The Environmental Center

Webcast: Knowing Oregon's Bees
2020-06-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Knowing Oregon’s Bees
From wilderness areas to urban backyards, bees are always underfoot yet often unseen. With over 500 species, Oregon’s bees play a crucial and often invisible role in the pollination of our native flora, and an even less appreciated role in the productivity of our home gardens and industrial farms. Despite their importance, relatively little is currently known about which species live here, where they live, and how they make their living. A lack of baseline data presents challenges for assessing the health of Oregon’s bees, and a lack of public awareness inhibits successful intervention on behalf of declining species.
In this talk, August Jackson will present a vividly illustrated exploration of the diversity of Oregon’s bee species, their varied life histories, and examples of their relationships with our native flora. Getting to know our native bees is the first step to seeing them everywhere you go, and to appreciate the vital role they play in our ecosystem.
Chandra LeGue, Oregon Wild’s Western Oregon Field Coordinator, will also talk about how past and current forest management – from salvage logging to aerial spraying – harms native pollinators, and how efforts to protect and restore Oregon’s diverse forests and wildland habitat benefits them.

Black Lives Matter Rural Strategy Session
2020-06-24
As we keep showing up to demand that Black lives are given the dignity they deserve, we are also upholding democracy. We’re taking our demands to our city councils. We are calling our local police departments to hold them accountable for arresting peaceful protesters and not the armed white supremacists trying to threaten people into silence. We are writing letters to the editor in our newspapers and spreading the word on social media to make it clear that these protests are not being called for by outsiders coming to our towns to spread discord–they are coming from those of us who live and work and raise our families in these communities and who believe that every person should be able to do the same without fear.

Summer Bees and Plants
2020-06-25
Join Beyond Toxics for a lesson about native bees and a virtual native plant tour! August Jackson (Mount Pisgah Arboretum) will give us a brief look at some of Oregon’s bee species that thrive in the heat of summer, and discuss what you can do to support them in your area. Then Kelsey Irvine (City of Eugene) will take us on a virtual tour the Native Plant Nursery in Alton Baker Park and show us some blooming native pollinator plants to support these heat-loving summer bees! There will be time for Q&A at the end.

Bend COTA Work Events
2020-06-25, 2020-07-02
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.

ACLU of Oregon Pride Webinar
2020-06-25
Join ACLU of Oregon clients, staff, and ally organizations for an online gathering to discuss the work in Oregon to ensure that LGBTQ+ people have their identities, relationships, and families respected and receive fair treatment at school and on the job. Plus, we will provide updates on advocacy initiatives and ACLU cases, including the current Supreme Court cases that will impact the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Our panelists will also explore what it means to build safe and inclusive spaces.

Remarkable Desert Rivers
2020-06-25
Why do you value wild rivers? Join Oregon Natural Desert Association for a short video screening and a thoughtful dialogue between Chad Brown of Soul River, Inc. and ONDA’s Gena Goodman-Campbell as they share personal reflections on the value of remarkable desert rivers. Then, Gena will introduce us to some lesser-known streams, rivers and lakes that are worth conserving in a unique opportunity to protect more waterways across Oregon’s high desert!
This is a digital event, which you can live-stream from the comfort of your home. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to join, so register now.

Our new life in the time of coronavirus
2020-06-25
A small group of experts from our community will answer your questions about the coronavirus, its impact on our community, and provide valuable information to help you to adapt and stay healthy, and continue to navigate these challenging times.
*The event will be in Spanish only.
Participants:
Kathya Avila Choquez, Latino Community Specialist at Bend Parks and Rec.
Kathya will be leading the conversation and answering questions you have about recreational activities.
Jason Villanueva, Community Health Worker at Mosaic Medical
Jason will answer your questions about helpful community resources for basic needs– from food and jobs to medical insurance.
Kimberly Rojas, Registered Nurse at Mosaic Medical
Kim will answer your medical questions and share ways we can stay healthy.
Siloe Castaneda, Mental Health Therapist at Best Care
Siloe will answer your questions about how to manage stress and anxiety and share some wellness strategies.
You can connect via FaceBook:
https://www.facebook.com/combatcovidco/
or on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaO7N-7aWyK5iJN3YgTU5Pg

InFARMation: Pasture to Plate - Breaking Down Small Scale Meat Processing
2020-06-25
Join Friends of Family Farmers to hear from farmers and processors about the ins and outs of small scale processing options in Oregon, how the pandemic has impacted small farmers and ranchers, and what the state is doing about it.

