The Environmental Center

Encouraging a Sense of Wonder, Indian Ford Meadow Preserve
2018-05-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Laurie Danahy at Indian Ford Meadow Preserve for a walk and talk workshop for adults who are parents, grandparents, caregivers, friends or relatives of very young children. Drawing from the work of Rachel Carson (A Sense of Wonder) and Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods), Laurie will share strategies for introducing the natural world to infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Learn how each of us can help the next generation explore and appreciate nature. This workshop is for adults.
Hike Rating: This is an easy 1 mile walk along the Preserve trail and through a grassy meadow.
Free. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Restoration Tour, Whychus Canyon Preserve
2018-05-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Martha Lussenhop for a tour of the Whychus Creek restoration project at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Explore the first phase of a major creek and meadow restoration that is changing the face of the Preserve and creating much better habitat for fish and wildlife. See the role science plays in the modern restoration and management of private lands to benefit fish and wildlife.
Hike Rating: This is a moderate 2-3 mile hike on old roads and through grassy meadows.
Free. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Will Durst - Benefit for KPOV
2018-05-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Yes, KPOV is bringing the hilarious political comic Will Durst back to Bend for the smartest side-splitting evening will you ever experience. You’re welcome.
The show is May 19 at 7:00 p.m.at The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend. Save the date and stay tuned for ticket sales in April. Then act quickly. The show is sure to sell out.
“The Durst Case Scenario” is playful and ludicrous and whimsical and droll and silly and serious and sarcastic, mischievous, incisive, trenchant, profound, and chock full of jokes. Many funny ones. A unique theatrical event delivered with stand- up timing and not less than a modicum of poetry.
In this lightning- paced 85-minute comedic tour-de-force, Will Durst analyzes where we are, how we got here and what destinations lie ahead. He chronicles the fear, the danger and all the wacky zany antics, palace intrigues, and pitfalls of polarization threatening our country and civilization in this, The New Abnormal.
Ably assisted by his trusty overhead projector and blessed with an extraordinary talent to engage his audiences with his hysterical observations and righteous exasperation, Durst mocks & scoffs & taunts in segments such as Trumpapalooza, the Bright Sides of Donald J. Trump’s Presidency, the Symptoms of PTSD & Mike Pence is the Product of Reverse Taxidermy.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2018-05-22, 2018-05-29 | 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.

Student Mental Health Wellness Event
2018-05-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Parents, Students, Community Members are all welcome
Community members are invited to learn more about ways our schools are supporting student mental health and wellness and to share feedback on this topic during a Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors community linkage meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22 at Sky View Middle School.
Attendees will get the opportunity to listen to an overview about current efforts within Bend-La Pine Schools to support student mental health and wellness and will be able to attend several break-out sessions during the interactive event. The event will begin with an overview of Bend-La Pine Schools’ framework for providing mental health support from Sean Reinhart, Executive Director of Special Programs. Afterwards, participants can choose from seven different break-out sessions including:

Lines for Life
Student Threat Assessment and Support
Student Advisory Team
Latino Emotional Health
Volunteer opportunities
Listening session with members of the school board

Literary Central Oregon
2018-05-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Do you love history? Literature? And Central Oregon?
REGISTER: 541- 408-4509 or email esantasiero@gmail
In this 8-week class, read and discuss some of the best fiction, nonfiction, and poetry about and inspired by our natural and cultural landscapes. Guided by the work of historic and contemporary regional writers, both long-time residents and newcomers to the region can connect more deeply with this place we all call home. Readings, discussion, questions, group facilitation, and light refreshments provided.
Oregon State University English professor Ellen Santasiero leads the group and shares her love of our region. A founding staff member of High Desert Journal and a former Writer in Residence at COCC, her writing has appeared in Northwest Review, The Sun, thestayproject, High Desert Journal, and Oregon Home, among others.

Tri County Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit
2018-05-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Free tickets and agenda are available here.
Prineville: Leveraging Community Partnerships

Economics and Tourism
8 to 80 Communities
Infrastructure Planning & Implementation

Lunch: Catered by Meadow Lakes
Please email Kim Curley by May 16th if you are joining us for lunch and specify if you would prefer the vegetarian option. $16 per person includes morning coffee & cinnamon rolls, collected at the event. Cash, card, or check payable to Meadow
Lakes.
Carpools:
From Bend: ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Park in Carpool Parking Area, Departing 8:00 a.m.
To drive or to ride, please RSVP to bpac@deschutes.org
After-event Bike Ride:
There will be a short (~30 minutes) biking tour of Prineville bike and pedestrian facilities at 2 p.m. Bring your bike!

