The Environmental Center

Oregon Trails Funding Opportunities Webinar
2021-02-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
How do trail projects in Oregon get funded? Learn more about upcoming opportunities and recent success stories.

About this Event

Learn about grant programs and other funding opportunities for trails in Oregon as well as hear a case study for how the City of Portland and Friends of Gateway Green put a variety of funding sources together to develop a site in East Portland with a system of soft-surface and paved multi-use trails and pump track.

Bend COTA Work Events
2021-02-04, 2021-02-11, 2021-02-18
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.

Legislative Advocacy Kickoff
2021-02-04
With Zoom and virtual committees this session, making your voice heard in Salem can be easier than ever.
In this virtual Legislative Advocacy Kickoff Central Oregon Landwatch will discuss their role in state policy building, identify what to look out for this session, and outline what you can do to advocate for the protection of the region’s lands, water, wildlife, and vibrant urban communities.
RSVP online.

Know Place - Habitat Restoration & Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
2021-02-04
Staff from the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council will give a presentation about the work done by a watershed council and the types of programs and services they provide to Central Oregon. Presenters will give a brief overview of their restoration, monitoring and education programs and also share some of the highlights and stories about specific projects completed in recent years along Whychus Creek that flows through the community of Sisters, Oregon.

Green Drinks presents: “An Imperfect Advocate” Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion
2021-02-04
Alpinist Graham Zimmerman sees firsthand the effects of human-driven climate change on the world and decides that he must take action.

Join us for a screening of An Imperfect Advocate, a story about Graham Zimmerman about his path from being a singularly focused alpinist into the realm of climate advocacy. Followed with a panel discussion moderated by The Environmental Center and Graham Zimmerman.
RSVP IN ADVANCE TO RECEIVE THE LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-imperfect-advocate-documentary-screening-panel-discussion-tickets-136892799047

Celebrating Black History Month with MOsley WOtta
2021-02-05
In recognition of Black History Month COCC is honored to welcome MOsley WOtta, Arielle Estoria, and Dr. Doug Luffborough to share stories of black triumph. Through poetry and storytelling we will celebrate the past and present triumphs of the black community while continuing our efforts to challenge oppressive systems and strive toward a more equitable future.
MOsley WOtta is a local spoken word artist and equal rights activist excited to share the power of words in advocating for the support and empowerment in black and brown lives in Central Oregon.

Ta-Nehisi Coates (with Mitchell S. Jackson): Author! Author!
2021-02-07
Ta-Nehisi Coates is a distinguished writer in residence at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. He is the author of the bestselling books The Beautiful Struggle, We Were Eight Years in Power, and Between the World and Me, which won the National Book Award in 2015. Coates is a recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship. He is also the current author of the Marvel comics The Black Panther and Captain America. MITCHELL S. JACKSON is the winner of a Whiting Award. His award-winning debut novel The Residue Years was followed by his nonfiction book Survival Math: Notes on an All-American Family.
Learn more!

Webcast: A First Look at Oregon's River Democracy Act
2021-02-10
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced the Oregon River Democracy Act of 2021 to better protect clean drinking water sources, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat. This historic bill proposes expanding Oregon’s network of Wild & Scenic Rivers by nearly 4,700 miles and would protect segments of numerous key rivers across the state, from the desert streams of Owyhee country to the roaring rivers of the Coast Range.

This legislation is the result of a groundbreaking grassroots nomination, multi-year vetting process, and the work of hundreds of activists and river enthusiasts cheerleading for their backyard rivers, drinking watersheds, fishing holes, hiking trails, kayak routes, and love of the wildlands and rivers of Oregon.
Join Oregon Wild and the Oregon Natural Desert Association give an overview of this incredible legislation and the historic opportunity it presents to protect our rivers as a legacy for future generations.

How can we produce food and take action for climate and natural resources?
2021-02-11
Nature-based Solutions in agriculture are a critical solution for positive change. Farmers, ranchers, and food producers are on the frontlines of climate change, and play an important role in developing and implementing solutions. Climate and biodiversity actors are increasingly seeing agriculture as a central solution set and they are engaging the agricultural community to solve our collective challenges.

