The Environmental Center

Deschutes River Cleanup
2019-07-27 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Riverbend Park, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council invites watershed stewards of all ages to join us for the 23nd annual Deschutes River Cleanup on Saturday, July 27, 2019!
Volunteers will meet at Riverbend Park at 10am. River clean-up activities will take place in the Deschutes River and along its riparian areas between Meadow Camp and Drake Park. Bring your paddleboard, kayak, or canoe to help Central Oregon Diving divers pull garbage out of the river, or help us pull invasive weeds and remove litter from the stream banks.

Kayak Trip: Questions Answered!
2019-08-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Got questions about the Deschutes? What better way to learn about the river than to paddle it with a pro?
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe (TCKC) for a water-based exploration of the Upper Deschutes. TCKC will provide transportation, guides, and all the gear. Local water expert, Kyle Gorman, will edify and entertain you with stories about how the Deschutes River works and is managed.
Pre-registration required. This trip is appropriate for all skill levels, including beginners; there are no sections of the river that require technical paddling skills, and moving flatwater will help your boat along.

Stream Sampling on Whychus
2019-08-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Sampling benthic macroinvertebrates, the aquatic life form of insects including mayflies and stoneflies, provides important insights into the health of Whychus Creek. Volunteers will meet at Creekside Park in Sisters for a sampling training, then, in teams of three or four, collect macroinvertebrate samples from sites along Whychus. This event is a great opportunity to learn about restoration and reintroduction of steelhead and salmon on Whychus Creek, see less-visited reaches of the creek, and contribute to knowledge about how restoration actions are changing stream conditions.

Klamath 2050: River of Hope with Emma Marris
2019-09-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
In this lecture, Emma Marris, a Klamath Falls-based environmental author and journalist, will tell the story of Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River, a water system set to see big changes in the coming decades including dam removal, climate change and changing management philosophies. She will use the Klamath Basin to tell a broader story about the best possible future for water in the American West, imagining a 2050 where people inhabit their landscapes thoughtfully, creatively and more than sustainably—where flourishing increases over time.

Kayak Trip: Old Mill District
2019-10-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes (CFD) for a water-based exploration of the Old Mill District. Discover the river with geologist Dr. Daniele McKay. Daniele will shed light on Central Oregon’s volcanic tantrums of the past and how the Deschutes River and its watershed have responded to eruptions, lava flows, and other geologic events.
Daniele, an engaging speaker, has a PhD in geology from the University of Oregon. She studies volcanic activity and has focused much of her research on central Oregon volcanoes.
Meet at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Cost includes all equipment, guides, and insurance. Register in advance!

The Deschutes River: A Path Forward
2019-10-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
From fish to families, kayaks to carrot seed, ecology to economy, a lot is asked of the Deschutes River. A number of activities affecting the management of the river are bubbling to the surface at the same time, making this a pivotal moment. Join panelists for a discussion of the Habitat Conservation Plan for endangered species, water conservation and irrigation modernization, and community engagement in crafting a future for the Deschutes that meets the needs of fish, farms, and families.
Free, please register here!
Panelists:

Jason Gritzner – Hydrologist, Watershed Program Manager, US Forest Service
Ron Nelson – Deschutes River Conservancy Executive Director
Bridget Moran – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bend Field Office, Field Supervisor
Craig Horrell – Chair Deschutes Basin Board of Control; Central Oregon Irrigation District, Managing Director
Mike Britton – North Unit Irrigation District, General Manager
Margi Hoffmann – Farmers Conservation Alliance, Community Relations Director

Presented by the Coalition for the Deschutes, Deschutes Redbands Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Juniper Group of Sierra Club, and League of Women Voters of Deschutes County.

