The Environmental Center

The People vs. Agent Orange: virtual screening premier
2021-03-05 - 2021-03-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join in the nationwide virtual screening premier of The People vs. Agent Orange, March 5-18, 2021.
Synopsis: The Agent Orange catastrophe did not end with the Vietnam War. Today, the world over, a primary chemical of the toxic defoliant controls weeds in farming, forestry, parks, playgrounds… It wreaks havoc on the human genome, causing deformed births and deadly cancers. After decades of struggle and tragic personal losses, two heroic women are leading a worldwide movement to end the plague and hold the manufacturers accountable.
In France, Tran To Nga is suing the American chemical industry for poisoning her in Vietnam. In America, Carol Van Strum exposes the continuing use of toxic herbicides. Incriminating documents disappear. Activists are threatened. A helicopter technician secretly films the contamination of reservoirs, while a massive industrial cover-up goes on. Watch trailer here!
Tickets: $12/household – discounted tickets available for veterans and low income
After this content becomes available March 5th at 9:00 am PST, you’ll have 10 days to start watching. Once you begin, you’ll have 72 hours to finish watching. A link to a panel discussion with anti-herbicide activists will be made available after the film is watched.

Sunriver Nature Hike
2021-03-06
Spring is in the air, so gather your family and explore! During this naturalist guided hike you’ll journey through forest and meadow habitats to the river looking for signs of wildlife awakening with spring.
This family-friendly excursion requires walking along muddy trails. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Masks and social distancing are required for this hike.

Deschutes County Virtual Town Hall
2021-03-06
Join Rep. Jason Kropf and Commissioner Phil Chang for a town hall discussion about our county and state. This will be a great opportunity for Bend residents and constituents to learn more about the legislative process, ask questions, and discuss the issues that impact our communities in Deschutes County and all of Oregon.
The event will be hosted via Zoom on Saturday, March 6 at 11 a.m. Spanish language interpretation will be available during the event. Pre-registration is required.
Link can be found in English here: https://form.jotform.com/repjasonkropf/register_townhall
Enlace se puede encontrar en Español aquí: https://form.jotform.com/repjasonkropf/regstrese-a-la-reunion-municipal.

International Women’s Day: Honoring Indigenous Women as Change-makers in Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems
2021-03-08
In Canada and the United States, there are approximately 4.9 million Indigenous women. They are central in their cultures and societies as leaders and knowledge holders. Indigenous women’s leadership in fields including policy, law, medicine, food systems, research, land stewardship, nutritional health and food sovereignty are setting the course for current and future generations.
On International Women’s Day, join the FAO Liaison Office for North America and the Indigenous Peoples Unit for a webinar honoring Indigenous women of North America as change-makers in their work to achieve zero hunger and end malnutrition for their communities and globally.

International Women's Day, “Honoring our Matriarchs”
2021-03-08
The Papalaxsimisha Program in Warm Springs is putting on a virtual event in honor of International Women’s Day, “Honoring our Matriarchs,” featuring Jillene Joseph, KJ Quaid, Corinne Sams, and Se-ah-dom Edmo. Join zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86547105467

Building Power and Change for Native People with Savannah Romero
2021-03-08
The narrative about Native people in this country is laced with misconceptions, toxic stereotypes and systemic erasure. IllumiNative works to transform how Americans and key institutions think about and engage with Native peoples. Savannah Romero will discuss how IllumiNative is using research, narrative, and culture change strategies to disrupt invisibility and toxic misconceptions about Native peoples within diverse sectors of American society. Their work is moving hearts and minds while advancing justice and equity.
FREE and OPEN to the public but registration is required. Register here.

