The Environmental Center

Bend School Garden Bike Tour
2022-10-08 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join The Environmental Center’s Garden for Every School program and Bend Bikes for a community bike tour visiting 3 school garden sites. We’ll start at the Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice Detention Facility to see designs and hear about their future plans for an outdoor garden. Then we will bike to Bend International School to visit their recently revamped school garden. Finally we will bike down OB Riley Road to visit Desert Sky Montessori School, where their garden committee has been working weekends building a school garden for this new school campus. We will loop back to the Juvenile Justice facility for those that need to leave a car there.
Our group ride, led by Bend Bikes, will travel at a casual pace with ride leaders at the front and back of the group so that no one is left behind! Our route will include a combination of neighborhood streets, low-traffic roads without bike lanes, and busier roads with marked bike lanes.There are sidewalks along some, but not all, the roadways. O.B. Riley is a known bike-route for recreational cyclists and has a dedicated (unprotected) bike lane but the speed limit is 35 miles per hour, which has earned it its designation as a route for riders of above-average skill. You can view the route here. Bike ride is 2.5 miles and will be limited to 25 bikers.
For those wanting to skip the bike ride and just come and hear about the school gardens, here is our tentative agenda:
2:10 – 2:25 Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice Detention Facility (15 min)
> 63360 NW Britta St, Bend, OR 97701
2:45 – 3:05 Bend International School (20 min)
> 63034 O. B. Riley Rd, Bend, OR 97703
3:20 – 3:50 Desert Sky Montessori School (30 min)
> 63175 O. B. Riley Rd, Bend, OR 97703
Bike ride limited to 25 people, register on Eventbrite by clicking the button below:
REGISTER
If you don’t have a bike, Bend Electric Bikes has offered to donate one to us for this tour.
Email denise for more details.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2022-10-18 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
This year, Happy Hour in the Garden will run from March through October. Instead of weekly, this volunteer event will be on the *1st & 3rd Tuesdays*, kicking off Tuesday, March 1st. Stop by anytime between 4-6 on the following dates to help out in the garden and enjoy a bubbly beverage. Family friendly, no experience or tools necessary.
Contact Denise Rowcroft, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

March 1 & 15 (March & April beer sponsored by Worthy Garden Club)
April 5 & 19
May 3 & 17 (May & June beer sponsored by Boneyard Beer)
June 7 & 21

Due to summer trips, please note that summer dates (July & August) are the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month!

*July 12 & 26* (July & August beer sponsored by Deschutes Brewery)
*August 9 & 23* (Note, this is the 2nd & 4th Tuesday, rescheduled due to planned time off)
September 6 & 20 (Sept & Oct beer sponsored by 10 Barrel Brewing Co)
October 4 & 18

Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-03-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-04-04 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-05-02 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-05-16 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-06-06 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-06-20 16:00 - 18:00 | 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 2023, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October. 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.
For Spring 2023, our Happy Hours will be 4-6pm, on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month.
March & April Happy Hours sponsored by Wild Ride Brewing

March 7 & 21
April 4 & 18

May & June Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

May 2 & 16
June 6 & 20

Stay tuned for confirmation of dates for July through October, as these might switch to the 2nd & 4th…)
Contact Denise, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-04-18 16:00 - 18:00 | OR

The Whys and Hows of Food Waste Reduction and Composting (Bend)
2023-05-09 17:00 - 18:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Learn why food waste matters, how to reduce food waste, strategies for composting, and pros and cons of various at home compost bins.
Open to adults and youth, composting beginners and pros! Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an at home composting system.
Register here.

May Green Drinks: Shakti Farm Design
2023-05-11 17:00 - 19:00 | Three Rivers Elementary School, 56900 Enterprise Dr, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
We’re excited to co-host Green Drinks with Shakti Farm Design at Three Rivers School in Sunriver! Shakti Farm Design is committed to creating a sustainable food-growing world for the community. They recently built a Greenhouse for Three Rivers School in Sunriver with a Grant provided by Central Oregon Health Council. Join us to hear how Shakti Farm Design is taking part in countering climate change and creating a sustainable living for families and communities.
Learn about Sustainable Growing and Greenhouses in Central Oregon!
Thursday, May 11th
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Three Rivers School
56900 Enterprise Dr, Sunriver
Please RSVP in advance here!

Talk & Walk Clinic for Noxious Weeds and Native Plants
2023-05-18 10:00 - 13:30 | Barnes Butte Complex, 44.31376, -120.82518 NE Combs Flat Road, Prineville, OR, United States
Join the Crooked River Weed Management Area for a FREE Talk and Walk Clinic.
Topics include:

Invasive Plant Identification
Weeds vs Native Plants
Control Methods
Emerging Plant Invaders

Bring a chair and a lunch and come join us for this clinic!

Introduction to Growing Food in the High Desert
2023-05-21 09:00 - 11:30 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Spring is here! Get ready to garden and join our Growing Food Class. In this class, you will learn how to prepare your garden and start planting. Topics will include soils and soil amendments, bed preparation, starting seeds at home, direct seeding in your garden,transplanting seedlings and navigating challenges . This is a great class if you are new to gardening. The class will include a free vegetable start and early access to plant sale seedlings.
Register

WaterWise Landscape Field Day
2023-06-04 09:00 - 13:00 | Hollinshead Barn, 1235 NE Jones Rd., Bend, OR, United States
Event Line Up

Presentations:
Local professionals will give 30-minute presentations on the following topics:

Design and Site Considerations
Plant Selection in the WaterWise Garden
Irrigation-Hands-on Drip Conversion Demostration

Demonstration and Display Booths
Gather information on irrigation, design, and landscape resources from local vendors: Bend Urban Gardens, Central Oregon Lawn Center, Ewing, Horizon, Oregon Bee Atlas, OSU Master Gardener Q&A, Pollinator Pathway Bend, Water Whys Irrigation, and Your Garden Companion.
Native Plant Giveaway
Receive 6 free native plants from Wintercreek Nursery compliments of Worthy Environmental and the City of Bend in cooperation with Pollinator Pathway Bend. Must register to receive plants.
To register for this event, click this link.
Download a copy of the flyer: Water-Wise Field Day June 4, 2023.