When deployed properly, Nature-based Solutions can provide a triple benefit: improving the productivity and resilience of agriculture, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and enhancing nature and biodiversity.

FAO and The Nature Conservancy collaborated to explore the potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the much-needed transformation of our food systems, delivering nutrition for people while restoring nature and the climate. This collaboration has generated three reports addressing NbS in agricultural production systems: 1) A literature review on the state of the science, 2) a policy brief on the case and pathways for adoption, and 3) a finance guide for identifying and creating investable projects.

Oregon: Break Up with Plastics
2021-02-12
Roses are red, violets are blue, we’re done with single-use plastic and you should be too! This Valentine’s Day, we’re breaking up with single-use plastics. Join us to learn more about what the Oregon legislature can do in 2021 to reduce single-use plastics and how you can make your voice heard. We will be joined by special guests Rep. Janeen Sollman and Rep. Sheri Schouten.

Celebrating Black History Month with Arielle Estoria
2021-02-12
In recognition of Black History Month COCC is honored to welcome MOsley WOtta, Arielle Estoria, and Dr. Doug Luffborough to share stories of black triumph. Through poetry and storytelling we will celebrate the past and present triumphs of the black community while continuing our efforts to challenge oppressive systems and strive toward a more equitable future.
Arielle Estoria is a renowned poet, author, speaker, and emcee who emphasizes the gift of each individual. Arielle uses her words and storytelling to help others unlock their gifts and find beauty in themselves.

Building Resilience from the Inside Out
2021-02-16
Virtual workshop focusing on well-being in the workplace, led by Moe Carrick, local author and coach with Moementum, Inc.
This interactive workshop will offer engaging ideas for business owners and leaders at every level to build your capacity in three essential areas:
1.Understanding the impact of 2020’s challenges on your people and what to do next.
2. How to show up and lead for humans by navigating emotional well-being, mental health, and burnout while building resilience.
3. How to foster accountability and build success in the next 12 months with flexible and hybrid approaches at work.

Screen Addiction
2021-02-16
“Nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic, parents across the country — and the world — are watching their children slide down an increasingly slippery path into an all-consuming digital life…increased online use is associated with anxiety, depression, obesity and aggression — ‘and addiction to the medium itself.'”
This alarming and important read from The New York Times is a wake up call for all of us–We can’t forget about the value of screen-free learning and interactions!
Join Camp Fire Central Oregon for their next Around the Camp Fire community conversation as they discuss how to promote screen-free interactions and activities at home. Let’s help kids thrive on and offline!

The Hope of Wild Places
2021-02-16
Join ONDA for the first event in the 2021 High Desert Speaker Series, a virtual conversation with Warm Springs Paiute spiritual leader and oral historian Wilson Wewa and photographer and filmmaker Jason Houston. After a showing of their short film “The Owyhee Project” (working title), follow along for an illuminating dialogue between Wilson, Jason and ONDA’s Campaign Manager Corie Harlan about Oregon’s uniquely remarkable Owyhee Canyonlands, the role of storytelling in conservation, and the hope offered by protected wild places.
This event will be hosted online, beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST. Registration is free and required. All registrants will be entered to win a giveaway prize package!

Environmental Justice Episode 5
2021-02-16
Join Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation the final episode of their Environmental Justice series. The focus for this episode will be to brainstorm how we can take action that reflects our commitment to environmental justice. You will spend time discussing barriers to action and how you can support others in making and achieving realistic activism goals.
Please come prepared with three things you are committed to or interested in that will help you further your values in relation to environmental justice.
If you haven’t already attended an episode, it’s not too late to join! You can sign up at the link below – all are welcome!

Self-Care and Work After 2020
2021-02-17
Virtual workshop focusing on well-being in the workplace, led by Moe Carrick, local author and coach with Moementum, Inc.
This interactive workshop will offer engaging ideas for employees to explore their well-being at work and craft strategies for bouncing back (or bouncing forward to the new uncharted “normal”). We’ll explore three areas:
1. Strategies for closing the stress cycle.
2. Courage as a strategy for wellness and how incorporating vulnerability can get us there.
3. Why team health matters and our part in it going forward.

