The Environmental Center

2022 Green Tour
2022-09-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On the Green Tour, you’ll see real-world solutions that reduce energy use, increase solar production, and contribute to a more livable community right here in Central Oregon.
The benefits of green buildings are often invisible to consumers or feel unattainable to the average person living in Central Oregon and that’s why your neighbors, who are passionate about their projects, are opening up their doors to share their stories with you so that we can all learn about what is possible together. The Green Tour will educate and illuminate how high performance structures can be healthier, more cost effective, and more impactful building options. This event will demonstrate a range of creative solutions from a variety of local innovators, from zero energy home enthusiasts to DIYers to backyard gardeners.
This year we are offering 10 sites, including two upscale net zero homes, a handful of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), low-income community housing, and even an urban garden!
We will send you the tour map and a link to the digital guide the week of the event. Tour guides will be available in The Source from 9/15 – 9/21.
*Meet at The Environmental Center at 16 NW Kansas Ave at 1pm to visit sites via a guided bike tour with Bend Bikes!
**Also at TEC will be an e-mobility showcase, where you can learn more about and test ride the latest EVs on the market with Forth Mobility.
REGISTER TO ATTEND

Central Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit
2022-09-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Connecting Central Oregon Communities

The Central Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit brings together Central Oregon residents, transportation planners, city and county officials, and experts from around the state to review what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done to make walking, bicycling, and using transit safe, comfortable, and accessible for everyone in Central Oregon. Since the summit started in 2011 it has been held in communities all across Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes counties. We hope to see you there!
Topics for 2022

Community pedestrian and bicycle updates
Transportation Equity
Active transportation and community health
Safe Routes to School
e-Bikes
Safe routes between communities

Program
Available online here or by email request to bpac@deschutes.org
Lunch
There are several lunch options within a short walk from the event location
After-event Walking Tour
There will be short (~40 minutes) walking and biking tours of Redmond bike and pedestrian facilities starting at 1:40 from City Hall. Bring your walking shoes and join us.
Carpools
Want to save gas? Help the environment? Make new friends? To host or join a carpool from your location check out Get There Connect.
REGISTER

Bend COTA Work Events
2022-09-29, 2022-10-06, 2022-10-13, 2022-10-20 | 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.

Lecture Series: Coexistence and Regeneration
2022-09-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join for the final installment of the 2022 Coexistence and Regeneration Lecture Series, presented by Pine Meadow Ranch for Arts and Agriculture and The Roundhouse Foundation. Speakers will share the transformative, regenerative and collaborative forces at play in today’s environment, specifically surrounding wildfire. Speakers include Ken van Rees, Marko Bey, Belinda Brown, Mike Hayward, and Alyssa Cudmore.
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Wild & Scenic Film Festival
2022-09-30 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Oregon Natural Desert Association presents the Wild & Scenic Film Festival! Join ONDA for an evening of short films showcasing our earth’s natural wonders and the amazing stories of activists working to conserve the environment.
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival will include an in-person show at the Tower Theatre as well as a virtual live-streaming show airing the same night. Join ONDA at the Tower Theatre for their lineup of the year’s best conservation films, or enjoy them streamed in HD from the comfort of your home.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2022-10-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us in our Kansas Avenue Learning Garden for our ongoing volunteer work party series. In 2022, volunteers contributed over 200 hours to help keep our learning garden maintained over the growing season. We couldn’t do it without you!
This event is open to all ages and gardening abilities! No experience or tools required. Beer and non-alcoholic beverages are provided for all who volunteer. Each event includes seasonal ongoing tasks as well as special projects as needed throughout the growing season. Volunteers are welcome to pop in for an hour or stay the whole time. No need to RSVP or commit ahead of time. (Pro tip – put the following dates in your phone calendar now – then when it pops up you can decide if it works out for you or not!)
In 2023, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October. This schedule throughout the extent of the growing season offers meaningful volunteer experiences for all who come, and deeper care for the garden when it needs it.
For Spring 2023, our Happy Hours will be 4-6pm, on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month.
March & April Happy Hours sponsored by Wild Ride Brewing

March 7 & 21
April 4 & 18

May & June Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

May 2 & 16
June 6 & 20

Stay tuned for confirmation of dates for July through October, as these might switch to the 2nd & 4th…)
Contact Denise, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

What Science is Discovering About Aging and Longevity
2022-10-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Longevity: the ambition of kings, super villains – and pretty much all of us who enjoy waking up each morning. It’s also become a focus for biotechnology companies interested in making a big impact on healthcare. At Dr. Jill Helms’ lab at Stanford, they are working on understanding why we age, and then translating that new knowledge into therapeutic strategies that slow the natural process. According to Dr. Helms, questions of this magnitude require “moonshot thinking” and some serious team science, both made possible by Stanford’s diverse environment.
Register here!

