The Environmental Center

Community Solar - Local clean energy comes to Oregon
2020-12-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Electrify Now, Community Energy Project, Solar Oregon, Passive House Northwest, New Buildings Institute, Zero Energy Project, Renewable Hydrogen Alliance and The Environmental Center as we discuss the benefits of Community Solar and how to sign up.
Community Solar is a new alternative that is just now going on-line in Oregon. New small, utility scale solar farms are being built in the Willamette valley that enable us to subscribe to the clean energy they generate. By participating in these programs, you are helping to fund new renewable energy generation for our state which creates green energy jobs. Subscribers get reduced rates and these projects are required to serve low income subscribers who can save as much as 20% on their electricity.
View the event recording on YouTube.

COVID 19 Impact Webinar: New Metrics and the State of our Health
2020-12-09
On Dec. 1, Governor Brown announced updates to county risk levels under Oregon’s new public health framework to reduce transmission of COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels based on COVID-19 spread — Extreme, High, Moderate, and Lower — and assigns health and safety measures for each. See details here.
Join to hear from Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the State Health Officer and Epidemiologist, and Emily Freeland, Environmental Health Specialist, Deschutes County Public Health Department as they discuss:
• New restrictions on businesses and gatherings in Deschutes County
• Metrics and protocols for moving from one tier to the next
• Case counts and the impact on St. Charles ICU and hospital
• New COVID-19 vaccine — number of doses expected to be available, how safe and effective they are along with protocols and plans for distribution
A Q&A session will follow.

Snowshoeing Central Oregon presentation
2020-12-09
Join Oregon Wild for a presentation on how and where to snowshoe, with a focus on Central Oregon. They’ll share tips and suggestions regarding everything from safety to gear to picking the most scenic trails. They’ll also include some “Snowshoeing 101” for those new to the activity as well as some tips on locations that would be applicable to all ability levels. The presentation will include:
• Photography of recommended scenic snowshoeing destinations in central Oregon
• The basics of learning to snowshoe
• Reference map
• What to bring
• How to be safe when snowshoeing
• Gear (snowshoes and clothing)
We hope to see you there!

Basics of Solar : Redmond
2020-12-10
At the Basics of Solar Workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to know to feel confident adding solar to your home or business.

Solar Oregon is hosting this special webinar on the basics of solar.
We will answer your questions about how solar works, share information about incentives available, and help you take the first step to adding solar on your home or business. In addition, we’ll briefly talk about how the combination of solar + storage (batteries) can provide critical home energy resilience in the context of the Cascadia earthquake and other hazards.
This webinar is free and open to everyone. RSVP for a link to join.
This workshop is made possible with support from Energy Trust of Oregon.

Bend COTA Work Events
2020-12-10, 2020-12-17, 2020-12-24, 2020-12-31, 2021-01-07
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: Photographic Storytelling of Central Oregon Landscapes
2020-12-10
Between the high desert, soaring mountains, alpine lakes, and its flowing rivers, Central Oregon provides ample stunning wilderness to immerse yourself in and is a photographer’s dream. Join Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory for a virtual lecture and photographic journey led by Bend-based professional photographer, Christian Murillo. Murillo will explore the idea of what it means to tell the story of Central Oregon’s wilderness areas and how he has found intriguing subject matter and inspirational moments in our local environment.

The Bioneers 2020 Conference: Beyond the Great Unraveling: Weaving the World Anew.
2020-12-12 - 2020-12-13
Bioneers is excited to introduce the 2020 Bioneers Conference: a virtual gathering encapsulating the magic of our annual live conference.
This year’s theme is “Beyond the Great Unraveling: Weaving the World Anew.” As we enter into a permanent emergency, it’s much easier to see what’s dying than what’s being born. But since the beginning, Bioneers has been about what’s being born. They’ll be showcasing many of the most visionary and practical solutions afoot today, and many of our greatest visionary innovators, including the greatest people you’ve never heard of.

