Building a Better Bend announces its first lecture of 2015! The lecture is free and open to the public. Title:  “Moving Beyond the Automobile: Multi-Modal Transportation Planning” Presenter: Chris Comeau, CTP, AICP, Transportation Planner for City of Bellingham, Washington Learn how Bellingham, Washington evolved from an auto-centric and roadway-based transportation planning program to one that…

.  You know about honey bees and how they're in trouble, but their sidekicks, native wild pollinators, are also vital in pollinating our flowers, vegetables, fruit and nut trees.  They need homes, too, because their natural habitat is disappearing.  Join us for this bee block building workshop, everyone welcome. We'll provide blank wood pieces cut…

Climate change is changing the face of the natural world. As we prepare for these changes, we have a chance to renew our partnership with natural world to compliment wildlife and human efforts to restore rivers and the lands around them. Join hydrologist Suzanne Fouty for a look at the role beavers play in transforming landscapes…

What Does the Georgetown University Energy Prize Have to Do With Us? Bend has officially advanced to the Semifinal round of the national competition that is challenging communities across the U.S. to rethink their energy use. At a press event in Washington, D.C., Bend was announced as one of the 50 local communities who are leading…

This is one of Oregon Natural Desert Association's volunteer work trips! View the entire event calendar here.  "Leks" are locations where groups of male sage-grouse return year after year to "strut their stuff" in the hopes of attracting a mate.  To the human eye the lek sites really don't look all that different from the surrounding…

Are you looking for a way to show of your design skills while giving back to the community? Need a fun activity to do to celebrate Earth Day? If so you should consider applying to the Furniture Flip Design Challenge. Think HGTV’s “Flee Market Flip”! Individuals and pairs of designers will compete by redesigning 3 pieces of…

Please join us for the March COTA bimonthly meeting. It’s the season when COTA volunteers can plan for the coming spring work events. The next meeting is from 5:30 to 6:30 P.M. at the Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave., Bend, OR 97701.  COTA bimonthly meetings are usually held the third Thursday of odd numbered…

Scheduled 9 times a year, 3rd Thursdays of month. Social gathering time is from 6:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and usually last until 8:30 p.m. March 19: “Bird Friendly Native Landscaping."   Birders Karen Theodore and Rick Martinson of WinterCreek Restoration will share identify native plants, and share tips about landscaping,…

Abbot Schindler, Bird Photography  Bird photography is one of Abbott Schindler's many interests in the natural world, and he has been photographing nature for many years. In this century he’s worked to get “close and personal” to birds in particular (they’re generally safer than bison, moose, bear and elk, which he’s also gotten uncomfortably close…

What do sex, birth control, and education have to do with the environment and sustainability? Nick Stevenson from Deschutes County Public Health will discuss the relationships between sexual health and environmental health including how climate change, women’s rights, education, economic prosperity, community resilience, and research each play a role. Nick will also share promising solutions,…