Fall Green Drinks
2022-10-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Green Drinks celebrating Latinx Heritage Month in partnership with Central Oregon Community College
Join us to learn and celebrate Latinx culture!
UPCYCLED PIÑATA MAKING WORKSHOPS In-Person Events
Wednesday, October 5, 5–7 pm. The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend
Space is limited for both in-person events, please RSVP to attend!
RSVP to latinx@cocc.edu
Join us to learn and celebrate Latinx culture!

2022 Go Clean Energy Conference
2022-10-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Live & Virtual at
Central Oregon Community College
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Individuals, businesses, & government discover opportunities in clean energy, efficiency, sustainability, electric mobility, and green jobs.

REGISTER HERE Before September 1 to get the GREAT Early Bird discount of $29!
Some business sessions have attendee restrictions (40 Max) & will be handled on a first come first served basis.

BendFilm Festival 2022
2022-10-06 - 2022-10-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
SAVE THE DATE! October 6-9 (in-person) and October 10-23 (virtual)
The BendFilm Festival has always been a place of connection and understanding. A place where we experience lives different from our own. Where we learn empathy, experiencing the world through others’ lives. Join BendFilm for their 19th BendFilm Festival in beautiful Bend, Oregon for four days of independent film, panel discussions, and the opportunity to connect with filmmakers and filmgoers.

Fall Green Drinks
2022-10-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Green Drinks celebrating Latinx Heritage Month in partnership with Central Oregon Community College
Join us to learn and celebrate Latinx culture!
UPCYCLED PIÑATA MAKING WORKSHOPS In-Person Events
Thursday, October 6, 5–7 pm. Redmond Campus Technology Education Center. 2030 SE College Loop, Redmond
Space is limited for both in-person events, please RSVP to attend!
RSVP to latinx@cocc.edu
Join us to learn and celebrate Latinx culture!

FungiFest & Mushroom Show
2022-10-08 10:00 - 15:00 | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Save the date for the 6th annual Sunriver Mushroom Show. Celebrate and learn about Oregon’s mushrooms through mushroom walks, cooking demonstrations, and hundreds of mushrooms on display. Stock up on fresh mushrooms and other edible mushroom products and check out local artists and vendors.

Bend School Garden Bike Tour
2022-10-08 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join The Environmental Center’s Garden for Every School program and Bend Bikes for a community bike tour visiting 3 school garden sites. We’ll start at the Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice Detention Facility to see designs and hear about their future plans for an outdoor garden. Then we will bike to Bend International School to visit their recently revamped school garden. Finally we will bike down OB Riley Road to visit Desert Sky Montessori School, where their garden committee has been working weekends building a school garden for this new school campus. We will loop back to the Juvenile Justice facility for those that need to leave a car there.
Our group ride, led by Bend Bikes, will travel at a casual pace with ride leaders at the front and back of the group so that no one is left behind! Our route will include a combination of neighborhood streets, low-traffic roads without bike lanes, and busier roads with marked bike lanes.There are sidewalks along some, but not all, the roadways. O.B. Riley is a known bike-route for recreational cyclists and has a dedicated (unprotected) bike lane but the speed limit is 35 miles per hour, which has earned it its designation as a route for riders of above-average skill. You can view the route here. Bike ride is 2.5 miles and will be limited to 25 bikers.
For those wanting to skip the bike ride and just come and hear about the school gardens, here is our tentative agenda:
2:10 – 2:25 Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice Detention Facility (15 min)
> 63360 NW Britta St, Bend, OR 97701
2:45 – 3:05 Bend International School (20 min)
> 63034 O. B. Riley Rd, Bend, OR 97703
3:20 – 3:50 Desert Sky Montessori School (30 min)
> 63175 O. B. Riley Rd, Bend, OR 97703
Bike ride limited to 25 people, register on Eventbrite by clicking the button below:
REGISTER
If you don’t have a bike, Bend Electric Bikes has offered to donate one to us for this tour.
Email denise for more details.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Observance
2022-10-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day we reflect upon the many contributions that Native peoples have made to this country. We honor our histories, cultures, languages, artistic creativity and so much more of our ancestors, elders and all others — including the generations yet to be born — who make up our nations and communities. The Museum will issue a special statement on the occasion of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, so please look for it in local and Oregon-wide news media outlets.
Photo: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ First Tribal Council,1928. Left to right: George Meachum, Isaac McKinley, Charley McKinley, Nathan Heath and Jackson Culps. Courtesy The Museum at Warm Springs.

