The Environmental Center

Pacific Power Seminar with Breakfast & Answers!
2014-08-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You’re invited: Breakfast and answers on us!
Please join us for a free breakfast workshop to find out about wattsmart® programs and incentives to help you save energy – and money. The savings you realize can go right to your bottom line, now and for years to come. The agenda for this fast paced, information packed morning is below.
Pacific Power has teamed up with Energy Trust of Oregon and local trade ally contractors for this event to provide programs that give you cash incentives for your next energy efficiency or renewable energy project. Find out how these programs can work for you at this breakfast exclusively for Pacific Power business customers. This seminar is your chance to hear all the options, how they fit together and how you can choose the right ones to improve your bottom line.
Seats are limited, R.S.V.P. Friday, August 15.
AGENDA
Breakfast Buffet 7:30-8:00 a.m.
Welcome & Introductions 8:00-8:30 a.m. Scott Bolton, Vice President, Community and Government Relations, Pacific Power
Energy Trust of Oregon Margie Harris, Executive Director, Energy Trust of Oregon will provide a brief overview of how Pacific Power customers can save money and energy with Energy Trust programs and incentives.
BREAK 8:30-8:40 a.m.
Round One Breakouts (select one – your choice) 8:40-9:30 a.m.
1. Lighting the Way to Energy Savings / Lighting 101. Lighting upgrades are the best—and often, the easiest—first step in any energy-efficiency program and can pay back your investment cost through energy savings in as little as two years or less. Energy Trust offers cash incentives for lighting and lighting control projects.
2. How Does Your Business Use Energy? Running a more energy-efficient business is all about knowing where to begin. Learn about the energy walkthrough process, hear about how others did it, and discuss options for leased space. Whether you’re a commercial business owner, design and construction professional, or multifamily property manager, you can find opportunities for energy savings.
3. Industrial-Strength Savings for Manufacturers of All Sizes. Energy Trust helps industrial facility owners realize significant energy savings every year. We contract with industrial process engineers throughout Oregon to conduct scoping studies and determine the most cost-effective energy upgrades at your facility. This session is appropriate for all industries including agriculture, cold storage, food processing, pulp and paper, manufacturing, small industrial and wood products.
4. Engaging Your Employees. Organizations throughout Oregon are discovering how to put the power of Strategic Energy Management to work in their buildings, finding that managing energy use as a strategic asset—instead of just a cost—can boost profitability. Learn how to engage your employees to save energy.
BREAK 9:30-9:40 a.m.
Round Two Breakouts (select one – your choice) 9:40-10:30 a.m.
1. Comfort Sells / HVAC 101. For many businesses, heating and cooling expenses are a big drain on operations—but Energy Trust can help you recover operating expenses and make investments that cut your energy costs and increase your property’s value.
2. Everything under the Sun / Renewable Energy. Making energy efficiency and renewable energy top priorities in the places and processes that drive your business is smart any way you look at it. The savings you realize on energy costs go straight to your bottom line.
3. Growing Savings / Energy Efficiency for Agriculture Businesses. Whether your business is a dairy, nursery, commercial farm or other agricultural business, costs are probably growing faster than you’d like. Lighting, heating, refrigeration, irrigation and more — together, they make up a large part of your operating costs. But with Energy Trust cash incentives, you can cultivate healthy energy cost savings.
4. Small Commercial Construction / Major Renovation. New energy-efficient buildings deserve their kudos. When you enroll your project, you’re helping to set a new standard for small commercial buildings. One that results in lower energy costs and up to 20 percent more energy savings. Special incentive packages offer simple, tailored solutions for your next project.
ADJOURN 10:30 a.m.
For more information about this and other Pacific Power seminars, please visit their webpage.

Wednesday Birders at Tumalo Falls
2014-08-20
Join local birders every Wednesday for birding trips in Central Oregon. Meet at 7:00 AM at Nancy P’s at 1054 Milwaukee in Bend. The group car pools, sharing expenses for gas, and taking turns driving.
Plans may vary due to weather or rare birds spotted prior to the meeting. To keep up to date on the latest bird sightings and birding opportunities including Wednesday Birders join Central Oregon Birders Online (COBOL). It’s a great resource for Central Oregon birders.
For this outing, birders will enjoy Tumalo Falls in the morning, take a break, then explore Tumalo Falls and Skyliner for swifts, nightjars, and owls in the evening.
For more information about this and other upcoming events of the East Cascades Audubon Society, visit their website.

