The Environmental Center

Family Farmer and Racher Day at the State Capitol
2015-03-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This is about educating state decision-makers in Salem on the importance of local agriculture and the need for policies that support farmers and ranchers in Oregon. Join fellow farmers, ranchers and food advocates from around the state to build power and show there are folks outside of corporate agribusiness lobbyists that have a stake in our food system. Sponsored by Friends of Family Farmers.
Please RSVP here.

Oregon Active Transportation Summit
2015-03-30 - 2015-03-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
During the summit you will examine how our transportation investments, programs and plans can leave us all with clean, equitable solutions for the future of our planet and community.
The summit will highlight the kinds of transportation decisions being made in the face of the climate crisis. The summit will highlight the change-makers and thought-leaders who can guide us into a sustainable future.

Camp Fire Summer Camps - Early Bird Registration Closes
2015-03-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This year, Camp Fire is offering a fantastic selection of fun summer camps in Bend and Tumalo all summer long! At Camp Fire, we provide a friendly, inclusive, and diverse community of campers and staff. We’re dedicated to making this summer a unique adventure for your child!
Early Bird Registration will be available until March 31st.
Camps include:
Adventure Challenge Camp – Explore the beautiful landscape of Central Oregon through adventures like rock climbing, river rafting, mountain biking the Paulina Plunge, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and much, much more!
Counselor In Training – For young people 8th grade or older. Learn leadership and teamwork skills, while having fun with your friends and preparing to be a Camp Counselor!
Tumalo Day Camp – For kids pre-Kindergarten through 7th grade; Youth 8th grade and older can apply to be Counselors in Training. At Tumalo Day Camp, campers will learn outdoor and camping skills, play outside, make new friends, and have a wonderful summer camp experience! Participating boys and girls will go on adventures, hike the state park, play games, make arts and crafts, perform skits, sing songs, learn survival skills, and much, much more!
SummerKids – All summer long! For kids K-8th grade.Youth 8th grade and older can also apply to be Counselors in Training. At SummerKids, our exceptionally low adult-child ratio ensures that your kids feel secure, creative, and empowered to be themselves–it’s better than childcare: it’s a place to grow.

Awesome Bend Grant Applications Due
2015-04-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
We know, Bend is already awesome, but why stop there? We believe this town is brimming with leaders, dreamers, artists, inventors, movers and shakers with ideas that can make Bend an even better place to live, work and play. As people who care about Bend, we are willing to put our money where our mouths are.
Awesome Bend awards a $1,000 grant quarterly to a project that will make Bend even more awesome. The definition of “awesome” is intentionally left up to your imagination. It could mean solving a problem, making someone stop and think, or spreading joy– think social good, the environment, technology, arts and beyond!
Apply to win the $1,000 now. (Application deadline April 1, 2015)
Hint for success: In your application, state very specifically, how your project will make Bend even more awesome.
The grant has no strings attached (other than doing something awesome and telling us about it). We are high on action and low on bureaucracy. The application takes 15 minutes or less. Finalists deliver a 5 minute pitch at Pitch Night, where we select a winner and hand out $1,000 on the spot to help them turn their awesome idea into reality.
Inaugural AWESOME BEND PITCH NIGHT will be April 21st, 2015 6-8:30pm at Deschutes Brewery Tap Room – 1044 NW Bond St (Upstairs). Live crowdfunding– like Shark Tank for community good! Beer and food at Locals Night prices. Ideas & Inspiration free!
Our only rules:

The project must be feasible and completed within 3 months of the award.
The money cannot be used for personal expenses or operating expenses for an established charity.
You agree to come back to the next Pitch Night and tell the community all about your project, thus inspiring future awesomeness.

Central Westside Plan Public Open House
2015-04-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Bend’s central westside is rapidly changing with new residential development, schools, and parks and an expanded Oregon State University – Cascades campus on the horizon.
Attend the open house!
Riverbend Community Room, Bend Park and Recreation District Office
The City of Bend’s Central Westside Plan will identify a preferred land use and transportation strategy that supports vibrant and sustainable communities.
Can’t make the open house?
Participate online from March 30-April 15 at www.bendoregon.gov/westsideplan

Spring Repair Cafe at The Gear Fix
2015-04-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Tuesday April 26, 5:30 – 7:30
The Gear Fix 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend
We’re returning to The Gear Fix for our Spring Repair Cafe, and we’re excited to hold it in their new location! We’ll have volunteer fixers on hand to repair your broken items, for free! A Repair Cafe connects people with broken stuff, with people that like to fix stuff. Repairing instead of replacing prevents waste and saves resources. Doing it with other people makes it fun and cultivates community! Items to bring include:

Small appliances
Clothing (just repairs, no alterations please)
Outdoor Gear
Small furniture
Jewelry
Electronics
Boots and shoes
If you’re not sure, bring it!