Introduction to Electric Vehicles-BEND
2018-05-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Here’s your one-stop shop to get all your electric vehicle questions answered with a short presentation and Q&A with an EV owner and the Nissan dealership. You’ll get the low-down on what it’s like to drive an EV for everyday living–yes, in the snow and ice, for adventures, and for travel.
This workshop will also cover available tax credits and rebates that total up to $13,000 right now due to our partnership with Smolich Nissan to create a great group-buy program! Learn more about electric vehicles on The Energy Challenge website.

Fancy Plants: Native or Not?
2018-05-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
If you’ve been wondering, “What’s that flower I’m seeing when I’m out on a trail?” then this is the talk for you.
Join botanists from the Deschutes National Forest for a flower-full discussion about native plants. Then we’ll get into the weeds and learn about species that thrive here but are invasive.
Brooks Room at Deschutes Public Library. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Free. Please register here.
Photo of Oregon Sunshine by native plant guide author, Marilynne Keyser.

Soaring Sights of Smith Rock State Park
2018-05-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon State Park interpretive ranger, OSU Master Naturalist, and ONDA member David Vick for a FREE hike up the Wolf Tree Trail at Smith Rock State Park. Hikers will view nesting raptors and be treated to the sight of this spring’s eaglets. While the emphasis of the hike will be on the winged denizens of Smith Rock, David will also share his knowledge of native plants and their traditional uses and the Park’s geologic history.
Difficulty: Moderate – about 2 miles. Trail is steep and rocky in places, with moderate elevation gain. Some hikers find the use of poles or walking sticks useful for balancing on steeper sections of the trail.
Picnic lunch will be provided
ONDA Hiker information

Hikes have a very limited capacity. As such, we ask that you only register for hikes that you are certain you will attend.
Expect a phone call from us the week before the hike confirming your attendance. We will have a waitlist for each hike and will release your spot to someone on the waitlist if we are unable to confirm your attendance.
Each hiker is required to sign a liability release form at the beginning of the hike.
We love our furry friends, but your pet is not invited on this hike.
Hikers will meet at the Oregon Natural Desert Association office – 50 SW Bond St. Suite 4, Bend, OR – and carpool to the trailhead. Do you have a car you are willing to drive for the hike? Let us know how many people you can take, including yourself. If you are able and willing to drive, please come with at least half a tank of gas. If you can’t or do not wish to drive, please bring cash and plan to contribute between 5 and 10 cents per mile to the driver of your carpool. Directions will be provided for drivers.

Hike with "the Eds"
2018-05-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The first hike in the series begins with an overview of the many ways the Deschutes River is used by our community. It’s an interpretive hike along the Deschutes River in Bend, with several stops that observe changes to the river over time. Stops include the canal diversions on the northern edge of town and the hydro power station on the southern edge of town.
This is a 6-mile hike using the Deschutes River Trail. 200 feet of elevation gain. Meet near the canals on NE Division, approximately across the street from the Riverbend Brewing Sports Pub.
For more hike details, email Eddie Kula at: eddie@coalitionforthedeschutes.org
General Participant Information

Be capable of walking/hiking several hours in some cases with elevation gains of 1500 feet on uneven ground in all weather conditions
Provide your own hiking/walking pack, food, water and gear (Consider the 10 essentials.)
Sorry, humans only; no critter friends
Sign a waiver for participation
Limited spots available. Pre-registration required

Eddie Kula:
Eddie loves hiking in the Oregon Cascades and sharing his knowledge about our area. He is a former hike leader for the Seattle Mountaineers and includes Mt. Rainer, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens as his favorite climbs. Eddie is the Treasurer for the Coalition for the Deschutes. He has been coming to Bend since the 80’s and now lives here permanently.
Ed Weiser:
Ed moved to Bend in 2013 after retiring from a 35-year business career. In the 1970s, he was a sailing instructor and wilderness guide in Maine. Ed continued his outdoor trips over the years with his wife and 3 daughters, and then with friends and family in Utah, Wyoming, and Oregon. Ed now participates and teaches in Search And Rescue, provides volunteer mentoring for small businesses, and does interpretive talks for Deschutes National

Public Meeting - Regional Public Transit Advisory Committee
2018-05-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
There will be a public meeting of the Regional Public Transit Advisory Committee. Agenda topics include:

A public comment period
City of Bend planning project updates
Cascades East Transit’s (CET) proposed service modifications (effective July 1, 2018) which may result in reductions in some fixed-route services.

