The Environmental Center

Juneteenth Central Oregon
2024-06-15 11:00 - 2024-06-16 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

Professional Development for K–12 educators.
2025-01-28 16:00 - 18:00
Professional Development
This virtual workshop is for K–12 educators across multiple content areas. Confluence Professional Development’s purpose is to educate teachers in the pedagogy of Indigenous curriculum and lessons. It is to prepare adults, teachers, and educators with a more perceptive understanding of Native American lifeways, history, cultural traditions, and ecology that define our Native identity.
Over the two-day virtual workshop, the cohort will learn directly from Indigenous workshop facilitators/speakers and have the opportunity to think through Indigenous education concepts together using materials from Confluence Media Library, our publications, Columbia River Sites, and our work from Camp Confluence and Confluence in the Classroom. We will also show the parallels of our work at Confluence with Oregon’s Tribal History/Shared History and Washington’s Since Time Immemorial curriculums.
This cohort will meet on Zoom on Jan. 21 and Jan. 28 at 4–6pm. Our theme this month is:
Voices of the River Volume 1: Stories to Be Told – Ancestors Always Present
Register HERE

A Year in the Life: Oregon’s Desert Owls
2025-02-04 18:00 - 19:00
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association as they kick off their 2025 High Desert Speaker Series with an absorbing evening all about high desert owls. Paul Bannick, acclaimed author and wildlife photographer, will take you through four seasons in the lives of these owls to give you a better appreciation of what they need to survive and thrive in each season. With stunning, intimate images, Paul will bring the stories of these adorable yet fierce predators to life and reveal their unique roles in the high desert ecosystem from its driest lands to its ponderosa pine woodlands.

SheJumps x AdventurUs Women x Between Evergreens | Speaker Series | OR
2025-02-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Embark, 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 – “Women in Wildfire” – Join the women of the US Forest Service & BLM Wildland Fire Management Service to learn what it’s like to be a woman in wildland firefighting. From working on fire lines, parachuting into dangerous terrain, handling heavy equipment, battling fires, educating the public, and developing curriculum to teach kids about forest management & fire prevention, these incredible women have seen it all. Learn more about ways you can help manage and care for our forests, and how we can all work to get more women into the traditionally male-dominated wildland firefighting career path.

Tiny Titans: Insects of the High Desert
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:00
Get ready for an exciting exploration into the crucial role insects play in Oregon’s high desert. Oregon Natural Desert Association’s High Desert Speaker Series continues with Dr. Tara Cornelisse, invertebrate zoologist, as she provides insights into the fascinating butterflies, moths and beetles residing in eastern Oregon. Tara will examine the current state of insect populations, share facts and stories about key species in the high desert, and highlight why conserving the high desert is vital for the future of insect populations and the entire ecosystem.

SheJumps | WILD SKILLS Junior Ski Patrol | Hoodoo Ski Resort, OR
2025-02-23 09:00 - 16:00 | Hoodoo Ski Area, 27400 Big Lake Road, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Join for the SheJumps Wild Skills Junior Ski Patrol day camp at Hoodoo Ski Resort on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025!

Trash-fashion Maker-Mentor workshop:
2025-02-28 08:00 - 17:00
Rubbish Renewed presents free Trash Fashion DESIGN WORKSHOPS in collaboration with DIYcave.
• How can I create something from nothing?
• What is the value of trash beyond the landfill?
• What is its story?
Sign up for one of the first ever Rubbish Renewed free community design workshops! Rubbish Renewed is partnering with DIYcave to inspire and support new and burgeoning trash fashion designers of all ages. We created two 2-hour workshops to help jump-start your vision with an additional 1-hour free studio time gift card from DIYcave. Space is limited to 12 participants for each workshop. Several dedicated designers, material manipulators, and technical teachers will be on hand to meet you where you are in the process. Come with garment ideas, material samples, and an open mind!
Design Workshop 2: Friday, March 7th 4-6pm. Sign-up by visiting the Applications tab at rubbishrenewed.org or DIYcave.com

Kids’ Entrepreneur Spring Market
2025-03-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Downtown Bend Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Kids’ Entrepreneur Market is an entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market, for ages 7-17 to learn entrepreneurship by creating and selling their own products and services, all while considering the protection of our beloved planet.