If you have questions about this event, or are interested in becoming a volunteer fixer, please contact denise by email or phone, (541)385-6908 x14
Read up about our Repair Cafes.

Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP); Module 3
2015-04-03 - 2015-04-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
SHP is an interactive six-month accreditation program that provides participants with the opportunity to develop the technical skills and knowledge required to design and build highperformance homes. Each two-day module integrates lecture and discussion, hands-on exercises and tours of certified homes.
Module 3: High Performance Building Envelopes
Two day Module Friday & Saturday from 9-5pm
This module explores various high performance wall and roof assemblies, including continuous exterior insulation, truss walls, double-stud walls, SIPS, staggered stud framing, I-joist, and more. Participants learn principles that can be applied to existing homes and new construction projects, including durable wall design, insulation strategies and air sealing, product selection, and construction. The course addresses the importance of performance testing and diagnostics to verify the performance of installed equipment and the home’s envelope.
Individual modules cost $295 each and can be taken in any order to achieve SHP accreditation.
More information and sign up

Housing Solutions Showcase
2015-04-03 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
What does affordable housing look like? Join us for the Housing Solutions Showcase as we team up with the American Institute of Architects to show Bendites how affordable and beautiful dense development can be.
This gallery-style exhibit will be held downtown during First Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 3 at a high-profile location with local architects on hand to show off their projects to the public via large poster boards, photos, elevations and short presentations.
Come learn about what the future of high-density housing might look like in our town, and enjoy some complimentary wine and snacks, too! Stay tuned to Bend2030.org for more information!

KPOV's Spring DJ Class
2015-04-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Are you interested in learning more about radio? Thinking about hosting a show on KPOV? Love music? Want to get involved in your community?
KPOV’s spring DJ class, coming up on April 4, might be the answer. The class will teach you the dos and don’ts of non-profit radio as well as giving you hands on experience with radio equipment.
Enrollment for this class is through COCC Community Learning. Stay tuned for more details on registration and email jill@kpov.org to get on our list to be informed when enrollment opens.
The class consists of a lecture and two evenings of hands-on studio time. The lecture will be Saturday April 4 from 9:00 am-12 noon at COCC. Studio sessions will be held at the KPOV studio at times to be announced.
TEEN Studio Session: (ages 15-18) Teens meet for the same lecture as adults on April 4, then studio sessions will be scheduled individually with a mentor.

Central Oregon 2015 Bee School
2015-04-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Explore honey bee culture through:
– Applied honey bee biology
– Anticipation not reaction
– Honey bee colony management
To register please email beeschool@cobeekeeping.org with your contact info and number of people. If you’ve tried to register or believe you’ve registered, please email the above address again to verify your registration. Class size is limited to 50 students so don’t delay!
This is the beginning beekeeping school. There will probably be an advanced bee school in a couple months.

Seed Starting Class
2015-04-07 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | OSU Extension Office, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
Learn how to start your own seeds for your garden from OSU Master Gardeners™. Part of class will be in OSU Extension Greenhouse.

Green Team Movie Night: “Disruption”
2015-04-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Green Team Movie Night on Tuesday, April 7th will feature DISRUPTION.
The movie was released last year to raise awareness, energy, and commitment for The People’s Climate March on Sept 21st, just ahead of the UN Climate Summit in NY City. The movie investigates climate change science and skeptics, and shows the organizing efforts for the “largest climate rally in the history of the planet.” So come watch it and learn about Bend upcoming events as well as an update on the Climate March, Earth Day Parade &Fair on April 25th, and The Bend Energy Challenge. See ya there!
Questions? Call Nancy Merrick at 541-815-6504.

High Desert Lecture Series: Botany and Geology in the High Desert
2015-04-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
A co-founder of the local chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, Stu will share the wonders of high desert plants and how geology influences the region’s botany. The talk will be just in time to take the knowledge and head to the high desert this spring.

