The Environmental Center

Cascadia Adventure Film Festival
2019-09-05 - 2019-09-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The inaugural year of the Cascade Adventure Film Festival
Celebrate the adventures that push us to our limits, and help us forge a deeper connection to the natural world.
Early bird tickets on sale until August 7th, 11:59pm
CAFF will showcase influential films that highlight the adventurous spirit that lives inside each of us — the films that get us stoked. We’re inspired by human-powered exploration, and the values that keep the wilderness wild. It is through adventure that we discover who we are and what we can achieve. Adventure brings us closer to the natural world in our own backyard, and wherever we may go. So are you in?
The program features 4 shows featuring inspiring adventure films about climbing, biking, trail running, and water. Check out all the films here.

Community Pints
2019-09-03 11:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Raise a glass to sustainability!
Every Tuesday in September, Deschutes Brewery will donate $1 of every pint sold to The Environmental Center.
We’ve partnered with Deschutes Brewery for Community Pints during the month of August. Gather at the Bend Public House or Tasting Room for a pint of tasty beer and some good old fashioned community cheer! An easy and fun way to show your support. Thank you!

CIF Info Session (In Person/Virtual)
2019-09-03 00:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your neighborhood, workplace, school, your favorite park or restaurant, or other community space, but aren’t sure how to get started? Apply for the Rethink Waste Community Innovation Fund!
The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project will provide a total of $40,000* awards to individuals, businesses, or community organizations to implement waste reduction or recovery projects throughout Deschutes County. Each project will be awarded up to $5,000. There is no minimum project budget/award amount. 20% of the project funds must come from matching funds (cash or in-kind). Depending on project budget requirements, 8 to 12 projects will be funded in 2023.
*$15,000 of the $40,000 total projects budget will be awarded to projects that take place at or largely impact visitor destinations, such as a visitor lodging property, restaurant / eatery, park / trail/ nature area, outfitter / activity company, museum / gallery, entertainment venue.
Attend an info session in-person at The Environmental Center or Virtually! Info sessions are scheduled February 7th, May 9th, and August 8th 2023 from 1-2pm.
Register – In Person
Register – Virtual

Bend COTA Work Events
2019-08-29, 2019-08-22, 2019-08-15, 2019-08-08, 2019-08-01 | 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.

CTAC Meeting
2019-08-28 13:00 - 16:30 | Brooks Room, Deschutes Public Library, 507 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
The Citywide Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) provides recommendations related to the updates of the Transportation System Plan (TSP) and Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). This committee is getting closer to drafting the new TSP, which will be the guiding document for transportation in Bend over the next 20 years. Any new transportation projects in the City over the next 20 years, including transit, bike lanes, sidewalks, and road projects will be included in this plan. This will be the committee’s first discussion of priorities.
All meetings are open to the public, with an opportunity for public comment at the beginning and end. The agenda other materials will be available through the City of Bend here.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2019-08-27, 2019-08-20, 2019-08-13, 2019-08-06, 2019-07-30 | 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

Springs to Sprouts
2019-08-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Spring to Sprouts is Coalition for the Deschutes’ annual field trip, farm tours, and complimentary BBQ lunch in Jefferson County. Meet farmers as they take you on a tour of their farms along with a tour of Central Oregon Seed in Madras.
Space is limited. Email Brooke for questions or more information. brooke@coalitionforthedeschutes.org

Stream Sampling on Whychus
2019-08-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Sampling benthic macroinvertebrates, the aquatic life form of insects including mayflies and stoneflies, provides important insights into the health of Whychus Creek. Volunteers will meet at Creekside Park in Sisters for a sampling training, then, in teams of three or four, collect macroinvertebrate samples from sites along Whychus. This event is a great opportunity to learn about restoration and reintroduction of steelhead and salmon on Whychus Creek, see less-visited reaches of the creek, and contribute to knowledge about how restoration actions are changing stream conditions.

