The Environmental Center

Latino Outdoors Juniper Hills Outing
2019-11-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Latino Outdoors for our first outing in Madras! iUnete a Latino Outdoors para nuestra primera salida en Madras!

We will meet in the first parking lot to start our cominata. Bring appropriate clothing, water and good walking shoes. We’ll see you there!
Habra cafe con pan dulce y premios el sabado, 9 de noviembre a las 10:00 A.M. Nos reuniremos en el primer estacionamiento para comenzar nuestra cominata. Traiga ropa apropiada, agua y buenos zapatos para caminar. Alli nos vemos!

Fill Your Pantry: Bulk Buying Pop Up Market
2019-11-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The 4th annual Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry event is Saturday, November 9th at OSU-Cascades Tykeson Hall!
Fill Your Pantry is a community bulk buying event created so YOU can fill up your pantry, freezer, and root cellar full of great local products for the winter. Say bye bye to busy holiday lines and veggies that have traveled farther than you during holiday vacations, and say hello to a cupboard full of local meat, grains, veggies, ferments, and more.
This is a bulk buying event, so bring your muscles! Farmers, ranchers, orchardists, and producers will only be selling large quantities of items. For example, 20lb bags of onions, 50lb bags of potatoes, half wheels of cheese, etc. This is a great opportunity for vendors to move product before the harsh Central Oregon winter and a great opportunity for YOU to save money and eat well all winter long.
Proceeds from this event and its sponsors benefit High Desert Food & Farm Alliance. HDFFA’s mission is to support a healthy and thriving food and farm network in Central Oregon through education, collaboration and inclusivity.

Transit of Mercury
2019-11-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This Transit of Mercury will be visible – weather permitting – for at least several hours on the morning of November 11th. When Mercury transits the Sun, you can see it as a tiny black dot silhouetted against the Sun’s disk. The only two planets that can be seen transiting the Sun from Earth are Venus and Mercury because they are the only planets which orbit inside Earth’s orbit. The Observatory will open at sunrise at 6:55am, and track the Sun through telescopes until the transit ends at about 10am. The next Mercury Transit will be on November 13, 2032.
This is a free event and no registration is required.

Green Drinks @ The Gear Fix Featuring Bend's Climate Action Plan
2019-11-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please RSVP in advance!
RSVP HERE
Join us at The Gear Fix to celebrate another awesome year of Green Drinks events! Meet the team, learn more about repair services that they offer, and check out high-quality gear that will get you outside. The year-end Green Drinks at The Gear Fix is a crowd favorite. And this time around, it will coincide with a timely update on where we stand with Bend’s Community’s Climate Action Plan (CCAP).
The CCAP is a set of strategies that will guide both the City and the community as we work together to reduce our fossil fuel use. (Hint, hint… businesses like The Gear Fix who encourage reuse and repair play a vital role.) Plus, a special guest athlete from Protect Our Winters (POW) will be there to show support. Stay tuned for more!
The Gear Fix has been a great partner of ours for several years. They support our Mountainfilm fundraiser, host Green Drinks events, and have partnered with us for Repair Cafes. Come show your support for this local green business! As always, please bring your own cup and consider carpooling, walking, biking or transit to get to the event.
Green Drinks is an international concept and is an enjoyable way to network, learn about local businesses and their sustainability efforts, and enjoy a drink or two. As always, please bring your own cup and consider carpooling, walking, biking or transit to get to the event.

Bend COTA Work Events
2019-11-14, 2019-11-21, 2019-11-28, 2019-12-05, 2019-12-12, 2019-12-19, 2019-12-26, 2020-01-02 | 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.

Vegan Potluck
2019-11-16 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
VegNet’s monthly potluck! Please bring a vegan dish (no animal products, including honey) to serve 6-8 people, plus extra if there are more than two in your party, a card listing ingredients, and your own cup, plate, and utensils. Suggested donation $2-5 to help cover room rental.
Kids are welcome and you don’t have to be vegan to join us. Come and try veg! VegNet’s community potlucks are held on the third Saturday of every month, 6pm, at the Environmental Center.

Celebrate & Activate with Indivisible Bend!
2019-11-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Indivisible Bend is hosting an action-oriented social event where we will come together to reflect on the past and set the stage for the future. Join us for a celebratory evening of Drinks, Eats and Activism!

Run Wild, Run Free: Protecting Oregon's Wild Rivers
2019-11-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Wild and the Oregon Natural Desert Association for a screening of the film Run Wild Run Free: 50 Years of Wild and Scenic Rivers and learn how you can be part of a historic effort by Sen. Ron Wyden to protect more of Oregon’s wildest rivers from dams and development.
This event is FREE but has limited space, so please RSVP here.

