The Environmental Center

Annual Veterans Day Parade
2015-11-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Bend commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII and the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. This year’s parade will honor our “Living Legacies”.
Parade Route: NW Harmon – Newport Avenue – South on Wall Street – Riverside Drive

Sierra Club General & Volunteer Meeting
2015-11-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
We’ll update you on work the Juniper Group and Oregon Chapter are doing, our group aspirations and vision, volunteer and leadership needs, outings and children’s programs. This will be an open discussion and survey to hear from you about issues important to you, what program format/content you favor. Share with us your ideas and talents. There are a number of options for people to become engaged at different levels, and there’s a role for you whether as a team member or an independent.
Some examples are Climate action and Bend Beyond Coal, forest and land protection, GMO-Big Ag-toxics-soil-pollinator work, political endorsements and campaigns, website updates, diversity outreach, membership recordkeeping, clean energy, media liaison, Meetup and Facebook postings, family+children’s nature outings, regular outings program, Keep Waldo Wild campaign, tree planting, program night AV help, newsletter articles, and more. Help us do more to protect and strengthen what we prize in our community and Oregon.
You’ll meet others who share your interests and concerns about these issues, and it’s often the people you team up with who make your time/effort even more worthwhile. So come, explore the options. Refreshments/snacks provided.

Meet Your Farmer
2015-11-08 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Farm-to-table dinner featuring local farmers Sarahlee Lawrence & Ashanti Samuels of Rainshadow Organics.
Four course meal features Rainshadow flour artisan loaf, roasted beets, mixed greens with honey-roasted winter squash, braised pork with mashed potatoes and bacon braised collards.
Veggie option: Fresh local wheat linguine pasta with winter vegetable ratatouille.
Locavore’s Meet Your Farmer dinners consist of a locally sourced, gourmet meal hosted by and prepared by rotating local restaurants. During dinner, you will be treated to a presentation by the evening’s featured farmer. Central Oregon Locavore supports local food and farms through its permanent indoor farmers market and community education.
Register for this event!

Celebration Of Oregon Rivers
2015-11-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Us For The 13th Annual Celebration Of Oregon Rivers
Auction and Banquet
Support WaterWatch by joining river enthusiasts, friends and family for an evening of celebration. Enjoy local beer and wine with dinner and hors d’oeurves. Bid on exclusive packages and items in our live and silent auction!
Register here or call 503.295.4039.
Tickets before Sept 1st are $95 – after Sept 1st $125.
Can’t make it to the auction but still want in on the action? BUY A GOLDEN TICKET! Each Golden Ticket provides you with a 1 in 100 chance of winning any live auction item of your choice!

2016 Wild Desert Calendar Release Party
2015-11-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Beverages and bites… check. Live band… check. Stunning images of Oregon’s high desert… check!
Come join the Oregon Natural Desert Association for an evening of First Friday revelry as we unveil our 2016 Wild Desert Calendar at the Deschutes Brewery Public House in downtown Bend on First Friday! Listen to the sweet tunes of Coyote Willow (formerly Hilst and Coffey) and sip desert-inspired beer. This event is free and open to all. Hope to see you there!

First Firkin Friday
2015-11-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
November’s First Firkin Friday at Broken Top Bottle Shop will support OLCV Education Fund!
100% of proceeds from the Descender IPA keg donated by GoodLife Brewing will benefit OLCV Education Fund. It’s not a firkin keg but it is delicious!
At 7:00 p.m. we will have live music by The Pitchfork Revolution; made possible by our amazing band sponsors: Newport Ave Market and Pizza Mondo.
Bring a friend or two and come by for a pint or the chance to win some incredible raffle prizes throughout the night.

HDFFA Autumn Social & Annual Meeting
2015-11-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This is a free celebratory event for our Partners, Volunteers and Sponsors. Want to attend? Join HDFFA by becoming a 2016 Community Member! When you sign up for your Membership we will email your ticket ($15 value). RSVP by October 30th, space is limited.
This event includes:

Locally sourced food
Drinks for purchase
Accomplishments & opportunities presentation
Networking & mingling with Central Oregon’s food & farm community!

Speak up for a Livable Bend at City Council
2015-11-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
6:45pm – Meet outside City Hall
7:00pm – City Council meeting begins
City Hall – 710 NW Wall St.
Join Central Oregon Landwatch in showing our support for:

A limited UGB expansion to prevent urban sprawl
Protecting Wildlife Habitat from development on the edges of Bend
Strong efficiency measures to encourage cost-effective and sustainable growth within current city limits
Transportation options supported by multi-family housing along transit corridors
Complete Communities where you can walk or bike to work just as easily as you can drive
A range of housing options that includes housing at affordable costs for Bend residents

Green Team Movie Night
2015-11-03 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE Ninth St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The World According to Monsanto is directed by French film-maker and journalist Marie-Monique Robin. This widely praised film follows Robin’s three-year-long investigation into the corporate practices around the world of the United States multinational corporation, Monsanto. She investigates Monsanto chemicals and GMO crops, combining secret documents with first-hand accounts by victims, scientists, and politicians.

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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Sisters Trail Alliance Speaker Series
A presentation by Mike Riehle

Sharing The Earth: Conserving Biodiversity
2015-10-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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.