Motherload Community Screening
2019-08-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Part of the Bend Brewing Company Backyard Movie Series…
MOTHERLOAD is a crowd-sourced documentary in which the cargo bicycle becomes a vehicle for exploring motherhood in this digital age of climate change. The film explores the people behind this push to replace cars with purpose-built bikes, she learns about the history and potential future of the bicycle as the “ultimate social revolutionizer.”
Join the revolution and bring the whole family. We encourage everyone to bike in, bring a blanket or low chairs and enjoy watching on an outdoor screen by the river at BBC! Not sure what a cargo bike is? We’ll have electric cargo bikes available for test riding before the movie.
Interested in getting involved? There will be a few booth spaces available for bike and family related organizations.Contact neilkorn@gmail.com for more info.
If you’d like to volunteer to help out at the screening or help with spreading the word to the community, contact courtney@bendelectricbikes.com
This community screening is brought to you by your friends at: Bend Electric Bikes, Bend Brewing Company, and Outdoor Oregon Magazine

Bike the Bridges
2019-08-18 16:30 - 18:00 | The Gear Fix, 550 Industrial Way, Suite 183, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
The 2019 edition of Bike the Bridges will be held on Sunday, August 18th. Check-in starts at 4:00pm with the ride kicking off around 4:30pm. This fun and family-friendly bicycle ride showcases many of the beautiful vistas you get when crossing the Deschutes River as it passes through Bend. Let this be your excuse to get a little exercise, make friends, and discover new bike routes to commute around town.
The event is free but registration is required.

Pints and Politics: Rethinking Waste
2019-08-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
In 10 years, Deschutes County’s landfill will be full. Plans for how to handle solid waste in Deschutes County once the landfill is full must be made now. The county is exploring the idea of developing a new landfill within Deschutes County and the idea of hauling solid waste to a facility located outside of Deschutes County. Join OLCV to explore these two options and find out how our community can be more efficient with waste management.

Sagebrush Sippers
2019-08-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association staff and supporters for Sagebrush Sippers happy hours in our office this summer. Mix and mingle, learn about new aspects of Oregon’s high desert, and find opportunities to dig deeper into our conservation work.
This month, hear more about the far-flung places where ONDA works and get tips to plan your fall escapes to Oregon’s high desert public lands from Oregon Desert Trail coordinator Renee Patrick. Enjoy cold beverages including beer from Immersion Brewing. Look for more Sagebrush Sippers events in Portland and Bend all summer.

Kayak Trip: Questions Answered!
2019-08-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Got questions about the Deschutes? What better way to learn about the river than to paddle it with a pro?
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe (TCKC) for a water-based exploration of the Upper Deschutes. TCKC will provide transportation, guides, and all the gear. Local water expert, Kyle Gorman, will edify and entertain you with stories about how the Deschutes River works and is managed.
Pre-registration required. This trip is appropriate for all skill levels, including beginners; there are no sections of the river that require technical paddling skills, and moving flatwater will help your boat along.

Broadchats
2019-08-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Central Oregon Chapter of Great Old Broads for Wilderness at an upcoming broadchats!
Conversation and presentation about “ Climate Change and Rivers.” Please bring $5.00 to cover costs of snacks and drinks and off set rental space. Register here.

Central Oregon Volcanoes: Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters
2019-08-10, 2019-08-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Although you may not spend a lot of time thinking about volcanoes, these geologic features impact our daily lives in many ways—especially in Oregon and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. The spectacular volcanoes of the Cascades provide exceptional wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and natural resources.
Volcanoes can also be dangerous. Lava flows can bury roads, houses, and everything else in their path. Volcanic ash can cause severe problems for transportation, agriculture, drinking water supplies, and air quality. Volcanic gasses can be deadly to breathe, and they can alter global atmospheric conditions and climate. For these reasons, it is important to study volcanoes and to be prepared for future volcanic activity.
Each academic term, Dr. Daniele McKay offers a two-day course focusing on how and why volcanoes erupt, and the geologic history of the Central Oregon Cascades. In our summer session, we explore the volcanic history of the Central Oregon Cascades, with an emphasis on the Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor area.
These courses are designed for people with little or no background in geology. We will cover the basics of how and why volcanoes erupt, and the deposits they produce. Registration is required.