Fall Repair Cafe at Bend ReStore
2019-11-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Ripped backpack? Busted toaster? Wobbly coffee table? Don’t just replace it, repair it!
On November 18th, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Bend Habitat ReStore and The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project are hosting another Repair Café – a free event that brings together people who like to fix things, with people who have stuff that needs fixing. Volunteers will be on hand to repair – and share a skill or two!
Attendees are asked to bring broken items and any replacement parts they think might be needed. There is no guarantee all broken items can be repaired that evening – more research may be needed, a part may need to be ordered – but the volunteers will do their best with what they have. Here’s what we have volunteers on hand to repair:

Clothes and other fabric goods
Knit goods
Small appliances
Electronics
Backpacks and other outdoor gear
Small furniture
Jewelry (small repairs)

Science Pub - Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Future Transportation
2019-11-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Chris Hagen, Director, Energy Systems Lab; Associate Professor, Energy Systems Engineering, OSU-Cascades
Technologies developed in the Energy Systems Lab at OSU-Cascades may shape how people and goods are transported in the future. Join professor and researcher Chris Hagen for a discussion about innovations in energy storage and engine technology that are changing how personal and transport vehicles are powered. He will also explore regulatory and economic factors that play a role in forecasting future transportation technologies. Hagen’s research looks at energy conversion, novel transportation fuels, and the development of sensors for harsh environments. He developed a vehicle-based natural gas refueling system that led to the creation of a Bend-based company, OnBoard Dynamics. He launched a second company, Rogue Approach, which is advancing technology developed in the Energy Systems Lab that enables drones to fly farther and for longer periods of time. Hagen was recognized in 2017 by the Society of Automotive Engineers as one of the nation’s top young engineering educators.

Networking beings at 5:30 p.m., presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Full menu, no-host bar
Accommodations for disabilities may be made by calling 541-322-2022

Common Ground: Renewable Energy Solutions
2019-11-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
A move toward greater reliance on renewable energy will help us to reduce our impact on the climate. But how do we weigh the pros and cons of different renewable energy options? How do we make decisions that take both long- and short-term impacts into account? What personal roles do we play? Curators Louise Shirley and Carolyn Nesbitt will lead a conversation among participants. Share your own thoughts and listen to other perspectives. Common Ground programs bring the community together to discuss important topics and hear different points of view in respectful and thoughtful ways.

Castor Canadensis in the Beaver State
2019-11-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
BeaverWorks Oregon will overview the profound influence beavers have had on our landscape’s ecosystems. As a keystone species, beavers forestall drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction and the ravages of climate change. Busy as a beaver, eager beaver, beavering away—there’s a reason this critter has inspired such appraisals. As we learn about their lifecycle, habitat requirements, vulnerability and needed protections, BeaverWorks Oregon will share the challenges of restoring beaver to watersheds in Oregon and other western states.

Free and open to the public.

Environmental Trivia and Scorecard Release Party
2019-11-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Oregon League of Conservation Voters for a fun night of environmental trivia and the release of our 2019 Scorecard for the Oregon Legislature! Come test your knowledge of Oregon’s environment, politics, and OLCV history, or just come to learn a thing or two at the last Pints and Politics of 2019.
About OLCV’s Scorecard:
For more than 40 years, our Environmental Scorecard has helped Oregonians hold their legislators accountable. Our State Senators and Representatives are graded on their environmental track record—how they’ve voted on bills impacting Oregon’s wildlife, waterways, people, and places—and are given both a score for the session and a lifetime score.
*This event will also double as our volunteer appreciation event. If you volunteered with OLCV in 2019, we can’t thank you enough for your support and your first beverage is on us!*

Birders' Night
2019-11-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Abbot Schindler, Bird Photography

Bird photography is one of Abbott Schindler’s many interests in the natural world, and he has been photographing nature for many years. In this century he’s worked to get “close and personal” to birds in particular (they’re generally safer than bison, moose, bear and elk, which he’s also gotten uncomfortably close to). His photographic work and equipment take advantage of his extensive R&D experience, studies of photographic technique and composition, and classroom experiences. His work has been published in scientific and industry journals and fine art books, and is used extensively by the High Desert Museum.

Social gathering time is from 6:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and usually last until 8:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public. You do not need to be a member of any group to attend.

COTA Movie Night @ McMenamins: DIVIDED
2019-11-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Fear of failure can stop all sorts of adventures before they even start, but what if failing is the best part?
COTA Movie Night @ McMenamins presents Divided.
In 2017, the female duo of Rickie Cotter and Lee Craigie raced the Tour Divide together, a 2,745 mile self-supported mountain bike race from Canada to the Mexican border. Shot entirely using a Go Pro and an iPhone, this is a heart-warming and funny documentary about the journey of two friends.
Divided was an official selection of the Banff Film Festival in 2018, and the Cascadia Adventure Film Festival in 2019. https://cascadiaadventurefilmfestival.com
Link to movie trailer on BikePacking.com: https://bikepacking.com/plog/divided-film/
– Doors open at 7:30pm; movie starts at 8pm
– Tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis on the night of the event
– $6 per person, cash only, please
– Minors accompanied by parent or guardian
– Run time: 40 minutes
Movie Night at McMenamins raises funds and awareness for Central Oregon Trail Alliance and is coordinated by the good people at Pine Mountain Sports.

