The Environmental Center

Discover Nature Day: Predators and Prey
2016-08-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
“Predators and Prey” presented by The Environmental Center. Have fun learning about the diverse critters that call Central Oregon home through exciting games and interactive science activities. Recommended for ages 4-10. Free!

Bend COTA Work Events
2016-08-18, 2016-08-25, 2016-09-01, 2016-09-08, 2016-09-15 | 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.

COTA Membership Meeting
2016-08-18 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
COTA welcomes everyone to meet the newly elected Board of Directors. There are a number of new faces and a long list of new ideas to discuss.
Biketoberfest details will be finalized in the coming weeks and we welcome input. What is the best way to utilize 150+ volunteers?
COTA seeks Committee members – The workload is substantial and we are looking for help in several areas; website, membership software, communications, education (to name a few). Many hands make light work, and yes, the world is run by those who show up!

Transportation Public Hearing - Bend
2016-08-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Support people-focused transportation in Oregon.
Every Oregonian deserves the right to live in a community with safe routes for walking and bicycling and plenty of convenient transit options. It’s time for Oregon to adopt a transportation package that reflects our priorities. We need a transportation package that helps our neighbors get to their jobs, that allows children to walk and bike safely to and from school, that creates less congestion on our roads and puts less pollution into our air.
Please join us at the Joint Interim Committee on Transportation public hearing and help show our lawmakers that having safe, convenient transit options is a priority for all Oregonians.
WHERE: Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center at Central Oregon Community College, 2600 NW College Way, Bend
RSVP: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/-5822027318771580928

Stream Sampling Day on Whychus Creek
2016-08-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Spend a day along Whychus Creek with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council collecting aquatic macroinvertebrate samples to improve knowledge about stream health. Learn about efforts to increase flows and restore habitat for salmon and steelhead and visit streamside meadows and rimrock canyons while contributing to our collective understanding of how habitat restoration is changing stream conditions for native fish. This event is a great opportunity for community members to get involved as stewards of a local watershed and learn first-hand about one of the streams in our backyard. Kids ten and up are welcome to join with adult supervision.
For information or to sign up, contact Lauren Mork at (541) 382-6103 x39 or lmork@restorethedeschutes.org.

Dragonfly & Damselfly Lecture & Walk
2016-08-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Biologists Cary Kerst and Steve Gordon, authors of “Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon: A Field Guide” will present an illustrated talk on local dragonflies and damselflies followed by a walk. The presentation is free and open to the public. Donations are warmly welcomed.
Cary Kerst is an aquatic entomologist retired from a career in environmental sciences. He has conducted professional aquatic insect studies on local rivers and streams and authored scientific articles on Caddisflies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, and Stoneflies.
After retiring from thirty years as a planner for the Lane Council of Governments, longtime birder Steve Gordon became interested in Odonates.He was a contributing author to Birds of Oregon: Status and Distribution and Birds of Lane County, Oregon.
Cary and Steve began studying the local dragonflies and damselflies in 1999 and coauthored Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Willamette Valley, Oregon in 2005. They have greatly enjoyed traveling around scenic Oregon studying Odonates in preparation of this guide. They enjoy teaching classes and leading field trips for environmental organizations, and they encourage all to recapture the wonder of the natural world.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2016-08-23, 2016-08-30 | 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

COTA Bend Work Events
2016-08-23, 2016-08-30 | 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; 5:15pm 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, 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

