The Environmental Center

Spirits of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve
2015-10-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Photo credit: Jay Mather
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Kelly Madden for a twilight visit with the spirits of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Learn about this culturally rich meadow, home to one of the earliest settlements in Central Oregon, while listening to the stories of the ghosts who once made their home there. Registration opens 1 month prior to the event.

Registration is required.

Rock, River, and Recharge: the Amazing Riviere des Chutes
2015-10-28
What do volcanoes have to do with the water you drink? The volcanic landscape of Central Oregon has shaped the hydrology of this area in surprising ways. Rain and snowmelt seep into the young volcanic rocks, only to resurface later as springs throughout the watershed.
The Deschutes River, the life-blood of our high desert home, is an amazing river. A 1914 U.S. Reclamation Service report referred to the Deschutes as “one of the most uniform of all streams in the United States, not only from month to month, but also from year to year.” It is a very different story today.
Join us as we delve into the details of the remarkable hydrogeology of this region, and learn about how the natural system has changed over the past century.
Register for the event – the Brooks Room has a capacity limit of 80 people!
Presenters: Daniele McKay, PhD, Volcanologist and Adjunct Instructor at OSU-Cascades; Gail Snyder, Program Director, Central Oregon LandWatch.
Co-Hosted with Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Save Outdoor School For All
2015-10-27
Our Central Oregon Regional Network is hosting a special fall fundraiser at the Neil Kelly Design Center, conveniently located near the Old Mill District in Bend.
Join us and learn about the life-changing impacts Outdoor School provides for central Oregon students. You’ll hear inspiring stories from local students and community members while you enjoy hosted wine/beer and delicious appetizers created by local chefs. All event proceeds will go toward finding a stable and permanent solution to fund Outdoor School for all Oregon students.
Enjoy making your very own wood cookie and don’t miss our silent auction! Preview auction packages.
rsvp to jillian@OregonOutdoorEd.org

Commute Options Charity Night
2015-10-27
Please join us on Tuesday, October 27 from 5:00-7:00 pm for the Commute Options 10 Barrel Charity Night Party. We’ll celebrate the Drive Less Challenge and give out prizes. This is a no-host event with all food and beverage proceeds going to purchase helmets for students in our Safe Routes to School Program.
We hope to see you there.

Kim Heacox Presents Jimmy Bluefeather
2015-10-24, 2015-10-23
Award-winning environmental writer and photographer Kim Heacox will be speaking at Paulina Springs Books-Sisters (252 W Hood Ave) Friday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. and Paulina Springs-Redmond (422 SW 6th St) Saturday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Kim’s presentation is of interest and value to audiences interested conservation, environmental awareness, and the treasures of nature in general.
“Every page of Jimmy Bluefeather glistens with authentic genius . . . prose so brimming with poetry, so lyrical and so yearning, the words drawn so perfectly that the characters seem like photographs in a dream whose steady gazes blaze from the page into your heart, your mind, your soul. –Carl Safina
Kim Heacox is a truly gifted writer and speaker; received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Publisher’s Weekly for his recent book, John Muir And The Ice That Started A Fire; finalist for the Pen Center USA Western award in creative nonfiction; 2x winner of the Lowell Thomas Award for excellence in travel writing; and commentator along with Gretel Erlich and other enviro VIPs on Ken Burns’ 12-hour PBS film The National Parks: America’s Best Idea documenting the history of the national parks and the US conservation movement.

Root Down Community Supper
2015-10-24
Italian Harvest Feast – one of our most gourmet Community Suppers ever! Featuring Chef Bethlyn Rider of Bethlyn’s Global Fusion and Chef Nik Ragazzo of The Blackened Dragon (formerly of Dogwood Cocktail Cabin). Menu highlights include Spicy Calabrian sausage with creamy polenta, roast eggplant soup, caramelized pumpkin salad, Italian meatballs & potato gnocchi, roasted fall squash and hand-made mascarpone canolis. Specialty cocktails, local wine and beer available.
Community Supper is a quarterly farm-to-table event that gathers people to celebrate seasonal local food and conviviality over a locally-sourced meal. The volunteer-supported event is a collaborative effort between a myriad of local farms, chefs, restaurants and food carts committed to supporting local farmers Central Oregon.
Central Oregon Locavore supports local food and farms through its permanent indoor farmers market and community education.
$40 Locavore members/$45 Non-members
Event URL: http://centraloregonlocavore.org/Community_Supper.html
Ticket URL: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ebl0bwsf0614e93a&oseq=&c=&ch

The Forest for the Trees
2015-10-24
What: A play celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act (written last year)
Who: Written and Performed by the Mary’s Peak Group of the Sierra Club, from Corvallis
Where: Heritage Hall, Presbyterian Church, Bend, OR
When: Saturday, October 24, 3:00 p.m.
Event poster!

