Kids' Business Spring Market
2024-04-19 14:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Brooks Room, Deschutes Public Library, 507 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97703, United States

2024 Earth Day Fair and Parade
2024-04-20 11:00 - 15:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Save the Date! The 2024 Earth Day Fair and Parade will take place on Saturday, April 20th. An Annual Celebration of Earth And Community.
This family-friendly event typically features a lively and inclusive parade through downtown Bend where folks are encouraged to wear costumes to showcase their favorite thing about planet earth. During the fair, food vendors, booths, and performers offer something for everyone.
Stay tuned for updates on performances that will take place on Troy Field!

Know Gardens: Garden Fair at Sisters Firehouse Community Hall
2024-04-28 11:00 - 13:00 | Sisters Firehouse Community Hall, 301 S Elm St, Sisters, 97759, United States
Description
Learn about composting, pollinator habitat, growing vegetables, seed bombs and more.
Learn from local experts how to help pollinators, compost, roll up seed bombs, grow vegetables in our climate, create paints from your garden, and more! Join Deschutes Public Library and the following community organizations for this free, fun event:
– Artist Lee Kellogg
Outdoors is where Lee Kellogg would rather be just about any day and anytime. Sketchbook in hand, she records the world around her. A bird watcher from a young age, Lee has long been interested in the natural world around us. From working summer camp as a teen to the Adult Education Coordinator at the Audubon Society of Portland to owning a retail business focused on art and craft, Lee has had much experience that all focuses on her love of the outdoors and art. Inspiring others to be creative and become aware of the world around them is part of her mission when she teaches. https://www.leekellogg.com/
– DPL Community Librarian
– Deschutes Land Trust
The Deschutes Land Trust’s mission is to conserve and care for the lands and water that sustain Central Oregon, so local communities and the natural world can flourish together for generations to come. https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/
– OSU-Master Gardeners
“The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener program educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. OSU Extension Master Gardeners are volunteer educators, neighbors, and on-the-ground researchers who serve their community with solid training in science-based, sustainable gardening and a love of lifelong learning.” https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg
– Pollinator Pathway Bend
Pollinator Pathway Bend is a community-wide effort to create and connect pesticide-free habitat for imperiled native pollinators in the city of Bend and beyond. https://pollinatorpathwaybend.org/
– Seed to Table
“Seed to Table envisions a vibrant and resilient community where all people, regardless of race, gender, geography, ability or socioeconomic status, have access to fresh produce that is nourishing, locally grown, and in keeping with their preferences. From our 4-acre farm plot, we strive to model a food system that restores ecosystems while providing equitable access to fresh foods and opportunities for community members to engage positively with farm-fresh foods.” https://www.seedtotableoregon.org/
– Sisters Garden Club
“The Sisters Garden Club, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1988 by 13 original members who wanted to spread the joy of gardening to this wonderful community they called home. The goals of our club are to stimulate increased knowledge of our unique local environment and how it affects our gardens; aid in the protection of native plants and wildlife including our essential beneficial insects; and encourage the sharing of this information with others in the community to make it even better.” https://www.sistersgardenclub.com/
– The Environmental Center
In 1989, The Environmental center was born to inspire locals to live lighter on the planet. “Our mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. To us, that means driving local change that makes a world of difference.” https://envirocenter.org/

ZUMBA FIESTA-FREE event
2024-05-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Larkspur Community Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
On May 3rd, from 6-9 pm, a special ZUMBA FIESTA-FREE event. We will have a significant presentation by Oscar Gonzalez from the Latino Community Association, to honor Cinco de Mayo, for the Battle of Puebla. Children from 8 years old can come on this day. (Further details on the flyer)
El 3 de mayo, de 6-9 pm, un evento especial de ZUMBA FIESTA-GRATIS. Tendremos a una presentación significativa a cargo de Oscar Gonzalez de la Asociación de la Comunidad Latina, en honor a las celebración del Cinco de Mayo, por la Batalla de Puebla. Niños a partir de los 8 años pueden venir este día. (Mayores detalles en el volante)

Spring into Nature Festival
2024-05-04 11:00 - 14:00 | Sahalee Park, 1 SE 7th Street, Madras, OR, 97744, United States
Visit the Deschutes Land Trust at the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon’s Spring Into Nature Festival! The Spring Into Nature Festival celebrates the many ways that we all connect with nature. Stop by our table to plant native milkweed seeds to add to your garden or yard and create a monarch butterfly craft. Learn more about the Land Trust’s work while also providing habitat for Western monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