The agenda, meeting materials, and information about how to provide comments will be posted at http://cascadeseasttransit.com/about/rptac/

Introduction to Electric Vehicles-MADRAS
2018-05-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Here’s your one-stop shop to get all your electric vehicle questions answered with a short presentation and Q&A with an EV owner and the Nissan dealership. You’ll get the low-down on what it’s like to drive an EV for everyday living–yes, in the snow and ice–and for adventures and travel.
This workshop will also cover available tax credits and rebates that total up to $13,000 right now due to our partnership with Smolich Nissan to create a great group-buy program! Learn more about electric vehicles on The Energy Challenge website.
Come grab a glass of kombucha compliments of Humm Kombucha and find out if an electric vehicle might just be in your future! Stick around from 6:15-7:00 to learn how you can power your electric car with a solar system on your roof!
Please RSVP to let us know you’re coming!
Thank you to our beverage sponsor

Bend COTA Work Events
2018-05-24, 2018-05-31 | 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.

Nature Journaling, Whychus Canyon Preserve
2018-05-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Interested in learning how to combine outdoor writing and sketching with your joy of exploring nature? Join the Deschutes Land Trust and hiker and passionate journaler, Kolby Kirk, for an evening of learning tips and techniques for keeping a journal while exploring nature! We’ll spend the evening exploring Whychus Canyon Preserve and discussing ways of seeing and recording the landscape and sketching flora/fauna for later identification. No journaling experience needed.
Hike Rating: This is an easy ~2 mile hike on Whychus Canyon Preserve hiking trails.
Free. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Solar Workshop-MADRAS
2018-05-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This workshop will follow an Electric Vehicle Workshop from 5:15-6:00.
Join The Energy Challenge to get an idea of costs and available incentives for going solar. You’ll learn about current technology and get to meet the qualified contractors who can help you get the job done!
Come grab a glass of kombucha compliments of Humm Kombucha and find out if your home is a good fit for solar. There will be lots of time for Q&A to get all of your solar questions answered!
Please RSVP to let us know you’re coming!
Thank you to our beverage sponsor

Photo credit: Elemental Energy

Writing About (this) Place
2018-05-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
8-week class in place-based writing
REGISTER: 541- 408-4509 or email esantasiero@gmail
Inspired by the natural, cultural, and figurative landscapes of central Oregon and by select prose and poetry from our region, we develop and invigorate our own writing in all genres. Let’s see where an exploration of this particular place takes us as writers! Emphasis on place-based writing technique and form.
Writer Ellen Santasiero loves living, writing, and teaching right here in central Oregon. She teaches literature and creative writing at OSU-Cascades in Bend. Her writing has appeared in Northwest Review, The Sun, thestayproject, Oregon Humanities, and High Desert Journal, among others.

Saturday Bird Walks
2018-05-26 08:30 - 11:00, 2018-06-02 08:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Join Tom Lawler, expert local birder and nature photographer, to discover the rich bird habitats of Sunriver. With Tom’s keen eye and guidance, you will spot and learn to identify a variety of species found in the wetlands, meadows, and forests surrounding the Nature Center. Whether you are new to birding or an experienced birder, there is always something exciting to see through your binoculars!
Early registration is strongly encouraged and participation is limited to 12 birders. Expect to walk approximately three to four miles along various trails. Please no strollers or dogs. Wear sturdy and water-resistant footwear and bring a bottle of water and a pair of binoculars with you. Bird walks are geared toward adults, however children with a serious interest in birding are welcome with a parent/guardian.

Solar Workshop-PRINEVILLE
2018-05-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This workshop will follow an Electric Vehicle Workshop from 5:15-6:00.
Join The Energy Challenge to get an idea of costs and available incentives for going solar. You’ll learn about current technology and get to meet the qualified contractors who can help you get the job done!
Come grab a glass of kombucha compliments of Humm Kombucha and find out if your home is a good fit for solar!
Please RSVP to let us know if you’re coming to this event.
Thank you to our beverage sponsor
Photo credit: Elemental Energy

