The Environmental Center

Central Oregon Wildflower Show
2016-06-11 09:00 - 2016-06-12 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Central Oregon’s unique habitats and climate enable a great variety of native wildflowers both big and small to flourish here. The Central Oregon Wildflower Show and Native Plant Sale, hosted by the Sunriver Nature Center exhibits hundreds of native wildflower species bursting with color. The show also provides a glimpse of Central Oregon’s native grasses, shrubs, sages, fungi, mosses and lichen. This year we are excited to host lectures on various topics by local experts in the field. Additional information booths on invasive species, disease and fire resistant pines, medicinal plants, and rare and endangered plants of Central Oregon. The event is family friendly and offers kids activity booths, family botanical hikes and much more!
Join us June 11th & 12th for a fabulous, colorful weekend!. Follow along on Facebook for event info and updates: https://www.facebook.com/centraloregonwildflowershow

Discover Nature Days: Water and Wildlife
2016-06-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Presented by the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon partners, Discover Nature Days are free family events throughout Central Oregon that connect children and families to the wonder of nature.
Spring 2016 Events
Get outside and discover with your little explorers! Join us for 2 hours of science, art and play while learning about the natural world and exploring local parks. All events are free and recommended for ages 5-10.
Second Saturdays, March-June

March 12, 1-3 pm: Snow Explorers at Skyliners Lodge (west of Bend) with Discover Your Forest
April 9, 10 am-12 noon: The Invisible Tracker at Shevlin Park (Bend) with Wildheart Nature School
May 14, 1-3 pm: Birds and Beaks are Neat at American Legion Park (Redmond) with High Desert Museum – Spanish/bilingual program
June 11, 10 am-12 noon: Water and Wildlife at Sawyer Park (Bend) with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and The Environmental Center

Tasty Central Oregon Tomatoes
2016-06-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Want to learn more about gardening? Please join OSU Master Gardeners and OSU Staff at many of our offerings. All speakers share research based gardening information specific to Central Oregon.
For a full schedule of “Gardening, Get Good At It!” please visit the website.

Big Tree and Dead Slough Hike
2016-06-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join ONDA for a beautiful, easy 1-2 mile sunny hike right along the Deschutes River in LaPine State Park to the largest and oldest ponderosa pine in the State of Oregon and to a wildlife-rich oxbow slough. Our Board President, The Nathan, will take us on an insider’s tour from the time he worked for the State Park. Sunblock, insect repellent, binoculars, and shoes or sandals that you don’t mind getting wet are all suggested. Bring a sack lunch so that we can eat at the picnic tables in the beautiful day use area.
When: Meet for carpool at 9am Sunday, June 12th (more details for registrants)
Where: La Pine State Park
How: Sign up here
Why: Get out in nature with us and learn more about our programs!

Photo credit: COLW Hike to No Name Lake with Stu Garrett in 2014

Happy Hour in the Garden
2016-06-14, 2016-06-21, 2016-06-28, 2016-07-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This year, Happy Hour in the Garden will run from March through October. Instead of weekly, this volunteer event will be on the *1st & 3rd Tuesdays*, kicking off Tuesday, March 1st. Stop by anytime between 4-6 on the following dates to help out in the garden and enjoy a bubbly beverage. Family friendly, no experience or tools necessary.
Contact Denise Rowcroft, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

March 1 & 15 (March & April beer sponsored by Worthy Garden Club)
April 5 & 19
May 3 & 17 (May & June beer sponsored by Boneyard Beer)
June 7 & 21

Due to summer trips, please note that summer dates (July & August) are the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month!

*July 12 & 26* (July & August beer sponsored by Deschutes Brewery)
*August 9 & 23* (Note, this is the 2nd & 4th Tuesday, rescheduled due to planned time off)
September 6 & 20 (Sept & Oct beer sponsored by 10 Barrel Brewing Co)
October 4 & 18