Last Chance for the Deschutes: Tod Heisler Discusses What’s at Stake
2019-10-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join LandWatch at Worthy Brewing to hear from Tod Heisler, our Rivers Conservation Program Director, to learn about the threats to the Deschutes River Basin, the “solutions” proposed by the irrigation districts, and what we can all do to preserve the River for the next 30 years and beyond.
The biggest decision-point in our lifetimes for the future of the Deschutes River Basin was triggered last week when irrigation districts submitted a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Come learn about the plan, how it fails to address the challenges facing the River, and what you can do to help change the course of the Deschutes River Basin forever.
This is a free event with a $10 suggested donation. Please register. LandWatch members will receive a complimentary drink ticket.

Run Wild, Run Free: Protecting Oregon's Wild Rivers
2019-11-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Wild and the Oregon Natural Desert Association for a screening of the film Run Wild Run Free: 50 Years of Wild and Scenic Rivers and learn how you can be part of a historic effort by Sen. Ron Wyden to protect more of Oregon’s wildest rivers from dams and development.
This event is FREE but has limited space, so please RSVP here.

Riversong: A Community Celebration
2019-12-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
A “Big Sing” in support of the Deschutes River Conservancy!
WHAT? Break from tradition—Open Hub Singing is a non-audition community choir grounded in the belief that singing together is a human birthright and a vitally effective ‘technology of belonging.’ Our singers will come prepared with a powerfully moving set of songs to share. You are invited to listen. We will also invite you to join in on a few simple songs. “Big Sing” means there’s less of an audience and more of a participatory experience.
We draw mostly from a contemporary revival of aural tradition songs while also drawing on American campfire and ancient European heritages.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. All voices welcome. If you’ve never sung in a large group of people, you’ll be happy you tried it. And, listening is a great way to contribute.
WHY? Rivers have been the ecological spine of human communities for tens of thousands of years. For 23 years the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) has worked collaboratively to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin after decades of unsustainable water management. The DRC achieves measurable results–like restoring 250 cfs to the river–while also encouraging collaborative concern for the river, from farmers and hikers to boaters and loggers.
Admission is $5 | All proceeds to Deschutes River Conservancy | If you’re a regular singer with us, please use code isingitout to register.

Film Screening: Handmade 2 Surf
2020-01-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join 10 Barel Brewing and Surfrider Foundation to discuss surfing, recreation and conservation on the Deschutes River!

10 Barrel has graciously stepped up to host Surfrider for a screening of Handmade 2 Surf, which premiered last summer in San Diego. The pub will donate $1 of every beer sale to Surfrider at this event! In addition to the film, you’ll get an update from Bend Parks and Recreation District’s Wavemaster, Ryan Richards, regarding the river wave and restorations efforts that are taking place.
You’ll have time to network, learn how to get involved, and sign up to be a Surfrider member ($25) for a chance to win raffle prizes!
Please register in advance. This event is free for Surfrider members.

Second Annual Wild Rivers Night
2020-02-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come celebrate wild rivers! A variety of paddlers will share their adventures in rafts, kayaks, SUPs, and even biking. Rivers in CO, OR, and even as far away as the Karnali River in Nepal. This event was so popular last year that we decided to make it an annual event. Come one, come all! Your donation of $10 (or more!) at the door will help fund river restoration projects. We expect this popular event to sell out so get your tickets soon.
Free beer from Deschutes Brewery and kombucha from Caboost.

Restoring the Dignity of Rivers
2020-02-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Every river, stream, and creek is unique and cannot be replaced by anything else. While rivers are a natural resource that provides a wide range of benefits, they are worth more to society than just their economic value. Join Deschutes Land Trust and river scientist Dr. Colin Thorne as we explore the dignity of rivers, or the innate right rivers have to be valued, respected, and to receive ethical treatment. Recently, rivers in India, New Zealand, Colombia, and Bangladesh have been granted the same legal rights as people. In a US context, this is a somewhat radical concept of the river, but a critical one. Colin proposes that the sustainability of our rivers will only be assured when the communities that surround and benefit from them choose to not only restore the functionality of their rivers, but also to respect the dignity of their rivers. This presentation is free and ticket sales open one month prior to the event.
Nature Nights are free, but a ticket is required. Please register online: deschuteslandtrust.org

Postponed: Madzi means Water in Malawi
2020-03-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Madzi! That’s the word for water in Malawi, Africa. From Oregon to Malawi, we are connected by water. Join us for this fully-hosted community gathering to hear inspiring stories, mingle with National Geographic contributor Chad Copeland, and enjoy Clean Madzi Lager, a special beer created just for this occasion.

