The Environmental Center

Bend COTA Work Events
2018-01-25, 2018-02-01, 2018-02-08, 2018-02-15, 2018-02-22, 2018-03-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
When: Thursday Aug 11, Tuesday Aug 16, Tuesday Aug 23 and Tuesday Aug 30, 5:15 to Dusk
Where: Meet at the old Ray’s parking lot, NE corner of Simpson Ave and Century Drive in Bend
Worksite: Varies
There’s only one thing better than mountain biking in Bend, OR and that’s riding in Bend, knowing that you helped build and maintain the trails you love.
Please bring a hydration pack with water and a snack.
Be sure to bring appropriate layers to accommodate whatever the weather may be.
Questions? contact@cotamtb.com
All COTA trail work events require the following safety measures:
All participants are required to have the following protective clothing and equipment:

Sturdy shoes or boots
Gloves
Eye protection with clear or light colored lens
Long pants

Due to COTA’s insurance requirements and the inherent dangers of trail work, we must implement the following policy regarding children at work events:

For anyone 14 years of age or younger, we require one parent, guardian, or responsible adult for supervision of every four kids attending any COTA trail work events.
All minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian available to sign our waiver.

Anyone who arrives for a work event may be turned away if he/she cannot meet the above requirements.

Winter Clamshell Recycling Event
2018-01-27 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Whole Foods successfully recycled all the plastic clamshell containers they collected last October, and want to do it again in 2018!
Mark your calendars:

Jan 27

Please note, due to shifting markets in the global recycling industry, these clamshell recycling events at Whole Foods have been cancelled for the remainder of 2018. If you have been collecting them they will need to be put in the trash. When possible, please consider bringing your own containers/bags and make bulk purchases to avoid bringing home more material.

These events will run from 10:00 – 4:00. Items collected are only plastic clamshells. Here are some examples of what often comes in clamshells:

To-Go style plastic take out containers
Grapes, cheery tomatoes, strawberries
Lettuce

We are also looking for volunteers to help staff these events, as it is a great opportunity to talk to people about what is and isn’t recyclable locally, as well as other topics related to rethinking waste. Contact Denise if you’re interested!

Texts and Taps for Clean Energy Jobs Bill
2018-01-28 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Sierra Club and over 40 partnering orgs of the Oregon Conservation Network to make a push for the Clean Energy Jobs Bill in the upcoming short Legislative session. This is a carbon cap and invest bill that will limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation fuels, electric and gas utilities, and large industrial companies, price the pollution our largest polluters are emitting, and invest those funds back into clean energy jobs and community.
Can you spare an hour and a half to help get this bill passed in February? This is like a phone bank but easier, just text messaging to supporters, no phone calls. Bring your laptop or smart phone and we will train users on-site on a cool new app. Let’s get Oregon on the road to a clean energy economy!

United By Water: Culture, Fish, Water
2018-01-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The inspiring journey of Upper Columbia River tribal communities as they reconnect with their tribal traditions and the river.
Doors open at 5:30 pm; program begins at 6:30 pm
Deschutes Brewery Mountain Room
Tickets can be found here.
The Coalition for the Deschutes is pleased to invite the community to join us for a showing the film “United by Water” followed by a panel discussion with Columbia River and Warm Springs tribal members. The film will be followed by a panel discussion about rivers and how we relate to and understand them. Panelists are:
DR Michel – Executive Director, Upper Columbia United Tribes
John Sirois – Committee Coordinator, Upper Columbia United Tribes
Elke and Alysia Littleleaf – Warm Springs tribal members, Littleleaf Guide Services
Gary Lewis – writer, photographer, show host, Gary Lewis Outdoors
United by Water tells the story of the inspiring journey undertaken by Upper Columbia tribal communities to Kettle Falls, the fishing site of their ancestors, for the first time in 80 years. It is a story about the tribes’ reconnection with their traditions and heritage, and with the river that was once so integral to their way of life.
Kettle Falls is now the site of the Grand Coulee Dam. In 1940, the tribes held a Ceremony of Tears to mark the final time they saw Kettle Falls.
MORE ABOUT THE FILM:
United by Water has received national attention and has been accepted into several film festivals. Directed by Derrick LaMere of War Pony Pictures, this film follows the first tribal canoe journey and gathering at Kettle Falls since the Ceremony of Tears in 1940. The film, narrated by famed author Sherman Alexie, documents this inspiring journey in 2016—building the canoes, the physical and spiritual journey on the Columbia River, and finally the historic landing at Kettle Falls.
The timely film highlights the need to recognize the importance of reconnecting to the Columbia River and restoring our salmon runs. Not only does the film bring attention to the historic wrongs that blocked salmon from the Upper Columbia River; it also shares the current efforts by Upper Columbia United Tribes and other tribes to bring forward tribal traditions to help better understand what is lacking in our contemporary society. We need to forge a deeper connection to the waters that bring life to our communities.
United by Water offers an example of how, working together, we can act and make a positive difference for the future of our shared ecosystem.