Wednesday Birders
2016-08-24 07:00 - 12:00, 2016-08-31 07:00 - 12:00, 2016-09-07 07:00 - 12:00, 2016-09-14 07:00 - 12:00 | Nancy P’s, 1054 Milwaukee, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Meet up with others in our intrepid group for local birding. We meet at Nancy P’s Bakery on Newport Avenue just east of Newport Market in Bend. From there we depart on weekly half day or full day trips to venues in our area. Meet-up times are usually 7AM in the Spring and Summer and 8AM in Fall and Winter. Trip plans are posted on COBOL each week prior to the trip.
Transportation is via carpool depending on who can drive and individual schedules. Dress for the weather; be prepared with food, sunscreen, etc; and bring a pair of binoculars; spotting scopes are helpful on many trips.
Feb 10 early start, all day to Willamette Valley refuge
Feb 17, Shevlin trails, River trails Bend
Feb 24, Cold Springs, Suttle Lake, Santiam Pass
March 2, Skyliner area
March 9, Wastewater ponds, Hatfield, Redmond, etc
March 16, Sunriver and south where open water can be found
March 23, Lower Bridge, includes knapweed digging
March 30, Fort Rock, all day
April 6, Calliope Crossing, Green Ridge
April 13, Desert east of Bend, EARLY start
April 20, Cline Falls SP, Twin Bridges, Tumalo State Park,
April 27, Shevlin Park ***Change****
May 4 Shorebirds, wastewater ponds Bend, Redmond, Prineville
May 11 River trails Bend and Tumalo for migrants
May 18, GI Ranch, east of Bend. Birding all day, bring lunch, scopes.
May 25, shorebirds, location TBD
June1, Malheur, all day
June 8 Glaze Meadow, Black Butte Swamp, Calliope Crossing
June 15, woodpeckers, varied locations
June 22 Cabin Lake, Fort Rock and Summer Lake, all day, bring lunch
June 29, Gilchrist, Crescent, Norther Waterthrush
July 6, Three Creeks, Park Meadow trail, other trails
July 13 Hatfield, walk 3 miles
July 20 Calliope Crossing, Jack Lake
July 27,Green Ridge springs
August 3 High Lakes, shorebirds, waterfowl
August 10 Skyliner and Tumalo Falls morning and again evening
August 17, a.m. Millican Valley, return in evening, over night optional at Pine Mountain
August 24 Calliope Crossing, Black Butte Swamp
August 31, shorebirds
Sept 7 Wickiup, Crane Prairie, Vaux’s Swifts evening, Bend
Sept 14, Malheur all day
Sept 21 Green Ridge raptors, grouse, woodpeckers, all day birding
Sept 28, Fort Rock and Summer Lake, all day
Oct 5, high lakes, Crane Prairie and Wickiup
Oct 12 Hatfield ponds, Alfalfa
Oct 19 coastal birding, 2 or 3 days, seawatching a.m., passerines and land PMs.
Oct 26 Mill Creek, Ochocos area

Safe Sprouts Biking
2016-08-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Commute Options and the Environmental Center as we teach your child the fundamentals for safe biking this summer. This half day class will help provide your child the fundamentals needed to bike safe on roads around town with an adult. We will spend the day practicing hand signals, looking out for cars, stopping and going, playing games and having fun while biking. If you have a child entering kindergarten to second grade, sign them up for this intro to safe riding skills. They must have their own bike and be able to ride it prior to this class. Parents are invited to join us on our community ride for lunch. Contact Jackie@envirocenter.org or willow@commuteoptions.org to reserve your space

UGB Proposal Public Hearing
2016-08-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
What: Joint City Council and Board of Commissioners Public Hearing on UGB expansion
When: Thursday, August 25th 1pm – 5pm and 6pm – 9pm
Where: Barnes/Sawyer Room – Deschutes Services Center 1300 NW Wall Street
If you can’t be there, send an email to: councilall@bendoregon.gov
Public hearing documents for Bend UGB Remand and Proposed Ordinance can be viewed here.

COTA Movie Night
2016-08-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This June, COTA Movie Night is taking us all along on a wild, West Coast road trip!
Fox Racing & Sunnyside Sports is bringing us a Bend screening of Ride Your F#%king Bike!
Fox Racing just released its first new full length MTB movie in over a decade: “Ride Your F#%king Bike – The Movie. Powered by Chainsaw.” Featuring Fox athletes Josh Bryceland, Josh Lewis, (Bend Local Legend) Kirt Voreis, (Bend Recent Local Legend) Cam McCaul and a cast of other Fox teammates, the movie documents three wild weeks in a van – on the road. With bikes! Ride Your F#%king Bike was filmed at riding spots everywhere between Fox Headquarters in Irvine, Calif., and the trails of Vancouver Island, BC – with a rowdy bunch of riding here in Bend, Oregon.
The movie is dedicated to Stevie Smith, A.K.A. Chainsaw, a World Cup champion gravity athlete who unexpectedly passed away in May 2016.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/vRD4umGLZt0
$5 per person, cash only, please. Minors accompanied by parent or guardian.
Our friends at Sunnyside Sports and Fox Racing will be bringing some incentives for you to join COTA, as well as some awesome door prizes for the evening!
Movie Night at McMenamins raises funds and awareness for Central Oregon Trail Alliance.
Run time: 43 minutes

