The Environmental Center

Deschutes River Urban Corridor Hike #1
2019-05-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This hike gives 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 old Riverbend Brewing Sports Pub location.
Pre-registration required.

Power Hour: A budding opportunity for efficiency
2019-05-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please RSVP in advance!
As the cannabis industry grows, so does its carbon footprint. Indoor grow operations require a large amount of energy and have historically used inefficient technology for lighting, ventilation, and dehumidification.
Join us as we learn about a local business who is shining a light on the opportunities that exist for the cannabis industry to shift to more sustainable practices. Deschutes Growery is saving $192,000 per year by cutting energy use in their operations and producing solar energy on site with a 56.4kW solar installation. They are cutting their energy use with LED lighting and unlike many growers, they are using LEDs for all growth stages of the plant with optimized lighting wavelengths for different stages of growth. Because their LED lights produce minimal heat, Deschutes Growery has been able to put the lights much closer to the plants as part of their innovative mobile racking system.
This will be a fun and informative session for other cultivators, carbon-conscious cannabis consumers, and curious community members who want a glimpse into a burgeoning economic sector in Central Oregon.
Our panelists will include

Justin Clapick, Co-founder, Deschutes Growery
Marty Stipe, Senior Energy Analyst, Energy Trust of Oregon Industry and Agriculture Program
Kandis Bray, Lighting Specialist, Energy Trust of Oregon Commercial and Industrial Program

RSVP in Advance
Thank you to our title Power Hour sponsor

Thank you to our beverage sponsor

Watch out for Wildlife: Film Screening & Panel Discussion
2019-05-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Wildlife, such as deer and elk, face challenges everyday while trying to navigate a landscape altered by humans. Join us for a critical look at the intersection of transportation and wildlife migration through a series of documentaries and a discussion with key partners working on behalf of wildlife conservation. This program is presented in partnership with Protecting Animal Migration (PAM), Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Deschutes National Forest.
Films:

Cascade Crossroads – Chronicling the story unfolding over and under Interstate 90 in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, this documentary looks at the intersection of a major transportation and wildlife migration corridor. Running time: 30 minutes
It’s a Mule Deer’s Life – Witness the challenges of a group of mule deer in eastern Nevada as they make a 120 mile migration from their winter range in the Pequop Mountains to their summer range in the majestic Jarbidge Mountains. Running time: 23 minutes
Gilchrist Wildlife Underpass Project – Using the wildlife underpass project at Lava Butte as a model, learn how the Gilchrist project is taking shape. 5 minutes

Panel Discussion with:
Sara Gregory – ODF&W: Wildlife Habitat Biologist
Lauri Turner – Deschutes National Forest: Forest Wildlife Program Manager
Cidney Bowman – ODOT: Wildlife Passage Coordinator

Core Area Project Pop-Up Event
2019-05-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Get Involved in the Core Area Project! Help shape the heart of Bend by attending an upcoming event.
City of Bend staff will be at six different locations throughout the month of May to inform the community about the Core Area Project and encourage more people to attend the June 15 Community Workshop. Pop-in to any of the events while enjoying some of your favorite local hangouts.
Saturday, May 4: Box Factory 4-6 p.m.— 550 SW Industrial Way
Monday, May 6: Grocery Outlet 4-6 p.m— 694-B SE 3rd Street
Thursday, May 9: Boneyard Brew Pub 4-6 p.m. — 1955 NE Division Street
Thursday, May 16: Backporch Coffee Greenwood 8-10 a.m— 706 NE Greenwood Avenue #140
Monday, May 20: Webskis/Webcyclery (Old Stone Church) 4-6 p.m — 157 NW Franklin Avenue
Thursday, May 23: Humm Kombucha 4-6 p.m— 1125 NE 2nd Street (there will also be live music at this event!)
Don’t forget to save the date for the Community Workshop on June 15 10am-Noon at Bend High School Commons.

Bend COTA Work Events
2019-05-23, 2019-05-30, 2019-06-06, 2019-06-13 | 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.