The Climate Resistance, Film & Action Night
2018-01-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On January 31st, the day after Trump’s first State of the Union, our movement will come together for Fossil Free Fast: The Climate Resistance.
Movement leaders including Senator Bernie Sanders, Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement, Rev. Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus, Jessica Lorena Rangel of Houston Eyes of a Dreamer, Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, and many more will deliver the state of our climate movement. They will share stories on the urgency of the current political and climate crises, and light our path ahead: resist the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on our climate, build power towards the 2018 and 2020 elections, and secure the lasting change we need through local action.
Together, we will end the use of fossil fuels and usher in the fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy for all.

Nature Night: Wildlife Migration
2018-01-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Central Oregon is rich with numerous species of native wildlife and many of these animals embark on seasonal migrations—large and small—across the landscape. Join Deschutes National Forest wildlife biologist Lauri Turner for a talk about wildlife and the local migration pathways they need to survive in our high desert. From deer and elk to wolves and mountain goats, learn about local species that migrate, the challenges they face as Central Oregon continues to grow, and ways you can help wildlife continue their seasonal journeys. This presentation is free, but you must get your ticket online.

Submission Deadline: Annual Eagle Watch Art Contest
2018-02-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
An opportunity for kids to show their love for birds of prey! Artwork not only of eagles, but also of hawks, falcons, vultures and owls are also encouraged.
Winners will be determined for different age groups and categories, including a few options that are NEW this year:

A “science-fair” styled project board
5 minute video
Multimedia presentation (20 mins max)

These can be either individual or classroom submissions. Deadline is Friday, Feb 2nd.

Backcountry Film Festival
2018-02-02 18:00 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Volcanic Theater & Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Discover Your Forest and Winter Wildlands Alliance joins forces to bring you a powder-filled night to remember!
There will be two screenings in Bend and one screening in Sisters — February 2nd at the Volcanic Theatre Pub in Bend (6pm and 9pm), and a screening on February 7th (6pm) at Sisters Movie House.
We are hoping to raise much needed funds for our Project SNOW field trip programs for Central Oregon students. To date, this program has raised over $10,000 to support this free field trip programs at Mt Bachelor. Project SNOW (Studying Nature Outdoors in Winter) is dedicated to providing a rich outdoor education experience for students that instills in them a sense of awe and stewardship for the environment. Project SNOW provides an unforgettable winter adventure that combines hands-on science education with snowshoe-powered outdoor exploration for over 2,000 kids in Central Oregon. Funds raised have helped us purchase adaptive equipment and warm weather clothing to make sure that kids can participate in the program no matter what.
Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, ski culture- you’ll find it all in this award winning lineup.
The Backcountry Film Festival is produced by Winter Wildlands Alliance as a celebration of the human-powered experience and a gathering place for the backcountry snowsports community. Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization that partners with groups like Discover Your Forest at the local level to inspire and educate the backcountry community to protect and care for their winter landscapes. Funds raised at each screening stay in the local community to support human-powered recreation and conservation efforts, winter education and avalanche/safety programs and to raise awareness of winter management issues.

Garden Educator Network Winter Meet Up
2018-02-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Successful school gardens require well-informed educators that can learn from and support each other. That’s why we launched the Central Oregon Garden Educators Network last fall. We will expand and sustain our Network to provide regular training, networking events for peer-to-peer learning, problem-solving, resource sharing; and garden tours. Email denise to get added to the email list to stay in the loop about Garden Educator Network gatherings.
On February 6th, from 4:30 – 6:30, we’ll gather at St. Francis School to get inspired by the weekly garden experiences through the winter, connect and share resources. Specific topics to be decide before the meeting.
The Garden Educator Network is for anyone – teachers, parents, volunteers, non-formal educators – in Central Oregon wanting to incorporate garden based learning into their work with youth. We are now officially the Central Oregon Regional Hub for school gardens. This is one of our four part strategy to support a Garden For Every School in Central Oregon.

Elephant Friendly Tea - Hope for Saving Endangered Wildlife
2018-02-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Passionate about wild elephants? Take a visual storytelling journey with elephant conservationist Lisa Mills to Bhutan and Assam, India. Learn how tea farmers embrace conservation practices to save endangered elephants. Celebrate the launch of certified friendly tea in Oregon.

