Bird Walk
2021-05-08 08:30 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Walk on the wild side! Join Tom Lawler, expert local birder and nature photographer, to discover the rich bird habitats of Sunriver. With Tom’s keen eye and guidance, you will spot and learn to identify a variety of species found in the wetlands, meadows, and forests surrounding the Nature Center. Whether you are new to birding or an experienced birder, there is always something exciting to see through your binoculars!
Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited. Face coverings are required while birding. Expect to walk approximately 3 to 4 miles along various trails. Please no strollers or dogs. Wear sturdy and water-resistant footwear and bring a bottle of water and a pair of binoculars with you. Bird walks are geared toward adults.
A limited number of binoculars are available to borrow.

Family Birding Adventure
2021-05-15 10:00 - 11:00
Join a naturalist as you explore the botanic garden, nature trail, and shore of Lake Aspen in search of Sunriver’s birds. You’ll learn how to spot, identify, and count common birds in the area. This family-friendly program is suited for all ages.
Bring your binoculars if you have them. Additional binoculars will be available to borrow. Expect to walk up to 2 miles. Capacity is limited and masks are required during the hike. Please no dogs or strollers for this program.
Daytime admission to the nature center is included in your program registration. Please feel free to enjoy the nature center upon your return.

Virtual Workshop: Looking Out for Neonatal Wildlife
2021-05-25 18:00 - 19:30
One of the most exciting parts of spring is the arrival of baby season. Baby birds, squirrels, rabbits, deer and other wildlife can be easily observed in the landscape. Some animals are fiercely independent within a few days of life while others need longer term care by a parent. This virtual workshop will review the development and behavior of commonly encountered wildlife in our area to help you better recognize when a baby animal may need help and intervention from humans.

Farm Kids Spring 2021
2021-05-27, 2021-05-28, 2021-06-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Farm Kids! is an educational program that collaborates with teachers to educate school-aged children about where their food comes from through experiential, curriculum-based activities including field-trips to local farms and classroom presentations.

Spring Field Trips will be held at Windy Acres Dairy in Prineville, DD Ranch in Terrebonne, and Golden Eagle Organics and Juniper Jungle Farm in Bend
Farm Kids is geared toward students in kindergarten through second grade
Students will be in pods of 10 with a dedicated educator leading them through learning stations at the farm

Bird Walk
2021-06-26 08:30 - 11:30
Join Tom Lawler, expert local birder and nature photographer, to discover the rich bird habitats of Sunriver. With Tom’s keen eye and guidance, you will spot and learn to identify a variety of species found in the wetlands, meadows, and forests surrounding the Nature Center. Whether you are new to birding or an experienced birder, there is always something exciting to see through your binoculars!

Family Nature Hike
2021-08-14, 2021-08-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join a naturalist for a guided hike to explore our favorite spots in and around the nature center. We’ll be on the lookout for wildlife as we journey from the forest to the river. Hikes are about an hour long and include admission to the nature center.

Mad Science Family Program
2021-10-16, 2021-10-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Unleash your inner mad scientist while your family experiments with colorful, fun, and messy chemistry! See if you can inflate balloons using chemical reactions, discover membrane madness to create bouncy eggs, and experience the chaos of making slime, elephant toothpaste and more. Capacity is limited, so secure your family’s spot early.

Transplanting Forest Seedlings Workshop
2021-10-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
During this hands-on workshop and field trip, you’ll learn how to identify and incorporate a variety of native forest seedlings into your landscape. Workshop will take place outdoors.

Amplify Fall Fest
2021-10-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Educators of color and students of color pursuing a career in education! Check out Amplify Fall Fest by the Central Oregon Regional Educator Network. This is a family-friendly gathering on Saturday, October 23rd from 1 pm – 4 pm at the Tumalo Community School with catered lunch and raffle prizes. For more information, go to www.centraloregoneducators.org.

Bird Walk
2021-10-30 09:30 - 12:00
Walk on the wild side! Join Tom Lawler, expert local birder and nature photographer, to discover the rich bird habitats of Sunriver. With Tom’s keen eye and guidance, you will spot and learn to identify a variety of species found in the wetlands, meadows, and forests surrounding the Nature Center. Whether you are new to birding or an experienced birder, there is always something exciting to see through your binoculars!
Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited. Expect to walk approximately 3 to 4 miles along various trails.

Trail Day at Camp Tamarack
2021-11-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
High schoolers: Sign up for Trail Day at Camp Tamarack.
Camp needs you! Join Camp Tamarack for an afternoon at camp – volunteer to help care for our trails, learn about Heart of Oregon & Camp Tamarack and job opportunities! Hot chocolate and smores!
Camp Shuttle from Culver High School, Redmond Proficiency Academy, and Sisters Library!
Learn more here!

Raptor Party Family Program
2021-11-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Party with SNCO’s birds of prey during this family program. You’ll learn all about what makes a raptor different from other birds while getting to know an owl, eagle, and falcon on a first-name basis. Your family will enjoy meeting a zookeeper, learning they care for these special birds, and creating and testing out enrichment items for the raptors.
Pre-registration is required, and capacity is limited. This program will take place fully outdoors and masks are required for ages 5+. This family program is for all ages, but all groups require at least one participating adult.

