The Environmental Center

Cultivating Partnerships: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Science in Land Stewardship
2024-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Experience an enlightening evening with Dr. Cristina Eisenberg as she delves into ecocultural restoration and the fusion of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Science in land stewardship. ONDA Stewardship Director Gena Goodman-Campbell will explore current ONDA initiatives to restore Oregon’s high desert and foster partnerships with the region’s tribes. Buy tickets in Bend.
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We are pleased to announce Oregon Natural Desert Association’s 2024 High Desert Speaker Series! The Speaker Series fosters a deeper understanding of ecology, encourages well-informed exploration of the high desert and promotes collaborative cross-cultural practices that conserve southeastern Oregon. These events will take you into the world of high desert bees, on a journey through the Owyhee Canyonlands, deeper into ecocultural indigenous restoration efforts and toward discovering the geologic treasures of Oregon’s desert.

Join us at these engaging events online, in Bend and in Portland and dive into the wonders of the high desert. Registration is open for all events, so mark your calendar, tell a friend and view the full lineup.

2024 Oregon Legislative Session Debrief
2024-05-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Please join Oregon Environmental Council on Monday, May 6th from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, for a virtual webinar taking a closer look at this year’s state legislative session.
Our guest speaker is state Senator Janeen Sollman, Chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee. She played a pivotal role as an environmental champion this session, including passing Oregon’s landmark Right to Repair legislation.
The conversation will be hosted by OEC’s Executive Director, Jana Gastellum and alumni Legislative Director, Thomas Baker. Together, they’ll give an insider’s perspective on how last session’s key environmental wins set the stage for future progress, as well as how the losses will impact Oregonians.
We hope you can join us on Monday, May 6 for this informative discussion on OEC’s work and legislative achievements in the 2024 session.

Line 3 Documentary: Stop New Gas Infrastructure in Central Oregon
2024-06-05 18:00 - 20:15 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join 350 Deschutes – We’re organizing to Stop the GTN Pipeline Gas Expansion. RSVP Now!
Speakers:
Riccardo Waites: Executive, Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly will discuss the effects of gas expansion on vulnerable communities. Will your neighborhood be affected?
Nora Harren, 350 Deschutes, will discuss the health and environmental impacts of the compressor stations in SunRiver, and elsewhere. How can you protect yourself and your family?
Watch the award winning documentary: “LN3: Seven Teachings of the Ashinaabe Resistance,” a powerful documentary that delves into the resilience and teachings of the Ashinaabe people in the face of pipeline development in their region.
Following the screening, we will engage in a panel discussion focusing on the impacts of the GTN Xpress pipeline project on Central Oregon communities and the environment. Our panelists will explore the environmental, social, and economic implications of the project and discuss Steps we can take to stop the pipeline in our backyard.
This is more than just an event—it’s a call to action. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this vital conversation!
RSVP Now: https://actionnetwork.org/events/line-3-documentary-stop-new-gas-infrastructure-in-central-oregon
$5 donation per family appreciated, but not required.

Youth Climate Action Meet-Up
2024-06-22 15:00 - 16:30 | Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Fridays for Future Bend and Deschutes Youth Climate Coalition on Saturday, June 22 in Drake Park. We want to have a conversation with any young people in town interested in climate action and getting involved!

Tree-Mendous Victory Party
2024-07-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come celebrate a momentous legal victory that preserved large and mature trees across 7 million acres of Oregon’s and Washington’s eastside forests with live reggae from Rubbah Tree and many tree-themed activities! Hosted by Worthy Brewing, featuring activities from Central Oregon LandWatch, Crag Law Center, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Greater Hells Canyon Council, Oregon Wild, Sierra Club Juniper Group, and WildEarth Guardians.
This event is free and open to all. RSVP online here or at colw.org/events

Climate Protection Program Public Hearing Prep Event
2024-08-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Online Event
Do you want to make a difference for Oregon’s climate AND communities? The Climate Protection Program (CPP) – which requires oil and gas companies to cut their pollution by 90% by 2050, and will provide ~$150 million of investments into Oregon’s communities – needs YOUR help. The CPP is on the path to restoration after being invalidated in Dec of 2023 due to oil & gas industry lawsuits. DEQ is hosting a public hearing on Aug 21 at 4:00 p.m. for Oregonians to chime in with their thoughts about this critical program. The oil & gas industry will stop at nothing to derail the restoration of this program, so it’s vital that DEQ hear a groundswell of support for restoring the CPP’s essential climate and community protections by the end of this year. If you want to testify in support of Oregon’s cornerstone CPP, but just don’t know what to say – this event is the perfect event for you!
Join the Coalition for Climate & Economic Justice at this special PUBLIC HEARING PREP EVENT on Aug 19 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. to; learn more about the CPP, learn how to join the public hearing and craft your testimony, and ask questions of organizers who regularly testify during public hearings like this.
REGISTER HERE

Film Screening: Crown Jewels The Mission To Save America's Oldest Trees
2024-08-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Embark, 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join Central Oregon LandWatch and Oregon Wild for a special screening of the documentary “Crown Jewels” to learn more about the value of mature and old-growth forests, and the fight to protect them. The event will feature a panel discussion with Q&A and an opportunity to write a letter to the US Forest Service calling for safeguards to ancient forests in Oregon and across the country.
Featured Panelists:

Victoria Wingell – Forests and Climate Campaigner, Oregon Wild
Erik Fernandez- Wilderness Program Manager, Oregon Wild
Fiona Noonan – Wild Lands and Water Program Manager, Central Oregon Landwatch

This event is free and open to all.
Register here.