Deschutes River Cleanup
2020-07-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Oregon
The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is hosting the 24th annual Deschutes River Cleanup! Cleanup activities will take place at five different sites on the Deschutes river where volunteers will help pull invasive weeds and remove litter from the stream banks. The cleanup sites are: Meadow Camp, Riverbend Park, Miller’s Landing, First Street Rapids Park, and Sawyer Park.
You will register for a specific site when you sign up. This year we are limiting each site to 20 volunteers in an effort to enforce social distancing. On the morning of the cleanup, you will meet your volunteer host at 10:00 a.m. at the site you selected. We encourage all volunteers to come prepared with sturdy shoes, a hat and sun protection, gloves, a water bottle, and snacks.
The Deschutes River Cleanup is an opportunity for us to come together to steward the Deschutes River and its riparian areas. Recreation in and around the Deschutes River has led to significant impacts to river health. In order to keep our river beautiful and protect water quality for fish and wildlife, the Watershed Council coordinates the Deschutes River Cleanup every year.

Flowing North: Rewilding the Deschutes
2021-07-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Oregon
The Deschutes River holds a distinct past, an iconic present, and a precarious future. This river story meanders through time as its flows rise and fall. The river today is not the same river of yesteryear. At LandWatch, their mission is to improve and restore critical habitats for fish and wildlife in our rivers and wetlands.
In this event, you’ll dive into the ecological story of the Deschutes, the ongoing drought, and what’s next for the river.

What’s Brewing: An Overview of Water Use in Bend and the Deschutes Basin
2021-08-03 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
What’s Brewing is back! Bend Chamber is bringing the business community together to discuss local industry trends, legislature updates and the ongoing challenges and opportunities for Bend.
Join at 10 Barrel Eastside for a conversation about conservation of our water. You’ll be joined by the Oregon Water Resource Department’s Watermaster, Jeremy Giffin, and Utility Department Director at the City of Bend, Michael Buettner.

Upper Deschutes River Cleanup
2021-09-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Oregon
Join SOLVE for the annual river clean up in our own backyard – the Upper Deschutes River in Sunriver. Families are welcome for this volunteer event and all supplies will be provided.

Whychus Creek 101: Watershed Overview and History
2022-02-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is coordinating a six-part informational speaker series about Whychus Creek and its watershed! They are working with natural resource partners to present an educational watershed series for community members to learn about the history, hydrology, habitat conditions, native fish, water conservation, stream restoration activities, and ways that YOU can become an engaged steward for Whychus Creek. They will coordinate each session with presentations from their partners from the Deschutes National Forest, Deschutes River Conservancy, Oregon Water Resource Department, the Fly FIsher’s Place, the City of Sisters, Three Sisters Irrigation District, and others. The series will culminate with an in-person tour of restoration projects along Whychus Creek.
The speaker series will be held at the Sisters Library. All presentations will be delivered in-person with a virtual attendance option. The Whychus Watershed Tour will be held outside in-person. Pre-registration is required.
For more information or to register contact: kmiller@restorethedeschutes.org

Whychus Creek Hydrology and Water Use
2022-03-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Water Use and Conservation
2022-03-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series
2022-07-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
What’s Wrong with Our Rivers?
Hydrology and Water Management in the Upper Deschutes Basin
​Presenters: DRC and Oregon Water Resources Department ​(Jonathan LaMarche)
Deschutes River Conservancy’s Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series was created to increase regional water knowledge, understanding of local issues, and awareness of available solutions.

Irrigation Water Management Workshop 2 - Adapting to Drought Conditions
2022-07-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) and Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service for a series of workshops on improving your irrigation system and management skills in times of drought.