You Belong Here Virtual Celebration
2020-06-27
Join Camp Fire for an online celebration of belonging! Learn from young people about the power of affirming adults in their lives and the impact that it has had on their ability to have a positive identity.

Willing Workers On Local Farms
2020-06-28
Willing Workers On Local Farms (WWOLF) WWOLF is a community program of Central Oregon Locavore Non-Profit with the goal of lending a hand to small farmers while educating the community about the true nature of local food.

Peaceful Sit-In Black Lives Matter Protest
2020-06-28
Join us in Prineville, Oregon for a peaceful sit in Black Lives Matter protest. This is a gathering for peace, education, friendship, and Justice! There will be no speeches or live music at this event, this will be a peaceful sit in with chanting. Please bring your signs, chairs/blankets and voices. We are in this together.
There will be water and snacks provided. You are more than welcome to bring extra supplies such as food/water and a first aid kit. If you are coming with the intentions of being violent, this is not for you. Allies and Allied groups are welcome and invited, but only on the premise that they come to support the Black Lives Matter Movement!
Physical distancing will be practiced. Please bring face masks, or other face covering if possible.

Forest Explorers Summer Camp
2020-06-29 - 2020-07-02, 2020-06-30 - 2020-07-03, 2020-07-01 - 2020-07-04, 2020-07-02 - 2020-07-05
We’re excited for some summer fun in the forest! We will learn about natural history, explore the forest, create shelters, and splash in Tumalo Creek. The health & safety of our participants and staff is our top priority. We hope the fresh air, exercise, learning, and interacting will help students feel refreshed and joyful! Sign up today before we’re full.
Currently, we have space for:
June 29-July 2 *Space for 3 more campers in older group
Ages: 6-10 years
Cost: $180/child or $125/child for 2+siblings
Where: Skyliner Lodge – 16125 Skyliners Road, Bend, OR

Love Your Neighbor Virtual Forum
2020-06-29
Explore the racial unrest underway across the U.S. with a panel of Central Oregonians of color at this Love Your Neighbor forum.
Members of the panel will share their perspectives on race relations, and include audience participation to look at ways to advance racial justice locally and nationally.

Farmers Connecting with Other Farmers
2020-06-29
FoFF’s warmly invites producers to join their Virtual Farmer Chats, July 13th and 27th from 7:30 to 9:00pm, where they will continue to discuss Racial and Food Justice. FoFF’s creates a space for farmers to talk with each other about how we can dismantle the mechanisms that oppress our fellow farmers, neighbors, and friends. All farmers, ranchers and farmworkers are welcome.

Who Drives Electric Vehicles?
2020-06-30
Live Q&A with EV Driver, Apartment dweller and commuter Amy Mitchell
Oregon is experiencing a boom in new electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Let’s get to know some of our co-workers, neighbors, and members of our central Oregon community that have made the shift to driving electric. Our broad community of EV drivers all have different needs and are excited to share their unique perspectives on driving on electricity.

Removing Snake River Dams
2020-06-30
Join Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads for a special online presentation! Learn how removing outdated dams on the Lower Snake River can help revive declining salmon populations and let salmon once again spawn freely up the Columbia River and its tributaries. Make sure you register in order to receive a link to the presentation!

