The Museum at Warm Springs to Host Opening Reception for the “32nd Annual Warm Springs Tribal Member and Youth Exhibit”
2025-11-12 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Museum at Warm Springs, 2189 Highway 26, Warm Springs, 97761, United States
The Museum at Warm Springs to Host Opening Reception for the “32nd Annual Warm Springs Tribal Member and Youth Exhibit” on Wednesday, November 12 at 5:30 p.m.
The Museum at Warm Springs will host the opening of the “32nd Annual Warm Springs Tribal Member and Youth Exhibit” on Wednesday, November 12. Museum Members and the general public are invited to a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Museum (2189 Highway 26, Warm Springs). The exhibit will be on view through Saturday, March 7, 2026.
This popular annual exhibit displays the immense talent and artistic excellence of Warm Springs adult and youth Tribal members. The exhibit is curated by Warm Springs Museum Curator and Exhibit Coordinator Angela Anne Smith (Warm Springs, Yakama, Nez Perce and Diné). Selected artworks will be available for sale with a 20% commission going toward The Museum.

Repair Café with COCC Redmond
2025-11-13 17:00 - 19:00 | COCC Redmond, 2324 NE College Lp, Redmond, OR, 97756 , United States

A Shift in Thinking
2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Michelle Nijhuis — a High Country News contributing editor, frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books and the author of Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in the Age of Extinction — will walk us through 20 influential books that can help us shift our thinking away from systems of ecological oppression and toward a more just and verdant future.
Part of Central Oregon LandWatch’s 2025 Livable Future Forum.

Community Conversations-Natural Resource Management
2025-11-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Downtown Bend Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Registration is required. Light supper provided.
Please join us in a discussion about our Natural Resources – What are the current conditions, current concerns, and how can you play a role. Let’s ask ourselves…what can one person do? Envision a community that understands the upstream and downstream impacts of using Earth’s resources and makes responsible decisions about the consumption
Presented by the Bitterbrush Broads and Bros, the Central Oregon chapter and The Environmental Center
Community Conversations brings neighbors together to connect, share experiences, and listen with open minds. Through thoughtfully facilitated events, we provide opportunities for individuals with diverse beliefs to engage in meaningful dialogue, explore different perspectives, and discover common ground on the issues that shape our community. Our goal is to foster deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and collaborative solutions to local civic challenges. Together, we cultivate the trust and communication skills essential for a thriving and united Central Oregon.
Questions? Contact lizg@deschuteslibrary.org

What's Recyclable Anyway? (and what the heck is the RMA?)
2025-11-18 18:00 - 19:30
Event: What’s recyclable anyway? (and what the heck is the RMA?)
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 18th 6-7:30pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Did you know our consumption accounts for half of our emissions? Did you hear that Knott Landfill is close to full? Have you heard contradictory things about recycling and whether it matters?
This July, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass a sweeping bill that modernizes Oregon’s recycling infrastructure, and makes producers responsible for their packaging (see our blog post for more information). Do you have questions about what has changed or what is about to change? Or maybe, are you skeptical that these changes will have any meaningful impact?
At our 4th annual America Recycles Day event, come get answers to all these questions and more by a panel of experts.
A big thanks to our panelists!
Panel:
Colin Teem, Materials Management – Eastern Region Specialist, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Rachel VanWoert, RMA Technical Assistant, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Susan Baker, Diversion and Franchise Services Manager, Deschutes County Solid Waste
Moderator: Kavi Chokshi, Rethink Waste Program Manager, The Environmental Center
Questions? Email kavi@envirocenter.org

Questions? Email kavi@envirocenter.org

Kids’ Entrepreneur Marketing
2025-11-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Downtown Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Kids’ Entrepreneur Marketing in November. The Kids’ Entrepreneur Market is an entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market, for ages 7-17 to learn entrepreneurship by creating and selling their own products and services, all while considering the protection of our beloved planet. FREE to attend. $12-24 to participate.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
2025-11-29 15:30 - 17:00 | Brooks Room, Deschutes Public Library, 507 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Nov 29th is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. There will be a screening & discussion of Gaza Fight for Freedom at the downtown Bend Library 3:30-5pm.

Guardians of Life: Indigenous Practices for a Thriving Earth
2025-12-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan for a transformative journey to meet people living “in relationship” with their ancestral homelands. Indigenous men and women, youth and elders, hunters and farmers, spiritual leaders and craftsmen will reveal their ways of knowing and working with the land. These concepts and skills, taught for generations, are based on a foundational veneration for life—which is at the heart of caring for a living planet. With stories spanning the globe from the Arctic to Australia, Yüyan will remind us that when we protect the more-than-human world, we are also protecting ourselves.
This talk is the final event in Central Oregon LandWatch’s 2025 Livable Future Forum.