Family Zumba classes
2024-05-07 18:45 - 19:45, 2024-05-09 18:45 - 19:45 | Larkspur Community Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Starting in May, BPRD will begin with Family Zumba classes at Larkspur. The first two classes on May 7th and 9th will be FREE, so you can meet instructor Perla Ruiz and explore to see if this class is suitable for you and your family. BPRD is promoting this class first within the Spanish-speaking community. BRPD aims to provide a suitable space for families who can come with their children from the age of 5. Parents or adult caregivers must supervise them at all times. This is the first time we will offer this class in this way, so please bear with them. Any questions you may have please call at 541-706-1212.
A partir de mayo empezaremos con clases de Zumba en Familia en Larkspur. Las dos primeras clases del 7 y 9 de mayo serán GRATIS, así podrá conocer a nuestra instructora Perla Ruiz y explorar y ver si esta clase es conveniente para usted y su familia. Estamos promocionando esta clase primero con la comunidad hispanohablante, deseamos proporcionar un espacio adecuado para las familias que puedan venir con sus hijos a partir de los 5 añitos. Los papás o personas adultas deben supervisarlos todo el tiempo. Es la primera vez que ofreceremos esta clase así que ténganos paciencia. Cualquier pregunta que tengan los padres pueden llamarme al 541-706-1212.

Nature Kids: Flower Power!
2024-05-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Whychus Canyon Preserve, Sisters, OR, 97756, United States
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Karen Walsh for Nature Kids! Get outside and explore the nature of Central Oregon on guided family nature walks just for kids ages 5-10. Kids and their families can explore, imagine, and grow through hands-on activities and experiences outside. During May, we’ll explore the world of flowers! Learn how a flower’s size, shape, color, and smell have the power to attract unique pollinators. Meet other families, learn more about the natural world around us, and have fun! Offered on the second Wednesday and last Saturday of the month April-October at Land Trust Preserves and in Bend. Perfect for kids ages 5-10 with a grown-up in tow. Registration is helpful, but not required. Registrants will receive important event details and directions leading up to the outing. Registration opens 1 month prior to the event.
REGISTER HERE!

COCC Salmon Bake
2024-05-18 11:00 - 15:00 | COCC, 2600 NW Collge Way, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

“Shark Heart” in Real Life – The Science of Studying Sharks
2024-05-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Downtown Bend Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn about sharks and current research with Dr. Alexandra McInturf.
Sharks play a critical role in maintaining vibrant ecosystems in Oregon and around the world. Yet, considered “dangerous” by popular media and threatened by human activity worldwide, these organisms have faced global population declines. Dr. Alexandra McInturf has been studying shark species worldwide for the last decade, including those among the most vulnerable. As an animal behaviorist, she researches some of the most understudied components of these organisms, including their social behavior. In this presentation, she will introduce some of the key characteristics of sharks (what makes a shark, a shark), talk about shark diversity, and finally discuss some of the projects she and other researchers are undertaking on different species (including white sharks) in the Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University.

"Shark Heart" in Real Life - The Science of Studying Sharks-Sisters Library
2024-05-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Deschutes Public Library – Sisters, 110 N Cedar St, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States

SheJumps x USFS | WILD SKILLS | Junior Wildland Firefighter Day Camp | OR
2024-06-01 09:30 - 15:30
Join SheJumps & USFS Junior Wildland Firefighter for a day camp at Scout Lake Campground on Saturday, June 1st in Sisters, Oregon!

Eggshell Garden Starts at The Environmental Center's Happy Hour in the Garden
2024-06-04 16:00 - 18:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Make cute garden starts in eggshells and explore a garden!
Stop by the Environmental Center’s Happy Hour in the Garden to plant some eggshell starts, and feel free to volunteer in the Environmental Center’s learning garden afterwards (optional). This is a family friendly event – no experience or tools necessary. Beer and bubbly will be provided!
In 1989, The Environmental Center was born to inspire locals to live lighter on the planet. Their work began with a handful of people and a building in the center of Bend. Today, they’ve grown to become a regional leader in environmental education, engagement, and action. Their team works alongside people of all ages, local businesses, and elected officials to create and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.
Through unique programs and partnerships, the Environmental Center engages as many people as possible in their mission: To embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon.

Juneteenth Central Oregon
2024-06-15 11:00 - 2024-06-16 17:30 | Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Get ready for the 4th Annual Juneteenth Central Oregon celebration on June 15th and 16th, 2024 from 11am to 5:30pm! Rooted in education, entertainment, and fostering a vibrant and safe environment for the community, this year’s theme, “Jubilee,” marks a joyous celebration of the emancipation of African Americans. Joined by the African and Caribbean Community, our two-day event promises an immersive experience filled with authentic African, Caribbean, and African American cuisine, art, music, and education. Embrace the cultural tapestry through enlightening educational activities, captivating entertainment, and a shared culinary journey that celebrates the diverse heritage of our communities.