Electrical Panel Upgrades - A key to scaling home electrification
2022-10-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
An overview of electrical panel solutions to supply the additional service needed for electrical heating, cooking and EV charging.

The Inflation Reduction Act - What's in it for you
2022-10-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The IRA is packed with incentives for home electrification, EVs, and more – find out how it will impact home retrofits and new construction.

Induction Cooking in Commercial Kitchens - The Future of Dining
2022-10-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Hear from professional chefs why induction is ideal for commercial kitchens for better cooking performance and a safer work environment.

(Rescheduled) Conservation Convo
2022-10-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
At this Conservation Convo, ONDA staff will offer brief presentations between 5:50pm and 6:00pm on their key campaigns and initiatives, and you will have opportunities to dive into the details and take action throughout the evening.
Complimentary cold beverages, including beer donated by Deschutes Brewery, and light snacks will be served to keep you fueled for conservation.
No RSVP needed for this in-person event. Join ONDA on 10/12, and feel free to bring a friend.

How to Electrify Equitably
2022-10-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Electrify Coalition as they profile programs to extend the benefits of electrification to low-income families.

Practical Solutions for Selecting & Installing Exterior Insulation
2022-10-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Josh Salinger of Birdsmouth Design-Build as he discusses the pros vs. cons of different exterior insulation approaches and practical in-field installation details. Gain key principles & practices to achieve durable and efficient wall design, including insulation strategies, product selection, and construction.

2022 Fall Ochoco Creek Clean-up
2022-10-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join SOLVE for the annual Ochoco Creek clean-up in Prineville. This cleanup is sponsored by Crook County Rotary Club, and Crook County Parks and Recreation District.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2022-10-18 16:00 - 18:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
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

Every Brain Needs Music: The Neuroscience of Music-Making and Listening
2022-10-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Dr. Larry Sherman will provide insights into some of the most exciting brain research in recent years – the connection between music, brain development and the ways music can prevent or delay brain aging and help patients with damage to the brain. In this interactive experience, Dr. Sherman will mix musical performances, humor and neuroscience to reveal the amazing connection between music and brain function.
Register here!

Repair Café in Sisters
2022-10-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us for our in-person Repair Café on Thursday, October 20, 5:30-7:30pm at The Deschutes Public Library in Sisters – 110 N Cedar St.
The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project coordinates with an amazing group of volunteer fixers to host Repair Cafés every few months. This will be the second in-person Repair Café in Central Oregon since 2020. These free events connect people with broken stuff to people who like to fix stuff – they’re all about repairing things (together). Stuff like, jewelry, small appliances and electronics, outdoor gear, clothing, and more. Repair Cafés are held around the world! Repairing with other people saves natural resources, prevents waste, and cultivates community. Learn more at envirocenter.org/tec-events/repair-cafe/
Not sure if it can be fixed? Bring it!
Contact: udara@envirocenter.org with questions or if you’re interested in being a volunteer fixer!

Community Conversation About Houselessness In Sisters
2022-10-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Houseless In Sisters: Exploring The Factors That Contribute To Houselessness In Sisters
Join for an in-person community conversation hosted at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Hall with panelists representing the Houseless Community, City of Sisters, Faith-Based Advocates, Deschutes Country, Sisters, Ranger District, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
Doors open at 5:30 pm for refreshments. The forum will start at 6:00 pm and conclude at 7:30 pm.

Design & Quality Control Best Practices for ERVs/HRVs
2022-10-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Waylon White of Earth Advantage & Alex Boetzel of Green Hammer Design Build as they cover the spectrum of Good, Better & Best practices when designing and QC’ing heat recovery ventilator (HRV) / energy recovery ventilator (ERV) systems. Gain practical and necessary solutions to help you streamline your design and building practices to ensure efficient, effective ventilation systems.

Transplanting Workshop: Native Flowers, Shrubs & Conifers
2022-10-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn how you can have hardy, native flowers, shrubs, conifers and groundcovers for your property with a free permit and proper training. This popular half-day workshop and hands-on field trip will show you how and where to successfully dig, as well as where to go in our National Forests to adopt local native plants for your yard. The instructor and guide, Lee Stevenson – a specialist in native landscaping and founder of Project Ponderosa – will also share where each of the species can be found. $50 per person, limited space
