The Environmental Center

2020 SAGE: Stories of Resilience (Episode 1)
2020-12-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Register and be among the first to watch episode 1 of the 2020 SAGE: “Stories of Resilience” Campaign! Powered by US Bank, this video series will shine a light on accounts of survival and innovation, told by our local Central Oregon business community, as they weather a global pandemic.
Featured companies:
– Collective Pallet
– Mosaic Medical
– Broken Top Candle Co
– Guardian Group
– Heartwarmers
– Holiday Inn Express South Bend
– Pine Mountain Sports
– Red Cross
– St. Charles
– Tower Theatre
– Webfoot

Bend COTA Work Events
2020-12-17, 2020-12-24, 2020-12-31, 2021-01-07, 2021-01-14
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.

Virtual Lecture: Cosmic Perspective
2020-12-17
Join Dr. Scott Fisher, Director of Pine Mountain Observatory in Central Oregon, as he shares his experience working with some of the largest telescopes in the world. Along the way he will also provide a new cosmic perspective through modern astronomy images and discussion of the solar system.

Environmental Justice Shared Learning Space
2020-12-20, 2021-01-20
Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation is offering a focused space to help people hold themselves accountable in what is intended to be a primarily self-led learning experience around justice and equity within conservation. COWC will be convening monthly, from 6:00-7:30pm on:
Call 1: Tuesday, October 20
Call 2: Tuesday, November 17
Call 3: Tuesday, December 15
Call 4: Tuesday, January 19
Call 5: Tuesday, February 16

ONLINE ONLY: Know Feliz - Christmas in Mexico: Importance and Adaptations
2020-12-22
Explore the richness and diversity of Mexican culture through this holiday. Dr. Enrique Chacon will explore the interaction of European and Indigenous cultures in the Christmas celebration in Mexico. A link to view this program will be available beginning Tuesday, December 22nd at 5:00 p.m.

Other Side of the Hill-Film
2020-12-26
In a time of unprecedented cultural divide between rural and urban Oregon, we all find common ground in an urgency to address a changing climate. You can catch Other Side of the Hill on KBNZ (CBS) on Saturday, 12/26 at 7:00pm.

Virtual Skies: Behind the Scenes at the Observatory
2020-12-28
Join for a virtual tour and historical look at SNCO’s observatory. They’ll share details about their expansive telescope collection and discuss some of the specialized equipment in depth. During a virtual tour of the facility you will also hear about SNCO’s exciting expansion plans for the future. Lastly, if weather allows, they’ll take a look through their telescopes with a live video feed.

Snowshoeing Northwest Oregon
2021-01-06
New Year, New Adventures!
Oregon Wild snowshoeing presentation was such a success they’re hosting another presentation, this time focused on Northwest Oregon. Oregon Wild’s Wilderness Campaign Coordinator Erik Fernandez will have tips and suggestions regarding everything from safety to gear to picking the most scenic trails. Included will be “Snowshoeing 101” for those new to the activity as well as some tips on locations in the Portland-area and Northwest Oregon area that would be applicable to all ability levels. The presentation will include:

Photography of recommended scenic snowshoeing destinations in Northwest Oregon
The basics of learning to snowshoe
Reference map
What to bring
How to be safe when snowshoeing
Gear (snowshoes and clothing)
End of session Q&A

2020 SAGE: Stories of Resilience (Episode 2)
2021-01-07
Register and be among the first to watch episode 2 of the 2020 SAGE: “Stories of Resilience” Campaign! Powered by US Bank, this video series will shine a light on accounts of survival and innovation, told by our local Central Oregon business community, as they weather a global pandemic.
Featured companies:
– Aperion Management Group
– Baptista Tile Company
– Heart of Oregon Corps
– Leading Edge Aviation
– Northwestern Home Loans
– Redmond Proficiency Academy
– Shift
– The Haven
– Wren and Wild
– Crux Fermentation
– Humm Kombucha
– OSU-Cascades

TKO Saw School - Swamp Lab Webinar
2021-01-09
Cross cut saws. The picture of old-timey loggers. Join for an online introduction to the use of an old tool in a modern volunteer environment. Learn about binds, cut types, spring poles, the OHLEC process, and more!