17th Annual Locavore Holiday Gift Faire
2025-12-13 10:00 - 15:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd., Bend, Oregon, Bend, OR, United States
Now in its 17th year, the Locavore Holiday Gift Faire has become a community tradition and one of Bend’s favorite ways to celebrate the season. With 80+ local vendors, the faire offers a joyful and meaningful alternative to big-box shopping—bringing together artisans, farmers, and makers from across Central Oregon in one festive, family-friendly event.
Handcrafted, Local, and One-of-a-Kind
This one-day-only faire features an abundance of locally made gifts: handcrafted jewelry, original art, textiles, small-batch foods, herbal soaps, woodworks, ceramics, and whimsical holiday treats.
“This is more than a holiday market,” said Nicole Timm-Branch, Executive Director of Central Oregon Locavore. “It’s a way to celebrate creativity, support small businesses, and strengthen Central Oregon’s local economy. Every vendor and sponsor helps sustain a holiday tradition that makes Bend unique. Plus all proceeds benefit Central Oregon Non Profit, ensuring the future of local food for our community..”

Kids’ Entrepreneur Holiday Market
2025-12-14 13:00 - 16:00 | OR
The Kids’ Entrepreneur Market is an entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market, for ages 7-17 to learn entrepreneurship by creating and selling their own products and services. This is a real-world experience that allows children to be creative, build confidence, learn skills beyond the classroom – and above all, have fun! Handmade gifts, artisan crafts, artwork, food, drinks, jewelry, and more. Come support young entrepreneurs in our community! FREE to attend. $15-$30 to participate.

DATE: Sunday, Dec. 14
TIME: 1-4pm
LOCATION: Elks Lodge 63120 Boyd Acres Rd, Bend, OR 97701 541-389-7438

Tribal Sovereignty and Water: Tribal Perspectives in the Deschutes Basin
2025-12-15 17:30 - 18:00 | OR
Date: 12/15/25
Venue: Worthy Brewing Company
Time: Doors open at 5:30 pm, program starts at 6 pm
Cost: Free with optional donation
The Deschutes River Conservancy is honored to host an evening led by Tribal representatives sharing their perspectives on water, restoration, and resilience in the Deschutes Basin. The discussion will explore how Tribal priorities and leadership guide efforts to heal and sustain the river system—and how collaboration can support long-term balance across the Basin.

January 8th Forum: Slippery Slopes - Why Oregon’s Recreation Industry Is on Thin Ice
2026-01-08 08:00 - 09:30 | Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, 2600 Northwest College Way, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join for the First Forum of 2026!
Oregon’s outdoor recreation world is hitting a serious crunch. Unenforceable liability waivers are sending insurance premiums soaring, impacting ski areas, rafting guides, gyms, and the small businesses that keep our adventure culture alive.
Join City Club of Central Oregon on January 8 for a clear look at what’s happening, who’s affected, and what solutions are on the table.
Featuring:
• David Byrd, National Ski Areas Association
• Jordan Elliott, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
• Tate Metcalf, Sisters Athletic Club
• Rep. Emerson Levy, House District 53
Forum Details:
Thursday, January 8, 2026
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Central Oregon Community College, Coats Campus Center, Wille Hall
If you ski, bike, climb, paddle, or just care about the future of Oregon’s recreation economy, this forum is a must-attend.
REGISTER HERE

JOIN or DIE documentary: free screening
2026-01-10 13:30 - 16:00 | Downtown Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
How declining community engagement created an American civic crisis. This event is brought to you by Braver Angels of Central Oregon.

Join us for a Free Screening of the documentary JOIN or DIE!
Bravers Angels of Central Oregon invites you to the Redmond Library Community Room for an exclusive in-person event. Watch this captivating documentary that explores the power of unity and collaboration. Learn about the importance of coming together to overcome challenges and make a difference. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and gain a new perspective. See you there!
Contact us: braverangelscentraloregon@gmail.com

Repair Café with Redmond Library
2026-01-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Downtown Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States

Energize Bend January Social
2026-01-20 18:00 - 20:00 | OR
Connect, learn, organize!
Join the energize bend coalition at Podski food Cart Lot from 6-8pm on January 20th.
Movements are only as sustainable as the lives of the people in them, so here is to another year of joyful and connective organizing. As always, get in touch at info@energizebend.org if you have any thoughts you’d like to share.
Wanna join? Checkout the Gen Z partiful invite here: https://partiful.com/e/uTYozvaqWkckP7Jiv4oU?

When We Rise: My Life in the Movement with Cleve Jones
2026-01-20 18:30 - 21:30 | OR
Drawn from his critically acclaimed memoir, When We Rise, Cleve Jones will share his 50-year personal and political journey to becoming a hero for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Beginning with the electrifying atmosphere of 1970s San Francisco, he will take us through the Gay Liberation Movement, his mentorship with legendary Harvey Milk, the terrifying early years of the AIDS pandemic and his own rise to the forefront of activism as co-founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and AIDS Memorial Quilt. Speaking as both a witness to history and as one who critically shaped it, Jones will chronicle an era that forever changed both the fabric of our nation and the lives of millions of 2SLGBTQIA+ Americans.