Fall Garden Work Party
2015-10-24
Join us in the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden for our final work party of the season. Lend a hand as we winterize the garden. No tools or experience needed, and we’ll have coffee and snacks on hand. Please dress for the weather. This is a family-friendly event!

Lessons From The Crest
2015-10-22
In 1989, Jim Kress touched his toe into Mexico and headed out on the Pacific Crest Trail for Canada, 2600 miles away. For the next five months he backpacked through some of the most scenic spots in the West, creating memories that have lasted his lifetime.
But what really happened was learning how to live life to the fullest, to deal with life’s best and worst days. To sort the important from the not so important.
Whether you want to learn tips on hiking the trail, or lessons to help you get more out of life, this evening is for you. Join Jim for an evening of stories and fun.
ADMISSION IS FREE. Recommended $5.00 donation to COCC Foundation Scholarship Fund.
COCC Bend Campus, Coats Campus Center Willie Hall. For more info, email jkress@cocc.edu.

Disaster Preparedness 101
2015-10-22
Disaster Preparedness 101 – for Individuals and Families

Learn what you can do to mitigate hazards, save lives, and make plans that will allow you to recover more easily. Judy Warren presents her nationally-recognized workshop, specifically updated for the likely disasters we face in Central Oregon. Come for an informal and practical workshop with plenty of handouts. Please contact Gail McGuire (541) 617-3991 or Edd Doorn (541) 382-0661 to reserve your seat and help us plan for refreshments and handouts.

Boundary TAC
2015-10-22, 2015-10-08
The Boundary TAC will resume its work in a two-meeting sequence in October. On Thursday, October 8, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM at the Bend Police Dept. (Municipal Court Hearing Room), 555 NE 15th Street, the Boundary TAC will discuss the results from the scenario evaluation. This meeting will set the foundation for continued discussion on Thursday, October 22nd, where the goal is for the Boundary TAC to direct the preparation of a hybrid UGB scenario. The meeting on October 22nd is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM will be held in the Barnes/Sawyer Room, Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street.

Whychus Floodplain Restoration & Dam Removal Project
2015-10-22
Sisters Trail Alliance Speaker Series
A presentation by Mike Riehle

Sharing The Earth: Conserving Biodiversity
2015-10-21
Open to the Public
Contact: Gretchen Valido, 541-389-0785
Author and ecologist George Wuerthner will discuss the critical role that parklands and wildernesses play in the conservation of biodiversity. While some assert there is no need for protected areas, the overwhelming scientific evidence suggests that protected landscapes work better than any other land management to conserve Nature. The talk will discuss some of the critiques of protected areas and give examples from around the world of why protected areas are the best mechanism we have for sharing the Earth with other life.

Awesome Bend Pitch Night
2015-10-20
Live crowdfunding– Shark Tank style– for community good!
Finalists pitch creative ideas to make Bend more awesome and vie for $1000+ on the spot. Join us for a free feel-good evening of ideas & inspiration!
6:00- Doors open
6:30- Welcome and Past Winner
6:45-7:45 Pitches
7:45- Trustees Vote/Audience Vote
8:05- Announce Winners
8:30- End
We are excited to announce the finalists for our upcoming Pitch Night, January 17th:
A River Unites Us- Conducting a gathering to foster collaboration between farmers, fishermen, ranchers and river advocates to restore health to the Deschutes River
Project You Are Awesome- Distributing “You are awesome” bumper stickers and roses to make people feel good
Pollinator Gardens- Planting a garden for pollinators at Pilot Butte Cemetery
“Welcome to Bend” Ambassador Experiment- Distributing “Welcome to Bend” stickers and documenting reactions on video
Youth Watersports Coaching and Education- Providing river safety education and equipment for Bend youth
The event is free and open to the public. All welcome!