33rd Annual Wildflower Show and Pollinator Festival
2023-06-24 09:00 - 15:00 | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
This amazing festival showcases the diversity of flowering plants found throughout Central Oregon as well as vendors and partners who work with flowers or native pollinators. This is a great family event, with activities, special guest lectures, partners in education, as well as hundreds of native flowers on display.
If you are interested in volunteering or in being a vendor please e-mail info@snco.org.

High Desert Garden Tour
2023-07-15 09:00 - 15:30 | OR
The 28th Annual High Desert Garden Tour
Explore 7 gardens in Bend and Tumalo on this self-guided tour
Buy tickets here!

Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-07-25 16:00 - 18:00 | 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 2023, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October. 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.
For Summer & Fall 2023, our Happy Hours will be 4-6pm, on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month.
March & April Happy Hours sponsored by Wild Ride Brewing

March 7 & 21
April 4 & 18

May & June Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

May 2 & 16
June 6 & 20

July & August Happy Hours sponsored by TBD

July 11 & 25
August 8 & 22

September & October Happy Hours sponsored by Boneyard Beer

September 12 & 26
October 10 & 24

Contact Denise, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-07-25 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-08 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-09-12 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-09-26 16:00 - 18:00 | 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 2023, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October. 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.
For Summer & Fall 2023, our Happy Hours will be 4-6pm, on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month.
March & April Happy Hours sponsored by Wild Ride Brewing

March 7 & 21
April 4 & 18

May & June Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

May 2 & 16
June 6 & 20

July & August Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

July 11 & 25
August 8 & 22

September & October Happy Hours sponsored by Boneyard Beer

September 12 & 26
October 10 & 24

Contact Denise, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

(Cancelled due to smoke) Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-08-22 16:00 - 18:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703

Tomato Manifesto 2023 - Preserving Your Summer Bounty
2023-08-27 13:30 - 15:00 | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
“Tomato Manifesto – Preserving Your Summer Bounty” – Locavore’s Food School at Open Space Studios, Sunday, August 27th 1:30-3pm
Central Oregon Locavore Non-Profit is proud to offer a learning and demonstration experience for storing, preserving and enjoying tomatoes all season long! Registrants will be given tips, tricks, hands-on experiences and learn the many different methods of storing summer produce for year-round use that preserves nutritional integrity and follows food safety guidelines.
The Food School Program is a hands-on approach bringing local chefs, farmers, ranchers and herbalists together with the community as they teach their trades in a fun and approachable manner to those that want to learn all about food!
Event is $8 for members, $10 for non-members, with limited registration. Please visit our website for more information, or those interested can sign up at the link below.
Sign up here!

Rescheduled Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-08-29 16:00 - 18:00 | OR
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 2023, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October. 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.
Please note – Happy Hour in the Garden is cancelled when temps are over 100 degrees and AQI in Old Bend is over 150.
For Summer & Fall 2023, our Happy Hours will be 4-6pm, on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month.
March & April Happy Hours sponsored by Wild Ride Brewing

March 7 & 21
April 4 & 18

May & June Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

May 2 & 16
June 6 & 20

July & August Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

July 11 & 25
August 8 & 22
August 29 – Rescheduled make up date!!

September & October Happy Hours sponsored by Boneyard Beer

September 12 & 26
October 10 & 24

Contact Denise, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

Native Plant Harvest
2023-09-15 12:00 - 17:00 | Rooted at Simpson, 19755 Simpson Avenue, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
RootedHomes invites the community to participate in its Native Plant Harvest on September 15, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Hosted at 19755 Simpson Avenue, at the corner of Simpson Ave and SW 18th Ave, the RootedHomes event will harvest native plants and adolescent trees on the site of its future affordable housing development – Rooted at Simpson. Additional harvested plants and trees, including ponderosas, bitterbrush, rabbitbrush, sulfur buckwheat, yarrow, and fescue will be available for volunteers to take home.
Volunteers should wear appropriate footwear and clothing for landscaping, with gloves recommended. While limited shovels, and wheelbarrows will be available, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own. If you are interested in bringing home plants please bring your own pots.
Interested volunteers can register below or contact Tess Freeman at tess@rootedhomes.org or 458-202-4598.

Putting Your Garden to Bed
2023-09-16 10:00 - 11:30 | OSU Extension Office, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
This class will cover how to harvest vegetables at the end of the season, including how to ripen tomatoes indoors; how to winterize your vegetable garden to save time next spring; how to divide and cut back perennials; and how to prepare your landscape for winter.
Register here!

Seed to Table Fall Farm Tours
2023-09-21 16:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-09-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Seed to Table, 998 E. Black Butte Avenue, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Seed to Table Farm invites our community onto the farm for a free fall tour. This once-a-year opportunity is a chance for you to explore tomatoes in the greenhouses, get a taste of what students experience on field trips, and ask questions to the farmers who steward the land to grow nearly 85,000 pounds of produce on just a few acres. Feel free to bring a friend! You must pre-register for tours.
Thursday 9/21 4pm-5pm
Saturday 9/23 10am-11am
Monday 9/25 4pm-5pm
Wednesday 9/27 11am-12pm
Friday 9/29 3pm-4pm
Saturday 9/30 10am -11am
REGISTER FOR FALL FARM TOURS!