Raising Chickens in Central Oregon
2026-01-21 18:00 - 19:00 | OR
This beginner-friendly presentation is your guide to raising chickens in Central Oregon’s unique climate.
Learn how to choose the best breeds, design appropriate housing, and keep your flock healthy and thriving year-round. Whether you’re aiming for fresh eggs, meat, or charming backyard company, you’ll leave this presentation feeling confident and ready to start your poultry journey.
Register at bit.ly/chickensinco
Event inquiries can be sent to: info@worthygardenclub.org

Pints & Politics
2026-01-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Broken Top Bottle Shop, 1740 NW Pence Ln #1, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You’re invited to kick off 2026 with our first Pints & Politics of the year! Join us in Bend for a night of great conversation, community, and conservation action!

WHEN: Thursday, January 22nd from 5:30 – 7:30 PM
WHERE: Broken Top Bottle Shop in Bend, OR

We have an incredible lineup planned. Sierra Club Oregon will lead a hands-on civic engagement training and share ways to get involved in the legislative process. Think Wild will provide an update on OCN’s top priorities, the 1.25% for Wildlife. Special Guest Senator Anthony Broadman will join us to preview the upcoming short session and talk about key conservation efforts at the state level.
This will be the first Pints & Politics of 2026 since the relaunch, and we’re so excited to bring together local nonprofits, advocates, and community members for an evening of inspiration and connection. So grab a friend and come hang out with us at Broken Top Bottle Shop! Make sure you RSVP to save your spot. Make sure you RSVP here to join us!
If you have any questions, simply reply to this email. I hope to see you all there!

When the Impossible Become Possible: A first hand account of what it takes to complete the World’s Toughest Row
2026-01-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Embark, 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Please join AdventurUs, SheJumps, and Between Evergreens, for the fourth annual Bend Women’s Speaker Series – “Empowering Women Through Adventure” at Embark Coworking Community.
We are so excited to kick off our speaker series with local Kristen Hofer, one of the 4 women on the Hericane Rowing team. Her sister Jen joined our speaker series in March 2024, before the trip happened, and now we get to hear how this adventure went! Get ready to be inspired by a tale of teamwork, inner strength, and what it means to achieve something beyond your wildest dreams.
From Kristen: In the Summer of 2024 I was a part of a 4-women team that raced in the World’s Toughest Row, a 2,800 mile unsupported row from California to Hawaii. Our team spent 2 years training physically and mentally, learning new skills, building a campaign, and pushing ourselves beyond what we ever thought was possible; all before even making it to the starting line. I want to share my story of deciding to take on this challenge with no previous rowing experience, overcoming my own fear and self doubt, and how I found sources of strength in myself, my community, and the strong women who inspire me.

Our team set out on June 8, 2024 and together we faced extreme weather, sleep deprivation, equipment failure, and so much more. On July 19th 2024, we finished our mid-pacific crossing in 40 days, 22 hours, and 14 minutes, all while raising $35,000 for Planned Parenthood.
EVENT Overview
When: 🗓️ Tuesday, January 27th, 6:30-7:30pm (Doors open @ 6pm)
Where: 📍Embark Coworking Community – 2843 NW Lolo Drive, Bend
Beverages provided by our friends at Crux

Brilliant Beavers: Cultivating Climate Resilience
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:00 | OR
Join us at Oregon Natural Desert Association’s first online event of the 2026 High Desert Speaker Series with an evening all about beavers. Come learn about the important role of beavers in helping wildlife adapt and ecosystems thrive in a changing climate with Dr. Emily Fairfax, Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota and beaver researcher.
Dr. Fairfax will elaborate on how beavers support a healthy environment, particularly their ability to retain precious desert water and combat drought. She will also outline a natural history of beavers and why we should care about helping them recover their populations in Oregon’s high desert. Jefferson Jacobs, ONDA’s riparian restoration manager, will join to share how our stream restoration work is grounded in creating beaver habitat to support the health of the entire ecosystem.

Nature Nights: Central Oregon’s Stealthy Sierra Nevada Red Fox
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Sierra Nevada red fox may be one of the rarest mammals in North America—but don’t tell it that. This elusive, mountain-loving carnivore has a knack for showing up only when it feels like it…which is not often. Join Deschutes Land Trust and Jamie Bowles, Regional Habitat Biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and unofficial “fox whisperer,” for a lively dive into what we’re learning about these high-elevation Houdinis. Jamie will share new findings on where the foxes roam, what habitats they actually prefer (versus the ones they let us find), and why studying them often involves snow, patience, and the occasional sense of humor. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of the fox’s status in the Central Cascades, a few behind-the-scenes field stories, and a renewed appreciation for one of Oregon’s most charming and frustratingly stealthy animals. This presentation is free, but you must get your ticket online.