Muckboots in the Capitol: Legislative Happy Hour with FoFF’s Policy Director
2021-03-09, 2021-03-11
Join Amy Wong, FoFF’s Policy Director, to chat about the 2021 legislative session and the bills they will be supporting. Stayed tuned for more info…

Fire in Pacific Northwest Forests: Past, Present, and Future
2021-03-09
Oregon Fire is a powerful elemental force that is certainly dangerous to people and property across the Pacific Northwest. But does fire actually destroy our forests, or is it a vital ingredient of a healthy ecosystem? And how has the role of fire changed in the face of climate change?
These important questions are the subject of an upcoming free, four-part educational webinar series— “Fire in Pacific Northwest Forests: Past, Present, and Future”—presented by Great Old Broads for Wilderness (“Broads”) and hosted by the Rogue Valley, Cascade Volcanoes, Willamette Valley, and Central Oregon Bitterbrush chapters.
These Zoom-based webinars, featuring expert forest and wildfire scientists and practitioners, will take a closer look at the historical role of fire in the Pacific Northwest’s forested landscapes, and how that role has changed with human management.
The second session: “When the Smoke Clears: Natural Regeneration and Post-Fire Management in Our Forests”—Participants will explore how fires lead to natural regeneration of forests, how human management after a fire impacts this process, and what implications this has for biodiversity, natural ecosystems, and our climate.
These sessions are free and open to all, but space is limited. Broads kindly asks for a suggested $10 donation to support their continued on-the-ground grassroots advocacy work.
A Spanish-translated video of highlights from each webinar will be available in April. Contact katya@greatoldbroads.org directly for further information.

Garden Educator Network Virtual Event
2021-03-10
Gardening With Students During Covid-19:
Hear from 2 local teachers sharing how they continued garden-based learning virtually last spring and in-person this fall. Come with your Covid-19 related questions and concerns. There will be time for Q&A and general resource and idea sharing. Contact denise to get a Google Meet event link. We realize there are varying schedules across schools and school districts, so we will be recording this event. If you cannot attend and have a question you would like to see answered during the event, please email denise
Presenters:
Emily Sample, Behavior Intervention Assistant, StepUp in Redmond
About the school: StepUp supports students through a trauma-informed lens in their growth of social and emotional skills, while helping ready them for being successful on their home campuses. They also have a youth transition program that services ages 18-21.
Lauren Rhoderick, Art Teacher & Garden Coordinator, Powell Butte Community Charter School
About the school: PBCCS is committed to engaging students in meaningful and relevant local issues. We strive to provide a variety of outdoor educational opportunities and to collaborate with local business partners. PBCCS curriculum is specifically designed to promote inquiry, exploration and expeditionary learning.
Agenda Outline:
2:00 Welcome! Quick intro in the chat, group polls
2:05 – Share agenda, intro presenters and topic
2:10 – Gardening with students virtually, with Emily Sample, StepUp
2:25 – Gardening with students in person, with Lauren Rhoderick, Powell Butte Community Charter School
2:40 – Q&A for our speakers
2:55 – Open space for resource sharing, and general group questions
3:10 – Announcements, wrap up

Womxn in Conservation: Lunchtime Chat
2021-03-11
Join Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation for a virtual lunchtime chat with one of their own Central Oregon womxn leaders–Kate Fitzpatrick, the new executive director of the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC). Prior to becoming the executive director, Kate was a program manager for the DRC for 15 years where she led the multi-stakeholder collaborative Basin Study Work Group. During this event, you will hear Kate talk about how she decided to apply for the executive director role, the application and interview process, and leadership throughout her career. Bring your questions and your lunch.

Conversational Vulnerability-Building Trust to have Difficult Conversations
2021-03-11
How do we speak our own opinions without getting into a yelling match? Can we hold respect for others even when we don’t respect their ideals? Is it possible to have hard conversations that build relationships instead of breaking them? Dr. Rev. Steven Koski is going to try and help answer these hard questions, and help build a relational communication tool box.

Bend COTA Work Events
2021-03-11, 2021-03-18
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.

Two-Eyed Seeing: Hawai'ian Indigenous Astronomy & NASA Moon to Mars
2021-03-12
Join for an exciting live show on Hawai’ian Indigenous Astronomy including the revitalization of Wayfinding and traditional Hawai’ian methods of navigation. Students from the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences will present their research which will include a place-based activity, “Make Your Own Hawai’ian Star Compasses” and essential understanding of the Hawaiian Star Families. Also an important discussion on the parallel between the Indigenous Hawai’ian process of choosing a crew and the NASA process used for the Artemis Moon mission (2024) and later the Mars mission (2030’s), both grounded in similar missions of exploration but employing different technologies.