Wednesday Birders
2016-06-15 07:00 - 12:00, 2016-06-22 07:00 - 12:00, 2016-06-29 07:00 - 12:00 | Nancy P’s, 1054 Milwaukee, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Meet up with others in our intrepid group for local birding. We meet at Nancy P’s Bakery on Newport Avenue just east of Newport Market in Bend. From there we depart on weekly half day or full day trips to venues in our area. Meet-up times are usually 7AM in the Spring and Summer and 8AM in Fall and Winter. Trip plans are posted on COBOL each week prior to the trip.
Transportation is via carpool depending on who can drive and individual schedules. Dress for the weather; be prepared with food, sunscreen, etc; and bring a pair of binoculars; spotting scopes are helpful on many trips.
Feb 10 early start, all day to Willamette Valley refuge
Feb 17, Shevlin trails, River trails Bend
Feb 24, Cold Springs, Suttle Lake, Santiam Pass
March 2, Skyliner area
March 9, Wastewater ponds, Hatfield, Redmond, etc
March 16, Sunriver and south where open water can be found
March 23, Lower Bridge, includes knapweed digging
March 30, Fort Rock, all day
April 6, Calliope Crossing, Green Ridge
April 13, Desert east of Bend, EARLY start
April 20, Cline Falls SP, Twin Bridges, Tumalo State Park,
April 27, Shevlin Park ***Change****
May 4 Shorebirds, wastewater ponds Bend, Redmond, Prineville
May 11 River trails Bend and Tumalo for migrants
May 18, GI Ranch, east of Bend. Birding all day, bring lunch, scopes.
May 25, shorebirds, location TBD
June1, Malheur, all day
June 8 Glaze Meadow, Black Butte Swamp, Calliope Crossing
June 15, woodpeckers, varied locations
June 22 Cabin Lake, Fort Rock and Summer Lake, all day, bring lunch
June 29, Gilchrist, Crescent, Norther Waterthrush
July 6, Three Creeks, Park Meadow trail, other trails
July 13 Hatfield, walk 3 miles
July 20 Calliope Crossing, Jack Lake
July 27,Green Ridge springs
August 3 High Lakes, shorebirds, waterfowl
August 10 Skyliner and Tumalo Falls morning and again evening
August 17, a.m. Millican Valley, return in evening, over night optional at Pine Mountain
August 24 Calliope Crossing, Black Butte Swamp
August 31, shorebirds
Sept 7 Wickiup, Crane Prairie, Vaux’s Swifts evening, Bend
Sept 14, Malheur all day
Sept 21 Green Ridge raptors, grouse, woodpeckers, all day birding
Sept 28, Fort Rock and Summer Lake, all day
Oct 5, high lakes, Crane Prairie and Wickiup
Oct 12 Hatfield ponds, Alfalfa
Oct 19 coastal birding, 2 or 3 days, seawatching a.m., passerines and land PMs.
Oct 26 Mill Creek, Ochocos area

Help Protect our Local Wilderness Areas
2016-06-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On the evening of June 15th, the Great Old Broads for Wilderness are hosting a discussion of the increasing overuse impacts we’re seeing in the wilderness areas located in close proximity to our Central Oregon communities.
Jesse Engebretson, a PhD Candidate in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University will discuss increasing impacts to popular areas such as Green Lakes, No Name Lake and South Sister, followed by small group discussions of what wilderness means to all of us, and what can be done to protect these precious areas.
Click here for more info and registration.
Where: Brooks Room at the Downtown Branch of the Deschutes County Library.
Register by clicking here.

Save Outdoor School for All at Pints and Politics
2016-06-16 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join OLCV and guests Shannon Sbarra and Becca Gilbert to learn about the outdoor school experience and why it is so important. Find out how we can ensure our next generation of leaders gets out into the great outdoors and how you can help Save Outdoor School for all Oregonians.

Family Dairy Day
2016-06-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Crooked River Open Pastures (C.R.O.P.), a project of the Crook County Small Farm Alliance, is a series of events taking place throughout the Crooked River Basin at various farms and farm supported locations. Each farm event will feature farm tours, a farmers market and in some cases, music and additional fun filled activities. Each farm supported event will feature a farmers market and more.
These events were created to bring more awareness of the abundance of local food grown in this region of Central Oregon. Increase tourism and economic development in an area with so much to give to the community of Central Oregon. In partnership with High Desert Food & Farm Alliance, sponsored by Brasada Ranch Resort.
This event will feature local vendors selling farm raised meats, vegetables, and crafts. Classes and demonstrations, too!

Outdoor School for All Summer Celebration
2016-06-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come celebrate the start to summer and the wrapping up of Outdoor School For All’s signature gathering campaign! Food from Wubba’s BBQ, all ages welcome.

Wild Wednesday: George Wuerthner on Oregon Wilderness
2016-06-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Crow’s Feet Commons and Oregon Wild have teamed up to educate, and share tales of epic backcountry adventures told by members of our local community. As Bendites, a love for exploring mountains, rivers, deserts and other wild places is rooted in the core of our souls. Bend is a special place filled with people who have been on epic wilderness expeditions all over the globe.
The Wild Wednesdays series is about giving local adventurers a stage to tell their stories and inspire the rest of us to face our own challenges and embark on our own journeys.
On June 22nd, George Wuerthner – a professional photographer and lifetime adventurer – will present stories and slides about Oregon’s Wilderness Areas. Having visited and photographed every Wilderness Area in Oregon (and most in the American West) George has an endless stash of stories, and insights about how to find that perfect place full of beauty and solitude.
Join us June 22nd, 5:30-7pm at Crows Feet Commons to hear his story and enjoy the visual journey.
In collaboration with Oregon Wild, this series is a recurring event hosted on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
If you are an adventurer and want to share your story, please contact us and we will consider! For more information, please email ph@oregonwild.org or info@crowsfeetcommons.com

Dirty Energy and Dirty Money
2016-06-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
How money in politics skews the fight against climate change… and how we can fix it!
Common Cause Oregon teamed up with environmental advocates to investigate how big money tried to block major clean energy reform in the Oregon legislature. And now we want to share our research with you.
Find out:
Which legislators accepted money from the fossil fuels industry?
How did big oil lobbyists try to rewrite our laws?
What scare tactics did they use to attempt to block reform?
Click Here to RSVP.

Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Featuring insights from: Nikki Roemmer with the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Mike Riley with The Environmental Center, Daniel Lewkow from Common Cause Oregon, Dave Nelson with Central Oregon Move to Amend, and Moe Carrick with Moementum Inc.

Ochoco Forest Camp Group Campout
2016-06-24 - 2016-06-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Lookout Mountain, old growth pines, old friends, new friends, homemade music around the campfire. .. the perfect weekend in the Ochoco Mountains! Join the Sierra Club and Oregon Wild on June 24-26 for a weekend camping trip to the heart of the Ochocos at Forest Camp, located in the center of the proposed National Recreation Area. Get to know our other wonderful forest! We’ll offer a variety of hikes, including at least one to the top of iconic Lookout Mountain.
Walton Lake is just a few miles away. Friday evening will feature a speaker about the history of the Ochocos, and Saturday all are invited to participate in a potluck.
Cost is $20/person for the weekend. Space is limited.
Vehicle parking space is limited and can only accommodate a small number of RVs; please tell us if you plan to bring one and its length. To confirm a reservation mail your check made out to Juniper Group at 16 NW Kansas, Bend 97703. More details and a schedule will be available on the Juniper Group website soon!

Composting, Vermiculture and Mason Bee Pollinators
2016-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Managing Garden Pests in an Organic Garden
2016-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Gardening With Natives Workshop
2016-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Do you have questions about how to successfully garden with native plants? The Oregon Flora Project is here to help! Join the Oregon Flora Project (oregonflora.org) and Rick Martinson of Wintercreek Nursery for a workshop presenting ecological concepts, practical tips, and creative ideas for integrating uniquely Oregon plants into your garden and landscape.

Central Oregon Pride 2016
2016-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This is the time of year when Central Oregon’s LGBTQ community and its allies come together to celebrate at Drake Park in Bend, Oregon. The year’s festival will be on June 25th from 12-6pm.
Educational workshop lineup:
12 pm- Unpacking Gender by Basic Rights Oregon
1 pm- In Their Shoes: Empowering Our Community to Support LGBTQ Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault – by Saving Grace Imagine Life Without Violence
2 pm- LGBTQ Sexual Health – by Planned Parenthood of Bend
3 pm- How to be an Ally – by Pflag Central Oregon
4 pm- Intersectional Justice – by Greg Delgado
Here are some more highlights:
-Amazing local music!
-Local food vendors
-Dykes on Bikes
-Bishops Barbershop Kids Zone
And so much more! Stay tuned for more announcements!
Contact centraloregonpride@gmail.com if you have any questions about the festival, if you’d like to volunteer, or if you’d like to become a sponsor or vendor. For current updates about Central Oregon Pride, please visit www.facebook.com/centraloregonpride.

Happy Hour with 1000 Friends
2016-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
We hope you’ll join us this Saturday for an informal Happy Hour meet and greet! Come out for a fun evening and share what’s important to you as Central Oregon continues to grow. Please let us know if you plan to come out for happy hour in Sisters on June 25th!

Hear from regional partners that are focused on your community needs and how we can work together to create a vibrant future for Central Oregonians.
Be the FIRST to meet our new Circuit Rider Attorney, who will be based in Bend.
Grab a drink with 1000 Friends staff and board and enjoy the evening!

RSVP TODAY!

Africanized Honey Bee Talk
2016-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The COBKA is welcoming Summer with an exciting multifaceted Seminar with PhD Entomologist Dewey Caron:
Africanized Bees
Apis mellifera scutellata – The African Bee: Dr. Caron wrote “Africanized honey bees in the Americas” in 2001, but has been greatly interested in the AHB since his time teaching in a cooperative Master’s program in entomology in Central America in the 1980’s. We’ll be examining the history of humans and bees (from robber to keeper) and the story of Africanized bees.
Bee Medicine
Medicines of the hive – Dr Caron recently gave a presentation to NW Naturopathic Physicians in Portland and will be going over the data he has on the subject. Bring your Allergy, Nutritional and Api-Therapy questions!
There will also be a raffle with exciting prizes from Africa and South America!
Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center (SHARC) from 6 – 8 p.m.
57250 Overlook Rd, Sunriver, OR 97707