Waldo Weekend Campout
2016-08-26 - 2016-08-28 | Waldo Lake, OR, United States
The Oregon Sierra Club Eastside Forest Committee has initiated a campaign to provide greater protection for the forested areas east of Waldo Lake, a beautiful region 35 miles southwest of Bend containing abundant old growth and roadless areas. Currently it is unprotected beyond its federal forest status. For more information on what we’re proposing, look at our Keep Waldo Wild web page. This weekend car campout is designed to introduce you Waldo Lake’s environment and treat you to its plentiful attractions. We hope you’ll become as excited about preserving the area east and south of Waldo Lake as we are!
Who’s Invited?
Everyone who cares about Waldo Lake and preserving an untrammeled old growth forest experience! Last year we had 50 campers from the Juniper (Bend), Many Rivers (Eugene), and Mary’s Peak (Corvallis), and Columbia (Portland) Sierra Club Groups plus several new faces to all of us. This year, we’re hoping even more “Waldonians” will join us, so we’ve again reserved the same group campsite (see below) that will accommodate about 85 campers comfortably.
Waldo Weekend Campout Reservation Form
Open the Google Form using the link above. Answer the questions, then click on “Submit” at the bottom form.
Cost is $20/person for the weekend. To confirm a reservation, we must receive your check made out to Juniper Group Sierra Club and mailed to us at 16 NW Kansas, Bend 97703. You should know this may be the last Waldo Campout for a while.

Hollinshead Community Garden Open Garden
2016-08-27 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come see and learn what can be grown in Central Oregon!
FREE GARDENING MINI CLASSES
Taught by OSU Master Gardeners

GARDEN TOURS
TOMATO TASTING
HERB-INFUSED REFRESHMENTS
ARTISTS AT WORK
MUSIC
INSECT DISPLAYS
CENTRAL OREGON MASTER PRESERVERS PRESENTATION
TOUR HOLLINSHEAD HOMESTEAD MUSEUM
BEND PARKS AND RECREATION

Meet Your Farmer @ The Box Factory
2016-09-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Meet Your Farmer Dinner Series is a wonderful way to really meet your local farmers!
Meet Your Farmer dinners consist of a locally sourced, gourmet meal hosted by and prepared by rotating local restaurants. During dinner you will be treated to a presentation by the evening’s featured farmer.
This Meet Your Farmer is unlike any other. With a collaborative menu by The Curry Shack and Blackened Dragon with an optional cider pairing by ATLAS Cider Company. Food grown, cared for, and brought to you by Fields Farm–Bend, Oregon and DD Ranch. This dinner is sure to please all who attend.

The Unknown Story of the Tumalo Reservoir Area
2016-09-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
As the Gateway to the Skyline Forest, the Tumalo Reservoir Area (or Bull Flats) is a critical connection for the Tumalo Deer Winter Range and contains important habitat for elk, mule deer and other wildlife, including a rare and threatened plant species.
You may have heard the story of the failed Tumalo Reservoir in the early 20th century, but did you know protection for this land is still at risk?
Join LandWatch on Wednesday, September 7th for a presentation that will uncover this story with Jamie Hildebrandt – Rock Springs Ranch Manager, Sara Gregory – ODF&W Wildlife Habitat Biologist, and Stu Garrett – botany expert.
When: Wednesday, September 7th 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Where: Brooks Room, Downtown Bend Library
How: RSVP by clicking here

Wild & Scenic Film Festival
2016-09-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association for a special “Wild & Scenic Rivers 50th Anniversary” edition of the annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, presented by E2 Solar.
Don’t miss one of two screenings at the Tower Theatre on Friday, October 5 in downtown Bend. Catch a great lineup of the year’s best conservation and adventure films and a raffle loaded with gear for your next adventure. Plus, ticket holders are privy to a complimentary happy hour between screenings next door at OutsideIN. Buy your tickets today!
Matinee – 4:30 p.m.
Evening – 8 p.m.
100% of event proceeds support ONDA’s critical conservation work! Ticket prices range from $11-$17 including all ticketing fees.