Energize Bend Public Comment Workshop
2026-02-04 16:30 - 18:30 | 805 SW Industrial Way 5, Bend, OR
In a time when our government has hardly been more dysfunctional, kick off February with a healthy dose of civic engagement 🙂‍↔️
We are working to pass a Climate Pollution Fee with the City of Bend. Join the Energize Bend team to learn about how this fee would be passed, and how to make a public comment. After our workshop, we will go to City Council and make our comments! You can expect pizza, learn what a public comment is, how to write a testimony, and right after the workshop, we encourage you to join us at City Hall and put your new skills into practice! Need more knowledge on Energize Bend? Check us out!
Can’t join us but want to sign the petition? https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/pass-a-climate-impact-fee

Mountainfilm on Tour - Bend: Night One
2026-02-06 17:30 - 21:30 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us for Mountainfilm on Tour – Bend—an annual fundraiser for The Environmental Center.
Each year, The Environmental Center brings Mountainfilm on Tour to Bend to showcase incredible documentary films, thoughtfully curated for our Central Oregon audience. This film event features stories of adventure, climate change, culture, and resilience from around the world.

Doors open at 5:30pm, films begin at 6:30pm.
Same lineup both nights
All films will be captioned in English.
ASL interpretation will be available both evenings.

BLACK HISTORY EMPOWERMENT RETREAT
2026-02-07 09:00 - 14:00 | COCC Redmond, 2324 NE College Lp, Redmond, OR, 97756 , United States
A student-led retreat — with breakfast and lunch provided — that explores creativity and resilience, wellness, and personal branding/business acumen. Includes a powerful conversation with OSU-Cascades’ Human Development professor Shandell Landon. *Priority registration for students

Moutainfilm on Tour-Bend: Night Two
2026-02-07 17:30 - 21:30 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States

FILM SCREENING: TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM
2026-02-10 18:00 - 20:30 | Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, 2600 Northwest College Way, Bend, OR, 97703, United States
An intimate portrait of Toni Morrison, Nobel- and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, editor and cultural force, from her upbringing in Lorain, Ohio, to the front lines of activism. Stay for a rich discussion led by COCC English professor/Humanities chair Stephanie André

Forged in Fire: The Volcanic Activity that Shaped Oregon’s High Desert
2026-02-11 07:00 - 20:00 | OR
Oregon Natural Desert Association’s High Desert Speaker Series continues as we uncover the dynamic geologic forces that created eastern Oregon’s stunning landscapes. Dr. Ellen Bishop, author, photographer and geologist, will discuss a recent geological discovery linking the formation of Oregon’s high desert rock formations with the Yellowstone hotspot. Come learn more about how iconic high desert sites came to be, including Steens Mountain, the Owyhee Canyonlands and many others, in this photography-rich and visually engaging presentation.

Nature Nights: Caring for Our Rivers and Streams
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:30 | OR
Streams and their surrounding lands are critical to Central Oregon’s plants and animals, from trees and flowers to elk and the tiniest bugs. This is just one reason the Deschutes Land Trust has a deep focus on caring for and restoring the streams and meadows on lands that we’ve protected. Join our own Restoration Specialist, Jason Grant, as he discusses the importance of streams and floodplains, the efforts the Land Trust and our partners are undertaking to promote long-term strength of those habitats through restoration, what results we’ve seen so far, and how these results inform future projects. Jason will share how our collective work can ensure these essential habitats are thriving long into the future. This presentation is free and ticket sales open one month prior to the event.

VIRTUAL

Everyday Revolution: Building a World of Respect, Ijeoma headshotDignity and Liberation
2026-02-24 18:30 - 21:00 | OR
Join acclaimed author and speaker Ijeoma Oluo for a powerful keynote conversation on transforming the world through everyday action. Drawing from her latest book, Be a Revolution, Oluo will challenge us to reimagine activism—not as a distant ideal, but as a daily commitment to respect, dignity and liberation. This event will celebrate the transformative power of everyday people working toward justice—and invites us all to take part in creating lasting, nonviolent change.

How Water Moves Through Central Oregon: From Snowpack to Streams, Farms, and Faucets
2026-02-25 18:00 | OR
This Raise the Deschutes seminar explores the basics of how water flows through Central Oregon, from precipitation and winter snowpack to rivers, groundwater, farms, and municipal systems. We’ll break down the differences between surface water and groundwater, why timing matters as much as volume, and how seasonal conditions shape water availability across the basin. Designed as an accessible, big-picture overview, this conversation provides shared context for understanding water challenges and opportunities in Central Oregon—now and into the future.