Osher Lifelong Learning Open House
2021-03-15 - 2021-03-19
Join OLLI-UO From Your Home for a Week of Program Offerings!
OLLI-UO is now virtual! They offer thought-provoking lectures, discussions, and study groups for adults 50 and better. Their classes are offered via Zoom right now, and invite you to join for a sample of their programming.
Attend one session—or all!
Monday, March 15–Friday, March 19, 2021
The event is free and open to the public; however, advanced registration is required. Participants are asked to register only once for the week. Please note: Zoom links for each session will be sent out day before each session. Please register to get onto their email list.

Rise Above Plastic Pollution Day
2021-03-15
This year we’re celebrating Rise Above Plastic Pollution Day on March 15th! Join us to celebrate and rally around solutions to the plastic crisis and hear from Oregon leaders like State Representative Janeen Sollman and Senator Jeff Merkley on the importance of taking action to reduce plastic pollution.

In 2019, when Governor Kate Brown first proclaimed RAPP Day, the Governor also pledged to “be a smart shopper” by purchasing fruits and veggies that are not wrapped in plastic.

What action will you take on Oregon’s third Rise Above Plastic Pollution Day?

Join Surfrider Foundation, Environment Oregon, Oceana, and some very special guests to learn more about what we can do as a State to protect our environment and communities from plastic pollution.

Register at https://rise-above-plastic-pollution-2021.eventbrite.com

How to Go Solar webinar
2021-03-16
As we enjoy some extra warm and sunny weather here in Oregon, learn more about how to start your journey towards solar energy!
At the How to Go Solar workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to know to feel confident adding solar to your home or business.
Lauren Williamsenviro

Webcast: Inside the (virtual) Oregon Legislative session
2021-03-17
Every other year the Oregon Legislature convenes a “regular session” – meeting for five months to consider thousands of bills on hundreds of topics. The pandemic has turned this year’s “regular” session into anything but a regular affair, with the capital closed and almost all legislative business switched to a remote environment.
The silver lining of this digital legislative session is that it’s actually made some aspects of participating in the legislative process easier for the average Oregonian. If you live in Wallowa County or Central Oregon, you can skip the multi-hour drive to Salem and testify on issues that matter to you from the comfort of your couch. And with numerous bills proposed that either protect or harm Oregon’s forests, wildlife, and waters, we need educated and activated Oregonians to weigh in. But where to start?
Luckily, Oregon Wild staff are ready to give you the full scoop on a slate of bills that impact Oregon’s natural treasures. They’ll cover it all. The good (protecting beavers from trapping). The bad (killing predators). The ugly (OFRI!). And the bizarre (trust us, it’s the Oregon Legislature…there is plenty of bizarre).

OSU Science Pub: Climate Change Impacts Around (the) Bend
2021-03-17
March 17, 2021 | 6-7:30 P.M. | Virtual Event
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS AROUND (THE) BEND

Larry O’Neill, Associate Professor, OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences; OSU Climatologist
Larger and more frequent wildland fires, smoke severe enough to threaten air quality, and drought are signs of how climate change is changing the U.S. West. But how will a changing climate impact us here in Central Oregon? Join OSU climatologist Larry O’Neill to understand how a continuing drought and shrinking snowpack might impact future water availability issues, how weather patterns may increase rain in the region, and how temperatures and lightning storms may shape the severity of future wildfires.

Nature Night-Reciprocity with the Natural World
2021-03-17
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer for a talk on our connections with the natural world. Drawing upon both scientific and indigenous knowledge, Dr. Kimmerer will explore the idea of reciprocity, how we might use the gifts of the Earth, and the responsibilities that humans have to support the mutual thriving of ourselves and the world around us.
***This virtual event is free and registration is required. Registration for this event will open on February 17th.***

A Sense of Place: Indigenous Perspectives on Earth and Sky, Featuring Dr. Henrietta Mann
2021-03-18
Registration is now open for webinar “A Sense of Place: Indigenous Perspectives of Earth and Sky,” featuring Dr. Henrietta Mann.
Dr. Henrietta Mann, Tsetsehestaestse (Cheyenne) was Director/Professor in Native American Studies at the University of Montana, Missoula for some 28 years. In 2000 she became the first individual to occupy the Katz Endowed Chair in Native American Studies at Montana State University, Bozeman where she is Professor Emerita, and was Special Assistant to the President from 2003-2016. She is the founding President of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College. In 1991, Rolling Stone Magazine named Dr. Mann as one of the ten leading professors in the nation.
Space is limited to 1000 people, so reserve your spot now!

