Greater Hart-Sheldon Comment Writing Workshop
2024-07-30 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | OR
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association’s Conservation Director Mark Salvo for a workshop on how to write compelling comments to conserve 3.2 million acres of public lands in the Greater Hart-Sheldon. The focus of the workshop will be the Bureau of Land Management’s draft Lakeview Resource Management Plan Amendment.
This event is free and open to the public. Please register and join us for the workshop!

AdvenTours: Lava Lands National Monument Hike and Stargazing
2024-08-03 19:30 - 23:00 | Lava Lands Visitors Center, https://www.google.com/maps/place/4354'34.5N+12121'32.9W/@43.909578,-121.359151,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d43.909578!4d-121.359151?entry=ttu, Bend, OR, 97707, United States
Adventure: Wanderlust Tours is excited to bring more access to the outdoors by partnering with AdvenChair to help those with mobility challenges get into the outdoors and explore beautiful areas that initially may not seem accessible. With the AdvenChair off-road wheelchair and the incredible team of volunteers at AdvenChair, we will explore Lava Lands National Monument, gaining an understanding for Central Oregon’s volcanic history and immersing ourselves under the night sky!
Naturalist Guided Experience: This adventure will take us to Lava Lands, an amazing 10 square mile lava field just south of Bend. We will hit the trail and head towards the incredible Kipuka, an island of trees that thrive amongst a sea of ancient lava flows. Your guide will share stories and wisdom about Central Oregon’s uncanny geology as we search for inspiring vistas as the sun descends behind the mighty Cascade Mountains. Once the sun’s glow has waned, we will turn our attention skyward, as your guide will impart their knowledge of the twinkling heavens above!
Learn more and register here!

Stream Sampling on Whychus Creek
2024-08-15 08:30 - 16:00, 2024-08-16 08:30 - 16:00 | Creekside City Park, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Sampling aquatic insects, including mayflies and stoneflies, provides important insights into the health of Whychus Creek. Volunteers meet at Creekside Park in Sisters for a sampling training, then, in teams of two to four, use nets to collect aquatic insect samples from the stream at sites along Whychus. This event is a great opportunity to learn about habitat restoration on Whychus Creek for salmon and steelhead, spend a day along less-visited reaches of the creek, and contribute to knowledge about how restoration actions are changing stream conditions.
UDWC will host our 14th annual Stream Sampling on Whychus Creek event on August 15th and 16th, 2024! This will be our 14th consecutive year collecting aquatic insect (macroinvertebrate) samples to learn about how physical habitat conditions for native trout and salmon and other aquatic organisms are changing alongside stream flow and stream habitat restoration work by UDWC and our partners.
2024 sample collection will focus on the following reaches of Whychus Creek:

Recently restored reaches at Deschutes Land Trust’s Rimrock Ranch Preserve, and at Creekside Park in Sisters;
Older restoration sites including Whychus Canyon Preserve Phase 1, Camp Polk Meadow Preserve upstream reaches, and Whychus Floodplain on National Forest lands upstream of Sisters);
Samples from unrestored, “control” reaches at Whychus Canyon Preserve; and
Samples from Alder Springs and upstream of USFS Road 6360, both affected by stream flow restoration but where no habitat restoration has occurred.

We will collect 18 samples over two days with restoration partners and community volunteers, working in teams of 2-4. You can register for one day or both at the links below:
Thursday, August 15th REGISTER
Friday, August 16th REGISTER

Shiny Happy People—The Paradoxes of Living in Central Oregon
2024-08-15 11:30 - 13:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, OR, United States
In our high desert community of Central Oregon, the allure of natural beauty and a desirable lifestyle often comes with hidden challenges. Residents are frequently faced with the high cost of living, employment hurdles, and soaring housing prices, making it difficult to find the happiness and well-being they sought in arriving here. This City Club Forum will address these unique paradoxes, fostering explorations on self-care and community well-being amidst these realities. We will spark conversations about what constitutes personal happiness in our growing mountain town, including its impact on employment, aspirations and growth.
Objectives

Explore Paradoxes of Happiness: Understand the contrast between the idyllic perception and practical challenges of living here.
Promote Well-Being: Share strategies to enhance personal well-being and community thriving.
Facilitate Dialogue: Encourage open discussions about self-care and communal support, why both matter, and personal next steps.

Forum Benefits

Gain Insights: Learn about the realities of living in a place “everyone wants to move to for the lifestyle.”
Reinforce Self-Care: Discover practical self-care strategies to enhance well-being.
Build Community: Connect with others to create a supportive community network.
Engage in Conversations: Participate in discussions about personal experiences and strategies for well-being.
Access Resources: Get information on local resources for housing, employment, and health.
Foster Support: Share stories and navigate the paradoxes of happiness together.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on balancing the charm and challenges of life in Central Oregon, and discover how to thrive amidst the paradoxes.
REGISTER HERE!

Weeding at Franklin’s Corner
2024-08-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-27 09:00 - 10:00 | Franklin’s Corner Pollinator Garden, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
No registration. Just show up.
NE 9th and NE Franklin, Bend
Parking on NE Larch. Drive east on NE Franklin to NE 10th Street, turn right and proceed one block to NE Larch, turn right.
Bring weeding tools, shovel, bucket, gloves, hat, sunscreen, water. Friends and family are welcome. This is an outdoor event. We’ll cancel if it’s too hot or smoky.
Franklin’s Corner pollinator garden demonstrates waterwise landscaping with native pollinator plants. It’s maintained entirely by volunteers.

