The Environmental Center

Wild Wednesday Event: What's With All The Stumps?
2024-03-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Have you noticed all of the logging happening near the Phil’s trail complex and other favorite nearby trails in central Oregon? If you’re like us, you might have thought some of it looked fine and some looked too aggressive. Join Oregon Wild in Bend on March 27 for a discussion about what’s going on with all the logging on the Deschutes National Forest. How do these forest management decisions impact recreation, wildlife, climate change, and fire risk? We’ll explore what’s happening in our local forests, its impacts, and how you can engage to influence what happens in the future.

A Discussion on Environment and Well-Being with Minal Mistry
2024-04-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creeks Rd, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Mistry will employ a holistic approach, using systems thinking to unravel the environmental complexities shaping our lives in Oregon. Gain insights into the environmental burdens sustaining the unique Oregonian lifestyle and the nuanced interplay with our collective wellbeing.
This engaging talk will transcend local boundaries, shedding light on our global reliance and the far-reaching impact on communities worldwide. Explore themes of Migration and Transitions, and delve into emerging concerns such as novel pollutants affecting water, land, and food sources.
The evening promises ample time for discussion, offering you the chance to share your personal experiences and perspectives on these critical topics. As we unravel the interconnected web of environmental and human development concerns, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of our shared responsibilities.
About the Artist:
Minal Mistry (he/him) is a biologist/scientist working in the industrial sustainability arena with an emphasis on the impacts of material production and consumption upon the living Earth. His focus area is at the intersections of environmental, ecological and social justice. His art has evolved from those intersections, primarily as sculpture and writing.
Price: This event is free and open to the public. Spaces are limited so registration is required.
Register here

Tracing Geological History Through Rocks and Minerals in Oregon's Desert
2024-04-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Immerse yourself in the world of Oregon’s desert rocks and minerals as Alison Jean Cole explores the region’s geological history through rock collecting in balance with conservation. Buy tickets in Bend.
—
We are pleased to announce Oregon Natural Desert Association’s 2024 High Desert Speaker Series! The Speaker Series fosters a deeper understanding of ecology, encourages well-informed exploration of the high desert and promotes collaborative cross-cultural practices that conserve southeastern Oregon. These events will take you into the world of high desert bees, on a journey through the Owyhee Canyonlands, deeper into ecocultural indigenous restoration efforts and toward discovering the geologic treasures of Oregon’s desert.

Join us at these engaging events online, in Bend and in Portland and dive into the wonders of the high desert. Registration is open for all events, so mark your calendar, tell a friend and view the full lineup.

Plastics and Your Health (Webinar)
2024-05-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
A troubling study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March found that the presence of microplastics particles in heart tissue caused a measurable increase in people’s risk of heart attack, stroke and premature death. With each new study published, plastics’ negative impacts on human health are becoming clearer and more widespread.
What does this mean for you and your loved ones? Please join us and Dr. Phil Landrigan via Zoom this Thursday, May 2 from 7-8PM ET to discuss plastics’ impacts on our health and how we can decrease our exposure. Register now. >>
Plastics take a heavy toll on both human and environmental health. We know that there are micro-and nanoplastics in our air, water, and soil, as well as at every level of the food chain.
We also know that these tiny bits of plastic are present inside all of us. Researchers have found micro- and nano-plastics in the human intestine, placenta, liver, spleen, lungs, and lymph node tissues, as well as in blood and breast milk.
Many of the toxic chemicals added to plastics including PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols are also present in the bodies of nearly all Americans.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, a world-renowned pediatrician, public health physician, and epidemiologist back to the Beyond Plastics virtual stage for this free educational webinar on May 2. Dr. Landrigan is at the forefront of exploring what our ever-increasing exposure to plastics means for our health and longevity as well as how we can reduce our exposure.
Please click here to register now and plan to join us at 7 PM ET this Thursday, May 2 to explore these critical and emergent questions.