Beginner's Bee School
2018-02-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Beginner’s Beekeeping Class in Central Oregon!
(FRIDAY) FIRST SESSION -18 Oct 2019, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Will cover the honey bee biology you need to know.
(SATURDAY) SECOND SESSION -19 Oct 2019, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Topics will include the life cycle of the hive, mites, how to get through the summer and winter and what you need to get started.
Each Spring new Central Oregon Beekeepers marvel at their magnificent, newly acquired honey bee colonies – and learn quickly that successful beekeeping in Central Oregon doesn’t always look like what they had initially imagined. Healthy Honey Bee management is a hands on participation activity and literally takes a village, as our ladies (the honey bees) travel far and share spaces with each other and area native species.
Dr Dewy Caron has been visiting and teaching Central Oregon Beekeepers for years. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about how to be a good bee steward in our community.
Registration is FREE for COBKA membership – $20 non-member registration includes annual family membership! Free additional Guest Registration is also included & encouraged.

COBKA Bee School
2018-02-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This annual event is structured to provide attendees with all the information needed to begin beekeeping in Central Oregon. Our event booklet will include the information discussed during the event as well as handy local supplier contacts, advice on local plant varieties to encourage pollinators and more.
There will be breaks between lectures to visit with mentors and see different types of hives and beekeeping supplies. There will be a lunch break with some snacks provided – please bring a sack lunch if you choose.
To reduce waste created by events: Please bring a water bottle and/or your beverage of choice as we will not be providing beverages in disposable packaging.
Registration is for our 2018 Bee School is $35 for non-members and $15 for current COBKA members.
Non-member registration includes one year of COBKA membership.

Clean Energy Jobs Lobby Day
2018-02-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Lobby days give you the chance to meet with your legislators and make a lasting impact on them; an opportunity to tell your story, and to urge them to make the environment a priority during the legislative session.
Clean Energy Jobs Lobby Day – February 6th (Focusing only on this climate bill)
The day includes best practices for meeting with your legislators, lunch, a march and rally on the Capitol steps, and then meetings with your legislators.
Register here.
Carpools will leave from several locations throughout the state. OLCV will be sending out all the information via email so you can catch a ride to Salem. Can you drive others? Register as a carpool driver. Can’t drive and need a ride down to Salem? Sign up to join a carpool near you.

High Desert Speaker Series
2018-02-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
In this High Desert Speaker Series event, LeeAnn Kriegh, author of The Nature of Bend, shares little secrets and intriguing facts about the plants and animals of Central Oregon. (Did you know sagebrush is more closely related to tarragon than it is to the sage we cook with?) What better way to celebrate the romance of Valentine’s Day than by learning about the mating rituals and reproductive strategies of local flora and fauna? Kriegh writes about everything from junipers to porcupines in a conversational, even conspiratorial tone, and this fun talk will offer more of the same. You’ll laugh and learn and come away with an even greater appreciation for high desert plants and animals.
About the speaker: Bend-based writer and amateur naturalist LeeAnn Kriegh is the author of The Nature of Bend, a friendly and convenient guide to the most common plants and animals in Central Oregon. As a journalist, LeeAnn has written for a variety of magazines and newspapers, including The Oregonian. She currently runs a writing and editing business serving businesses and nonprofits nationwide. She has been a nature lover since her earliest days wandering beneath her mom’s towering rows of U-pick blueberry bushes.
Free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the speaker beginning at 7 p.m.

Monumental Threat - Defending Oregon's Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
2018-02-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
President Trump and Congress, with the help of Representative Walden, are attempting to shrink the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, opening up these protected public lands to aggressive logging. The president’s recent orders to shrink America’s Monuments constitute the largest elimination of protected public land in our country’s history, which means now is the time to get educated and get organized!
Join the Oregon Natural Desert Association, Oregon Wild, Great Old Broads for Wilderness- Bitterbrush Broads, Juniper Group-Sierra Club and the Vocal Seniority for a community forum about the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and other threats posed to public lands.
Our program will include a presentation by long-time advocate for the Cascade-Siskiyou and chair of the Soda Mountain Wilderness Council, Dave Willis, on the history of the Monument, it’s unique ecology, and why it’s worth protecting. We’ll hear about the wider fight over public lands across the west, followed by a short overview on how you can get involved on the grassroots level.
In the face of unprecedented threats to our public places, defenders of public lands need to band together, so come join us for an evening of thoughtful discussion and next steps!

Juniper Group Program Night
2018-02-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Social 6:30, Program 7:00
An informative program about environmental issues, every third Wednesday of the month.