Webinar Series: Legislative Preview
2021-01-12
What’s on the agenda in Salem in 2021?
Hear from Central Oregon legislators about their priorities and what to expect when the Legislature convenes for its annual session. Senator Tim Knopp, Representative Jack Zika and Representative Jason Kropf will share their perspectives.
The session will be followed by a community Q&A where attendees can ask questions and gain valuable insight about policy issues as we head into 2021.

Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign Kickoff
2021-01-12
Join for a live webinar to learn more about what communities across Oregon are organizing for to create good jobs in clean energy, make energy bills affordable for all, and improve health with upgrades in people’s homes. Joined by our Legislative Champions Pam Marsh and Khanh Pham, you will also hear directly from communities about why the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign is important to them. Come learn more about creating clean energy opportunities for all Oregonians! This event will also offer Spanish and ASL interpretation.
Lanzamiento de la Campaña de Oportunidad de Energía Limpia en Oregon
Únase a nosotros en un seminario web en vivo para aprender más sobre lo que las comunidades de Oregon se están organizando para crear buenos empleos en energía limpia, hacer que las facturas de energía sean asequibles para todos y mejorar la salud con mejoras en los hogares de las personas. Nos acompañarán nuestros campeones legislativos Pam Marsh y Khanh Pham, y también escucharemos directamente de las comunidades sobre por qué la Campaña de Oportunidad de Energía Limpia de Oregon es importante para ellos. ¡Venga a aprender más sobre cómo crear oportunidades de energía limpia para todos los habitantes de Oregon! Este evento también ofrecerá interpretación en español y ASL.

Electric Fireplace Inserts - Warm, cozy, clean flames
2021-01-13
Electric fireplaces are an efficient and cozy option for virtually any home.
Join Electrify Now as they debunk one of the last arguments for natural gas – the fireplace. They will explore how modern electric fireplaces are an efficient and cozy option for virtually any home. From their “see it to believe it” realistic flames, color options, heat free fires for summer ambiance to their easy installation, increased safety and indoor emissions reductions, electric fireplaces are an important part of the all-electric home of the future.

Renewal in Our Burned Forests: What does the future hold?
2021-01-13
Travel with Oregon Wild into public lands impacted by fire and see how fire is a vital force of renewal for fish, wildlife, pollinators, water, and the climate, and gain inspiration from images and stories of the regrowth of places like the Columbia Gorge and Opal Creek.

2020 SAGE: Stories of Resilience (Episode 3)
2021-01-14
Register and be among the first to watch episode 3 of the 2020 SAGE: “Stories of Resilience” Campaign! Powered by US Bank, this video series will shine a light on accounts of survival and innovation, told by our local Central Oregon business community, as they weather a global pandemic.
Featured companies:
– Bunk and Brew
– Cascade Relays
– Furnish Hope
– Production Prints
– MountainStar
– Shepherd’s House Ministries
– The Bulletin
– The Yoga Lab
– Touchmark at Mount Bachelor Village
– Volunteers in Medicine
– Central Oregon Veterans Ranch

Family Birding Adventure
2021-01-16
Join a naturalist as they explore the botanic garden, nature trail, and shore of Lake Aspen in search of Sunriver’s birds. You’ll learn how to spot, identify, and count common birds in the area. This family-friendly program is suited for all ages.
Bring your binoculars if you have them. Additional binoculars will be available to borrow. Expect to walk up to 2 miles. Capacity is limited and masks are required during the hike. Please no dogs or strollers for this program.

39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Address: Dr. Angela Davis
2021-01-18
Dr. Angela Davis — American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author — will speak from her decades of experience in social justice movements. Davis’ work as an educator and activist emphasizes the importance of building community action for economic, racial, and gender justice. Questions for Dr. Davis must be submitted in advance upon registration or online.

A History of Discrimination in Oregon
2021-01-18
Did you know…

Oregon’s Constitution prevented African Americans & Chinese Americans from owning any real estate and denied African Americans the right to live here?
Until the 1950s most Oregon hotels, restaurants, theaters, and amusement parks refused to serve African Americans?
Many cities and towns had “Sundown Laws” which threatened African Americans and Asians to be out of town after sunset?