Global Climate Strike: Central Oregon
2021-03-19
Join youth and environmental groups locally and across the world in the Global Climate Strike to demand action on the climate crisis!
Climate change has only gotten worse. In the past years of inaction and denial, the crisis has become more severe than ever before and is already affecting our lives and communities. With a new administration, it is now more important than ever to remind our legislators that we are still here.
Join to renew demands for cleaner energy, renewable practices, and a sustainable future for the next generation!
Please keep in mind–masks and physical distancing are required for this event.
https://www.facebook.com/deschutesycc
1033 NW Wall St

Springtime Bird Walk
2021-03-20
Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation will be ringing in springtime with some downtown birding. Join at Drake Park amphitheater for a physically-distanced, masks-on stroll to hang out with some local feathered friends. Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation welcome birders of all skill levels and backgrounds. If you have a pair of binoculars, bring them. If you don’t, COWC may have one or two sanitized pairs to share, and you can also scope many birds just fine with your naked eye.
If you would like to nerd out and study up on your birds beforehand, feel free to check out this Spotify playlist of birds you might encounter.

Virtual Lecture: Equinox and the Seasons
2021-03-20
Celebrate the spring equinox with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory while learning about the seasons and humanity’s ties to the Earth’s relationship with the Sun. Discover how ancient cultures created calendars and marked significant dates such as solstices and equinoxes, and how modern society studies seasonal changes and natural cycles of the Earth and Sun.

OLCV Book Club: Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb
2021-03-22
OLCV’s Environmental Book Club is back for 2021!
Whether or not you’ve attended their past meetings, OLCV invites you to join their next bookn club—Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb. In this creative non-fiction book, Goldfarb explores the profound impact that beavers have on our world, from wetland creation, to salmon health, to drought prevention, to fighting climate change. Eager looks back at how the decline of beavers has changed landscapes worldwide, and how activists—called ‘Beaver Believers’—are working to restore this influential species to its former glory.

U.S. Food Infrastructure and Hunger: Lessons from COVID-19 Crisis, Guidance for the Future
2021-03-23
Join the Alliance to End Hunger, and a panel of experts from agriculture, food infrastructure, and hunger relief sectors for a discussion on how you can be better prepared for future shocks by taking concrete actions today.

Toxics Free Schools - HB 2406 - Deep Dive
2021-03-23
This meeting is open to the public. Beyond Toxics will take a deep dive into HB 2406, Toxics Free Schools, and share data from Northwest Center For Alternatives to Pesticides’ (NCAP) Schools Survey and Report, created to monitor the integrity of the Oregon School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) law. They will also discuss alternatives to pesticides in managing school grounds and the importance of choosing preventative approaches to pest and weed management. This bill aims to create a path towards stronger School IPM laws in Oregon that prioritize children’s health and lest toxic pest management solutions.

Adapting to a Future with Fire: Preparing Our Communities and Our Landscapes
2021-03-23
Great Old Broads for Wilderness are hosting a four-part webcast series this month on fire. While the first of the presentations on March 2nd – Fire in the Forest: A Natural Process and Unnatural Changes -has already filled up (it will simul-cast to their Facebook page), be sure to take a look at the other three offerings. Click here for more details on each presentation and and follow the links below sign up!

Indivisible Bend and KPOV present Roy Zimmerman Live from the Left Coast
2021-03-23
Join KPOV’s Virtual Benefit Concert presented by Indivisible Bend. You’ll get great music and lots of laughter, a chance to support KPOV, and a full week to watch the exclusive YouTube video — all from the comfort of your own home, or, wherever. What could be better than that?

Secure your virtual front row seat today!