High Desert Lecture Series: Geology and Botany in the High Desert
2015-04-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn more about botany, geology and how the two intersect in Oregon’s high desert on Tuesday, April 7, when the Oregon Natural Desert Association hosts its third installment of its inaugural High Desert Lecture Series. In this edition, Bend plant expert Stu Garrett will share more about how the region’s geological past continues to echo in the plant life today.
Join us at 7 p.m. at ONDA’s Bend office, 50 NW Bond St. Suite 4 (across the parking lot from Strictly Organic) for “Geology and Botany in the High Desert.” The event is free.
Plants and rocks naturally go together, Garrett says. He will share more about plants that thrive in out-of-the-way spots from around the state, including some are found nowhere else in the world, and how the area geology relates to them. Talk highlights will include discussion of a number of wildflower blooms, just in time for spring.
There will be time after the event to enjoy a beverage and chat with Stu. Space is limited. Please assist us by signing up and guaranteeing your spot at wildflowersandgeology.eventbrite.com. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

2nd Annual Bend Bike Swap
2015-04-09 - 2015-04-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Save the Date for the 2nd Annual Bend Bike Swap presented by Commute Options and Cascade Rack.
If you are in the market to sell or buy a bike or bike gear, than this is the perfect event for you! A small commission will be taken off all sold items which will support local youth cycling programs.
Item Drop Off-Bikes/Bike Accessories
April 9, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
April 10, 9 a.m. to Noon
The Sale
April 10, Noon to 7 p.m.
April 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Unsold Item Pick Up
April 11, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
2015-04-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
A fruit tree pruning workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from 1:00 – 3:30 pm in Alfalfa (east of Bend). Cost is $20.00 and is limited to 25 participants. Pre-registration and payment are required. Call the OSU/Deschutes County Extension Service at 541-548-6088 to register. Payment by cash or check written to OSU Extension Service, within 5 business days of registration is required. No credit card payments are available. Directions to the workshops will be sent to attendees by April 13, 2017.
All cancellation requests need to be made in writing (via email or regular mail) 10 days before event. Cancellation requests 10 days before the event are eligible for a full refund of the registration fees (minus a $10 administrative fee). Requests for refunds after 10 days prior to event will not be granted, however substitutions may be allowed. Contact information below.

Patagonia's Worn Wear Tour
2015-04-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Better Than New!
From the Patagonia website:
One of the most responsible things we can do as a company is to make high-quality stuff that lasts for years and can be repaired, so you don’t have to buy more of it. The Worn Wear program celebrates the stories we wear and keeps your gear in action longer to take some of the pressure off the planet.
Spring 2015 Worn Wear Tour
This spring our biodiesel repair truck will travel from California to New York doing free clothing repairs, teaching you how to fix your own gear and selling used Patagonia clothing. Bring us your tired, well-loved clothing for repair. If you don’t have any, we’ll supply it. Fix it and you can keep it. Join us for local food and drinks and celebrate the stories we wear.
The repair truck will be at the Smith Rock Trailhead 4/10 and 4/11!

WaterWise Speaker Series
2015-04-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Resource Stewardship Through Landscape Water Efficiency
The majority of all residential water use within the City of Bend’s service area is used for landscape irrigation. That translates to roughly 60% of the average water use on a monthly bill! How much of that water actually benefits the landscape? How do we know we’re irrigating efficiently? What can we do to reduce the amount of water we use in the landscape? Join us as three Central Oregon horticulture experts present their views on water resource stewardship through proper soil management, irrigation and design.
Learn more on the Water Wise Series flyer. Registration is required.
Event will be held at COCC – Health Careers Center Room 330.

Bend Transportation Forum
2015-04-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
With an estimated 30,000 more people—and their cars—moving to Bend in the next 10 years, we have to find better ways to get around. Already traffic is jamming up busy intersections for blocks and with little funding for roads, experts expect back-ups that could stretch for miles in sections of the city during peak traffic times.
We know we don’t want congestion, pollution, or to spend our time stuck in traffic, but these concerns may become our reality if we don’t plan well. So what is our collective transportation vision? Better public transit? More bike paths and sidewalks? Wider roads? And most importantly: How will we pay for it?
Bend 2030 wants your help as we tackle the transportation issue at a free public forum from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at Ponderosa Elementary School. This interactive event is part of the Bend 2030 Livability Series, which brings our community together to find solutions to our most important issues. Seniors, students, bike riders, daily commuters, families and everyone else is invited to join us as we shape Bend’s future together.
Attendees of the April 11 forum will get a firsthand look at just how much our city is poised to grow in the coming years. They’ll hear about possible solutions to alleviating traffic concerns and the options for funding those solutions such as a gas tax, utility fee and transit-funding district. Most importantly, attendees will have a say in Bend 2030’s recommendations to decision-makers on the right way to move ahead on our transportation issues.

