Garden Educator Network School Garden Tour
2023-10-18 16:30 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | M. A. Lynch Elementary School, 1314 SW Kalama , Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
Let’s get together! We’ll get a tour of the school garden at MA Lynch Elementary School in Redmond from new FoodCorps Service Member Kat Rains, and you’ll hear from Redmond School District’s own FoodCorps School Nutrition Service Member, Somer Eckhert. We’ll wrap up with a group share out of one thing that you did in the garden this fall that went really well that you’d love to share with the group! There will be opportunity to discuss ideas and plans for our garden grants as well as the ODE Farm to School Education Grant, so come with your questions! Food & beverages will be provided, as well as an educator stipend and mileage reimbursement.
Please RSVP! Email denise@envirocenter.org to RSVP.

Locavore Fall Harvest Feast & Celebration
2023-10-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Cascade View Retreat Center, 14427 Alfalfa Rd, Powell Butte, OR, 97753, United States
Please join us for the 5th Annual Fall Harvest Feast & Celebration which will tickle your palate and delight your senses. We are throwing in a little extra sizzle this year and curating a Halloween bash with all the fixin’s to go down in history.
GET TICKETS HERE
Extroverts: This is your moment to shine. Bring on those costumes and accessories.
Guests will enjoy:

Stunning Cascade Range views
6-course gourmet farm-to-table feast
Curated bar, featuring local cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine
Speak easy hidden bar
Groovy Tunes by up and coming electronic music star Rhone
Best of costume prizes
Witches Brew tea lounge by Herbal Goddess Holly Hutton
Telescope star gazing with the Little Astronomer

Menu: by Chef Brian Garza of FireFare

King Turkey Grazing Table (you will see what we mean by this)
Haunted Herbed Salad
Sparrow Baguette with Honey Cinnamon Butter
Wicked Whole Chicken by Home Farm Foods (GF)
Super Spooky Roasts and Ribs from DD Ranch, Pioneer and Mt Shasta Wild (GF)
Roasty Toasty Potatoes and Rooty Root Vegetable by Fibonacci, Boundless, and Well Rooted (V, Veg, GF)
Scary Well Rooted Pumpkin Tureen Soup (V, Veg, GF)
Apple Crumble with Eyeball flavor Eyescreem by Grey Duck (just kidding, it’s vanilla)
Surprise custom Eyescreem flavor…

COST: $105 member/ $115 non-member
*Discounts for tables and groups
Get your tickets early please so chef can plan accordingly!
All proceeds benefit Central Oregon Locavore Non Profit

Winter Community Care
2023-11-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Council on Aging of Central Oregon, 1036 NE 5th St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Embrace Bend for a heartwarming event at the Council On Aging of Central Oregon, located at Northeast 5th Street in Bend, OR, USA.
Winter Community Care is all about coming together as a community to spread warmth. We will be learning how to support people and groups during cold weather and holiday months. As you know, all sorts of groups and individuals struggle during winter whether it is due to isolation, cold weather, depression, access, or lack of financial resources. We will be learning about what the problem is for key underserved groups in our community and what the opportunities are to help with wallets, time, amplifying to networks, or other resources. There will be in opportunity to sign up to help, information about donations, and ways to keep in touch with these key organizations in the future.
This will also be in opportunity for people to come and find out what resources are available to them, so our partners will stand ready to assist. Please attend if you are seeking out assistance and we will make sure to find you the help that you need.
We are pleased to be partnering for this event with the Council on Aging. As you know, seniors are the largest growing demographic in our area and are often underserved and severely impacted by the holidays and cold weather.
Snacks and drinks will be served.
Our partners confirmed to attend:
Family Kitchen
Council on Aging
Deschutes County
Warm Springs
Neighbor Impact Energy Assistance
Thrive
RSVP is not mandatory but helps us with planning!