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.

AdvenTours: Deschutes River Trail and Benham Falls
2024-09-08 08:30 - 12:30 | Benham Falls
Adventure: Wanderlust Tours is excited to bring more access to the outdoors by partnering with AdvenChair to help those with mobility challenges get into the outdoors and explore beautiful areas that initially may not seem accessible. With the AdvenChair off-road wheelchair and the incredible team of volunteers at AdvenChair, we will enjoy the reward of stunning views and learn about bask in the serene beauty and power of the Deschutes River.
Naturalist Guided Experience: This serene trail will take us through a forest of Ponderosa Pine among spectacular lava flows where vistas of Oregon’s backbone, the Cascade Range, stand tall in the distance. We’ll witness the seemingly placid Deschutes turn torrid as it careens over ancient lava rock falls while aspen groves sweep along the river’s edge. During our adventure, your guide will impart their knowledge of the Deschutes River’s hydrology as well as local flora and fauna.
Learn more and 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.

Día de Las Monarcas, Celebrating the Magic of Migration
2024-09-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Pioneer Park, Northwest Wall Street, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us on a special day dedicated to the astonishing migratory journey of monarch butterflies with Indigenous performances, a Mayan writing workshop, a butterfly reflection walk, and storytelling. Transportation is available upon request. Food and educational resources are provided. No registration is required. For transportation needs you can email priscilla@envirocenter.org or call/text at (541) 508-5410
Únete a nosotros en un día especial dedicado a las mariposas monarca y su asombrosa travesía migratoria. Durante este evento, exploramos la fascinante vida de estas criaturas aladas, desde sus inicios como orugas hasta su épica migración a través de la observación, talleres educativos y narración de historias. Se ofrece transporte, alimentos y recursos educativos. No es necesario registrarse. Para necesidades de transporte, puede enviar un correo electrónico a priscilla@envirocenter.org o llamar o enviar un mensaje de texto al (541) 508-5410
Thank you to our partners- Deschutes Land Trust, Oregon Wild, Vámonos Outside, and The Environmental Center

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

Deschutes Land Trust Open House
2024-10-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, OR, United States
Join the Deschutes Land Trust at our annual Open House!
October 8, 2024, 5-7pm (Remarks will begin at 6pm)
Join us at our annual Open House on October 8th at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend. Celebrate an outstanding year of land conservation, community, and caring for the land! Learn about current Land Trust projects, and connect with Land Trust staff and other community members, while you enjoy snacks and drinks. RSVPs are helpful, but not required. Register today!
Accessibility: The Land Trust’s Open House will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon. Restrooms are accessible and include three unisex/family restrooms. Five accessible parking spaces are available in the building’s parking lot.
The Land Trust is working to make our events as accessible as possible. Please let us know at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this Open House to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.

AdvenTours: Tumalo Creek Scenic Hike
2024-10-20 08:30 - 12:30 | Shevlin Park, 18920 Shevlin Park Road, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Adventure: Wanderlust Tours is excited to bring more access to the outdoors by partnering with AdvenChair to help those with mobility challenges get into the outdoors and explore beautiful areas that initially may not seem accessible. With the AdvenChair off-road wheelchair and the incredible team of volunteers at AdvenChair, we will experience a magnificent ecosystem filled with burgeoning flora and fauna, spring migratory birds, and more that find refuge and resources in Tumalo Creek.
Naturalist Guided Experience: We will begin our adventure along the crystal clear waters of Tumalo Creek. Our route will take us through a section of Tumalo canyon where we will immerse ourselves in some of Central Oregon’s finest geologic features. This scenic area just outside Bend’s front door known as Shevlin Park was founded as a beacon of conservation. Early 1900’s Bend was almost exclusively a logging community and as many areas became heavily logged, demand grew for a nearby area to be protected for recreation. In 1920, Shevlin-Hixon Lumber Company, under the guidance of Thomas W. Shevlin and Hugh O’Kane, donated the land to the city of Bend with the stipulation that it be used for park purposes. This initial donation helped establish the park, and it has been expanded over the years through additional land acquisitions.
Learn more and register here!

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.

Winter Bird Walk with Think Wild
2024-12-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Hatfield Ponds, McGrath Road 22395, Bend, Oregon, 97701, United States
Interested in learning more about bird migration and our feathered friends who overwinter here in Central Oregon?
Join us for a morning winter bird walk led by our passionate youth volunteer and bird expert, Mason! We will learn to identify different Central Oregon bird species and discuss some of their winter adaptations and habits.
Meet at Hatfield Ponds on Sunday, December 1st at 9 am. Binoculars and field guides will be provided.
Event contact: becca@thinkwildco.org

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!

Wolves in Central Oregon
2025-01-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Wolves are one of North America’s most iconic animals, occupying a unique and complex role in the natural world. Join Deschutes Land Trust and wildlife biologist Aaron Bott to take a closer look at wolves and how they interact with the landscape of Central Oregon. In the last few decades, Oregon has experienced the gradual recolonization of wolves, representing a notable shift in natural systems. These top predators are deeply connected to the lands they inhabit and the other animals that sustain them, exerting influences that are both small and far-reaching. Aaron will explore wolf biology and ecology, focusing on their natural history, adaptations, and roles and behaviors in the natural world within the context of Oregon’s recovering wolf population. This presentation is free, but you must get your ticket online.