Santiam Wagon Road Walk, Whychus Canyon Preserve
2018-05-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Kelly Madden to explore the 150-year old Santiam Wagon Road at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Hike back in time and imagine traveling west in a wagon train to transport wool from Eastern Oregon to the Willamette Valley, or east to graze livestock on the grasses of the desert. Explore the site of an early homestead and the signs and symbols still visible along the trail today, helping to tell the story of travel and commerce in the high desert.
Hike Rating: This is a moderate ~3 mile hike on old roads and through juniper forest.
Free. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Introduction to Electric Vehicles-PRINEVILLE
2018-05-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Wildflower Wild Wednesday
2018-05-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On May 30th, local photographer and wildflower expert M.A. Wilson will share her knowledge of the best hikes and the best wildflowers to see here in central Oregon. From the slopes of the Cascade mountains to high desert sage brush country, we’ll cover the best spring and summer hikes in central Oregon.
M.A. is a long time Bend resident who has extensive knowledge on hiking, wildflowers, and photography. She’s been photographing flowers for 30 years, learning lots of new tricks and tips along the way. M.A. moved to Bend from Seattle 26 years ago which opened up a new world of photographic possibilities! Her passions are wildflowers and hiking, and photography has allowed her to record those pursuits. M.A. has a fabulous website that covers many local hikes, the best times, and the flowers one may see: www.mawillson.com.

8th Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival
2018-05-31 - 2018-06-03 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Registration will open on April 2 for the 8th annual Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival taking place in Sisters, Oregon from May 31- June 3. Festival participants have a choice of 20 guided tours in search of 11 different species of woodpeckers and 200 other birds that make the forests, burn areas and diverse habitat of Sisters and Central Oregon a birding hot spot. The East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) sponsors the Festival. Each trip, guided by two ECAS volunteers, includes a limited number of fellow birders and tour registration fills up fast.
Full day trips are $35 while half-day trips and the Night Owl Prowl are $25. Tours include an all day trip to Summer Lake on Thursday. On Friday there will be a birding tour to the Crooked River Country and a different trip to the Shevlin Park/Awbrey Hall Burn.
Birding trips are all day on Saturday and mornings on Sunday. The tours go to places such as Three Creeks, Pole Creek, Cold Springs, the Milli Burn, Camp Sherman, Glaze Meadow, Indian Ford, Suttle Lake and Bridge 99, as well as several other excellent birding areas. Both weekend days also provide limited mobility birding tours for folks who would like a leisurely pace, use a wheelchair or prefer to walk short distances.
In addition to the birding tours, the festival offers a native plants/birding tour on Saturday and, on Sunday, an opportunity to experience the bird banding of kestrels and bluebirds. The festival will sponsor an Owl Prowl on Saturday night as well as a social gathering at the Belfry in Sisters. Tours take place under a special use permit with the Deschutes National Forest. Participants provide their own transportation and carpooling is required.

Fir Trail Walk, Metolius Preserve
2018-06-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Carol Wall for a late spring walk at one of our flagship Preserves–the Metolius Preserve. Explore the South Trailhead portion of the Preserve and the beautiful new Fir Trails that take visitors into the middle section of the Preserve. Meander along Lake Creek and up into the mixed fir and pine forest while learning about the natural and human history of the Preserve. Enjoy this quiet section of the Preserve while getting to know our new trail system.
Hike Rating: This is an easy ~2 mile hike on trails.

Invasive Weed Pull on the Deschutes River
2018-06-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Juniper Group is partnering with Bend Parks and Recreation to remove some invasive plant species that are making inroads into the South Canyon section of the Deschutes River Trail.
Parks & Rec staff will provide all tools and instruction. We’ll hike up to a mile on a sometimes-rocky trail to the worksite. We’ll go at a moderate, easy pace with time for photos, and end with lunch overlooking the canyon.
Bring plenty of water, sun and rain protection, and lunch/snacks; wear layers and comfortable boots. Free but registration required. Please email the leader, Mia, and she’ll send you meet-up details and where to meet.
Teens 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult. We love dogs, but this will not be an appropriate trip for four legged friends.

Garden Educator Network Meeting
2018-06-04 16:30 - 18:30 | Three Rivers Elementary School, 56900 Enterprise Dr, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Please join us at Three Rivers School in Sunriver for an end of year Regional Gathering for farm and garden based educators in Central Oregon. The purpose of the Gathering is to share resources, provide networking opportunities, and address region-specific challenges. Our focus for this June event is to share what you have been up to in your school garden projects this spring, as well as your plans for (or questions about) summer maintenance. Plus, we will hear from the Three Rivers Wellness Committee and see their new small indoor garden made out of shopping carts!
The Environmental Center has taken on a new role as Regional Education Hub Lead for the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network for Central Oregon. In this role, we’ll provide region specific resources and ongoing responsive technical assistance, work to address region-specific challenges and networking opportunities including Regional Gatherings. For questions or support contact Denise Rowcroft, denise@envirocenter.org, 541-385-6908 x14

Happy Hour in the Garden
2018-06-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
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