Bend High DECA Fundraiser: Kiss the Ground Screening and Raffle!
2024-01-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Bend High School, 230 NE 6th St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Showing: Kiss the Ground film, plus raffles, food and beverages, and merch! All ages welcome, no sign up necessary!
Fundraiser for Pilot Butte Middle School – all profits go towards implementing a composting system at Pilot Butte Middle School!
Friday, January 12 at Bend High Auditorium (230 NE 6th St)
6pm – event begins
6:30pm – film showing
$4 student ticket; $5 non-student ticket

RESCHEDULED - Garden Educator Network: Nurturing the Soil, Nurturing the Soul
2024-01-25 16:30 - 18:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
We are partnering with Shiv Shakti to bring our Garden Educator Network a free training titled “Nurturing the Soil, Nurturing the Soul”.
From Shiv: “This isn’t just a lecture; it’s a love letter to the land and the magic it holds. Imagine understanding the earth beneath your feet not just as dirt, but as a dynamic, living canvas. Learn how every scoop of soil and each seed you plant can be a step towards a greener, happier life. We’re diving deep into the roots of organic gardening, unraveling the mysteries of nature, and, most importantly, having a whole lot of fun while doing it! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious newbie with an aspiration to cultivate, this event is your chance to let your gardening dreams sprout wings (or leaves)! So, mark your calendars, bring your curiosity, and prepare to be both educated and entertained. Trust me, you’ll leave this event with more than just knowledge – you might just find yourself talking to plants (and having them talk back in their leafy language)!”
Shiv installed the greenhouse at Three Rivers School, as well as designed an educational course: “Organic Gardens: A Garden & Greenhouse Blueprint Manual for All, available online.
This event is free for our Garden Educator Network, beverages and snacks will be served.
RSVP HERE!

Happy Hour in the Garden
2024-03-05 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-03-19 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-04-02 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-04-16 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-06-04 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-06-18 16:00 - 18:00 and 1 more date | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Join us in our Kansas Avenue Learning Garden for our ongoing volunteer work party series. In 2022, volunteers contributed over 200 hours to help keep our learning garden maintained over the growing season. We couldn’t do it without you!
This event is open to all ages and gardening abilities! No experience or tools required. Beer and non-alcoholic beverages are provided for all who volunteer. Each event includes seasonal ongoing tasks as well as special projects as needed throughout the growing season. Volunteers are welcome to pop in for an hour or stay the whole time. No need to RSVP or commit ahead of time. (Pro tip – put the following dates in your phone calendar now – then when it pops up you can decide if it works out for you or not!)
In 2024, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 4-6pm. This schedule throughout the extent of the growing season offers meaningful volunteer experiences for all who come, and deeper care for the garden when it needs it.

Farm to Warm Springs Fundraiser
2024-03-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Aspen Hall, 18920 NW Shevlin Park, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Around the Bend Farms for an evening filled with great local food, entertainment, and fun! We are raising funds for our current farming project, where we will be growing and providing vegetables for Warm Springs. Event attendees will enjoy a beautiful setting, nestled in the Cascades foothills adjacent to Shevlin Park. Guests will enjoy great local food, participate in auctions of local products and services, and enjoy the social and creative atmosphere. You will surely be pleased by our locally sourced, artisan food made by Central Oregon’s finest bakers and chefs. This is an event you don’t want to miss!
Ticket admission includes a full tasting menu and one beverage. GET TICKETS HERE!
LOCAL TASTING MENU with wild salmon, bison meatballs, a rainbow of roasted vegetables, leafy green salad, locally made sourdough bread, and foraged cobbler for dessert.
Do you have any food allergies that we should accommodate? Please send an email to Makena at makena@aroundthebendfarms.org with this information.

School of Ranch - Seed Start Basics
2024-03-19 17:30 - 20:30 | Redmond, Oregon
It all starts with a seed! At this hands-on workshop you’ll learn the “when”, “where”, “why” and “how” of seed starting. You’ll leave knowing how to successfully prepare for and start plants from seeds, as well as how to care for your seedlings from germination to transplanting. Each participant will go home with a personally planted seed tray to get them started! Bonus: Potluck Dinner!
3 hour workshop – $40.
Held in the Redmond area (address provided upon registration)
REGISTER HERE!

Know Gardens: Stories in the Garden at The Environmental Center
2024-04-05 10:30 - 11:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Enjoy a story time and explore the wonders of gardening!
Space is limited. Registration is required. This event is suggested for children ages Kindergarten and younger, and all children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
Children and families are invited to explore the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden at The Environmental Center. The event will begin with a nature-based story time, provided by Deschutes Public Library, followed by a chance for caregivers and little ones to get their hands dirty with Denise Rowcroft. Some or all of this program will take place outside, so please bring appropriate layers, snacks, and sun protection.
Denise Rowcroft joined The Environmental Center in 2006 and is responsible for the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden and the Garden for Every School program. The Garden for Every School program exists to connect youth to nature through food. This program includes food-based education in classrooms, cafeterias, school gardens and field trips. It also supports youth organizations, schools and districts with annual garden grants and on-going technical assistance.
The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. The organization’s programs and advocacy efforts focus on building community connections, educating students, revolutionizing energy, and rethinking waste.
REGISTER HERE!