Discover Fish Migration and Conservation Efforts: A Guided Tour of Pelton Round Butte
2024-06-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Round Butte Overlook Park, From Madras: Jct. of Belmont Lane & Hwy. 97, travel west on Belmont Lane for 6.8 miles to Mountain View Drive, turn south onto Mountain View Drive for 1.7 miles to access road and sign to Round Butte Overlook Park. Turn west onto signed access road for 0.8 mile to Round Butte Overlook Park., OR, United States
Come tour the Pelton Round Butte Fish Passage and Hatchery Facilities On this tour you’ll get to see juvenile steelhead making their way downstream to the ocean, and adult Chinook that have recently returned to the hatchery. Come learn about collaborative efforts to reintroduce anadromous fish to the upper basin and restore the habitat that their survival depends upon.
Tour Leaders:
– Bobby Brunoe, CEO & Secretary/Treasurer of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the DRC Board Chair
– Megan Hill, Hydro Environmental Manager, Portland General Electric
Space is limited to 50 tickets
GET TICKETS

Author Event: Rooted by Lyanda Haupt @ UUFCO
2024-06-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, OR, United States
Friday, June 7th, Lyanda Haupt will speak at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 7pm. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
Deepen your connection to the natural world with this inspiring meditation, “a path to the place where science and spirit meet” (Robin Wall Kimmerer). Award-winning writer Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s highly personal new book is a brilliant invitation to live with the earth in both simple and profound ways—from walking barefoot in the woods and reimagining our relationship with animals and trees, to examining the very language we use to describe and think about nature. She invokes rootedness as a way of being in concert with the wilderness—and wildness—that sustains humans and all of life.
In the tradition of Rachel Carson, Elizabeth Kolbert, and Mary Oliver, Haupt writes with urgency and grace, reminding us that at the crossroads of science, nature, and spirit we find true hope. Each chapter provides tools for bringing our unique gifts to the fore and transforming our sense of belonging within the magic and wonder of the natural world. Lyanda Lynn Haupt is a naturalist, ecophilosopher, and author of Mozart’s Starling, The Urban Bestiary, Crow Planet, Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent, and Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds. Ms. Haupt is a winner of the Washington State Book Award and the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award.
Books will be available for purchase at the event.

AdvenTours: Scenic Hike at Smith Rock State Park
2024-07-13 08:30 - 12:30 | Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR, 97760, 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 enjoy the reward of stunning views and learn about the incredible geologic history of Smith Rock State Park!
Naturalist Guided Experience: Arriving at the awe-inspiring Smith Rock State Park, we. will begin our descent into the Crooked River canyon and hike along the spectacular riparian habitat. From here our options are many, from a beautiful and flat wander along the river scouting for otters and osprey to a steeper hike up a ridge for stunning views of the Cascade Mountains! Both hikes will enliven the senses and spark wonder at the fantastic geology that shapes this incredible canyon.
Learn more and register here!

Nature Journaling at Whychus Canyon Preserve
2024-07-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Whychus Canyon Preserve, Sisters, OR, 97756, United States
Interested in learning how to combine outdoor writing and sketching with your joy of exploring nature? Join Deschutes Land Trust volunteer and passionate journaler, Kolby Kirk, for a morning of learning tips and techniques for keeping a journal while exploring Whychus Canyon Preserve’s hiking trails! We’ll discuss ways of seeing and recording the landscape, explore reasons for keeping a trail journal, and learn tips for quickly sketching flora/fauna for later identification. No journaling experience needed. Registration is required.
REGISTER HERE

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

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

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.

Art and Wine in Nature!
2024-09-07 15:00 - 19:00 | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is home to Central Oregon’s only botanic garden, showcasing the diversity of plant life in the Great Basin ecosystem. Come wander the garden in the cool of the evening and explore local artists who use nature as their inspiration. This evening event will include wine, appetizers, and the sweet sounds of the Obsidian Jazz group.
Featured artists include Copper Moon’s sculpture, Betti Butler’s digital art, Jim Gilmore’s steel sculpture, and Michelle Adam’s photography.
This event is in memory of Harry Hamilton, a long time supporter of Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory’s mission to inspire present and future generations to cherish and understand our natural world.
Admission is free to this incredible display.

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!

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

Fall Social and Seed Swap
2024-10-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Welcome to the Fall Social and Seed Swap! Join us on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 5:30 PM at Worthy Brewing Company for a fun evening of mingling, swapping seeds, and sharing garden stories. Whether you’re a seasoned native plant gardener or just starting out, this event is perfect for connecting with fellow native plant enthusiasts .
We’ll provide some light refreshements. Drinks avaialble for purchase.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn about the Pollinator Pathway, make new friends, and enjoy the cozy fall atmosphere. See you there!
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

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!

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

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: Desert Mussels
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association for the final event of the High Desert Speaker Series as they dive beneath the surface of high desert streams and into the hidden world of mussels. Alexa Martinez, Wildlife Biologist at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, will shed light on the fascinating lives of native mollusks thriving in the waterways of eastern Oregon. Alexa will share the unique habitat of each mussel species and discuss how snowmelt feeds the watersheds that sustain these creatures. Come learn how these often-overlooked species play a critical role in maintaining the health of the desert ecosystems.
