The Environmental Center

Central Oregon LandWatch Spring Mixer
2025-05-22 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Embark, 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Want to protect the natural world and create smart, thriving cities and towns? Come meet the Central Oregon LandWatch team and learn about their recent efforts and find out where you can plug in. Enjoy delicious bites and beverages and springtime merriment. Open to current supporters and interested community members.
Location: Embark Coworking, 2843 NW Lolo Dr, Bend, OR 97703
Cost: Free!

May Green Drinks | Celebrate 10 Years of HDFFA’s Grow & Give Program!
2025-05-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Well Rooted Produce, 20377 Swalley Rd, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join The Environmental Center for Green Drinks to kick off the 10th anniversary season of High Desert Food & Farm Alliance’s Grow & Give Program. This special celebration will be held at Well Rooted Produce and will include farm tours, delicious locally-sourced snacks by Roots at Heart, and information on how you can get involved with food waste reduction. Grow & Give is HDFFA’s program dedicated to reducing food waste through farm gleans, farmers market collections, and community involvement.
This event will take place outdoors, on a working farm. We strongly encourage you to:

Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes
Come prepared with clothing appropriate for the weather on the day.
Bring a chair or picnic blanket (limited seating will be available)
Bring a water bottle
Carpool if possible (parking will be limited)

Wildfire: A Presentation on the History of Fire in Central Oregon and a Panel Discussion on the 2025 Fire Season Outlook
2025-05-27 18:00 - 20:00 | COCC, 2600 NW Collge Way, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
As fire season approaches, wildfire remains a top concern for communities across Central Oregon. Join us for an informative event that will begin with a presentation exploring the history of fires in Central Oregon, the implications of past fire suppression efforts and pathways toward greater community resiliency.
Following the presentation, a diverse group of local, state and federal experts will engage in a panel discussion to cover topics such the 2025 fire season outlook, the state of forest health in Central Oregon, efforts underway to prepare for this wildfire season, the role of community members in wildfire preparedness and resilience and more.
Location
Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus, 97703

OFD Community Class
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:30 | Brooks Room, Deschutes Public Library, 507 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join Commute Options in the Brooks Community Room at the Deschutes Public Library from 12-1 for a community Oregon Friendly Driver class! Link to event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oregon-friendly-driver-community-class-tickets-1290274007289?aff=oddtdtcreator

No Man's Land Film Festival
2025-05-29 18:30 - 21:00 | Volcanic Theater & Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
No Man’s Land Film Festival (NMLFF) is a platform for progress in the outdoor industry. They are a multi-racial, all-woman led team and the first-ever adventure film festival that exclusively featured gender-identified women athletes while showcasing work by both male and female filmmakers. BendFilm and Gear Fix are proud to present Program I from their World Tour showcase. Celebrate 10 years of No Man’s Land Film Festival with us May 29th at VTP!

Garden Fair: Make Your Garden Magical
2025-05-31 11:00 - 13:00 | Downtown Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
Join a plethora of environmental organizations and learn from local experts how to help pollinators, compost, grow vegetables in our climate, conserve water and more! Join us at the Redmond Public Library for this awesome event!

ECOCHELLA: A Community Justice Event
2025-05-31 15:30 - 19:30 | Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Deschutes Youth Climate Coalition proudly presents ECOCHELLA: A Community Justice Celebration. In this time of uncertainty and harm towards many of our community members, we are creating a safe space focused on joy. This will be a fun community-building event, centering climate justice and connected movements for human rights. Drake park has never looked so cool, resistance has never been so fun. There will be music! There will be bubbles! There will be dancing! This is an event for all ages, so bring your kids and friends. Hope to see you there!

First Friday Block Party
2025-06-02 17:00 - 19:00 | The Commons Cafe and Taproom, 875 NW BROOKS ST., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join Commute options at the Commons Cafe first Friday Block Party. $1 from every beer sold from Immersion Brewing will go toward youth bike helmets!