Happy Hour in the Garden Slowly Reopens
2020-06-30, 2020-07-07
Our Garden Team has kicked off Happy Hour in the Garden. Join us every Tuesday, 4-6pm, through September 1st.
Here are our new COVID-10 guidelines, which we also have posted on our task board in the garden.
Volunteering in the Garden COVID Guidelines:

There will be a maximum of 8 volunteers (we do not have an RSVP set up for this at this time)
Please BYO (bring your own) gloves & hand tools (if you have them)
I will have other sanitized tools available for use if needed
Please bring a can coozie. Our donated beverages will be in cans and bottles this year, coozie will help you to identify yours.
Please maintain 6′ social distancing rules
Please bring your face masks to wear when 6′ can’t be maintained for a project
If you bring kids, they must be supervised and able to follow other garden guidelines
Garden Team will be: sanitizing tools, pens, and picnic table before and after use
We will have hand washing station and hand sanitizer available for use. Please use them!
Don’t come if you, anyone in your household, or anyone you have come in contact with has had any symptoms in the last 72 hours.

Every 4 weeks we’ll have another sponsor. Thanks to Humm Kombucha, Worthy Garden Club, 10 Barrel, Deschutes Brewery & Boneyard Beer for coming on board again this year!

Parenting Happy Hour
2020-06-30
Join Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation for parenting happy hour via Zoom!
Share tips, stories, or commiserate on how you got through the weirdest school/daycare year on record and how you are managing summer time off for kids. There will be space for other hot topics like how we are talking about racism with our kids. Hosted by Womxn in Conservation parents: Sarah Mowry and Megan Hill (who are still recovering from the school year! ? ). Grab your favorite beverage and join Womxn in Conservation!

VIRTUAL TREE YOGA
2020-06-30
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Maret Pajutee for a meditative evening of Tree Yoga from the comfort of your own home. Find your personal ponderosa pine (or other comfortable yoga space) and use it to help you stretch both body and mind with Tree Yoga! Maret will guide you through gentle movements and meditation to help ground you and reconnect to the healing power of nature. Bring a yoga mat, chair, towel or blanket, a cup of tea, and your computer or phone to your favorite room, deck, or garden space. Take a break and rejuvenate with Land Trust volunteer Maret Pajutee, tree lover and local yoga teacher. Suitable for all ages.

Protest for Equality in Education
2020-07-01

CLIMATE CHANGE IN CENTRAL OREGON
2020-07-01
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Fiona Noonan to learn about climate change impacts and solutions in Central Oregon from the comfort of your home. Discuss climate science, the effects of climate change on natural systems, and the ways that conservation can combat rising temperatures and shifting habitats. Learn about the Land Trust’s climate change strategy and the ways you can make a difference on your own! Then you’ll have a chance to ask your own climate change questions during a during a question and answer session.

The Snake River: Hope & Opportunity at the Tipping Point
2020-07-01
Northeast Oregon is home to America’s deepest canyon and the longest recorded habitation by humans. Learn about the importance of the Snake River to indigenous people, wildlife, and generations of battles to protect and restore it from a diverse group of multigenerational advocates.
Oregon is home to North America’s deepest Canyon. That’s right. Hells Canyon – which marks much of the boundary between Oregon and Idaho – is even deeper than the Grand! Connecting Yellowstone to the Columbia, the Snake is an artery of life through some of America’s wildest and most diverse landscapes. The watershed is also home to the oldest current evidence of human habitation in America. The Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) have been here for over 16,000 years.
The Snake once hosted abundant salmon runs and gave life to people and wildlife alike. It still plays an important role, but has been fought over and degraded for decades. Things may be about to change. Learn about the river’s importance to indigenous people, the successful battles to keep parts of the river wild and free, and current efforts to free the Snake!

Racial Injustice and the Tools of Civility: A Central Oregon Perspective
2020-07-02
During this livestream, Erika McCalpine and Zak Boone, co-Chairs of City Club’s Civility Project, will facilitate a conversation with two Black men, Marcus LeGrand and Rob Garrott, about their personal experiences living in Central Oregon; especially during these times of racial unrest.
In addition, panelists will speak to Police Chief Jim Porter to learn what the Bend Police Department is doing to ensure the departments’ encounters with Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOCs) in Central Oregon are safe.

Bike for BLM
2020-07-04
Show up. Spread the word. Bike/march/skate for equality.

Know Your Rights
2020-07-06
