Youth Climate Action Meet-Up
2024-06-22 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

Know Migrations - Natural History of Lake Abert at Worthy Brewing
2024-08-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Hear about Oregon’s culturally and ecologically extraordinary hypersaline lake.
Ron Larson, PhD shares why Lake Abert is so extraordinary – both culturally and ecologically, and that it urgently needs our ongoing attention so that it remains an essential part of the Great Basin eco

Natural History of Oregon's Lake Abert in the Great Basin
2024-08-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center, Overlook Road, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Hear about Oregon’s culturally and ecologically extraordinary hypersaline lake.
Registration recommended. Register here.
Ron Larson, PhD shares why Lake Abert is so extraordinary – both culturally and ecologically, and that it urgently needs our ongoing attention so that it remains an essential part of the Great Basin ecosystem.

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.

The Power Of Food Sovereignty: Diane Wilson And Spring Alaska In Conversation
2024-09-17 11:30 - 12:30 | Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creeks Rd, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Renowned author of The Seed Keeper, Diane Wilson (Dakota), and founder/CEO of Sakari Farms, Upingaksraq Spring Alaska Schreiner, will discuss the transformative power of literature and food sovereignty work in creating positive change. This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited so registration is required.
REGISTER HERE

Bend Celebration: 50 years of keeping Oregon wild
2024-09-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This year, Oregon Wild celebrates 50 years of protecting wildlands, wildlife, and waters and we are planning events all over the state to invite our members, supporters, partners, and lovers of the wild in all corners of the state to join us for gatherings of celebration and community.
Join us in Worthy Brewing’s Hop Mahal room in Bend, where we’ll provide drinks and some appetizers and celebrate successes protecting local public lands and look to the future of what comes next. We invite you to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and plug in to Oregon Wild’s current campaigns at this event as we look to a future of protected forests, thriving native wildlife, and reconnected ecosystems.
Please RSVP by September 6 for this event.

Green Building Tour 2024
2024-09-28 09:00 - 18:00 | OSU Cascades, 2600 Northwest College Way, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
REGISTER HERE!
The Green Building Tour is a showcase for real-world solutions that address the climate impact of buildings in Central Oregon. From architects and contractors to DIYers, the tour’s sites illuminate how high performance structures can be healthy, cost effective, and impactful options for all. Green buildings’ benefits are often invisible to both consumers in addition to building sector professionals. The Green Building Tour addresses this by connecting attendees with the tools and know-how that break down barriers to building more sustainably. This highly anticipated event brings building better enthusiasts into conversation with one another about paths to climate-resilient living.
For the 22nd year of the Green Building Tour we are excited to try a slightly different structure. Themes include Building Dense Livable Cities, Electrification, Water Resiliency in the High Desert, and Healthy Materials Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The Environmental Center will host participants for a full day of theme-based activities on September 28th. Part I: Summit – From 9:00 to 1:00 community members gather at OSU Cascades, Tykeson Hall for featured speakers, community workshops, and educational booths. Part II: Tour – From 1:00-5:00 pm, we’ll see themes demonstrated in the field with a tour of four community sites that highlight local energy-saving solutions that connect to our themes. The Green Building Tour will inspire attendees to take action wherever they are on their journey to living more sustainably.

REGISTER HERE

2024 Go Clean Energy Conference
2024-10-02 08:30 - 16:30 | COCC, 2600 NW Collge Way, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Discover opportunities and solutions in building, clean energy, efficiency, sustainability, EV charging and electric vehicles. For individuals, businesses, & government.
REGISTER HERE!

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

Wild & Scenic Film Festival
2024-10-04 17:00 - 21:00 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Oregon Natural Desert Association presents the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Friday, October 4, 2024 — an unforgettable evening of captivating short films that address pressing environmental issues, highlight incredible work being done by activists around the world, and celebrate the beauty of our planet.
Our carefully curated lineup will take you on a breathtaking journey through the natural world, showcasing awe-inspiring landscapes and emphasizing the urgency of protecting our wild places.
There will be an in-person show at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon as well as a virtual version streamed online. Join us for a night of inspiration and discovery!
GET TICKETS HERE

Go Zero! Tour 2024
2024-10-05 13:00 - 17:00 | OR
Residential buildings account for ​almost a quarter of all energy usage​ in the state of Oregon, and zero energy home design is an important strategy in climate adaptation. Join Solar Oregon for an open house tour of zero energy and “path to zero” homes across the state: the Go Zero! Tour 2024 presented by Energy Trust of Oregon. This event is part of Sustainable Building Week.
This year’s tour features a diverse and exciting mix of projects. Explore new and retrofit homes, learn about the value of electrification, energy resilience, and energy efficiency. Meet the homeowners and builders behind each site, and learn about their path to zero energy.
REGISTER HERE!
Tour Format & Locations
This is an in-person, open house tour with 3 sites in E Portland and 2 sites in Lake Oswego. Ticketed attendees will receive an official map and a list of tour addresses in their ticket confirmation email.
Want to go green with your transportation? Bike and public transportation routes will be provided for both circuits! Details of the route will be sent with the official map.
Family Discounts
Bring your kids and teach them about green technology and climate solutions! Use the following discounts when purchasing your tickets:
Children under 14 can register for free using the promo code UNDER14.
All students with valid ID or youth ages 14-18 can register for only $5 using the promo code 14TO18.