COBKA Summer Seminar - Killer Bees & Medicines of the Hive
2016-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Curious about Africanized Bees, their history and future? Are you interested in possible medicinal products of the Honey Bee? This event is for you!
AFRICANIZED BEES
PhD Entomologist Dewey Caron, author of the highly acclaimed ‘Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping’ and noted Africanized Bee researcher, comes to Central Oregon for a presentation on Apis mellifera scutellata -The African Honey Bee. This special event is designed for beekeepers and the general public alike. We’ll be examining the history of humans and bees (from robber to keeper) and the story of Africanized bees. What effects do they have on U.S. populations of the European honey bee? What do you need to know about their tendencies to be highly defensive and extremely aggressive? Bring your questions and concerns.
BEE MEDICINE
In addition to the African bee discussion, Caron will be sharing information from the presentation he made recently to NW Naturopathic Physicians. Bring your Allergy, Nutritional and Api-Therapy questions.
**There will also be a raffle with exciting prizes! **
Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center (SHARC) – June 25th from 6 – 8 p.m.
Register online: www.cobeekeeping.org

June COBKA Meeting - Non-Langstroth Hives
2016-06-28 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Presentations by:
Lynn Royce, Ph.D. (Director of Tree Hive Bees) and COBKA Members Clyde Dildine & Naomi Price
We’ll be discussing the many different types of hives, their management and lessons we have learned.
Our Beginner’s Corner will be held at 5:30 across the hall. Hope to see you all there! *You do not need to be a COBKA member to attend our monthly meetings 🙂
www.cobeekeeping.org

Deadline: Register your project for the SOLVE Beach & Riverside Cleanup
2016-07-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Do you have an idea for a cleanup or restoration project in your local neighborhood, park or waterway? SOLVE would love to support your project(s) with free supplies, statewide volunteer recruitment, and more as part of the 33rd Annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup.
Part of the International Coastal Cleanup and National Public Lands Day, projects will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2016, from 10 am – 1 pm (times may vary). In addition, projects involving students will occur the week before and the week after the Saturday event.
Click here to submit your project application by July 1!
SOLVE supports projects that engage volunteers in Oregon in cleanup of litter and illegal dump sites, invasive plant removal, native tree and shrub planting, and watershed maintenance and monitoring activities. In 2015, more than 5,200 volunteers came out to over 120 Beach & Riverside Cleanup sites statewide.
Detailed support provided by SOLVE for approved community volunteer projects:

Project planning assistance by SOLVE staff
Volunteer Coordinator training
Project Planning Reference Guide (step-by-step guide to coordinating a SOLVE project)
Event flyers and pre-event publicity
Assistance with volunteer recruitment and placement, including online registration, confirmation emails to all online registrants, and volunteer registration/waiver forms
Free materials such as litter bags, vinyl gloves, safety vests, first aid kits, and sharps containers

In addition, a limited number of Beach & Riverside Cleanup projects may receive:

A maximum reimbursement of up to $100.00 to cover qualifying project expenses

Tesla Supercharger Grand Opening
2016-07-03 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Offering test drives of both the Model S and the Model X for local prospective owners to further accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
Bring your friends!

Fire and Water: Hydrogeology of Central Oregon
2016-07-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join volcanologist Dr. Daniele McKay for a fascinating presentation about the unique hydrogeology of the Deschutes River basin.
The volcanic landscape of Central Oregon has shaped the hydrology of this area in surprising ways. The Deschutes River was known as the “Peculiar River” because of its historically stable year-round flows. Rain and snowmelt rapidly infiltrate through the young volcanic rocks and resurface later as springs that feed our rivers. Join us as we dig deeper into this remarkable system.
Daniele has a PhD in geology from the University of Oregon. She studies volcanic activity and has focused much of her research on central Oregon volcanoes. She is a very active member of the community and volunteers for a variety of natural resource related organizations.

Tuesdays at Old Mill Casting Course
2016-07-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Let’s continue the fun and improve our fly casting! We’re going to meet every Tuesday evening in June and July for casual, self-guided practice. This is not a class, it’s free and no RSVP required! Just show up and enjoy time with fellow fly fishers! There won’t be instructors, but we have many terrific casters amongst our group.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Meet at hole #10 (near Chico’s) if you want to join others or head out on your own. Scorecards with the map are available at Confluence Fly Shop or at the Ticket Mill.
Questions? Contact Karen Kreft: nextcast@coflyfishers.org
For more information about the Old Mill Fly Casting Course see the COF May 2016 newsletter, page 10 (https://coflyfishers.wildapricot.org/resources/Documents/Newsletters/Archive/maynews/May16.pdf)