Discover Nature Day
2015-04-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Presented by the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon partners, Discover Nature Days are free family events throughout Central Oregon that connect children and families to the wonder of nature.
Amphibious Adventure! presented by Sunriver Nature Center. Jump into the wet and wild world of your favorite amphibian! We’ll explore the life of frogs and their relationship with wetland ecosystems.

The Wanderlust Ball
2015-04-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Spark the fire of wanderlust in your heart. Rediscover wonder. Join us for an evening of dreams made real and new journeys unlocked.
The Wanderlust Ball is a party with a purpose – a night loaded with artful surprise and sensory delight, built for Bend’s most passionate explorers, and those who crave the simplest joy of discovery.
This inspirational evening will come alive with creativity and community, libations and lyrics, as you vie for access to experiences of a lifetime.
Come ejoy interactive art displays, silent art auction, live auction of wanderlust experiences, music by the Wanderlust Collective, food, drink, the amazing MOsley WOtta as emcee, and more…

Bend Salmon Run
2015-04-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Kick off the 2015 race season with a true Bend tradition. One of the first half marathons of the year in the Northwest, it has long been central to the local racing scene. Because of its early-season timing, it is also an important race for runners looking to build a base for future half-marathons.
Join us in celebrating that amazing expedition at the 27th Annual Salmon Run. Each year, the mighty Salmon make an expedition of a lifetime back to their homes – traversing thousands of miles and overcoming countless obstacles on their river journeys. The Salmon juxtapose the infinite space of their ocean homes against the micro-streams of their birth in one monumental run. Their achievement is awesome in the true sense of the word.
Choose your own migratory distance –5K, 10K or Half Marathon
Begin and end your adventure at Riverbend Park and imagine what a river journey could be like for the mighty salmon. The backdrop couldn’t be more beautiful than the Deschutes River corridor in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

Fledgling Fun: The Life Cycle of Birds
2015-04-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Fledgling Fun: The Life Cycle of Birds
3:45-5:15 PM
(3:45-4:15 pm: gathering & crafts; 4:15-5:15 pm: activities & presentation)
March 9th: Cranes
April 13th: Bird Migration
May 11th: A Bird-Day Celebration …(A celebration of what we have learned)
Join Mary Yanalcanlin for an exploration of our local birds geared towards grades K-5 (though all ages are welcome). The February session, devoted to the Life cycle of Birds, is from 3:45-5:15 PM, doors open at 3:15pm. Location is the Environmental Care Center, 16 NW Kansas in Bend. Fledglings (kids) must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
The East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to further the knowledge and appreciation of birds and their habitats through field trips and education programs. Besides outreach to the community for the enjoyment and study of birds, ECAS also actively participates in field studies, data collection programs and other conservation projects to help protect local bird populations. Join ECAS and help preserve the birds in the Central Oregon region at www.ecaudubon.org.

Outdoor Education - “It Changes Lives”
2015-04-13 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us for a discussion and organizing meeting about the impact and opportunities for Outdoor Education.
Monday, April 13th, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Obsidian Middle School, The Library
1335 SW Obsidian Ave, Redmond, OR
The opportunity is before us to Expand Outdoor Education. Find out how!
We will cover the following topics:

Local outdoor education opportunities.
Stories about how outdoor school changes lives: impacts physical and mental health, higher testing scores, reduces behavioral issues, greater civic leadership skills.
Outdoor School Legislation is moving quickly. Hear a status report & how you can help pass the Outdoor School Bill in Oregon.
Strengthening the network of advocates for outdoor education in Oregon.