Vegetable Garden Harvesting and Food Preservation Tips
2014-08-19
Join the OSU Extension Service for this lunch and learn: Vegetable Garden Harvesting and Food Preservation Tips.
Visit the Central Oregon Master Gardeners Association’s website for more information.

Jack Johnson 2 FREE tickets Drawing!
2014-08-18
2 FREE TICKETS for the sold-out Jack Johnson All At Once show on August 24th will be drawn from all submitted answers to our question at The Environmental Center: How are you Living the Green in Bend? Your answers can be inspired by the ongoing pop-up art show of the Lexicon of Sustainability, which will be hanging on the outside front porch and in the Audubon room, High Desert room, and hallway of The Environmental Center through the rest of July and August. This project is based on a simple principle: people can’t be expected to live more sustainable lives if they don’t know the most basic terms and principles that define sustainability.
By illuminating the vocabulary of sustainable agriculture, and with it, the conversation about America’s rapidly evolving food culture, the Lexicon of Sustainability educated, engages, and activates people to pay closer attention to how they eat, what they buy, and where their responsibility begins for creating a healthier, safer food system in America.
Ticket Drawing will take place on August 18th.
Your answers will also be shared on our website, in social media (#livingthegreen #inBend), and at The Environmental Center.

Composting Class at Hollinshead Community Garden
2014-08-16
In this class, learn about composting at the Hollinshead Community Garden.
For more information about this event, visit the Central Oregon Master Gardeners Association’s website.

Water Wonders
2014-08-16
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Ashley Lowrey to get your feet wet on a summer exploration of the world of water. Ashley will help you explore the Metolius Preserve’s Lake Creek with a net and bucket in search of water striders, caddis flies, and backswimmers. Be ready to get wet and have fun while learning why water bugs are such important indicators of water quality. Perfect for kids ages 5-12 with a grown-up in tow. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the
event.
Rating: Easy, ~1 mile walk.
What to Bring: Snacks/lunch, water, hiking shoes, and bring water shoes (strapped sandals that
can get wet; no crocs or flip-flops). Dress for the weather.
For more information about this event and to register, please visit the Deschutes Land Trust website.

Macroinvertebrate Monitoring in Whychus Creek
2014-08-16
Join the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to collect aquatic macroinvertebrates in Whychus Creek this August 16th. Aquatic macroinvertebrates, the aquatic life stage of familiar bugs like stoneflies, caddisflies, and mayflies, are excellent indicators of stream health. On Whychus Creek, where extensive restoration work is taking place to improve habitat for returning steelhead and salmon, UDWC is using macroinvertebrates to measure how stream conditions are changing as restoration progresses.
Volunteers will learn sampling methods and spend the day collecting macroinvertebrate samples in teams along the creek. These samples will give UDWC and our partners essential information about the quality of stream conditions for aquatic life. Macroinvertebrate monitoring with UDWC is a great opportunity to get involved in taking care of a local watershed, spend time in a beautiful place, learn first-hand about stream ecosystems, and contribute to developing a better scientific understanding of the rivers you love.
What to bring: 2-3 quarts of water, lunch and snacks, sunscreen and hat, rain jacket, old sneakers, shorts or quick-dry pants.
To sign up or for more information, please contact Lauren Mork at lmork@restorethedeschutes.org or at 541-382-6103 x39.
For more information visit the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council website.

Waldo Weekend Campout
2014-08-15 - 2014-08-17
The Oregon Sierra Club Eastside Forest Committee has initiated a campaign to provide greater protection for the forested areas east of Waldo Lake, a beautiful region 35 miles southwest of Bend containing abundant old growth and roadless areas. Currently it is unprotected beyond its federal forest status. For more information on what we’re proposing, look at our Keep Waldo Wild web page. This weekend car campout is designed to introduce you Waldo Lake’s environment and treat you to its plentiful attractions. We hope you’ll become as excited about preserving the area east and south of Waldo Lake as we are!
Who’s Invited?
Everyone who cares about Waldo Lake and preserving an untrammeled old growth forest experience! Last year we had 50 campers from the Juniper (Bend), Many Rivers (Eugene), and Mary’s Peak (Corvallis), and Columbia (Portland) Sierra Club Groups plus several new faces to all of us. This year, we’re hoping even more “Waldonians” will join us, so we’ve again reserved the same group campsite (see below) that will accommodate about 85 campers comfortably.
Waldo Weekend Campout Reservation Form
Open the Google Form using the link above. Answer the questions, then click on “Submit” at the bottom form.
Cost is $20/person for the weekend. To confirm a reservation, we must receive your check made out to Juniper Group Sierra Club and mailed to us at 16 NW Kansas, Bend 97703. You should know this may be the last Waldo Campout for a while.