Stream Sampling on Whychus Creek
2022-08-11 08:30 - 16:00 | Creekside City Park, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Sampling benthic macroinvertebrates, the aquatic life form of insects including mayflies and stoneflies, provides important insights into the health of Whychus Creek. Volunteers will meet at Creekside Park in Sisters for a sampling training, then, in teams of two to four, collect macroinvertebrate samples from sites along Whychus. This event is a great opportunity to learn about restoration and reintroduction of steelhead and salmon on Whychus Creek, see less-visited reaches of the creek, and contribute to knowledge about how restoration actions are changing stream conditions.

Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series
2022-08-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Water Rights 101. ​Presenters: DRC and Oregon Water Resources Department.
Deschutes River Conservancy’s Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series was created to increase regional water knowledge, understanding of local issues, and awareness of available solutions.

Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series
2022-09-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Canal Piping, Watershed Planning, and PL566 Funding
Presenters: DRC and Deschutes Basin Board of Control
Deschutes River Conservancy’s Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series was created to increase regional water knowledge, understanding of local issues, and awareness of available solutions.

Lawns, Beer, and Golf: Urban and Suburban Water Use in Central Oregon
2022-11-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This seminar will focus on where the City’s water comes from, where it goes, and how the cities are conserving water and planning for growth into the next century.
Attend in person or online. Doors open at 6 pm.

Bringing the Fish Home: Fish Reintroduction and River Restoration in the Upper Deschutes Basin
2023-02-28 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Sixty years after the construction of the Pelton Round Butte Dam Complex, migrating salmon and steelhead are returning to the Upper Deschutes Basin. This seminar will focus on the history of the reintroduction and ongoing restoration efforts to support these fish, which also benefit resident fish and other wildlife.
Speakers:
Megan Hill – Natural Resources Manager, Portland General Electric
Kris Knight – Executive Director, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
Jacob Kimiecik – Program Manager, Deschutes River Conservancy
Lisa Seales (Moderator) – Program Director, Deschutes River Conservancy
Learn More and Register.

Raise the Deschutes Seminar - Many Voices, One Plan: The Future of Water in the Upper Deschutes
2023-05-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
From the Cascades to Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes River has been over-tapped for decades. Fish, farmers, and families all depend on water supplies that are impacted by drought and climate change. The Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative, a consortium of more than 45 stakeholders, is working to accelerate funding, market-based solutions, and implementation of water conservation projects in the basin to help meet demand. Come learn about this work and give the Collaborative your feedback on how you see Central Oregon meeting its water needs in the future.
Speakers:
Bobby Brunoe
Secretary/Treasurer & CEO
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation,
Steve Johnson
General Manager
Arnold Irrigation District
Phil Chang
County Commissioner
Deschutes County
Lisa Seales
Moderator
Programs Manager, Deschutes River Conservancy
Program:
6:00 – Doors open, drinks available
6:15 – 7:45 – Seminar + Q&A
8:00 – Doors close, bar closes
Beverages are available for purchase before and after the event. You are welcome to bring your own dinner.
Register here!

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.

Oregon's Water Strategy: Madras Regional Community Conversation
2023-06-07 18:00 - 20:00 | COCC Madras Campus, 1170 Southeast Ashwood Road, Madras, OR, 97741, United States
In Oregon we have a plan for our water. It is called the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy helps us understand what water we have available in Oregon and what we need for people, plants, animals, and the land. It also has actions we can take to meet those needs.
Now it’s time for that plan to be updated. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and 13 other state agencies are working with Oregon’s Kitchen Table (OKT), a program at Portland State University.
We want to hear what you want to see in the update to Oregon’s water Strategy. Your input will help the state plan for the future to meet our water needs. We are hosting community conversations in different parts of the state.
If you are interested in attending one of these, please register here. Walk-ins are welcome. We will have food and supervised play for children.
Contact us at (503)725-5248 or info@oregonskitchentable.org if you have questions.