Explore the ghosts from our history for insights on fair housing challenges today.

Health, Hate, Housing, and History: Lessons at the Intersection of Our Two Pandemics
2021-01-18
This training connects the history of racial exclusion, discrimination, hate, and harassment towards specific communities that have resulted in the disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color from our two different current pandemics, highlighting the connections between racial exclusion and segregation with the COVID-19 pandemic and police violence.

Recycling Legislation Overview with Association of Oregon Recyclers
2021-01-19
Association of Oregon Recyclers to Host Legislative Preview Forum on 1/19/2021

You’re invited to join AOR for their virtual Legislative Preview on January 19th from 11-12:30pm. The event will be moderated by AOR’s Legislative Chair Rosalynn Greene and our lobbyist Chris Parta will provide his insights on how the session will be carried out in a virtual world and AOR’s legislative agenda. The event will also feature speakers that will be announced closer to the date. The event is free and everyone is encouraged to attend so save the date!
Here’s a brief overview of potential Oregon Legislation, much of which deals with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) which puts some of the financial burden of recycling on the producers rather than only on the public who pays for curbside recycling. Thank you to BRING Recycling of Eugene for this concise description:

Carpet Recycling: Working with the Product Stewardship Institute, BRING is supporting legislation that would require producers to help pay for the cost of recycling carpet in Oregon.
Mattress Recycling: A 2019 bill introduced by Senator James Manning Jr. to establish an EPR program for mattresses is likely to come back in 2021.
Sharps: This legislation would design a program for the disposal of needles—a product that is difficult, dangerous, and expensive to deal with right now.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): This bill would help fund disposal of common household products including pesticides, fertilizers, cleaners, and pool chemicals, which are also expensive and difficult to deal with.
Right to Repair: OSPIRG is taking a lead on a bill that would make it legal for you to repair and modify electronic devices—something that is not always explicitly legal right now. (Read more about issues around Right to Repair here.)
Modernizing Oregon’s Recycling System: If passed, this legislation would make significant changes to Oregon’s curbside recycling system, including adding some components of extended producer responsibility.

Bend Chamber Webinar Series: Homelessness Impact and Assistance
2021-01-19
Join the Bend Chamber and panel of experts they discuss the issues our community is facing surrounding the topic of homelessness.
Colleen Thomas: Deschutes County Homeless Services Coordinator
Carolyn Eagan: Economic Development Director for the City of Bend
Cheri Helt: Former State Representative
John Lodise: Director of Emergency Services at Shepherd’s House Ministries

Episode 4 of discussion series: Environmental Justice issues in Oregon
2021-01-19
How do personal/community values shape how conservation issues are prioritized? In the fourth episode, Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation will talk about how culture and belief systems affect the attention given to different climate and conservation threats. You’ll then get to discuss the impact this has on various communities in our country.

Introducing Racial Healing Dialogue & Healing Justice Affinity Spaces in Central Oregon
2021-01-19
TRACEs Central Oregon has partnered with an incredible group of community facilitators, healers, artists and therapists to present a kick-off to Racial Healing Dialogue & Healing Justice Affinity Spaces.

The program for this kick-off event includes: a group welcoming and then 90-minute break out sessions and group close. Break out sessions include a limited number of opt-in affinity healing justice spaces and spaces for anyone to join.

This program is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required and capacity is limited.

***To register or ask questions, email: TRACES@UNITEDWAYCENTRALOREGON.ORG

Native Story Hour
2021-01-20
Join Karen Kitchen (Osage Nation) for this story hour featuring songs and books from Native cultures.
Sing, listen, learn, and celebrate. Join Karen Kitchen (Osage Nation) for this story hour featuring songs and books from Native cultures. Children, families, elders, aunties and uncles — everyone is welcome.
Made possible by The Library Foundation through support from The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Fund.
All abilities are welcome. For disability accommodations, call 503.988.5123 or email help@multcolib.org 2-3 days before a program.

Quarterly Trails Forum
2021-01-20
January’s forum focuses on the Ice Age Tonquin Trail and other trail work in the Tualatin/Sherwood/Wilsonville vicinity.