Webcast: Breaking Ground on the Blue Mountains Trail
2021-02-17
Oregon’s Blue Mountains region contains some of the most rugged, diverse, and remote landscapes in the state. Join Oregon Wild for a presentation on the new 566-mile trail that connects Joseph to John Day and traverses all seven wilderness areas in Northeast Oregon.

Climate Change in Oregon: A Public Health Emergency
2021-02-17
Climate Change is a public health emergency affecting Oregonians. Join OEC Climate Director, Nora Apter, for a panel discussion on Climate Change in Oregon hosted by the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health.

Nature Night-The Importance of Insects
2021-02-17
Insects play major roles in keeping the natural world healthy and functioning. Not only do they feed (and eat) many other animals, but insects also cycle nutrients, aerate soil, decompose decaying matter, and help pollinate over 80% of the world’s flowering plants, including many of our crops. Despite their importance, recent evidence suggests that between 10-40% of insects are at risk of disappearing. These declines are most clearly documented in charismatic insects such as butterflies, bumble bees, and tiger beetles. Join Deschutes Land Trust and Dr. Tara Cornelisse for a talk on the importance of insects in the natural world. Dr. Cornelisse will share details on the role that insects play in nature, major challenges that insects face, and the stories of some rare and some common insects you are likely to encounter in Central Oregon. Dr. Cornelisse will also offer actions you can take to enjoy and protect insects in your own backyard.
***This virtual event is free and registration is required. Registration for this event will open on January 17th.***

Mission to Mars: Presentation and Evening Viewing
2021-02-18
Come join Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory for a special talk on Mars, including nighttime viewing, as they celebrate the landing of the Mars Perseverance Rover and Mars Ingenuity Helicopter on the Red Planet. If you think it’s hard to put a car sized robot on a planet millions of miles away, wait until you hear about the challenges of sending humans!

Dr. Larry Sherman -- Neuroscience of Prejudice: Racism and the Brain
2021-02-21
Racism exists because of racial prejudice, where we make judgements about people based entirely on their race and our own unconscious bias, and not on actual experience. Our brains react to people who are different from us within milliseconds. In this lecture, Dr. Larry Sherman will explore how our brains engage in prejudice, the consequences of prejudice and racism for both racists and people who experience racism in their daily lives, and how understanding these processes suggest ways that we can overcome prejudice and racism in our society.
About Dr. Sherman
Dr. Larry Sherman is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Oregon National Primate Research Center, and in the Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the Oregon Health & Science University. He has over 100 publications related to brain development and neurological diseases. He serves on numerous US and international scientific review panels including panels for the National Institutes of Health and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Portland Monthly Magazine recognized Dr. Sherman as one of the “People who are changing our world”.
FREE and OPEN to the public, but registration is REQUIRED.(one registration per viewing device please)

Oregon Trails Coalition: Oregon Legislative Update and Training
2021-02-22
Learn more about Oregon Trails Coalition priorities this legislative session, the bills under consideration by Oregon lawmakers, and how to best make your voice heard this legislative session, and beyond.
Speakers:
Cailin O’Brien-Feeney, Director, Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation
Steph Noll, Director, Oregon Trails Coalition
Priscilla Macy, Executive Director, Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association

Celebrating Black History Month with Dr. Doug Luffborough (Dr. Luff)
2021-02-23
In recognition of Black History Month COCC is honored to welcome MOsley WOtta, Arielle Estoria, and Dr. Doug Luffborough to share stories of black triumph. Through poetry and storytelling we will celebrate the past and present triumphs of the black community while continuing our efforts to challenge oppressive systems and strive toward a more equitable future.
Dr. Doug Luffborough (Dr. Luff) overcame fatherlessness, homelessness, and unjust systems to be the first in his family to attend college. Chosen by his class at Northeastern University to be the commencement speaker, he thoroughly impressed one attendee in particular, President Bill Clinton. President Clinton invited Dr. Luff and his mother to the White House where he promised to write a letter of recommendation for Luff’s application to a Harvard Graduate program. Dr. Luff then went on to the University of San Diego where he received his Ph.D. in Leadership studies.

