov. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. It will be held in the Audubon Room at the Environmental Center at 16 NW Kansas Ave.
Climate Friendly Areas are part of the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities rules required by the state that intend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by changing land use patterns. The end result will involve designating walkable, connected areas that provide a mix of businesses, housing and amenities such as parks and schools through code and policy amendments.

Bend Bikeway Project Open House and Survey
2024-02-29 17:00 - 19:00 | Bend Municipal Court Building, 555 NE 15th Street,, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Project Goal
The City is designing a variety of safer and more accessible bike and pedestrian (routes/projects/intersections, etc.) throughout the community, including the Bend Bikeway Project that will make the most of the existing system to build one connected and protected North-South and one East-West key route.
The North-South and East-West routes are being implemented to fulfill the City Council’s 2023-2025 Transportation and Infrastructure Goal to “Implement near-term multimodal and safety projects to capitalize on the existing system, including building one connected and protected North-South and one East-West key route, and wayfinding.”
Can’t make it in person?
The same information is available here. Browse the open house exhibits by clicking on the tabs, then share your feedback by completing the survey. The survey and interactive map will close on March 6, 2024.

March Green Drinks: DREAM BOLDLY The Grand AdvenChair
2024-03-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, 2600 Northwest College Way, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
If you truly want to see how the all-terrain wheelchair AdvenChair holds up under the rigorous environment of four days down and back up the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon, then come see the premiere showing of DREAM BOLDLY The Grand AdvenChair, the new 48-minute documentary of Geoff Babb and his expedition team currently in review by film festivals from coast-to-coast, and even Cannes, France. Then, stick around for a moderated panel discussion featuring Geoff Babb, members of his team, and Marcia Volk, the filmmaker, as well as the opportunity to ask questions you may have.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE!
Learn about Geoff’s arduous journey to realize his dream as a survivor of two strokes, taking years to perfect an all-terrain human-powered wheelchair, culminating in a rigorous 4-day expedition down and back out of the Grand Canyon, with a ripple effect on others from its creation—access to nature previously out of reach. Sometimes one bold dream can change the world for many.
In partnership with Outback Film, The Onward Project, and COCC, we’re honored to present a debut showing of DREAM BOLDLY The Grand AdvenChair.
REGISTER HERE!
In advance of College events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact Caitlyn Gardner at 541-383-7237. For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact Disability Services at 541-383-7583.

Vision Roadshow: Drake-to-Juniper Event
2024-06-01 09:00 - 11:00 | The Commons Cafe and Taproom, 875 NW BROOKS ST., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Since the release of the five-year Vision Action Plan, Envision Bend has been working with vision lead partners to align efforts, spark action, and track collective progress. In the coming months, Envision Bend will be hosting a Summer Vision Roadshow at various coffee shops and breweries around town for the community to learn more about various strategies. The first event on June 1st focuses on the ‘Drake to Juniper Pedestrian Corridor’ vision strategy.
Meet outside the Commons Cafe at 9:00am for a 2.25-mile group bike ride in partnership with Bend Bikes to Juniper Park via the Midtown Crossings at Franklin and Greenwood. We will reconvene at 10am on the patio of the Commons Cafe to hear from the City transportation planning staff and Bend Bikes with updates on improvements to our Midtown Crossings, the Hawthorne Bridge, and the community’s shared vision to connect Drake Park to Juniper Park as outlined in the Vision Action Plan.
Stay tuned for additional Vision-themed events throughout the summer, such as ‘Railroad Safety and Redevelopment’ on June 27th at Bevel Brewing; a strategy that was created from public input to move the railroad and address safety concerns. There will also be events focused on ‘Expanding Access to Childcare’ in July, ‘Outdoors for Everyone’ in August, and ‘City of Belonging’ in September.
To register, visit envisionbend.org and sign up for the Envision Bend newsletter to stay up-to-date. Join Envision Bend on June 1st to learn more about the Vision Action Plan, meet someone new, and bring your questions to ask organizations that are taking the Lead on these vision strategies.
Envision Bend is a nonpartisan, community nonprofit organization. Its mission is to bring diverse stakeholders together to educate, engage, and empower all members of the Bend community to have a voice in our community’s future. In 2021, as the successor organization to Bend 2030, it reorganized and rebranded itself as Envision Bend. For more, please visit envisionbend.org or facebook.com/EnvisionBend.

Oregon Active Transportation Summit
2024-06-05 - 2024-06-07 | Leftbank Annex, North Weidler Street, Portland, OR, 97227, United States
This year’s Oregon Active Transportation Summit, Move Oregon Forward, will ground our community of advocates, organizers, professionals, and decision-makers in the shared belief that a better future is possible. Register today and join us June 5-7 at the Leftbank Annex in Portland, OR.
Who Should Attend?
Each year, hundreds of professionals and advocates from Oregon and SW Washington convene to discuss cutting edge transportation issues. Attendees include: state legislators; policy makers; local and national figures in the biking, walking, and active transportation movement; directors of transportation departments and community-based organizations; engineers and planners; land managers; business owners; health professionals; and community advocates. We hope you will join this wide array of leaders to share lessons and learn. Active transportation advocates and practitioners bring energy and passion for change to this event, and the result is a powerful conference that advances our shared goals.
What to Expect
We’re planning a myriad of presentations, workshops, and field trips to bring attendees together to problem-solve and build community in real time. Expect a full schedule of fun and interesting activities!

Transforming School Transportation with Electric School Buses
2024-10-15 10:00 - 11:00 | OR
Join this webinar to hear from Forth’s panel of experts as they discuss inclusive strategies for the widespread adoption of electric school buses. You will also gain insights and learn best practices from Forth’s Repower School Bus program, the Electric School Bus Initiative, and more.