8th Annual Locavore Gala & Fundraiser
2024-04-19 17:00 - 21:00 | Tetherow, 61240 Skyline Ranch Rd., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Central Oregon Locavore Hosts 8th Annual Gala and Fundraiser at Tetherow Resort on April 19th
Central Oregon Locavore, a non-profit organization committed to supporting local food and farmers, is thrilled to announce its 8th Annual Gala and Fundraiser, taking place at the prestigious Tetherow Resort on April 19th.
This year’s gala promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with a gourmet multi-course farm-to-table meal, engaging activities, and a celebration of CO-llaboration and CO-operativism in the agricultural community. The theme emphasizes the importance of farmers working together, sharing resources, and supporting one another in an era where competition often overshadows collaboration.
The event will feature a variety of attractions, including a silent auction, live auction, golden ticket raffle, photographic narrative showcasing the hardworking farmers and ranchers of the region, and the infamous dessert dash – an exciting race to claim delectable desserts.

2024 Earth Day Fair and Parade
2024-04-20 11:00 - 15:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Save the Date! The 2024 Earth Day Fair and Parade will take place on Saturday, April 20th. An Annual Celebration of Earth And Community.
This family-friendly event typically features a lively and inclusive parade through downtown Bend where folks are encouraged to wear costumes to showcase their favorite thing about planet earth. During the fair, food vendors, booths, and performers offer something for everyone.
Stay tuned for updates on performances that will take place on Troy Field!

Know Gardens: Garden Fair at Sisters Firehouse Community Hall
2024-04-28 11:00 - 13:00 | Sisters Firehouse Community Hall, 301 S Elm St, Sisters, 97759, United States
Description
Learn about composting, pollinator habitat, growing vegetables, seed bombs and more.
Learn from local experts how to help pollinators, compost, roll up seed bombs, grow vegetables in our climate, create paints from your garden, and more! Join Deschutes Public Library and the following community organizations for this free, fun event:
– Artist Lee Kellogg
Outdoors is where Lee Kellogg would rather be just about any day and anytime. Sketchbook in hand, she records the world around her. A bird watcher from a young age, Lee has long been interested in the natural world around us. From working summer camp as a teen to the Adult Education Coordinator at the Audubon Society of Portland to owning a retail business focused on art and craft, Lee has had much experience that all focuses on her love of the outdoors and art. Inspiring others to be creative and become aware of the world around them is part of her mission when she teaches. https://www.leekellogg.com/
– DPL Community Librarian
– Deschutes Land Trust
The Deschutes Land Trust’s mission is to conserve and care for the lands and water that sustain Central Oregon, so local communities and the natural world can flourish together for generations to come. https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/
– OSU-Master Gardeners
“The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener program educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. OSU Extension Master Gardeners are volunteer educators, neighbors, and on-the-ground researchers who serve their community with solid training in science-based, sustainable gardening and a love of lifelong learning.” https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg
– Pollinator Pathway Bend
Pollinator Pathway Bend is a community-wide effort to create and connect pesticide-free habitat for imperiled native pollinators in the city of Bend and beyond. https://pollinatorpathwaybend.org/
– Seed to Table
“Seed to Table envisions a vibrant and resilient community where all people, regardless of race, gender, geography, ability or socioeconomic status, have access to fresh produce that is nourishing, locally grown, and in keeping with their preferences. From our 4-acre farm plot, we strive to model a food system that restores ecosystems while providing equitable access to fresh foods and opportunities for community members to engage positively with farm-fresh foods.” https://www.seedtotableoregon.org/
– Sisters Garden Club
“The Sisters Garden Club, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1988 by 13 original members who wanted to spread the joy of gardening to this wonderful community they called home. The goals of our club are to stimulate increased knowledge of our unique local environment and how it affects our gardens; aid in the protection of native plants and wildlife including our essential beneficial insects; and encourage the sharing of this information with others in the community to make it even better.” https://www.sistersgardenclub.com/
– The Environmental Center
In 1989, The Environmental center was born to inspire locals to live lighter on the planet. “Our mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. To us, that means driving local change that makes a world of difference.” https://envirocenter.org/

Crook County On The Move’s Community Garden Party
2024-05-11 10:00 - 14:00 | Prineville Presbytarian Church, 1771 NW Madras Hwy, Prineville, OR, United States
Free Family Fun! Bring the whole family to meet red wigglers, plant a garden salad bowl, get free seeds, experience the pollinator station, visit with Master Gardeners, talk with Search & Rescue to learn about Hug A Tree, get free plant starts, composting tips, play games and win prizes!
Lots of information is shared to help you grow your own fresh produce. Don’t have space for your own garden? Come by and learn how to utiltize our local community gardens!