Oregon Natural Desert Association’s Sagebrush Social
2025-06-05 17:00 - 19:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You’re invited to Oregon Natural Desert Association’s Sagebrush Social in Bend on June 5! Celebrate conservation alongside staff, board and supporters at an evening gathering all about Oregon’s high desert.
Join the Social for: Insights from our executive director, Ryan Houston, into ONDA’s conservation work and advocacy opportunities
A creative visual presentation by Mark Salvo, our conservation director, highlighting how our community has secured lasting protections for Oregon’s high desert
Expert tips from ONDA volunteers to help plan your next desert adventure
An optional game of high desert trivia for those who want to test their knowledge and win great prizes

Get There Walk + Roll Challenge
2025-06-06 - 2025-06-15 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Get There Oregon for a week of active transportation and a chance to win exciting local prizes! More info here: https://www.commuteoptions.org/get-there-challenge/

Pint Night Fundraiser
2025-06-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Cascade Lakes Pub, 21175 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
Come join Commute Options at the Cascade Lakes Brewing Eastside location.

Walk + Roll To School Day
2025-06-07 08:00 - 17:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This day celebrates the benefits of walking to school. Information for each schools plans can be found here: https://www.commuteoptions.org/walkroll_day/
Step 1. Walk or Roll to School on your own or by joining one of our events below!
¡Camina o rueda a escuela solo o únete uno de nuestros eventos abajo!
Step 2. Log your trip using this form for the chance to win a prize.
Registra su viaje usando esta página para tener la oportunidad de ganar un premio.

Action Night in the Garden!
2025-06-10 16:30 - 18:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Feeling exhausted by the state of the world? Frustrated with politics? Overwhelmed by the lack of urgency around the climate crisis and social justice?
We are too—and that’s exactly why we’re launching a Summer Advocacy Series! In partnership with Oregon Wild, Sierra Clue Oregon, and City of Bend, we are putting our brains together to make our voices loud! Collective action breeds local change.
Join us once a month this summer in the Kansas Avenue Garden for an evening of local policy action, meaningful discussion, and tangible ways to make a difference in your community. We’ll explore what’s happening locally and how you can get involved in driving real change.
✨ Bonus: Free beer and weed pulling for anyone who gets socially anxious (we get it).
Our goal is to help ease climate anxiety by focusing on the local actions you can take right now to make a real impact.
📍 Where: 16 NW Kansas Ave
🕓 When: 4:30–6:30 PM on the following dates
Come learn from policy experts, connect with like-minded people, and take action together. Change starts here.
Help us get a headcount and register now! https://secure.everyaction.com/qV1BG1awOU6F9Pu_EBA97Q2

Repair Café w/ Deschutes Public Library
2025-06-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Downtown Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States

City Club June Forum: Tackling Food Insecurity in Central Oregon
2025-06-25 11:30 - 13:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd., Bend, Oregon, Bend, OR, United States
Food insecurity is rising across Central Oregon — affecting children, seniors, and working families. At the same time, food supplies and funding are shrinking.
Join City Club of Central Oregon for a powerful conversation on this growing crisis. Hear from local experts and frontline providers as we explore what’s driving the need — and what we can do about it.
WEDNESDAY, June 25th
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
If the cost is a barrier to attending, please use the promo code CivicCO at checkout. Free registration is made possible by generous grants from St. Charles Health System and the PacifiCorp Foundation.
Seats are limited — Register now to be part of the conversation.

29th Annual Deschutes River Cleanup!
2025-06-28 09:00 - 13:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
We are excited to announce that our 29th annual Deschutes River Cleanup will take place on Saturday, June 28th. You are invited to join us to help protect the river you love! River stewardship activities will be coordinated at six different sites on the Deschutes River. Volunteers are invited to help pull invasive weeds and remove litter from the streambanks and paddlers and scuba divers will extract debris from the river channel.
The six stewardship locations are: La Pine State Park, Sunriver, Farewell Bend Park, Riverbend Park, First Street Trail, and Tumalo State Park. It will be a great day filled with stream stewardship activities, smiles, and sweat! Volunteers of all ages are welcome.
Online registration will open on our website here on May 1st.
The Deschutes River Cleanup is our largest annual community event. As recreation in and around the Deschutes River has increased dramatically over the years, it is an important opportunity for community members like you to take care of the Deschutes River and its sensitive riparian areas.