RSVP: caroline@oregonoutdoored.org or call 503.888.1233
Childcare available. Light snacks and drinks provided, but we have room if you want to bring a dish to share with others. For more information email caroline@oregonoutdoored.org
HOSTED BY: Children’s Forest of Central Oregon, Oregon Outdoor Education Coalition, Camp Tamarack, OSU Extension Service, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, The Environmental Center, Windflower Farm, Grey Family Foundation,The Gear Fix, Krista Farris, Jackie LaFrenz, David White, Jane McEldowney, Fran Willis and Jill Nishball

Introduction to Growing Vegetables Class
2015-04-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
An introductory class given by OSU Master Gardeners™ on growing vegetables including climate, site selection, soil preparation, season extension, and how to grow the most common vegetables for the area.
Location: Ridgeview High, Skybox Room

Cougar Management in Central Oregon
2015-04-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Brooks Fahy, Executive Director of Predator Defense, will speak to a Bend audience at a free event at the downtown Bend library, 601 NW Wall St, on Tuesday evening, April 14 at 6 P.M. His appearance is prompted by recent officially sanctioned killings of two cougars within the city limits of Bend.
In his talk, Mr. Fahy will debunk myths that greatly exaggerate the danger that cougars pose to humans. He will expose fallacies, such as claims that cougar populations are exploding and that increased hunting is needed to ensure public safety and livestock protection. He will cite California’s successful nonlethal cougar control program as a model worth adopting in Oregon. He encourages a clear-headed and science-based approach in dealing with human/wildlife interactions.
Bend City Councilor Barb Campbell will introduce Mr. Fahy and will participate with him in a community discussion on steps the City of Bend might take to help change official attitudes and reform cougar management in Central Oregon.
The first half hour of this event will be devoted to a screening of Brooks Fahy’s newest film, “Exposed: USDA’s Secret War on Wildlife.” This documentary short has already received numerous awards at film festivals and acclamation from Jane Goodall, who said, “It should be watched by millions.”
Brooks Fahy, in working to expose our ill-advised and tax-dollar-wasting war on wildlife, has been featured on and served as an adviser to Animal Planet, Outdoor Life network, Fox News, BBC, CNN, TBS, CBS, ABC, and Men’s Journal and Orion magazines. From animal rescue and service in wildlife sanctuaries as a boy to his current work with officials such as Rep. Peter DeFazio, Mr. Fahy informs his talks with a lifetime of compassionate and public-spirited advocacy for animals.

Rethink Waste Presentation
2015-04-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us at The Gear Fix for a Rethink Waste Community presentation. This free event is a helpful overview on ideas to prevent waste, tips for choosing reuse, how to recycle right in Bend, and all the options available to compost locally.
RSVP here.

Beyond Forest Hardball, Can Enviros and Loggers Get Along in the Deschutes?
2015-04-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn how the Forest Service, local government, enviro groups and the logging industry are working together on the Deschutes NF Collaborative to create a healthy forest. Find out what we’ve learned about the role of fire and about the upcoming West Bend restoration project.

Open to the Public.
Contact: Gretchen Valido, 541-389-0785
Collaborative Member Panelists:
David Stowe, Sierra Club; Moderator
Kevin Larkin, District Ranger, Deschutes Nat’l Forest
Alan Unger, Deschutes County Commissioner
Erik Fernandez, Oregon Wild
Ruth Williamson, Recreation Chair, Steering Committee
Chuck Burley, Timber Manager, Interfor

Natural Resources High School Career Fair
2015-04-16 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Deschutes National Forest & Discover Your Forest as a Natural Resources Partner! The first annual Natural Resources High School Career Fair will take place April 16th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at New Hope Church Bend.
We are looking for:

Natural Resources Organizations, from all Education, Recreation, Non-profit, Federal and State Agencies to host booths highlighting volunteer, internship, and job opportunities for youth.
Leaders for Focus Sessions related to natural resource and outdoor careers

Please RSVP by March 20th to Karen Gentry, Education Program Director, at 541-383-4771 or karen.gentry@discovernw.org.

Protecting Whychus-Deschutes at Pints and Politics
2015-04-16 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Special guest Gena Goodman-Campbell, Central Oregon Wilderness Coordinator for the Oregon Natural Desert Association, joins us to give an update on the community driven process to permanently protect the Whychus-Deschutes area. Learn about what makes this stunning area so special and find out how you can help protect it.
Join OLCV and fellow community members who care about protecting Oregon’s natural legacy for Pints and Politics on the third Thursday of the month.