SheJumps | Get the Girls Out! | Mt. Bachelor, OR
2025-03-09 09:00 - 14:00 | Mt Bachelor Ski Resort, 13000 Century Dr, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
Join SheJumps as they celebrate Get the Girls Out! – a nationwide campaign uniting women and girls- transgender and cisgender- as well as non-binary individuals to embrace the great outdoors while fostering a sense of adventure and camaraderie. At the start of each session they will have participants group up depending on terrain they want to ski/ride for each session. The prize drawing will include prizes from awesome sponsors and more! Each registered participant will receive one free prize drawing ticket, with the option to purchase more tickets at the event via cash or card. They need volunteers for this event! Please let Liz Sequeria (lsequeira@shejumps.org) know if you are available to volunteer. Sign-ups coming soon!

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)
2025-04-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Hugh Hartman Elementary School, 2105 W Antler Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
El día de los niños/El diía de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30.
Día is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages, and cultures. The common goals of all Día programming are to:

Celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books, stories and libraries.
Nurture cognitive and literacy development in ways that honor and embrace a child’s home language and culture.
Introduce families to community resources that provide opportunities for learning through multiple literacies.
Recognize and respect culture, heritage and language as powerful tools for strengthening families and communities.

WHAT: El Dia de los Niños, El Dia de los Libros also known as EL DIA (Childrenś Day/Book Day)
WHEN: Friday, April 25th, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm (Partners arriving from 5 pm on)
WHERE: Hugh Hartman Elementary School, Redmond, Oregon
El Dia event is organized in partnership with the Deschutes Public Library (liaison Diana Hernandez), and Hugh Hartman Elementary School part of Redmond School District. (liaison Jessica Pickens).

Earth Day Fair and Celebration
2025-04-26 11:00 - 15:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
The Environmental Center is thrilled to host their family-friendly Earth Day Fair and Celebration on Saturday, April 26th, from 11:00am to 3pm. This outdoor event features and celebrates our community through music and dance performances, local food vendors, businesses and nonprofits from across the region, electric cars demonstrations, an activity zone for all ages, and more!
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here!
Earth Day Fair & Celebration 2025 Schedule
11:00am | Welcoming remarks from The Environmental Center.

11:05-11:45am | Join Teafly and the Earth Guardians for a fun, interactive storytelling event celebrating Earth Day! This magical experience invites participants to become living representations of our beautiful planet. Dress up as your favorite part of the Earth—whether it’s the lush forests, the babbling rivers, the majestic mountains, or the vibrant wildlife—and step onto the runway and into the story! Bring your imagination, your costumes, and your love for nature to share in this one-of-a-kind experience!

12:00pm-1pm | Midday will feature performances by Ollin Yolliztli PDX-Traditional Aztec Dancing, accompanied by traditional Mayan drumming led by Maya T’aan Oregon.

1:15pm-1:45pm | Community Singing with Kira Seto. Join Kira Seto of Voices Rising Community Choir in a joyful celebration of our Earth with a participatory singing experience that welcomes the natural voice and unites us all. Through the simple act of singing together, we’ll connect with the gifts and preciousness of our natural world. From soulful to silly, you’ll pick up easy-to-learn songs—from simple pocket songs to polyphonic pieces—all taught by ear in a matter of minutes. Come try it and be delighted by the beautiful sound we can make together! Bring a water bottle and your authentic self. Everyone is welcome—no experience required!

2:00pm-3:00pm | Hokule’a of Central Oregon- ”From the gentle movements of the Hula from the islands of Hawaii to the rhythmic beats of Tahiti. Hokule’a brings the islands to you through dance and live drumming, sharing our history and culture with everyone.”

11:00-3:00pm | Fair featuring an activity zone, electric vehicles showcase, garden activities, free face painting, and local food and vendors.