Energize Bend Happy Hour
2024-09-04 17:00 - 18:00 | Broken Top Bottle Shop, 1740 NW Pence Ln #1, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Let’s build a cleaner, safer Bend!
Grab a refreshment and hear from Energize Bend and Solarize Deschutes on how we can help decarbonize Bend.

Livable Future Forum
2024-10-03 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-10-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-11-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
How do we meet our community’s needs without compromising the environment and all that makes Central Oregon so incredible?
Through our Livable Future Forum, we’ll explore that question and more as LandWatch program directors chat with knowledgeable local leaders about land use and livability topics. From the fascinating life and times of mule deer to the reality of farming in the high desert to the creative work of developing Complete Communities, you’ll gain new insight into the many ways land use decision making is foundational to life in our region — and learn how you can participate in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for Central Oregon.
Events will be on Oct. 3, Oct 23, and Nov. 13. All events will start at 7 pm and take place at Open Space Event Studios in the Bend Central District.
Each event in this three-part series will feature a LandWatch program director in conversation with fellow local experts covering a range of topics on land use and regional livability.
REGISTER FOR ALL THREE EVENTS
On October 3, we’ll start out by looking closely at the lives of mule deer, with the High Desert Museum’s Curator of Wildlife Jon Nelson. You see deer often, but how much do you know about this shy, fascinating species? Find out.
GET TICKETS FOR OCT 3 ONLY
On October 23, we’ll talk about farming in the high desert with local farmers and ambitious entrepreneurs Megan Kellner-Rode and Cate Havstad.
GET TICKETS FOR OCT 23 ONLY
And, on November 13, following hot on the heels of the national election, we will host a lively session all about how we can act locally to create Complete Communities to ensure a more equitable, climate-resilient future.
GET TICKETS FOR NOV 13 ONLY

OLCV's Virtual Town Hall on the Environment with Senator Merkley
2024-10-17 15:30 - 16:30 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Senator Jeff Merkley has been a champion of our conservation and environmental values in D.C., voicing our support for strong safeguards for the environment, pollinators, and public lands. During OLCV’s Town Hall on the Environment with Senator Merkley, we’ll celebrate his leadership and learn about the latest news on a broad range of environmental issues, including addressing climate change, benefits for Oregon powered by climate investments of the IRA, plastic reduction, protections for the Owyhee Canyonlands and his work to support pollinator recovery.

Climate Resilience in Housing Panel
2024-10-29 12:00 - 13:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
RSVP HERE!

PPC Webinar | Policy Matters: Tracking Plastic Laws After Global Treaty Negotiations
2024-12-12 14:00 - 15:15 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
After two years of intense negotiations, the 5th and final planned session to agree on a UN Global Plastic Treaty is scheduled to conclude on December 1, 2024. The Treaty, once agreed, will have widespread implications for plastic law around the world, as well as the businesses, activists, journalists, lawyers, and many others working on plastic issues.
Join Plastic Pollution Coalition on December 12, 2024, for a discussion with legislative, advocacy, and media experts about the UN Plastic Treaty, and the importance of continuing to advance and track plastic policy at all levels. One critical tool to monitor progress and implementation is the Global Plastic Laws database and resource center, which we will also present.
Joining the discussion will be Dr. Jamala Djinn, Science/Policy Advisor, Break Free From Plastic; Jennifer Gleason, Law Program Director, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide; Shane Trimmer, District Director at the U.S. House of Representatives – Office of Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02); and Joseph Winters, Staff Writer, Grist. The webinar will be moderated by Madison Dennis, Project Manager, Plastic Pollution Coalition.
SIGN UP
Date: Thurs., December 12
Time: 2-3:15 pm PT | 5-6:15 pm ET
Click here to convert to your timezone.

Raising the Deschutes: Challenges and Solutions for Our Rivers
2025-02-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The rivers of the Deschutes Basin are vital, supporting fish and wildlife, agriculture, and recreation. However, challenges like low streamflows and water quality issues threaten their health.
Join the Deschutes River Conservancy to explore what makes the basin special, the challenges it faces, and the collaborative efforts to restore streamflows, improve water quality, and ensure a sustainable water future for generations to come.
Doors open at 5:30. Program starts at 6 pm.

February 20, 2025
Worthy Brewing
Free

Registration: https://www.deschutesriver.org/event/raising-the-deschutes-challenges-and-solutions-for-our-rivers

Run for Office & Organize to Win: A Training by Oregon Working Families Party & Vote Run Lead Action
2025-03-04 17:00 - 20:30 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Run for Office & Organize to Win: A Training by Oregon Working Families Party & Vote Run Lead Action
📅 Date & Time: March 4th, 5:30pm – 8:30pm (5:00 – 5:30 in-person check-in)
📍 Location: Redmond, Oregon + Virtual Option Available
Are you ready to fight back against right-wing authoritarianism and build real power in your community? The Oregon Working Families Party and Vote Run Lead Action are teaming up to bring you an empowering training designed to help you run for office and organize to win.
The far right is attacking our schools, our communities, and our democracy. The best way to fight back is by taking power locally—winning elections, organizing campaigns, and building the grassroots movements that will shape the future.
This training is for candidates, organizers, and everyday people who want to step up and lead. Whether you’re thinking about running for school board, city council, state office, or working behind the scenes to elect bold leaders, this training will equip you with the skills, strategies, and network you need to make it happen.