Bend Urban Growth Boundary Community Meetings
2014-08-14, 2014-08-13
The City of Bend encourages residents to attend one of two upcoming community meetings to learn more about and comment on the City’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Remand project.

Meeting 1:
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Bend Municipal Court Building
555 NE 15th Street, Bend
Meeting 2:
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2014
Bend Parks & Recreation District, Riverbend Room
739 SW Columbia Street, Bend
Attendees are welcome to arrive at any time. Presentations will be provided at approximately 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Staff will be available throughout the meeting to provide information and answer questions. Attendees can participate in informal small group discussions and/or review displays. Children are welcome to attend, and coloring or other activities will be provided. Participants can learn how use an interactive online tool to weigh in on goals and issues associated with the UGB project. That online feedback tool will be accessible from the City’s UGB Website beginning August 1, 2014.
The City of Bend has entered the next phase of its UGB expansion to chart a path for Bend’s future growth. The UGB is a line on the City’s General Plan map that identifies Bend’s urban land. This land represents an estimated 20-year supply of land for employment, housing and other urban uses. The community has an opportunity to help shape the plan for future growth that reflects the community’s values and meets state planning requirements.
Find out more about the project, public meetings and opportunities to provide input, and sign up to receive information about the project at www.bendoregon.gov/bendugb.
Meetings are wheelchair accessible. Services for hearing impaired or Spanish-language interpretation can be arranged by contacting Brian Rankin at least 48 hours in advance at 541-388-5584 or brankin@bendoregon.gov. El lugar de la reunión dispone de acceso para personas en sillas de ruedas. Para organizar servicios para personas con discapacidad auditiva o servicios de interpretación al español, favor de llamar a Brian Rankin al menos con 48 horas de anticipación al 541-388-5584 o brankin@bendoregon.gov

Volcano Hike
2014-08-14
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Daniele Mckay for a sunset hike to the top of a small volcano located in Skyline Forest. Three Creek Butte is one of many small volcanoes scattered throughout the Three Sisters region. From its peak, we’ll take in views of the larger volcanoes in the region and discuss the geologic history of the Cascades and the potential for future eruptions. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.
Rating: Challenging, ~2 mile hike.
What to Bring: Snacks, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.
For more information about this event and to register, please visit the Deschutes Land Trust website.

Predators and Prey with The Environmental Center
2014-08-14
Bring your family to a Bend Park and Recreation District park to learn, play, and have fun in nature! FREE!
Thursdays, 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Ages 5-10
Ponderosa Park
Predators and Prey presented by The Environmental Center: Have fun learning about the diverse critters that call Central Oregon home through exciting games and interactive science activities.
Learn more about the Deschutes Children’s Forest summer programs here.

Tree Yoga
2014-08-13
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Maret Pajutee for a meditative evening at picturesque Indian Ford Meadow Preserve. Commune with nature through gentle stretching and meditation in a tranquil pine grove with a mountain views. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.
Rating: Easy, ~1 mile walking plus yoga!
What to Bring: Bring a yoga mat or towel, water, and a snack. Dress for the weather.
For more information about this event and to register, please visit the Deschutes Land Trust website.