New Vitality from Old Buildings
2019-05-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
New Vitality from Old Buildings: How Preservation and Building Reuse Can Support Healthy, Equitable, and Resilient Communities with Dr. Michael Powe, Research & Policy Lab Director of Research.
For ten years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Research & Policy Lab has developed a portfolio of innovative research that demonstrates the value of older, smaller buildings and advocates for the inclusion of preservation and building reuse in cities’ community and economic development practice and sustainability and resilience planning. In this talk, the Lab’s Director of Research, Dr. Michael Powe, will give an overview of the Lab’s work-to-date, noting the ways that preservation can support resilient local economies; distinctive, walkable neighborhoods; and inclusive communities. Mike will also offer a preview of the Lab’s current work on the links between preservation, affordability, and displacement, and he will note the ways the Lab’s research and data analysis on more than 50 U.S. cities offers important insights for Bend and Deschutes County.

Cornhole Tournament Benefit
2019-05-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Finish off the last weekend of Central Oregon Beer Week with a BANG!
On Tap’s 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament (for a Cause!)
32-Team Tournament
2-person team, single elimination format
Bags start flying at 1pm. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early for check-in. Registration $25 per team includes:

Entry for 2
Your teams first beers (drink tickets included upon registration)
A donation to The Environmental Center
A chance to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place prizes

PRIZES:
Winner: $50 gift cards to both On Tap & Crux
Runner-up: $25 gift cards to both On Tap & Crux
3rd Place: On Tap & Crux swag
Sign ups (cash or card accepted) at On Tap. Registrations will be accepted on-site the day of if space is available.
Sound FUN? Come participate or spectate! Drink Crux beer (beer line-up TBA), support a good cause and have some friendly, competitive fun!

Happy Hour in the Garden
2019-05-28, 2019-06-04, 2019-06-11, 2019-06-18 | 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

Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival
2019-05-30 - 2019-06-02 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The 9th Annual Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival will take place in Sisters on May 30-June 2, 2019.
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. Participants have a chance to see not only common woodpeckers like Hairy and Downy but also much more rare species like White-headed, American Three-toed, and Black-backed Woodpeckers.
The East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) sponsors the festival. Two ECAS volunteers guide each trip. Festival tours are limited to ten participants and tours typically fill within a few days of the date the festival registration opens.
Online registration opens April 1, 2019 at 8am, PDT. Trip registration fills quickly. Complete information can be found here.

Central Oregon Master Gardener Association 2019 Plant Sale
2019-06-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Prepare your garden beds, the annual plant sale, produced by the Central Oregon Master Gardener Association, is coming soon! Join us at the OSU/Deschutes County Extension Service office on Saturday, June 1st. Chose from a large variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. These plants are selected specifically for the Central Oregon climate. Sale begins at 9:00 am and runs until noon. There will be vendors to shop with, as well as OSU Master Gardener volunteers on hand to answer all of your gardening questions. The Extension Service is located on the fairgrounds in Redmond, near parking lot J (3800 SW Airport Way, Bldg.4).
Plants start selling at 9:00 am and may sell out before 12:00 noon. Come early for best selection!

Kayak Trip: River Habitat Health along the Upper Deschutes
2019-06-03 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe for a water-based exploration of the Upper Deschutes, from Dillon to Benham Falls and back.
This paddle will be co-lead by Mason Lacy, PHD and Toni Pennington, PHD. Mason will provide insight on the unique hydrology of the Deschutes, and discuss opportunities as well as barriers to restoration. Toni will discuss aquatic plants and water quality.

America's Great River Journeys with Tim Palmer
2019-06-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Tim Palmer is the award-winning author of 26 books about rivers, conservation, and adventure travel. He is a photographer of America’s natural landscapes and a dynamic, inspiring public speaker. Recently four of his river photos were selected to appear in a new set of 12 USPS Wild & Scenic River Forever stamps that commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic River Act.
An inveterate river-lover, Tim has canoed or rafted on more than 300 rivers in the United States and western Canada. He lived for 22 years as a nomad in his van, traveling throughout the country to do research, writing, and photography for his book projects.
Tim will present a spectacular slide show and talk based on his new book America’s Great River Journeys. Please join us as Tim takes us on a photographic tour of 50 of the finest river trips in America, including the Deschutes, John Day, Rogue and Umpqua.