Candlelight Dinner
2018-02-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn how to reduce your utility bills, light up your home all winter long with LEDs, and win FREE raffle prizes! Dine as normal – talk to the experts.
Join us at our partner restaurant, Sisters Saloon. For more information,

Mountainfilm on Tour - A Fundraiser
2018-02-23, 2018-02-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival held every Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, Colorado.
We’re hosting two nights of films that will inspire you to create a better world, with different playlists each evening. (View the films when you purchase tickets.) Intermission features a great raffle with grand prize packages from local gear & bike shops. And remember – this is our big fundraiser for the year – so buy those raffle tickets and become a member that weekend to receive some bonus tickets.
Tickets
$22/night in advance | $25 at door | $40 in advance for both nights
Purchase tickets online or at the Tower Theatre box office
Doors 6 p.m. and films 7 p.m.
This event will sell out!

High Desert Revue
2018-02-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Formerly the High Desert Home Companion that played to an enthusiastic audience in November, the High Desert Revue is an entertaining, engaging, and funny showcase of Central Oregon’s talented musicians and performers. The High Desert Revue is a benefit for KPOV.
Featuring music, old time radio skits, story-telling, comedy, and hilarious mock ads, the High Desert Revue will satisfy all of your entertainment needs in one night in the intimate setting of the Cascades Theatre!
Warm up a cold winter night with the second edition of the live radio variety program that features the performing whizzes of Central Oregon.
The High Desert Revue benefits KPOV, Central Oregon’s High Desert community radio station. The High Desert Revue will feature live music, an old time radio show, sketches, mock ads and storytelling. After last fall’s highly successful debut, the show’s creators have incorporated constructive audience feedback to make this winter’s show even better and more entertaining.
Acts scheduled to appear include: Bill Powers of Honey Don’t, Matthew Gwinup, and Jumpin’ Joyce Respess, who will also serve as musical director. Storyteller Pat Kruis will offer a heartwarming tale. Further, the Around the Bend Players, featuring Brad Thompson, Judi Van Houweling, Barb Largent and Thomas T – leader of the Abluestics – will satirize Bend and beyond.
Tickets:
In advance: $12 ($10 KPOV members)
At the door: $15 for all.
Stay tuned to kpov.org for ticket purchase details or call KPOV at 541-322-0863.

Taking the River's Temperature: It's Not Just Another Number
2018-02-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Dr. E. Ashley Steel, Ph.D. is a quantitative ecologist and statistician with the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service.
Dr. Steel’s research investigates the role of variability in ecological systems. Currently she’s measuring, modeling, and predicting water temperature on river networks. Her work can inform policies and actions for protecting and restoring the health of rivers like the Deschutes.
She will present recent work on:

understanding and visualizing the complexity of water temperature patterns in rivers;
capturing the facets of the thermal regime that matter to the fish;
experiments and cool math to explain why fish and other aquatic organisms might care about whether the water temperature is stable or fluctuating;
how humans may be altering aspects of river thermal regimes in ways we don’t understand;
linking experimental evidence, models, and data collected in rivers to prepare for a changing climate.

Admission is free; we will gladly accept donations at the door.

Fossil Free Fast: Volunteer Meeting
2018-02-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Concerned about climate change, fracked gas and proposed fossil fuel projects in our region? Join 350Deschutes and keep the momentum going to fight the Pacific Connector Pipeline and Jordan Cove LNG projects and new proposed pipeline projects in the Cascades Range. We need your help with assisting local government make a just transition our region to a clean energy economy.
Watch clips of powerful movement leaders that we missed on the January 31st Livestream. Hear motivating stories on the urgency of the current political and climate crises, to light our path ahead on how local resistance is the key to winning against the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks We are working with groups locally and across the nation to secure the lasting change we need.

Upper Deschutes Basin Study: Public Open House (Sunriver)
2018-03-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come learn more about how to meet water needs into the future.
The Upper Deschutes River Basin Study is a 3-year planning study focused on meeting water needs for rivers, irrigated agriculture and growing communities in the Deschutes Basin over the next 50 years. It is focused on strategies to reduce the approximately 230,000 acre-foot shortfall that has been identified. The Study is funded by the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Oregon Water Resources Department, and is co-managed by a diverse group of basin stakeholders. The Basin Study Work Group invite you to attend public houses to learn more about the available strategies to restore rivers and meet community needs into the future. Study leaders will present preliminary Basin Study findings, and there will be stations set up with experts to answer questions and discuss the findings.
To learn more, visit the study website.
Open House Dates and Locations
March 5th, 1:00-3:00 PM
in Sunriver
Sunriver SHARC
57250 Overlook Road
Sunriver, OR 97701
Hosted by the Sunriver Anglers
March 5th, 5:30-7:30 PM
in Bend
Bend Parks and Recreation
District Office
799 SW Columbia Street
Bend, OR 97702
March 6th, 5:30-7:30 PM
in Madras
The Inn at Cross Keys Station
66 NW Cedar Street
Madras, OR 97741

Upper Deschutes Basin Study: Public Open House (Bend)
2018-03-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Upper Deschutes Basin Study: Public Open House (Madras)
2018-03-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