Birders' Night
2015-10-19
Scheduled 9 times a year, 3rd Thursdays of month. Social gathering time is from 6:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and usually last until 8:30 p.m.
March 19:
“Bird Friendly Native Landscaping.” Birders Karen Theodore and Rick Martinson of WinterCreek Restoration will share identify native plants, and share tips about landscaping, designed to transform any yard into a bird friendly sanctuary.
April 16:
“Birding Every Corner of Alaska” Crooked River Ranch locals John and Marilynne Keyser recount their Alaska birding trip with stories and photographs from St. Paul Island (a part of the Pribilofs,) Nome, Barrow, the Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park. Highlights of the trip were seeing thirteen alcid species and all four eiders. Close encounters with a northern hawk owl, a “flaming” ruff and a huge polar bear were magical moments!
May 21:
“Oregon 2020: A Benchmark Survey of Our Birds”
Douglas Robinson, Mace Professor of Watchable Wildlife at OSU and Director of the Oregon 2020 birds project, will discuss this collaboration of professionals and citizen scientists who are dedicated to compiling a high quality, state-wide measurement of the abundance and distribution of Oregon’s birds and their response to habitat change. Doug will talk about how local birders can be involved in this landmark study, which promises to leave a legacy for future generations. Website: http://oregon2020.com/
June 18:
“Where the Heck are the Falcons? Phylogenies and Changing Field Guides: An Evolutionary Tale.” COCC Biology Professor Jim Moodie will entertain us with some up to date science about bird phylogenies (read: relationship trees) and how they have changed (e.g. Falcons are now grouped with Parrots!) and why they have changed (e.g. DNA and genome comparisons.)
October 15
“Nerdfest III” A hands-on program for Birders’ Night participants to share and experience an array of the latest birding technology and media opportunities including websites, software and apps such as eBird, COBOL, I Bird Pro, and ABA. A sequel to Nerdfest I and Nerdfest II this interactive program will further explore how birders are using technology to enhance the enjoyment of birding.
November 19
“eBird” Tom Crabtree provides hands on instruction on how to use eBird, Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology’s online data base program which has revolutionized the way that birders maintain and access information about birds, track bird sightings and contribute to science and conservation. Tom will walk you through setting up an account, entering sightings and using the data in eBird to enhance your birding experiences.

13th Annual Poison Waters & Friends Drag Show by Human Dignity Coalition
2015-10-17
Get ready for a night of FUN with the amazing Poison Waters & Friends! VIP seating is caberet style with the Run-Way right through the middle. Dinner is just $7.50 with three choices. There will be a No Host Full Bar thanks to Absolut Vodka! General Admission seats are chairs and the Drag Queens will be walking right through the middle. This show almost always SELLS OUT! Save time and energy and buy your tickets in advance. General Admission is $20 at the door. Doors Open at 7:00pm and Show Begins at 7:45pm (Drag Queen Time). The event ends at 11:00pm. There will be a Silent Auction which will become a Live Auction. THIS IS A 21 & OVER EVENT!

Work Party: Spring Creek Planting
2015-10-17, 2015-10-16
Roll up your sleeves and help the Deschutes Land Trust plant native trees, shrubs, and grasses at Spring Creek, a private Land Trust protected property near the Metolius River. Get your hands dirty and have fun while improving key fish and wildlife habitat in the Metolius Basin.
Last year, the Land Trust and partners placed logs in Spring Creek to slow water and create deeper pools to protect growing fish. Planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses is the next step to restore Spring Creek, and will benefit not only fish, but native birds and wildlife that live along the creek’s banks.
Activities will includes digging holes, planting, and setting up wire exclosures to protect new vegetation from deer and elk browsing. Registration is required.
Rating: Work party with moderate difficulty, digging and lifting required
What to Bring: Work gloves and shovel if you have them, sturdy hiking shoes, snacks/lunch, water. Dress for the weather.

Santiam Wagon Road Walk
2015-10-17
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Carol Wall for a walk back in time to explore the Santiam Wagon Road at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Picture life as a pioneer in Oregon, moving from the crowded Willamette Valley to the wide open spaces and unsettled lands of Central Oregon. Walk the route followed by wagon trains as they travelled east and west on the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Military Road (better known on its western end as the Santiam Wagon Road). We’ll also explore the site of an early homestead at the Preserve. Registration required.

Fall Colors Walk
2015-10-16
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Carol Wall on a fall hike at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Explore this historic meadow while taking in the beautiful fall colors of aspen and cottonwood. Learn about the human and natural history of one of Central Oregon’s oldest places that has transitioned over the years from an army outpost to a restoration site.

Registration is required.

OLCV Scorecard Release at Pints and Politics
2015-10-15
Join us for one of our favorite events of the year. OLCV External Affairs Director Christy Splitt will present the 2015 Scorecard for the Oregon Legislature. Find out your legislators’ voting records on conservation issues and hear about OLCV’s notable champions and leaders in the 2015 Oregon Legislature. We will also offer an opportunity to learn about and support potential 2016 environmental ballot measures. RSVP here!

Craft Pint Night to benefit ONDA
2015-10-15
Enjoy a cold brew and benefit high desert conservation. Craft Kitchen & Brewery is hosting a pint night next Thursday, Oct. 15. For every pint sold, Craft will donate $1 towards ONDA’s effort to protect, defend, and restore Oregon’s desert wildlands. Plus, don’t miss music from JB Boxter.
Pint Night at Craft Kitchen & Brewery
Thursday, October 15, 5 p.m. – close
803 SW Industrial Way, Bend
Open to all – bring a friend or two!