Stars Over Newberry (Postponed)
2019-08-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This event has been postponed to September, due to weather.
Discover Your Forest will play host to hundreds of guests at the 4th Annual Stars Over Newberry fundraiser. The event will take place atop Lava Butte in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and featured stargazing with Worthy Garden Club and Sisters Astronomy Club, live music, a silent auction, delicious Worthy Brewing beers, wine from Volcano Vineyards and creative bites by Bowtie Catering.
This event is a fundraiser for DYF’s conservation education programs, which connect over 9,000 kids annually with their public lands on free field trips.
Tickets are now available!

Solar + Storage: Creating a Resilient Energy Supply
2019-08-08 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
A networking event with a panel of experts to ignite new conversations around energy efficiency. Free event, please RSVP in advance.
Why do batteries matter? What benefits do solar + storage systems have when it comes to creating a resilient community? We’ll hear from local emergency response teams and get a tour of E2 Solar’s solar + storage system at their office.
Solar and batteries have been combined since the dawn of the solar industry, but with the advent of net metering and grid-connected solar installations, many installations moved away from the added expense of batteries. With a heightened focus on resiliency and energy independence, batteries are resurfacing as a hot topic of conversation in the solar world and with prices rapidly declining, they are being incorporated into an increasing number of solar installations.
Schedule:
5:00 – 5:30pm: Networking
5:30 – 6:30pm: Panel Discussion, Q&A
6:30 – 7:00pm: Networking
Thanks to our host, E2 Solar!
RSVP Today

Steelhead Falls Trailhead Invasive Weed Removal
2019-08-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Steelhead Falls Trail, along the Middle Deschutes River near Crooked River Ranch, is one of the most beloved spots in Central Oregon. The past several years, Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area (also known as FANs of the Deschutes Canyon Area) volunteers have removed cheatgrass and other invasive weeds while planting native bunchgrasses and shrubs near the trailhead.
This restoration work has greatly improved Steelhead Falls Trailhead habitat. However, invasive weeds, including Russian thistle and foxtail barley, are growing amongst the native plants now, and they need to be removed.
We will meet at the Steelhead Falls parking lot at 8:00 a.m. We hope you can help for one or two hours. Please wear outdoor work clothes, closed-toe shoes, and work gloves. Bring a weeding tool if you have one. We will have some extra tools available. Also, please bring some water and a snack. Thank you for helping to keep the trailhead looking great!

Sisters Carbon Town Hall
2019-07-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
State Senator Cliff Bentz–one of the Republican Senators who fled the state to prevent a vote on HB 2020–just announced a “Carbon Town Hall” in Sisters. OLCV invites you to show robust rural support for climate action!
Sisters Carbon Town Hall
Date: Monday, July 29th
Time: 6:00-8:30pm (PST)
Location: Five Pine Lodge & Conference Center
Sen. Benz wants to hear what his constituents want when it comes to carbon reduction and the Clean Energy Jobs bill.

Deschutes River Cleanup
2019-07-27 10:00 - 14:00 | Riverbend Park, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council invites watershed stewards of all ages to join us for the 23nd annual Deschutes River Cleanup on Saturday, July 27, 2019!
Volunteers will meet at Riverbend Park at 10am. River clean-up activities will take place in the Deschutes River and along its riparian areas between Meadow Camp and Drake Park. Bring your paddleboard, kayak, or canoe to help Central Oregon Diving divers pull garbage out of the river, or help us pull invasive weeds and remove litter from the stream banks.

Geology of Central Oregon
2019-07-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The volcanic landscapes of central Oregon have been shaped by tectonic forces that are active on a global scale. In central Oregon, these forces interact to create a geologically diverse region of snow covered volcanic peaks, landscapes created by faults, and some of the largest volcanic eruptions on earth. In this presentation, Dr. Daniele McKay, geologist and Instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon, will explore recent geologic research that has changed our understanding of central Oregon landscapes.
