The Environmental Center

Beneath the Surface: Navigating Oregon's New Groundwater Rules and Their Impact in Central Oregon
2024-12-16 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Understanding the largest change in Oregon’s water policy in decades. What changed? Why did it change? And what does it mean for the future of water in Central Oregon? Register here!

Home Energy Assessment: Empower Your Home
2025-01-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Becky Johnson Community Center, 412 SW 8th St, Redmond, OR 97756, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
Do you qualify for upgrades to lower home energy costs?

This event will be recorded. A link will be available here later.
Join The Environmental Center (TEC) for a hands-on session on improving comfort and reducing energy costs for your home! TECs mission is to weave sustainability into the everyday lives of Central Oregon residents, and we’re committed to helping underserved communities access resources for a healthier, greener future.
The Environmental Center and Energy Trust of Oregon are collaborating to provide energy-saving solutions to communities that have often been overlooked, including low- to moderate-income households, people of color, Indigenous communities, individuals with disabilities, and rural residents. Through our free energy assessments, you’ll be connected to incentives and resources that make home upgrades like insulation, efficient heating, hybrid water heaters, and new windows more affordable, comfortable, and accessible.
In addition to sharing resources for TEC’s free program, resources for standard incentives beyond the program will be shared, so there’s something for everyone trying to have more sustainable, low-cost upgrades for your home. Find out more about the Home Energy Assessment program at https://envirocenter.org/programs/the-energy-challenge/hea/
Event Highlights:

Learn how the Home Energy Assessment program works and whether you qualify for assistance.
Get guidance on signing up and accessing free or low-cost energy upgrades.
Connect with Environmental Center staff ready to answer your questions about sustainability upgrades.

Questions? Contact laurelw@deschuteslibrary.org

Green Energy Series #24: Electrical Panel Upgrades
2025-02-01 10:00 - 11:00 | OR
The free, monthly Green Energy Series takes a closer look at topics related to energy, solar + storage, and green technology.

Register Here!

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

Fossils and the Future: Lessons from Oregon’s Ecological Past
2025-03-12 19:00 - 20:00 | OR
Spend an evening with Oregon Natural Desert Association as they continue the High Desert Speaker Series by uncovering the fossilized world of eastern Oregon. Dr. Samantha Hopkins, University of Oregon Professor and Earth Sciences Department Head, will take you on a journey through time as she reveals what Oregon’s high desert fossils tell us about the past, present and future. You’ll explore a few fossilized mammals of eastern Oregon and discover what these creatures tell us about the desert ecosystem 30 million years ago. Samantha will also explain how fossils reveal changes in ecosystems and communities over time and what those shifts can tell us about our future in a changing climate.

Sailing the Sagebrush Sea
2025-03-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Stretching hundreds of miles east from Central Oregon, this expanse of sagebrush desert is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, stores vast amounts of below-ground carbon, and intertwines deeply with multiple cultures and economies. Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Anya Tyson for a talk on the unsung majesty and magic found in sagebrush desert. Anya will also dive into the trends, challenges, and opportunities that shape this region’s future. This presentation is free and ticket sales open one month prior to the event.
Nature Nights are free, but a ticket is required. Please register online: deschuteslandtrust.org

Interfaith Earth Summit: Climate Safety and Health
2025-03-16 13:00 - 16:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd., Bend, Oregon, Bend, OR, United States
Join EMO’s 12th annual Oregon Interfaith Earth Summit on March 16, 2025!
“The Earth Summit is a valuable opportunity to revitalize our community connections and raise up local leadership as together we take faithful action in response to climate change.” -The Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, Chair, EMO Creation Justice Committee
The Earth Summit will take place in communities all over Oregon. Explore how climate change affects your safety and health—and what you can do about it. Connect with your community and key organizations. Learn how to protect yourself and your neighbors. Sign up to take the next step with others.
This gathering is both in-person and on Zoom, held simultaneously with 15 other locations across the state. The first part of the event will be a plenary session on Zoom, with participants watching together from their locations across Oregon. Practical workshops will follow on Zoom and in-person.

Beneath the Surface: Desert Mussels
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | OR
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association for the final event of the High Desert Speaker Series as they dive beneath the surface of high desert streams and into the hidden world of mussels. Alexa Martinez, Wildlife Biologist at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, will shed light on the fascinating lives of native mollusks thriving in the waterways of eastern Oregon. Alexa will share the unique habitat of each mussel species and discuss how snowmelt feeds the watersheds that sustain these creatures. Come learn how these often-overlooked species play a critical role in maintaining the health of the desert ecosystems.

Tertulias . . . ¡de película!: Santuario
2025-04-22 18:00 - 20:00 | OR
Empezamos nuestro ciclo de cine celebrando el día de la Tierra, con el documental “Santuario” de Álvaro Longoria. Un hermoso documental sobre la iniciativa de protección ambiental para crear el santuario marino más grande de la Tierra en el Océano Antártico. Disfruta una noche en comunidad, cine, snacks y reflexiones al final de la película.
Tertulias . . . ¡de película! es un programa que busca proveer espacios de conexión para comunidades hispanohablantes. Durante estas tertulias hablamos abiertamente y sin prejuicios sobre nuestras ideas y sentires a partir de la interacción con el arte cinematográfico y documental. Un lugar en el que se le de rienda suelta al mundo de las ideas y de autoeducación popular, con el lenguaje español como el vehículo que conecta.
Ubicación: Envía un correo electrónico a juliana@oregonhumanities.org para registrarte y recibir la dirección.
Organizan: Oregon Humanities en colaboración con BENDITAS, The Environmental Center, y OSU Cascades.
¡Pregúntanos por el apoyo que ofrecemos para cuidado de niños!

January 8th Forum: Slippery Slopes - Why Oregon’s Recreation Industry Is on Thin Ice
2026-01-08 08:00 - 09:30 | Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, 2600 Northwest College Way, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join for the First Forum of 2026!
Oregon’s outdoor recreation world is hitting a serious crunch. Unenforceable liability waivers are sending insurance premiums soaring, impacting ski areas, rafting guides, gyms, and the small businesses that keep our adventure culture alive.
Join City Club of Central Oregon on January 8 for a clear look at what’s happening, who’s affected, and what solutions are on the table.
Featuring:
• David Byrd, National Ski Areas Association
• Jordan Elliott, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
• Tate Metcalf, Sisters Athletic Club
• Rep. Emerson Levy, House District 53
Forum Details:
Thursday, January 8, 2026
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Central Oregon Community College, Coats Campus Center, Wille Hall
If you ski, bike, climb, paddle, or just care about the future of Oregon’s recreation economy, this forum is a must-attend.
REGISTER HERE