Overnight Birders Trip at Millican Valley and Pine Mountain
2014-08-12 - 2014-08-13
Join local birders every Wednesday for birding trips in Central Oregon. Meet at 7:00 AM at Nancy P’s at 1054 Milwaukee in Bend. The group car pools, sharing expenses for gas, and taking turns driving.
Plans may vary due to weather or rare birds spotted prior to the meeting. To keep up to date on the latest bird sightings and birding opportunities including Wednesday Birders join Central Oregon Birders Online (COBOL). It’s a great resource for Central Oregon birders.
This overnight Birding Trip will include Tuesday afternoon birding at Millican Valley with an overnight camp-out at Pine Mountain for meteor show and Poorwills, Owls, and early morning Passerines in the desert before returning home on Wednesday.
For more information about this and other upcoming events of the East Cascades Audubon Society, visit their website.

Cadscadia Organic Farm Lunch & Learn
2014-08-12
Join us as local organic farmer Gigi Meyer talks about the devastating herbicide poisoning of her farm. She will discuss the steps she took and is still taking to remedy this action. We will provide lunch during her talk and then take a walking tour of the farm. We hope to see you there, as we venture into the realm of sustainability from a different perspective!
For more information, please go to Gigi’s website.
We love dogs but please leave them at home for this event, and children must be supervised at all times.
Tickets are FREE with a suggested $5 donation to help us cover costs. Seats are limited, so please RSVP!

Managing Pests on KPOV on 88.9FM
2014-08-12
Listen in to KPOV 88.9FM for a discussion on Managing Pests in the Gardening: Get Good At It series.
For more information, visit the Central Oregon Master Gardeners Association website.

Super Moon Hike
2014-08-10
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Mary Crow for a Super Moon hike at Rimrock Ranch near Sisters. Explore this privately owned and permanetly conserved ranch under the light of a super moon. Super moons are when the moon is closest to Earth all year making it appear even bigger and brighter! Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.
Rating: Challenging, ~2-3 mile hike.
What to Bring: Snacks, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.
For more information about this event and to register, please visit the Deschutes Land Trust website.

Field Notes at Metolius Preserve
2014-08-09
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Katie Eberhart to explore the Metolius Preserve with the pen of a writer. Walking the land can be a great way to heighten your senses and feed your writing. Walk with us to see and hear more acutely, feel the fresh air, and smell new aromas. Then, through field notes, capture the specifics of a place that may later help trigger or contribute to poems, essays, or fiction. Writing exercises, discussion and optional sharing are all part of the process. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.
Rating: Easy, ~1 mile walk.
What to Bring: Paper/notebook, pens/pencils, and, if you wish, a lightweight chair or pad.
For more information about this event and to register, please visit the Deschutes Land Trust website.

Wild About Wilderness with Deschutes Children's Forest
2014-08-07
Bring your family to a Bend Park and Recreation District park to learn, play, and have fun in nature! FREE!
Thursdays, 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Ages 5-10
Al Moody Park
Wild About Wilderness presented by Discover Your Forest: Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act and learn why Wilderness is important through a fun and interactive puppet show.
Learn more about the Deschutes Children’s Forest summer programs here.

VolunteerConnect Board Fair
2014-08-06
The Board Fair brings together twenty-plus nonprofit organizations seeking board members with people interested in exploring board service opportunities. Come early to check out all the opportunities. Free event. Registration required for tabling organizations, desired for those attending: betsy@volunteerconnectnow.org.

Wednesday Birders at Hatfield and Redmond Wastewater Ponds
2014-08-06
Join local birders every Wednesday for birding trips in Central Oregon. Meet at 7:00 AM at Nancy P’s at 1054 Milwaukee in Bend. The group car pools, sharing expenses for gas, and taking turns driving.
Plans may vary due to weather or rare birds spotted prior to the meeting. To keep up to date on the latest bird sightings and birding opportunities including Wednesday Birders join Central Oregon Birders Online (COBOL). It’s a great resource for Central Oregon birders.
For more information about this and other upcoming events of the East Cascades Audubon Society, visit their website.

Mid-Season Garden Discussion on KPOV on 88.9FM
2014-08-05
Listen in to KPOV 88.9FM for a discussion on Mid-Season Gardening in the Gardening: Get Good At It series.
For more information, visit the Central Oregon Master Gardeners Association website.

Young Women's Natural Resources Career Camp
2014-08-05 - 2014-08-06
Discover Your Forest and the US Forest Service is partnering to bring 10th-12th grade females out in the field to:

discover careers in wildlife biology,botany, geology, recreation & more.
Learn about opportunities working for the Forest Service & other conservation organizations.
Make new friends, share meals around the campfire & camp out!
Develop leadership skills.