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

Wildflower Show & Pollinator Festival
2024-06-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Wildflower Show & Pollinator Festival
Saturday, June 22, 2024, 9am – 3pm
Join Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory and the High Desert Chapter of the Native Plant Society as we celebrate the diversity of wildflowers in Oregon and the pollinators who love them. Fun for the whole family includes:

Wildflower display showcasing hundreds of native wildflowers
Guided wildflower walks in the botanic garden
Guided wildflower and pollinator walks
Educational talks and demonstrations
Children’s activities and crafts
Native plants for sale
Educational stations and resources
Local art and photography vendors

Youth Climate Action Meet-Up
2024-06-22 15:00 - 16:30 | Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Fridays for Future Bend and Deschutes Youth Climate Coalition on Saturday, June 22 in Drake Park. We want to have a conversation with any young people in town interested in climate action and getting involved!

BPRD Summer Community Celebration
2024-07-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Big Sky Park, Neff Road, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come visit The Environmental Center’s booth!
Enjoy fun, interactive activities provided by Bend Park and Recreation District as well as other community organizations. There will be music, entertainment, treats and much more to contribute to an evening of summer fun! Spanish-speaking staff on site.

Fire in the Sky: Unlocking the Secrets of the Earth's Aurorae
2024-08-01 19:00 - 20:00
Join Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory for an illuminating lecture on one of nature’s most captivating phenomena—the aurora. Professor Shane L. Larson, an esteemed astrophysicist and engaging speaker, will guide us through the scientific wonders and myths surrounding the Earth’s aurorae, commonly known as the Northern and Southern Lights.

Kids' Entrepreneur Summer Market
2024-08-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Troy Field, 51 NW Louisiana Avenue, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Kids’ Entrepreneur Summer Market Details: A market for kids ages 5-17 in our community who make and sell their own products & services. This is a real-world experience that allows children to be creative, build confidence, and learn skills beyond the classroom.
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024 Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Troy Field – 51 NW Louisiana Ave, Bend, OR 97701
Cost: Free to attend. To participate: $10-$20.
Register to participate: www.KidsEntrepreneurMarket.com

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

SheJumps x COTA x Trail Sisters of Bend l Trail Work Event l Bend, OR
2024-08-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Swampy Lakes Sno-Park and Trail Head, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join SheJumps as they partner with Women of COTA and Trail Sisters of Bend for a day of trail work and learning!
Whether running, hiking, mountain biking, or exercising with our dogs, hitting the trails is an important part of our lives in Central Oregon. That’s why they’re bringing together three amazing women-led groups to learn about trail maintenance and to have a little work party of their own!
When: Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 10:00 am
Where: Please join at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park (Location is subject to change based on conditions or controlled burns. Participants will be notified in advance if the location changes).
Cost: Free! (Suggested donation of $5 to SheJumps)
Details: This event will focus on education about COTA and trail maintenance. You’ll learn about drainage, sight lines, native vegetation, brushing and so much more about the trails we all use.
Timeline of Events:
10:00 am- Meet at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park
~10:05 am- Introductions and Safety Talk
~10:30 am-12:45 pm Learn as we work on trails
~12:45 pm-Wrap up and thank yous
What to Bring: Come ready to work with sturdy/closed-toe shoes, long pants and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring work gloves, eye protection (sunglasses or clear lenses), sunscreen/chapstick, water, lunch/snacks and a backpack to carry your things. WoCOTA will provide all tools and hard hats. This will be a fun day of learning, getting dirty, and meeting other trail friends!

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.

The Journey of the Monarch Butterflies in the Learning Garden
2024-09-20 16:00 - 19:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Join us in celebrating Welcoming Week 2024! This will be a family-friendly event at the Environmental Center’s Learning Garden, focusing on the journey of the Monarch Butterfly! There will be a film about monarchs, kids activities, food, and resources to take home.
No RSVP required!

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

NatureConnect Fest
2024-09-28 11:00 - 15:00 | Alpenglow Community Park, 61049 SE 15th St OR 97702, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
NatureConnect Fest is returning in 2024! NatureConnect Fest (formerly Discover Nature Festival) celebrates the diversity of ways that we all connect with nature. The event will provide something for everyone, including nature arts and crafts, STEM activities, outdoor recreation, music, food, and more. Bring your family out to try a new outdoor activity, connect with amazing community organizations, and learn how we can all help take care of our environment and community. The event is made possible by 20+ community partners, including Bend Park and Recreation District and Deschutes National Forest.
Saturday, September 28, 2024
11 am-3 pm
NEW LOCATION: Alpenglow Park, Bend
61049 SE 15th Street

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

Kids' Entrepreneur Holiday Market
2024-12-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Elks Lodge, Three Sisters Room, 63120 Boyd Acres Rd, bend, Oregon
A holiday market run entirely by kids ages 5-17. This is a real-world experience that allows children to be creative, build confidence, learn skills beyond the classroom – and above all, fun! You will find gifts, artisan crafts, graphic arts, services, games, food, drinks, jewelry, and more. Come support young entrepreneurs in our community!
Date: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: Elks Lodge – 63120 Boyd Acres Rd, Bend, OR 97701
Cost: Free to attend. To participate: $10-$20.
Register to participate: www.KidsEntrepreneurMarket.com