OLCV's Virtual Town Hall on the Environment with Senator Merkley
2024-10-17 15:30 - 16:30 | OR
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.

Sunsetting Solarize: Your Last Chance to Go Solar with Solarize Deschutes
2024-10-28 16:00 - 18:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Don’t miss out on this final opportunity to explore solar energy for your home through the Solarize Deschutes campaign before it ends on October 31st! Whether you’re just starting your solar journey or have already received a quote, this event is your chance to get expert advice, learn about current tax credits and incentives, and connect with other homeowners making the switch.
What to Expect:

Expert Guidance: Have your solar questions answered by professionals and get tailored advice based on your needs.
Bring Your Proposal: If you’ve already received a quote, bring it along for additional insights and guidance.
Learn About Solar: If you’re new to the process, we’ll walk you through how solar works, the benefits, and how you can join the campaign before the deadline.
Exclusive Discounts: Sign up for a no-obligation solar assessment by October 31st to lock in discounted pricing and see if your home qualifies.
Fun for All: Kids’ activities, light snacks, and beverages provided, making it easy to drop in anytime from 4:00–6:00 PM.
Bonus Resources: If solar isn’t the right fit for your home, learn about additional energy-saving options

About Solarize Deschutes: Solarize Deschutes is a community-powered initiative aimed at making solar energy more accessible and affordable in Deschutes County. Led by The Environmental Center, Energize Bend, and community members, this campaign has helped local residents discover their solar potential through discounted rates and community support.
If you need to request custom analysis of your home and a bid, make sure to do so before October 31st. If you have any questions, please connect with us at solarize@envirocenter.org.
This is your final chance to get involved before the sun sets on this campaign, so don’t wait—join us and see how easy it can be to go solar!
REGISTER HERE

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

How to Make Decisions About Energy Investments for Affordable Housing
2024-10-29 16:00 - 17:30 | Azimuth 315, Northwest Labiche Lane 2155, Bend, Oregon, 97701, United States
Guidance on How to Make Decisions About Energy Investments for Affordable Housing
Join us on October 29 at the Azimuth 315 Apartments in Bend for a thoughtful discussion with local leader and Energy Trust Net Zero Fellow Rob Roy, who will share replicable strategies for analyzing and making decisions about energy investments in commercial construction. Research is based on comparisons of modeled and operating performance of three Pacific Crest Affordable Housing projects in Bend. The event space, Azimuth 315, is one of the case studies featured in his research.
Through his research, Rob evaluated the efficacy and replicability of Pacific Crest’s financial model, which considers the long-term monetary impact of implementing various energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems. Rob also developed a tool that other affordable housing developers and design teams can use to evaluate the impacts of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems over the lifespan of their projects.
Rob Roy has established himself as an industry leader by building some of the most energy-efficient affordable multifamily buildings in the nation. Rob led the research with funding from Energy Trust of Oregon’s Net Zero Fellowship. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Rob about the research and its applicability to your own work.
About Net Zero Fellow Rob Roy
Rob Roy is a founding partner and co-manager of Pacific Crest Affordable Housing and has extensive experience with all facets of building and development, from financing and construction to planning and land use. His 32 years of experience navigating complex public-private partnerships, alongside his work as a three-time Olympic snowboarding coach, have refined his collaboration, negotiation and business skills.

Happy Hour & Instream Collective Launch Party
2024-11-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Confluence Fly Shop, 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come to enjoy a beverage and talk fishing, rivers, and conservation with the DRC crew and supporters. Join fellow river enthusiasts in learning about our work and how YOU can help us Raise the Deschutes.
Become a supporting member and help steward this precious resource that makes Central Oregon such a special place to call home. The Instream Collective – where your investment becomes our future flows.
*This is a free event and you do not need to be a member to attend.

OSU-Cascades Science Pub: Mapping War Zones via Satellite
2024-11-19 17:30 - 19:00 | OSU Cascades – Edward J. Ray Hall, Atrium, 1500 SW Chandler Ave, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
Join Jamon Lee Van Den Hoek, Associate Professor in OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, for a guest lecture on mapping conflict zones with satellite at the November Science Pub.
In war torn areas, physical damage can be immense and reporting of it inconsistent or worse, unreliable. Learn how Jamon Van Den Hoek and his team in the Conflict Ecology Lab use open satellite data to monitor damage caused by armed conflict and to develop new approaches to map refugee movements and assess environmental and climatic change in politically fragile contexts around the globe. The lab’s maps and data covering the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have been published in the New York Times, BBC, Al Jazeera and other major global news outlets.

Food Provided (Heavy hors d’oeuvers prepared by OSU-Cascades EDGE Catering No-host bar with beer, cider, wine and non-alcoholic beverages)
REGISTER HERE

Groundwater Grief, River Relief: The Status and Future of Central Oregon’s Water Supplies
2024-11-21 11:30 - 13:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, OR, United States
Central Oregon faces unique and evolving challenges in water use, driven by new state-imposed groundwater rules layered on top of complex and often arcane water rights allocations. Join moderator Emily Cureton Cook of OPB and a panel of water experts as they unpack the complexities of managing this precious resource in a region dealing with prolonged drought, population growth, and competing needs from agriculture, tribes, and urban areas.
Confirmed Panelists:

Bobby Brunoe, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Ed Fitch, City of Redmond

Beneath the Surface: Navigating Oregon's New Groundwater Rules and Their Impact in Central Oregon
2024-12-16 17:30 - 18:30 | 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.