COCC Salmon Bake
2024-05-18 11:00 - 15:00 | COCC, 2600 NW Collge Way, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

May Green Drinks
2024-05-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Kobold Brewing The Lair, 1043 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join the staff of The Environmental Center and host Kobold Brewing for a social gathering on Thursday, May 23rd for May Green Drinks.
Have a cold one, on us– join us at Kobold Brewing for Green Drinks! Over appetizers and beverages, you’ll have the opportunity to network with fellow sustainability enthusiasts and hear about Kobold’s commitment to sustainability in their business. Curious about The Environmental Center? Staff will be there to answer your questions about our mission to embed sustainability into daily life here in Central Oregon.
This is a great opportunity to pick up a Rethink Waste Guide for your home or business and learn about energy savings through our new Home Energy Assessment Program.

Volunteer at Native Plant Giveaways
2024-06-01 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-06-08 09:00 - 13:00 | OR
June 1, 9:00-12:00 PM at Caldera High School (60925 SE 15th St, Bend)
June 8, 9:00-1:00 PM at Hollinshead Park (1235 NE Jones Rd, Bend)
Volunteer to hand out plants or staff the info table by completing this form. We will give away plants to 560 households this year thanks to the City of Bend, Wintercreek Nursery and Worthy Environmental. That means we need a lot of help!
Please note that there was a separate registration for plants and both dates are sold out.

Juneteenth Central Oregon
2024-06-15 11:00 - 2024-06-16 17:30 | Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Get ready for the 4th Annual Juneteenth Central Oregon celebration on June 15th and 16th, 2024 from 11am to 5:30pm! Rooted in education, entertainment, and fostering a vibrant and safe environment for the community, this year’s theme, “Jubilee,” marks a joyous celebration of the emancipation of African Americans. Joined by the African and Caribbean Community, our two-day event promises an immersive experience filled with authentic African, Caribbean, and African American cuisine, art, music, and education. Embrace the cultural tapestry through enlightening educational activities, captivating entertainment, and a shared culinary journey that celebrates the diverse heritage of our communities.

Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Workshop
2024-06-19 13:30 - 15:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Did you know that wasted food makes up over 25% of waste at Knott Landfill by tonnage – making it the largest category of waste in the landfill? Yet, in Deschutes County, 1 in 8 people is food insecure, meaning they don’t always know where their next meal will come from. In addition, the average family of four tosses $1,800 worth of food every year ($150/mo on just wasted food!) and wasted food uses the same energy and water as 50 million homes. It’s time to rethink food waste, and we want to help you do it.
We will start with a brief presentation on why food waste matters, how to prevent food waste, and strategies for composting. Afterwards, a small group of us will walk over to the Bend Farmers Market to the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) booth for an intro and demo to food rescue. If you’re interested in both, the presentation and the demo, be sure to select the appropriate ticket below. There are only 15 spots open for the demo, so once it is sold out, that option will no longer be available. Please reach out to kavi@envirocenter.org with any questions.
REGISTER HERE

Native Pollinator Walk with Pollinator Pathway Bend
2024-06-20 10:30 - 12:00, 2024-06-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
June 20th, Worthy Brewing
June 21st, Franklin’s Corner

Food Waste Prevention and Composting Workshop (Virtual)
2024-07-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Did you know that wasted food makes up over 25% of waste at Knott Landfill by tonnage – making it the largest category of waste in the landfill? Yet, in Deschutes County, 1 in 8 people is food insecure, meaning they don’t always know where their next meal will come from. In addition, the average family of four tosses $1,800 worth of food every year ($150/mo on just wasted food!) and wasted food uses the same energy and water as 50 million homes. It’s time to rethink food waste, and we want to help you do it.
This free virtual workshop will dig into why food waste matters, how to prevent food waste in the first place, and strategies for composting. We will be joined by Diane Simunek from Deschutes Recycling/Composting who will share information on food waste in our composting and answer any community questions.
RSVP HERE!