Tim has been running rivers for five decades and has worked at the center of river conservation efforts the whole time. He was the recipient of American Rivers’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 1988 and many subsequent honors. Paddler magazine named Tim one of the top ten river conservationists of our time and one of the “100 great paddlers of the last century.”
The doors open at 6:00 pm. Program begins at 6:30 pm.

Broadchats
2019-06-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Central Oregon Chapter of Great Old Broads for Wilderness at an upcoming broadchats!
Conversation and presentation about “ Climate Change and Wildlife.” Please bring $5.00 to cover costs of snacks and drinks and off set rental space. Register here.

Dammed to Extinction
2019-06-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
For eons, a one-of-a-kind population of killer whales has hunted chinook salmon along the Pacific Coast. For the last 40 years, renowned whale scientist Ken Balcomb has closely observed them. He’s familiar with a deadly pattern. Salmon numbers plummet. Orcas starve. The downward spiral compelled him to realize that studying whales was no longer enough. He needed to act. The orcas need roughly a million salmon a year, where to find a million fish? The solution says Balcomb, is getting rid of four fish-killing dams 500 miles away, on the largest tributary to what was, until it was dammed nearly to death in the last century, the largest chinook producing river on earth. Studying whales is science. Removing dams is politics. Defiantly mixing the two, says Balcomb, has become the most important work of his storied career. Meanwhile, the race to extinction for salmon and orcas speeds up, nipping at the heels of the plodding, clumsy pace of political change in the Pacific Northwest, where dams and hydropower are king.
Doors open at 6 pm, film begins at 6:45. Register in advance here.
Steven Hawley, Writer and Filmmaker, will be at the showing. He is the author of Recovering a Lost River, a book that inspired the documentary film Dam Nation by Patagonia.
Sponsors: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Social Justice Committee & the Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads, Great Old Broads for Wilderness
A $10 donation is requested to support expenses for this showing and the continued advocacy for salmon and orcas. A donation is not required to register or attend.

Pesky Plants Pull @ Meadow Camp
2019-06-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Coalition and the Deschutes National Forest for a morning pulling invasive plants along the Deschutes River. We’ll focus our attention on the Meadow Camp Day Use Area.
We’ll start the morning with an overview of logistics and safety protocols, and talk about the what and why of pulling invasive plants. Participants will be required to sign a release waiver with the US Forest Service.
Why pull invasive weeds:

Noxious weeds invade a variety of habitats including agriculture and wildlands such as the National Forest.
They displace and compete with native vegetation, thus reducing wildlife forage, erosion control, and overall watershed health.
The Bend/Ft. Rock District of the Deschutes National Forest has documented approximately 2,300 acres of infestations. Some of these infestations are in our favorite places to recreate.
We need your help with controlling noxious weeds so we can continue to enjoy these special places!

Roy Zimmerman, Rize Up
2019-06-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
A benefit for KPOV Radio!
“With music this good and humor this insightful, there is good reason to be optimistic.”
Tickets: $20 in advance / $18 for KPOV members / $25 at the door

Power Hour: Making the most of your smart meter
2019-06-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please RSVP in advance.
Meet the newest appliance in your home-the smart meter. Learn how you can demystify your energy and water bills.
For many of us, our energy and water bills can be a bit of a mystery. We get our bills once a month and they go up and down seasonally which we know is caused by weather and irrigation changes, but other than that, we’re left to guess what else makes our bills tick upwards.
This is where smart meters can help to unveil some of the mystery in your utility bills. With hourly reporting, you can see how your energy changes when you turn on the dishwasher and when your business opens up shop in the morning. Learn how you can make the most of your smart meter data at home and at work at this next Power Hour.
We will hear from Pacific Power to learn about our smart electric meters and the City of Bend to learn about our smart water meters. We will also learn from the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a nonprofit group that advocates on behalf of utility ratepayers in order to keep our utility rates low.
This session is for is anyone who lives or works in a building in Central Oregon—so, that means you!
Our panelists will include

Matthew Chancellor, Regional Business Manager, Pacific Power
Janice Thompson, Deputy Director, Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB)
Daniel Denning, Utility Program Specialist-Water Conservation, City of Bend