Wild Night Tonight with Sean Stevens
2020-12-14
Wild Night Tonight is a new effort to introduce new people to Oregon Wild and their work, but also support the Willamette Week Give Guide and all the other great nonprofits that have worked all year to help our communities. We hope you’ll join for the premiere!

Power Hour | Home Energy Score: What’s in a score and why do we need them?
2020-12-15
Join us for the last virtual Power Hour of the year!
Our homes are the biggest investment we will make. When making a decision to buy a home we expect disclosures about the true state and value of the homes we are considering. Energy scores give us the opportunity to bring more information and transparency to the home buying process and truly understand the lifetime operating costs that we’re signing up for.
Join us as we hear from two experts from the Oregon Department of Energy and nonprofit organization, Earth Advantage, to take a step back to look at the basics: What is the Home Energy Score?
We’ll dig into what information these scores can tell us about the places that we call home and how they can help us meet our climate goals. We’ll analyze the opportunities and challenges of implementing a Home Energy Score program and uncover what resources are available to help a program in Bend succeed.
Register

Meet our speakers
Roger Kainu serves as an Energy Analyst with the Oregon Department of Energy, primarily operating in the residential sector.Roger has an extensive background in both public and private sector energy efficiency and specializes in policy and program design and implementation. With ODOE, Roger is the lead for Oregon’s Home Energy Scoring Program, which involves continuous engagement with stakeholders to develop a strategy to deliver effective home energy scoring to consumers. Roger is also a representative of the Metro Regional Solutions team, integrating state agency work and funding to ensure that projects are finished as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Anthony Roy is the Director of Programs at Earth Advantage. He oversees the organization’s diverse array of program offerings, professional and workforce training priorities, buildings-related research, and energy policy activities. Anthony and the Earth Advantage team specialize in residential energy labeling, zero energy construction, and activating green building data into real estate and lending processes.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor

Energy Trust of Oregon, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable power. Their services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista save $3.4 billion on energy bills. Their work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future.
Register

Environmental Justice Discussion Series
2020-12-15
Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation is offering the third episode in their Environmental Justice Discussion Series. Episode three will begin by uplifting largely ignored or buried stories of relationship to the land and then spend the majority of our time discussing our personal and cultural beliefs that have caused these stories to go unheard. You can learn more & RSVP here.

Social Safety Nets in a Global Crisis: Challenges and Lessons Learned Amid a Pandemic
2020-12-16
At a time when national resources are under strain between competing demands, how are safety net programs faring during the COVID-19 pandemic? Join FAO North America, the Alliance to End Hunger and a panel of experts to find out.

Tribal Water Justice
2020-12-16
Water is life, without it we would not be here today. Join Beyond Toxics for a conversation with Chairman Don Gentry from the Klamath Tribes. This webinar will focus on the history of treaty rights and stewardship in the Klamath Basin and the Upper Klamath Lake (the largest freshwater body in Oregon!).

Ready, Set, Plan?! Webinar
2020-12-16
Oregon Trails Coalition is working on an introductory guide to trail planning and decision-making with support from the Bureau of Land Management and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
Join for this introduction to trail planning and give them feedback on what you would find helpful in the final digital guide.

Behind the Lens
2020-12-16
Do you appreciate the beauty of Oregon’s high desert and wish your photos matched up with what you experience? Meet a few of the photographers who make ONDA’s Wild Desert Calendar so damn beautiful each year and learn tips and tricks for shooting in the desert from them. You’ll learn how you can contribute to the 2022 edition of the calendar and come away with a few desert places to put on your bucket list.

Community conversation on youth mental health
2020-12-17
As we head into winter break and our 8th month living in a global pandemic, mental health and wellness is top of mind. What are the mental health concerns facing our young people? How can we promote mental wellness during such an isolating time?
Join Camp Fire of Central Oregon to share ideas around these and other pressing questions regarding youth and mental health.

2020 SAGE: Stories of Resilience (Episode 1)
2020-12-17
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

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
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.