Kids’ Entrepreneur Market
2025-06-28 12:00 - 15:00 | DIYcave, 444 SE 9th St., Bend, OR, 97702, United States
FREE to attend. $12-$24 to participate. $12 for half booth. $24 for full booth. If sharing, must register separately and mention who you are sharing with on registration form on next page. I DO NOT pair vendors who want to share a booth. Max, two families per booth. Note, registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Kids are encouraged to get creative. They can sell hand-crafted items, food, games, and services. No reselling of store-bought items. KEM is an environmentally-friendly marketplace. Vendors will need to meet eco-friendly qualifications to participate.

Wild Ochocos: Opportunities and threats to public lands in the Ochoco National Forest
2025-07-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Wild Wednesday Event
The Ochoco National Forest encompasses over 800,000 acres of forested public land just east of Prineville. Here, you will find wild landscapes, ancient forests, mountain streams, wildflower-cloaked meadows, sweeping views of the Cascades, endless opportunities for recreation and solitude, and a variety of native wildlife species.
Despite the many values of this National Forest, the Ochocos are under threat from federal and state proposals to increase logging and reduce public access on these public lands. Join Oregon Wild staff for this Wild Wednesday presentation to learn about this special forest, the current threats, and opportunities to protect the wild Ochocos.

July Action Night
2025-07-08 16:30 - 18:30 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Feeling exhausted by the state of the world? Frustrated with politics? Overwhelmed by the lack of urgency around the climate crisis and social justice?
We are too—and that’s exactly why we’re launching a Summer Advocacy Series! In partnership with Oregon Wild, Sierra Clue Oregon, and City of Bend, we are putting our brains together to make our voices loud! Collective action breeds local change.
Join us once a month this summer in the Kansas Avenue Garden for an evening of local policy action, meaningful discussion, and tangible ways to make a difference in your community. We’ll explore what’s happening locally and how you can get involved in driving real change.
✨ Bonus: Free beer and weed pulling for anyone who gets socially anxious (we get it).
Our goal is to help ease climate anxiety by focusing on the local actions you can take right now to make a real impact.
📍 Where: 16 NW Kansas Ave
🕓 When: 4:30–6:30 PM on the following dates
– June 10th
– July 8th
– August 5th
Come learn from policy experts, connect with like-minded people, and take action together. Change starts here.
Help us get a headcount and register now! https://secure.everyaction.com/qV1BG1awOU6F9Pu_EBA97Q2

ICE Verifier & Human Rights Observer (Prineville)
2025-07-14 17:30 - 19:30 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Building on the success of previous workshops and the wonderful community participation, The Latino Community Association invites you to join the next workshops to learn about how to be an ally if you see ICE activity in your community.
To register call 541-515-0868 or email advocacy@latca.org or visit https://latinocommunityassociation.org/

Energize Bend - All Hands Meetup
2025-07-15 18:30 - 19:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
First time around the block? Pop in early to learn the nuts and bolts of what we’re doing 🤓
We’ll get into the latest news on electrification starting at 6:30 and connect you with opportunities to get involved⚡️
The clean energy revolution is going to take all of us, we hope to see you there.
…there will be snacks 🙃

ICE Verifier & Human Rights Observer (Online)
2025-07-16 18:00 - 20:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Bottoms
2025-07-16 20:30 - 22:00 | Tin Pan Theater, 869 Northwest Tin Pan Alley, Bend, OR, 97703
Our friend at the Tin Pan Theater in Downtown Bend are hosting Bottoms!

Community Conversation 3 (Online)
2025-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

ICE Verifier & Human Rights Observer (Madras)
2025-07-22 18:30 - 20:30 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Firewise Native Plant Gardening in Central Oregon
2025-07-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Saturday, July 26th, 12-1:30pm
Worthy Brewing: 495 NE Bellevue Dr, Bend
Join us for an informative class designed to help Central Oregon gardeners learn practical strategies to reduce wildfire risk around your home while supporting native ecosystems.
Claire Hafer, local horticulturist and landscaper, will guide you through fire-resistant landscaping principles, defensible space planning and plant selection tailored to the region’s unique climate and soil conditions.
Discover how native plants not only thrive in Central Oregon’s arid environment but also play a crucial role in conserving water, supporting local wildlife and enhancing your garden’s resilience. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to adapt your existing landscape, this class will equip you with the knowledge and resources to design a garden that is both beautiful and fire-conscious. Perfect for homeowners, gardeners and land stewards committed to sustainable living and wildfire preparedness.
Register at bit.ly/firewiseinbend
Event inquiries can be sent to: info@worthygardenclub.org