Raptor Party Family Program
2021-11-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Party with SNCO’s birds of prey during this family program. You’ll learn all about what makes a raptor different from other birds while getting to know an owl, eagle, and falcon on a first-name basis. Your family will enjoy meeting a zookeeper, learning how they care for these special birds, and creating and testing out enrichment items for the raptors.
Pre-registration is required, and capacity is limited. This program will take place fully outdoors and masks are required for ages 5+. This family program is for all ages, but all groups require at least one participating adult.
Program registration includes daytime admission to the nature center.

Winter Wonderland Family Program
2021-12-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Gather your family and help kick off winter in SNSC’s very own wonderland! SNCO will start out on a short nature hike to learn about the high desert’s winter animal residents. Then celebrate the season and help wildlife by making birdseed ornaments and garland. Last, but not least you’ll be able to share your love of nature in winter by creating nature themed cards for friends and family.
Pre-registration is required, and capacity is limited. This program will take place indoors and outdoors. Masks are required for ages 5+. This family program is for all ages, but all groups require at least one participating adult.
Program registration includes daytime admission to the nature center.

Classroom Greenhouse Educator Workshop
2022-01-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Start a Classroom Greenhouse!
Grow plants in your classroom with a pop-up greenhouse! Participants of this workshop will receive a classroom greenhouse and materials to start seeding plants in the classroom. Guest speaker and former classroom teacher Dawn Alexander will share tips and tricks of utilizing this system in the classroom with students.
Apply now! Limited space available! Applications will be selected based on first-come, first-serve basis, student reach and new to network teachers to meet the requirements of the grant funding this workshop.

Snowshoes and Stars Family Program
2022-02-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Explore the twilight wonder of wintertime in Sunriver as Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory sets off on a snowshoeing adventure in search of animal tracks and our favorite crepuscular critters. You will take a short hike around the lake and toward the Deschutes River in search of their nighttime residents. As the sun sets, you will turn your attention to the wonders of the winter sky with a constellation tour.

Know Underground – Birds Who Burrow
2022-03-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Take a tour of Oregon’s burrowing birds and their habitats.
What do Tufted Puffins, Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Belted Kingfishers, Bank Swallows, Rough-winged Swallows, and Burrowing Owls have in common? They nest in Oregon and in unusual places: underground. Take a tour of the state’s birds of burrows and their habitats– from the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge to riverbanks and the high desert. Presenter Marina Richie also will share personal stories from her observations of kingfisher nests, including a citizen science discovery of aerial ramming of an earthen bank.
This is an in-person program. Masks are required at all in-person library events.

EARTH DAY FAIR & PARADE
2022-04-23 11:00 - 15:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
After a two-year hiatus from large, in person events, we’re so excited to bring back the annual Earth Day celebration. At this time, we are planning to move forward with a street fair on Kansas Ave and a short parade route in downtown Bend. This family-friendly event features live music and performances, food trucks, kids’ activities, and a variety of local environmental organizations who can help you get connected to local initiatives. Stay tuned for more information and ways to participate. We will be announcing the 2022 Earth Day local artist SOON!

Discover Nature Festival
2022-09-17 11:00 - 15:00

Guided Family Nature Walks
2022-11-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Enjoy a stroll along lake, forest, and meadow habitats guided by a naturalist. You will search for daytime residents of Lake Aspen and learn about all the local wildlife and habitats. This family-friendly program is suited for all ages. You’ll be exploring along trails, so make sure to bring water and dress for the weather. Pre-registration is required, and capacity is limited. This program will take place outdoors and is for all ages. Program registration includes daytime admission.

Galaxy Family Programs
2022-11-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come learn about galaxies at SNCO! In this program, you and your family will learn about how galaxies form, how scientists classify them, and you will make your very own galaxy to take home. Pre-registration is required, and capacity is limited. This program will take place indoors and outdoors. This family program is for all ages, but all groups require at least one participating adult. Program registration includes daytime admission to the nature center.

Kids' Business Shopping Event
2022-12-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Kids in our community who make and sell their own products & services. (with minimal help from parents). See fresh business ideas from young minds in our community. Come support these young entrepreneurs and empower them to dream big! There will be crafts, food, gifts, toys, games, and more!

Bring: Friends and Cash
FREE to shop, $5 to participate.

Participation Details: www.izzaroo.com/KidsBizEvent

City Club Forum-Youth Sports in Crisis: Local Hurdles
2023-01-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Participation in youth sports in Central Oregon is competitive, understaffed and not all kids have equal access to play. This forum will be a discussion with leaders in this space to answer three key questions:

What are the purposes of youth sports?
Who is benefiting and who isn’t in Central Oregon?
How can we increase positive outcomes in our communities?

Fungi in the Forest: 2023 Nature Nights series
2023-01-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Save the date! The Land Trust is pleased to present its 2023 Nature Nights series.
Central Oregon is home to a broad range of fungi. Many of them play an important role in forest health and are adapted to our fire-dependent region. Join Deschutes Land Trust and Oregon State University Extension Service regional fire specialist Ariel Cowan to learn all about fungi including fascinating fungal communication networks and how these inhabitants can even help our forests recover from fire. This presentation is free, but you must get your ticket online.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-03-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-04-04 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.
