The Environmental Center

Happy Hour in the Garden
2024-06-18 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-07-02 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-07-16 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-08-06 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-08-20 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-09-03 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-09-17 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-01 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) 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.

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!

Howdy Do: Neighbors Helping Neighbors!
2024-07-18 17:30 - 20:30 | Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creeks Rd, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Join your neighbors, School of Ranch, High Desert Food and Farm Alliance, and Pine Meadow Ranch and Nate Stacey, Small Farm Agent for OSU Extension, for our first Howdy Do! Share your best ideas, experiences, ask questions, and let the wisdom of the crowd guide you to a more productive future. There’s nothing like kicking back with fellow farmers, ranchers and gardeners, swapping ideas, and meeting new friends. Come and share! Pot luck too!
When:July 18 5:30 to 8:30
Where: Pine Meadow Ranch in Sisters
Price: Contribute What You Can
REGISTER HERE

CityFest 2024
2024-08-15 16:00 - 19:00 | 9th Street Village, 911 SE Armour Road, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
Join Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler and the City of Bend for CityFest community gathering on Thursday, August 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 9th Street Village, 911 SE Armour Road.
CityFest creates an opportunity for City departments, staff, and Bend City Councilors to meet the community in a dynamic, family-friendly space! Bevel Craft Brewing, the awesome food trucks hosted on their property (Tacos el Nava, IndoDaddy, Nosh Street Food, Little Red Kitchen), and local ice cream extraordinaire Bonta will be onsite as our food (yes, ice cream is food!) and beverage partners. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. We’ll also have music by the talented DJ Jah Yogi!
The event will feature a short message from Mayor Kebler regarding the “State of the City” (touching on goals and priorities for Bend’s future), live music from DJ Jah Yogi, family-friendly activities, police, fire, and streets vehicles, plus information and staff from various City departments regarding their programs and services.
Bring the whole family and meet the folks who work for your City of Bend!

Únase a la alcaldesa de Bend, Melanie Kebler, y la Ciudad de Bend para la fiesta comunitaria CityFest el jueves 15 de agosto, de 4 p.m. a 7 p.m. en 9th Street Village, 911 SE Armour Road.
CityFest es una oportunidad para que los departamentos de la ciudad, el personal y los concejales de Bend se reúnan con la comunidad en un espacio dinámico y familiar. Bevel Craft Brewing, los increíbles camiones de comida ubicados en su local (Tacos el Nava, IndoDaddy, Nosh Street Food, Little Red Kitchen), y el extraordinario helado local Bonta serán nuestros socios de comida (¡sí, el helado es comida!) y bebida. Habrá comida y bebida a la venta. ¡También tendremos música en vivo por el talentoso DJ Jah Yogi!
El evento contará con un breve mensaje de la alcaldesa Kebler sobre el “Estado de la Ciudad” (compartiendo las metas y prioridades para el futuro de Bend), música en vivo, actividades para toda la familia, la policía, y los vehículos de bomberos y calles, además de información y personal de diversos departamentos de la ciudad con información sobre sus programas y servicios.
¡Traiga toda la familia y conozca a la gente que trabaja para su Ciudad de 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

Sunriver Fungi Fest and Mushroom Show
2024-10-12 10:00 - 15:00 | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Celebrate the fantastic world of fungi with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory and the Central Oregon Mushroom Club on
Saturday, October 12, 2024
from 10am to 3pm
Know Before You Go

FungiFest & Mushroom Show takes place on the campus of Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, located at 57245 River Road in Sunriver.
Tickets will be available at the door. Last entry is at 2:30pm.
SNCO, SROA, and members of the Central Oregon Mushroom Club receive discounted admission to the event with appropriate code.
Dogs are not permitted; service animals excepted.
Bring a shopping bag and stock up at the mushroom marketplace.