PPC Webinar | Solutions Series: How Waterless Products Make Plastic-Free Packaging Possible
2025-07-30 17:00 - 18:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
From body wash to shampoo, and moisturizer to sunscreen, many people use numerous personal care and beauty products daily, and because most of these products are liquids, they are packaged in plastic. More than 120 billion units of plastic cosmetics packaging are produced every year, and while brands may claim these are recyclable, most ultimately end up in landfills, incinerators, and ecosystems where they continue polluting.
It’s clear that the personal care and beauty industries contribute to plastic pollution globally, but what solutions exist to provide necessary and everyday products without plastic? On July 30, Plastic Pollution Coalition will host a webinar to learn from businesses that are solving this problem by redesigning their products to remove water and toxic chemicals, thereby eliminating the need for plastic packaging.
Joining the discussion will be Kate McLeod, Co-Founder & Formulator, Kate McLeod; Ericka Rodriguez, Founder, Axiology; and Sarah Spliethoff, Founder, Sunniemade. The webinar will be moderated by Nichola Gray, Co-Founder & CEO, Kate McLeod.

A Tribute to Bracero Workers in Central Oregon
2025-08-04 16:00 - 18:30 | Downtown Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
Join the Latino Community Association, the Deschutes County Historical Society, and the Deschutes Public Library on August 4th at the Redmond Library to celebrate Bracero Program Day and learn how the Bracero Program contributed to the agricultural success of Redmond and Central Oregon. This day honors the contributions to our farming community of the Bracero workers — Mexican men who came to the United States on short term contracts — and recognizes their sacrifices, hard work, and dedication.

August Action Night
2025-08-05 16:30 - 18:30 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Feeling exhausted by the state of the world? Frustrated with politics? Overwhelmed by the lack of urgency around the climate crisis and social justice?
We are too—and that’s exactly why we’re launching a Summer Advocacy Series! In partnership with Oregon Wild, Sierra Clue Oregon, and City of Bend, we are putting our brains together to make our voices loud! Collective action breeds local change.
Join us once a month this summer in the Kansas Avenue Garden for an evening of local policy action, meaningful discussion, and tangible ways to make a difference in your community. We’ll explore what’s happening locally and how you can get involved in driving real change.
✨ Bonus: Free beer and weed pulling for anyone who gets socially anxious (we get it).
Our goal is to help ease climate anxiety by focusing on the local actions you can take right now to make a real impact.
📍 Where: 16 NW Kansas Ave
🕓 When: 4:30–6:30 PM on the following dates
– June 10th
– July 8th
– August 5th
Come learn from policy experts, connect with like-minded people, and take action together. Change starts here.
Help us get a headcount and register now! https://secure.everyaction.com/7a8612o2GkyGnuxegnOllA2

An Opportunity to Continue the Conversation on Food Insecurity
2025-08-05 17:00 - 18:30 | Downtown Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Coming Together to Address Food Insecurity in Our Community
Inspired by City Club of Central Oregon’s June forum Together at the Table: A Community Conversation on Food Insecurity, you are invited to join a powerful follow-on community event focused on deeper understanding of food insecurity in our region and actionable steps to addressing the growing issue. Local nonprofits are facing urgent challenges, and we need your voice, your ideas, and your action.
Presented by: Community Conversations and SAGE (Senior Advocates for Generational Equity)
What to Expect:

Direct conversations with leaders from NeighborImpact, The Giving Plate, the Council on Aging, Family Kitchen, and St. Vincent de Paul
Insight into the current state of food insecurity in our community
Opportunities to share ideas and create real, actionable solutions
Ways you, your organization, or your network can get involved

Let’s come together to help our neighbors who need us most.
Details:
August 5th, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.; Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Deschutes Public Library, Downtown Bend
RSVP
Space is limited to 40 attendees. Please RSVP or reach out with questions: Betsy Warriner, betsy@betsywarriner.com