Power Hour - Community Solar: A path to solar for all
2021-02-23
Oregon’s Community Solar program finally has projects coming online this year! Community solar allows subscribers to benefit from solar without installing panels on their own roof. Individuals, businesses, and organizations can subscribe to an off-site project and receive the energy benefits for their portion of the project on their current Pacific Power bill*.
This opportunity allows households that have traditionally been underserved by solar energy such as renters and those who live in multifamily residences to invest in clean, renewable energy without barriers such as not owning your home, high up-front costs, or having a shady roof. Additionally, income-eligible households can save up to 20% off the cost of their electricity.
Come learn more about Oregon’s Community Solar Program! You will see where projects are being built in Oregon and how to subscribe! Spanish interpretation will be available.
Register and get virtual details

If you are a CEC customer learn more about their programs here*.

La Hora de Energía
Community Solar: Un camino hacia la energía solar para todos
Martes 23 de febrero a las 5:00pm
¡El programa Community Solar de Oregon está empezando! Community solar permite a los participantes beneficiarse de la energía solar sin instalar paneles en su propio techo. Las personas, las empresas y las organizaciones pueden formar parte de grandes sistemas solares externos y ver los ahorros de costos directamente en su factura de electricidad actual de Pacific Power.
Esta oportunidad permite a los hogares que no han podido obtener paneles solares en su techo, como inquilinos y los que viven en residencias multi-familiares, invertir en energía limpia y renovable sin ser propietario de su casa o tener que pagar costos iniciales. Además, los hogares con ingresos elegibles pueden ahorrar hasta un 20% del costo de la electricidad.
¡Venga a aprender más sobre el Programa Community Solar de Oregon y cómo participar! Se proporcionará interpretación en español.
Regístrese aquí

Blacks on the Frontier
2021-02-23
Oregon’s early history of white supremacy laid the groundwork for the state’s lack of racial diversity today. While Black communities emerged in spite of this discrimination in Portland and the Willamette Valley, no such communities existed in Oregon’s rural counties. As a result, early Blacks in rural Oregon represented the most marginalized members of an already vulnerable racial minority. This talk will highlight the unique experiences of some of the few Blacks who, in the absence of larger communities of support, settled on Oregon’s frontier, and the lessons that can be learned from their example.

This event is co-hosted by the Portland Audubon, the Rural Alliance for Diversity, and Harney County Library.

InFARMation Series: Creative Ways to Access Land and Capital
2021-02-23
The average farmer in Oregon is around 60 years old. Without a plan to get new farmers onto the land, when the older generation hangs up their tools in the next decade we stand to lose 25-50% of farmland currently in production to conglomeration or development.
Throughout the series you will hear about the inspiring hard work that farmers of color and organizations are doing to circumvent the barriers created by structural racism in the agricultural and financial system. FoFF will discuss the biggest threats to Oregon’s farmland, different types of capital available, the importance of having a farm business plan, the benefits of collective farming, and how we can support our BIPOC farming community. Having these continued conversations and sharing resources is a good first step to protecting and preserving our farmland.
February 23, March 30, April 27, and May 25th from 6:30pm-8pm

Summer Camping Opportunities
2021-02-23
Oregon Parks Forever would like share that summer camping opportunities are still available! While you may be frustrated that some of the most popular sites got booked quickly when the reservation window in State Parks was expanded to six months in advance, there are still plenty of other places you can camp and enjoy our gorgeous state. Join representatives of the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department, the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management talk about other options available to you to enjoy your summer adventure!

2021 Environmental Justice Legislation: Why do we need it?
2021-02-24
Join Beyond Toxics, NAACP Eugene/Springfield and NAACP Portland as we move forward much needed environmental justice legislation this session. In this meeting you will go over HB 2488 – Equity and Climate in Land Use, and LC 2902 – Environmental Justice for Oregon: A concurrent resolution. Dive into why a resolution over a bill? Why we need equity in our land use laws and how historical injustices have impacted historically underserved communities.