We will also have additional expert panelists on-hand to answer questions and help you uncover more strategies to save energy at home and at work:

Brad Moore, Program Engineer, Energy Trust of Oregon Industry and Agriculture Program
Jesse Holland, Program Engineer, Energy Trust of Oregon Industry and Agriculture Program
Megan Cummings, Senior Home Energy Consultant, GreenSavers

Agenda

Networking: 5:00 to 5:30 pm
Presentation + Q&A: 5:30 to 6:30
Networking and mingling with speakers: 6:30 to 7:00

Thank you to our sponsors

Hike Along the Metolius
2019-06-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Get ready for the first in a series of three hikes along the Metolius River with LandWatch’s very own wildlife program director Nathan Hovekamp!
The first hike will begin at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery. We will make our way upstream to Canyon Creek Campground while learning about the flora and fauna of the basin. This is an out-and-back walk that begins and ends at the fish hatchery. The total walking distance is about 5.5 miles. The trail conditions are mostly level with occasional muddy spots, rocks, or tree roots, and mixed sun and shade. Each field trip will take 5-6 hours total, including round trip driving time from Bend.
Suggested equipment: comfortable hiking shoes, sack lunch, plenty of water, sun and bug sauce, binoculars, and field guides.

Core Area Project Community Workshop
2019-06-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Get Involved in the Core Area Project to help shape the heart of Bend.
Attend this Community Workshop on June 15th, 10am-Noon, at Bend High School Commons.
This project will work to create a common vision and implementation plan for the Core Area of the City. This includes four of the opportunity areas included in the 2016 Urban Growth Boundary expansion (Bend Central District, East Downtown, Inner Highway 20 / Greenwood, and KorPine). Through this process, the City will work with property owners, area residents, and other stakeholders.
Learn more about the Core Area Project here.

CTAC Meeting
2019-06-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Citywide Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) provides recommendations related to the updates of the Transportation System Plan (TSP) and Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). This committee is getting closer to drafting the new TSP, which will be the guiding document for transportation in Bend over the next 20 years. Any new transportation projects in the City over the next 20 years, including transit, bike lanes, sidewalks, and road projects will be included in this plan. This will be the committee’s first discussion of priorities.
All meetings are open to the public, with an opportunity for public comment at the beginning and end. The agenda other materials will be available through the City of Bend here.

Association of Oregon Recyclers Conference
2019-06-19 - 2019-06-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Sustainable Oregon 2019, is AOR’s 41st annual Conference & Trade Show is a three-day interactive learning experience featuring cutting-edge educational sessions, workshops, local and national experts and speakers, facility tours, valuable networking opportunities, and an awards program to celebrate the achievements of Oregon’s recycling, reuse, and waste reduction businesses and leaders.
The conference also provides unmatched networking opportunities in one location. This is the time and place each year that recycling professionals from Oregon and around the Northwest gather to talk all things recycling, composting, and sustainable materials management.
The conference will be held at The Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend, Oregon, June 19-21st, 2019.

WaterWise Landscape Transformations
2019-06-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn simple step-by-step methods to convert your yard into a beautiful and functional WaterWise landscape. Workshops are scheduled 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and include a hands-on demo segment in the Hollinshead Water-wise demonstration garden. Registration is required.

TSP Steering Committee Meeting
2019-06-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This is an opportunity to learn about and provide public comment on Bend’s Transportation System Plan (TSP).
The TSP is part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. It is dedicated to planning for our transportation needs over the next 20 years. The Steering Committee consists of the seven-person City Council plus a City Planning Commissioner, a County Commissioner, and a representative from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The Steering Committee is the decision maker for the TSP. All meetings of the Steering Committee are open to the public and include time for public comment.
You can also submit comments via email to: tsp@bendoregon.gov.

Sagebrush Sipper
2019-06-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association staff and supporters for Sagebrush Sippers happy hours in our office this summer. Mix and mingle, learn about new aspects of Oregon’s high desert, and find opportunities to dig deeper into our conservation work.
This month, hear about how to make the most of long summer days in Oregon’s high desert while enjoying cold beverages including beer from Immersion Brewing. Look for more Sagebrush Sippers events in Portland and Bend all summer.