Wild Wednesday: Circumnavigating Mont Blanc
2019-12-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Wild and the Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads for a presentation on circumnavigating Europe’s Mont Blanc by foot! A small group of local hikers will show photos, discuss their route, and compare one of Europe’s most famous trails to the Wilderness experiences we have access to in Oregon.

Empowering Families Luncheon
2019-12-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Latino Community Association on Friday, December 1st from 11:30am- 1:00pm at Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship for the annual Empowering Families Luncheon.
This is a special opportunity to join with like-minded, generous, and passionate people who care about justice and equity for Central Oregon’s immigrant families and neighbors.

High Desert Hootenanny: Bend
2019-12-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association board, staff, and supporters in celebrating the many high desert conservation successes you achieved in 2022! Come to Aspen Hall in Bend on Friday, December 9 to hear highlights from this year’s habitat restoration, advocacy and community-building initiatives and learn about what’s to come in the year ahead.
Aspen Hall
18920 NW Shevlin Park Rd
Bend, OR 97701
This event is free and open to the public, so invite a friend and join the Hootenanny!
No registration necessary.

Riversong: A Community Celebration
2019-12-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
A “Big Sing” in support of the Deschutes River Conservancy!
WHAT? Break from tradition—Open Hub Singing is a non-audition community choir grounded in the belief that singing together is a human birthright and a vitally effective ‘technology of belonging.’ Our singers will come prepared with a powerfully moving set of songs to share. You are invited to listen. We will also invite you to join in on a few simple songs. “Big Sing” means there’s less of an audience and more of a participatory experience.
We draw mostly from a contemporary revival of aural tradition songs while also drawing on American campfire and ancient European heritages.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. All voices welcome. If you’ve never sung in a large group of people, you’ll be happy you tried it. And, listening is a great way to contribute.
WHY? Rivers have been the ecological spine of human communities for tens of thousands of years. For 23 years the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) has worked collaboratively to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin after decades of unsustainable water management. The DRC achieves measurable results–like restoring 250 cfs to the river–while also encouraging collaborative concern for the river, from farmers and hikers to boaters and loggers.
Admission is $5 | All proceeds to Deschutes River Conservancy | If you’re a regular singer with us, please use code isingitout to register.

Film Screening: Handmade 2 Surf
2020-01-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join 10 Barel Brewing and Surfrider Foundation to discuss surfing, recreation and conservation on the Deschutes River!

10 Barrel has graciously stepped up to host Surfrider for a screening of Handmade 2 Surf, which premiered last summer in San Diego. The pub will donate $1 of every beer sale to Surfrider at this event! In addition to the film, you’ll get an update from Bend Parks and Recreation District’s Wavemaster, Ryan Richards, regarding the river wave and restorations efforts that are taking place.
You’ll have time to network, learn how to get involved, and sign up to be a Surfrider member ($25) for a chance to win raffle prizes!
Please register in advance. This event is free for Surfrider members.

Oregon Wild Presents: Snowshoeing 101
2020-01-08 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Wild for a presentation on how and where to snowshoe in central Oregon! We’ll have tips and suggestions regarding everything from safety to gear to picking the most scenic trails. We’ll include some “Snowshoeing 101” for those new to the activity as well as some tips on locations that would be applicable to all ability levels. The presentation will include:

Photography of recommended scenic snowshoeing destinations in central Oregon
The basics on learning to snowshoe
Reference map
What to bring
How to be safe when snowshoeing
Gear (snowshoes and clothing

Last year this event was so popular we’ve decided to host it twice! Both events are the same so feel free to attend whichever best fits your schedule.

Climate Change, Plants, and Future Possibilities
2020-01-08 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn how native plants can help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Christina Veverka, Botanist with the Deschutes National Forest, will explore the latest research from around the globe on climate change and the effects that scientists are seeing to native plant communities. Not all ‘doom and gloom,’ Christina will highlight current research on the potential for plants to mitigate the effects of climate change through their ability to absorb carbon.

Green Drinks at Embark
2020-01-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please RSVP in advance. And as always, bring your own cup and consider walking or biking to this event.
Back in 2016, Ruffwear (designer of performance dog gear) needed to expand their workspace in order to continue growing. They saw this as a chance to do more than create office space – it was an opportunity to contribute to the entrepreneurial spirit in Bend. Three years and a massive renovation project later, the vision has become a reality: Embark is now home to an inspiring coworking community, the Ruffwear retail store, Crow’s Feet, and Embark Fitness.
The building was designed and built with sustainability as a top priority. Once you step inside, it’s obvious how much thought went into the beautiful interior, featuring the work of local artists, a giant community calendar, and a prominent zero-waste station. Another thing that stands out is the unique nail laminated timber ceiling/floor installation, with FSC-certified wood sourced from Bright Wood, a mill in Madras. The building is also outfitted with low flush toilets, LED lighting, HVAC economizers, and a 63 kilowatt solar panel array to offset energy consumption.
Members at Embark benefit from shared overhead and resources – plus an energizing home base that fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation. The people and businesses who share this space reflect a diverse range of professions, but there’s a shared sense of environmental stewardship for our local landscape and community. Come learn more about Embark, see the space, and meet the members!