Alder Springs Hike
2016-09-11 09:00 - 16:00 | Alder Springs, OR, United States
Join Central Oregon LandWatch for a moderate to strenuous walk down into the scenic lower Whychus Creek Canyon to Alder Springs. We will check out the confluence of the creek with the thundering Deschutes River below a towering wedge of rimrock on this premier Central Oregon hike.
Watch for wildflowers, raptors, songbirds, lizards, and rattlesnakes enjoying the last bit of summer. This western portion of the Crooked River National Grassland is part of a mosaic of public and private lands that Central Oregon LandWatch is working to protect as important wildlife habitat, winter range, and a migration corridor between the Cascades and the Ochocos.
The drive from Bend to the trailhead is about 1 hour, the last few miles of which are on a rough dirt road – high clearance, 4WD strongly recommended. Please volunteer to drive if you have a rig that can handle this.
The approximately 6 mile round-trip hike is moderately to strenuous, with a fair amount of elevation loss on the way out and gain on the way back. The hike can get hot and dusty. Bring: sun sauce, bug sauce, hiking boots, shades, a hat, lunch, and plenty of water.
We will meet in Bend at 9:00am for the carpool. All attendees will be asked to pitch in for gas.
Please note: As is often the case for hikers in this area, we may encounter rattlesnakes on this hike.

Meet Your Farmer @ Rockin Daves Backstage Lounge
2016-09-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join fellow Bend foodies for Locavore’s next Meet Your Farmer Dinner – a Farm-to-Table dinner at Rockin Daves Backstage Lounge featuring locally grown goods from Juniper Jungle Farm and the Great American Egg.
This locally sourced Farm-to-table dinner featuring a five course meal prepared by Chef Dave and his team themed appropriated “The Chicken and the Egg.” The menu features items such as Souther Sliders, Beaks and Leeks, and dessert “The Happy Ending.”
Locavore’s Meet Your Farmer dinners consist of a locally sourced, gourmet meal hosted and prepared by rotating local restaurants. During dinner, you will be treated to a presentation by the evening’s featured farmer. Chris Casad is the driving force behind Juniper Jungle Farm; he is the owner and farmer of the Juniper Jungle farming operation and leases the cultivated land. Chris discovered an interest in permaculture and farming in his late teens, and went to a hands-on permaculture school. The Great American Egg is a farm that aims to provide good food to local folks. They raise chickens for eggs, broilers for meat, grain for feed, and everything is GMO free.
Meet Your Farmer dinners benefit Central Oregon Locavore, a nonprofit organization that’s been promoting a local, sustainable food system in Central Oregon since 2010. Tickets are available through centraloregonlocavore.org or in the Locavore marketplace at 1841 NE 3rd Street (south of Habitat Restore and across from the Wagner Mall).
Where: Rockin Daves Backstage Lounge (behind the bistro) 661 NE Greenwood Ave
When: September 11th, 2016 First seating 430pm to 630pm, second seating 700pm to 900pm

Outdoor School For All: Speaker's Bureau Training
2016-09-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You are cordially invited to join us for a campaign update and speaker’s bureau training. Hear about where our campaign is at and learn how to speak about Measure 99 to friends, family, and community groups.
This is a great way to support the Outdoor School for All campaign as we get closer to Election day – without much time at all.
RSVP to Becca if you can join.

COTA Movie Night
2016-09-15 21:00 - 22:30 | McMenamin’s, 700 NW Bond St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Can’t get enough of the Olympics? Pine Mountain Sports is bringing Personal Gold to our September edition of COTA Movie Night @ McMenamins!
Personal Gold: An Underdog Story is the behind-the-scenes experience of four unlikely female cyclists who become America’s hope for a medal at the 2012 London Olympics after the men’s team is banned during the Lance Armstrong drug scandal. The underfunded women turn to volunteers, including their husbands and an innovative approach using ‘Data not Doping’ in an attempt to do the impossible; win the first U.S. Women’s Track Cycling medal in over 20 years.
Run time: 89 minutes.
Link to trailer: http://www.personal-gold.com/
Movie Night at McMenamins raises funds and awareness for Central Oregon Trail Alliance.

Doors open at 8:30P and films begin at 9P