Locavore Food School: Spice It Up
2015-10-15
Locavore Food School: Spice It Up – Using Spices to Enhance Local Food
Matt Perry of Savory Spice Shop teaches the basics of using spices and spice blends to keep things interesting in the kitchen and enjoy the bounties of Central Oregon farms and ranches all year long. Dressings, slow cooker recipes, and quick dinner ideas to make healthy local food fun and extra delicious.
Central Oregon Locavore’s “Locavore Food School” program hosts monthly nutrition and cooking classes and is the culmination of many nutritionally-minded volunteers and community members including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, chefs and alternative health care practitioners.
Event URL: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ebmf08xvf59ae66f&llr=htntlqdab
Ticket URL: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ebmf08xvf59ae66f&oseq=&c=&ch=

Bnd Dsgn Conference
2015-10-14 - 2015-10-15
Bend Design 2015 is Bend’s citywide celebration of design thinking and design doing. We want to increase awareness, stoke curiosity, spark innovation, empower collaboration, and make things happen. Drawing inspiration from multidisciplinary design thinkers in Bend and across the country, Bend Design 2015 will feature workshops, lectures, tours, and hands-on design opportunities, inviting the entire community to participate in a conversation around the shape of our shared future.
Register Now

Joel Salatin at Farm to Table: Freedom of Choice 2015
2015-10-10
“America’s most famous farmer”, Joel Salatin, will be speaking at Farm To Table: Freedom Of Choice 2015 on October 10th at Windy Acres Dairy in Prineville, Oregon. This outdoor event on the 32-acre farm of Billie Johnson is not to be missed!
Joel’s multi-generational Polyface Farm in Virginia became famous in Michael Pollan’s NY Times bestseller, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”. Using nature as a pattern, the Salatin family healed an abused piece of land. Through unconventional, environmentally-friendly practices, Polyface was transformed into a non-industrial food production oasis. The innovative techniques developed at Polyface are now utilized on farms worldwide. Come hear Joel speak on farming, freedom and food rights!
The farm will be open to all ticket holders and the public at 10:00 a.m. on event day.
Event location: 3320 NW Stahancyk Lane, Prineville, OR 97754
There are two ways to enjoy the day with Joel:
Full Event
Begins at 11 a.m. for an hour “meet and greet” with Joel on the farm’s back lawn. At noon be seated for a three-course lunch (for menu, click here), featuring meats and dairy from Windy Acres along with other locally-sourced ingredients. Oregon wines and brews will be poured to accompany the meal. Full Event ticket holders are welcome to remain in their seats for Joel’s presentation (at approximately 2:15 pm) followed by audience Q & A. Full Event tickets are $60 per person / $100 per couple.
Note: Full Event tickets are limited to 120 guests and are SOLD OUT. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for Full Event tickets if they become available, please email us at: farmtotable2015 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Lawn Seating
Ticket holders (and the public) may visit our sponsors’ exhibits on the front lawn where there will be food and beverages available for purchase. At approximately 2:15 p.m., Lawn Seating ticket holders will join the Full Event ticket holders on the back lawn for Joel’s presentation and audience Q & A. Please bring a blanket or chair! Lawn Seating tickets are $15 per person.
A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund and Central Oregon Locavore. Everyone is welcome!

Capital Campaign Launch Party
2015-10-08
Join us for happy hour at the Central Oregon Cascade Culinary Institute restaurant, Elevation, to kick off our equipment capital campaign, Fleet for the Future. Complimentary beverages available from 5-5:30 and program begins at 5:30. Hor d’ouervres also served.

Joint Residential and Employment TAC Meeting
2015-10-07
The Residential and Employment TACs will meet on Wednesday, October 7, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, at the Bend Police Dept. (Municipal Court Hearing Room), 555 NE 15th Street. This will be the first of several discussions regarding how the City can address Remand requirements for lowering vehicle miles travelled per capita (VMT), a key measure of transportation impact and carbon footprint. Land use strategies are the starting point for lowering VMT, so we need input from our TAC members.

Shaping Our City: Bend's UGB and You
2015-10-06
This fall, our City Council will be making some big decisions about how we shape our city.
As Bend prepares to develop a new Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and accompanying policies, we must take into consideration how these changes will impact housing availability, traffic congestion in our neighborhoods, wildlife habitat, access to outdoor recreation, complete neighborhoods, and more.
The City will be asking for your input on what kind of City Bend will become, and we want you to feel prepared to make your voice heard. Save the date for one of these upcoming events!
Shaping Our City: Bend’s UGB and You

Wednesday, September 30th
6:00pm-7:30pm
Downtown Bend Library
Tuesday, October 6th
11:30am-1:00pm
East Bend Library