First Peoples Celebration with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
2024-10-12 13:00 - 19:00 | OSU Cascades, 2600 Northwest College Way, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
1 p.m. Native Culture Bearers Demonstrations
Native Artists and Culture Bearers from the Tananáwit Artists Community of Warm Springs will demonstrate traditional tribal crafts and artistry. Members of the Warms Springs Natural Resources Department and Warm Springs Community Action Team will be on hand to discuss their work. Representatives of the Museum at Warm Springs and the High Desert Museum will be available to discuss their roles in preserving the heritage of the First Peoples of Central Oregon.
2 p.m. Opening Ceremony and Invocation
followed by A Showcase of Traditional Regalia and Native Dancing. A narrated presentation with descriptions and histories of the intricate Native fashions – including jingle, fancy, grass and traditional — and background about the dances.
4:30 p.m. Round Dance with the Black Lodge Singers
This Native American, Grammy-nominated drum group has more than 30 albums to their credit. It’s led by Kenny Scabby Robe of the Blackfeet Nation and includes many of his sons.
6 p.m. Dinner of Indigenous Foods*
Enjoy the traditional foods of the Indigenous People of Central Oregon, including salmon, elk, dried corn, huckleberries and fry bread, prepared by Twisted Teepee. $25 per person. Seating is limited — Registration details to come.

Farm-to-Table Dinner at Terra Kitchen
2024-10-23 17:30 - 19:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
October 23, 2024 5:30 pm

Join us for an unforgettable Farm-to-Table Dinner on Wednesday, October 23 at Terra Kitchen! Enjoy a seasonal menu crafted from fresh, local ingredients, with the option to enhance your experience with a wine pairing. Guests will have the opportunity to hear from local farmers, winemakers, and chefs, who will share their stories throughout the evening.

6th Annual Fall Harvest Feast
2024-10-25 17:30 - 20:00 | Hanai Center, Eagle Road, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Get ready for a spooktacular evening at Central Oregon Locavore’s Fall Harvest Feast on October 25th at Hanai Community Center! Feast on a mouthwatering farm-to-table dinner, made with the freshest local meats and produce from Well Rooted Farm and Well Rooted Produce Patch, while enjoying the night’s lively lineup. Bid on unique local goods in our live and silent auctions, sip mystical herbal teas from the Green Witch, get your fortune read, find the hidden speak easy and dash for dessert in our sweet contest. Don’t forget to wear your best costume—prizes are brewing!
This isn’t just a party—it’s a harvest celebration and fundraiser, supporting Locavore’s mission to boost local food security and sustainable farming. Let’s come together for a hauntingly good time, all for a great cause! Every dollar raised goes back into our community, ensuring fresh, healthy food is accessible for all.
GET TICKETS

Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry
2024-11-09 11:00 - 15:00 | Deschutes County Fair & Expo, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
The 9th Annual Central Oregon ​​​Fill Your Pantry is a community bulk buying farmers market created so YOU can fill up your pantry, freezer, and root cellar full of great local products for the winter. Say bye-bye to busy holiday lines and produce that has traveled farther than you during holiday vacations, and say hello to a cupboard full of local meat, grains, vegetables, ferments, and more.
The Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry will allow you to stock up on items like potatoes, onions, leeks, beets, winter squash, garlic, honey, flours, apples, pears, dried beans, krauts, baked goods, and more.
This is a bulk focused farmers market, so bring your muscles! Farmers, ranchers, orchardists, and producers will be selling large quantities of items. For example, 20lb bags of onions, 50lb bags of potatoes, 25lb ground beef boxes, etc. This is a great opportunity for vendors to move product before the harsh Central Oregon winter and a great opportunity for YOU to save money and eat well all winter long.

May Green Drinks | Celebrate 10 Years of HDFFA’s Grow & Give Program!
2025-05-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Well Rooted Produce, 20377 Swalley Rd, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join The Environmental Center for Green Drinks to kick off the 10th anniversary season of High Desert Food & Farm Alliance’s Grow & Give Program. This special celebration will be held at Well Rooted Produce and will include farm tours, delicious locally-sourced snacks by Roots at Heart, and information on how you can get involved with food waste reduction. Grow & Give is HDFFA’s program dedicated to reducing food waste through farm gleans, farmers market collections, and community involvement.
This event will take place outdoors, on a working farm. We strongly encourage you to:

Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes
Come prepared with clothing appropriate for the weather on the day.
Bring a chair or picnic blanket (limited seating will be available)
Bring a water bottle
Carpool if possible (parking will be limited)