Application forms are available here, and to learn more, go here.

River Feast
2014-08-02
A distinctive gathering at a magnificent location to celebrate the role the Deschutes River plays in the bounty that is harvested in this region with the Deschutes River Conservancy.
Please join us for a delightful Farm to Table experience at Mike and Gail Davis’ spectacular Tumalo property. Savoring a locally sourced delectable dinner prepared by private Chef Ken Clarke paired with wonderful Oregon wines and and craft beers, you will have the opportunity to mingle with friends and enjoy sweeping views of the Cascades. What a wonderful way to help support restoring streamflows in the Deschutes Basin!
For more information or to register, please contact Debbie Conners at 541-382-4077 x10 or debbie@deschutesriver.org or visit the Deschutes River Conservancy website.

Stewardship Workshop
2014-08-02
The Fall River Steward Group will be meeting for an organizational meeting regarding the Fall River southwest of Sunriver.
Information we will discuss:

Summer project update from Trout Unlimited’s Fall River Project Coordinator, Levi Old
Presentation by local natural resource professionals on management of the Fall River corridor
Organization-building workshop for the Fall River Steward Group
BBQ to celebrate the summer and build community around our work

For questions, full details, or to RSVP, please contact Levi Old by email or 541-408-3770.

Kids' Butterfly Walk
2014-08-02
Explore the delicate and beautiful world of butterflies with the Deschutes Land Trust and Sue Anderson. This family-friendly walk around the Metolius Preserve will captivate your young ones as they roam the forest searching for butterflies and report their findings to guru Sue. Delight in up-close encounters with these fluttery creatures that will also help you learn about their identification and ecology. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.
Rating: Easy, ~1-2 mile walk.
What to Bring: Snacks/lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.
For more information about this event and to register, please visit the Deschutes Land Trust website.

Be a River Superhero! Video Contest Submissions Due!
2014-08-01
Superman? Superwoman? Green Lantern? NO! Not heroic enough! Now is your chance to realize your lifelong dream of becoming a real superhero who rescues the Deschutes River from the evil forces of garbage and pollution! With summer fast approaching, river floating season is here. Floating the river is fabulous but garbage floating among the sedges is NOT. The amount of instream debris in the Old Mill District section of the Deschutes River has been increasing dramatically over the years. We are seeking a proactive and fun solution to the problem and we need your help! We are calling out to all of you Deschutes River Superheros to produce a 1-2 minute video presenting your creative ideas for preventing beer bottles, flip flops, and cell phones from filling up the river we all love. Don’t forget to include a snippet about why you love the river and want to protect it from evil! We want to hear about your connection to the river along with your heroic solution to save it.

See Video Contest Rules and Guidelines and download a submission form here.
Videos must be uploaded to YouTube by 5:00pm on Friday, August 1st, 2014
First Place- Two tickets to the Jack Johnson concert and two beautiful blue hydroflask bottles with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council logo
Second Place- Two beautiful blue hydroflask bottles with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council logo
Third Place- An Upper Deschutes Watershed Council ceramic coffee mug hand-crafted by local artist Chad Fox

Birds of Prey with High Desert Museum
2014-07-31
Bring your family to a Bend Park and Recreation District park to learn, play, and have fun in nature! FREE!
Thursdays, 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Ages 5-10
Wildflower Park
Birds of Prey presented by High Desert Museum: Experience an up-close encounter with a raptor and learn about the exciting adaptations of birds of prey.
Learn more about the Deschutes Children’s Forest summer programs here.

Green Drinks at Humm Kombucha
2014-07-31
Join us at Green Drinks, the bi-monthly gathering to learn about local businesses and their sustainability efforts while enjoying an Eco-conscious drink or two! This month we’ll be learning about the amazing drink called Kombucha at Humm Kombucha; 5-7pm.
Why we humm
Humm is more than a word.
It’s even more than a sound.
Humm is a vibration.
Humm is energy and forward momentum.
Humm is the sound of happiness.
Humm travels.
Humm communicates.
Humm reminds us that we are not alone.
Humm is the chorus of human voices in a crowd.
Humm is music.
Humm is the rhythm of the universe.

Wednesday Birders at Crater Lake (all-day)
2014-07-30
