The Environmental Center

Rogue Farm Corps Weekend Intensive for Farmers: Farm Tours & Talks in Central Oregon
2022-06-11, 2022-06-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Rogue Farm Corps presents:
A Weekend Intensive for Farmers: Farm Tours & Talks in Central Oregon
Theme: Equipment & Irrigation
Days/Times: Saturday June 11th 12:30pm-5:30pm, Sunday June 12th, 10am-2pm
This weekend intensive for farmers (presented by Rogue Farm Corps) consists of 3 tours of Central Oregon area farms vegetable focused farms of varying scales – Mahonia Gardens in Sisters, Sungrounded Farm in Terrebonne, and Boundless Farmstead in Alfalfa. The farm tours will focus on understanding the farm’s essential tools, equipment, and irrigation systems. We’ll hear from the owners of these three sustainable farm businesses about their operations in general and tips that make it possible for them to do what they do. We will be mostly outside and will follow our COVID-19 protocol for in-person events.
*This intensive is open to anyone with the desire to learn about farm systems. It is designed for people with at least 6 months of field experience on a working farm/ranch who wants to continue in the field of agriculture. It is geared toward people who aspire to manage or run a farm operation someday, and applicable to people who are in owner/manager positions of a farming business.
This intensive is part of Rogue Farm Corps’ advanced Apprenticeship Farmer Training Program Event Series which focuses on farm management topics for the aspiring farm manager. We are opening it up to the general farming community as well. Participants will be provided handouts as well as electronic resources related to the topics. Rogue Farm Corps seeks to provide an inclusive and welcoming learning space for aspiring / beginning farmers of all backgrounds. If you have accessibility needs please let us know!
AGENDA (subject to change):
Saturday June 11:
12:00-12:30pm Arrive / Check-in / Eat Lunch, etc @ Mahonia Gardens in Sisters
12:30-2:30pm Mahonia Gardens Farm Tour (Sisters)
2:30-3:00pm Drive to Sungrounded Farm (Terrebonne)
3:00-5:00pm Sungrounded Farm Tour
5:00-5:30pm Q&A / Networking time
Sunday June 12:
10-11am Boundless Farmstead Tour (Alfalfa)
11am-12pm Equipment talk @ Boundless Farmstead focusing on Tractors & Tractor equipment
12-1:15pm Irrigation Management talk @ Boundless Farmstead
1:15-2:00pm Lunch, Reflections, Networking, Evaluations
Cost: $80 is the standard registration fee for this weekend. You may choose to pay on a sliding scale between $50 and $90 via the various ticket options on Eventbrite. If you are a US military veteran you may use code “AGVETS22” at checkout for a full scholarship. If you identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or low-income, you may use code “SCHOLARSHIP22” at checkout for full and partial scholarship tickets. Questions? Please email matt@roguefarmcorps.org.
Please sign up in advance. Space is limited!
Rogue Farm Corps is an Oregon non-profit dedicated to training and equipping the next generation of farmers and preserving farmland. More info: https://roguefarmcorps.org
Please follow this link for more info and registration

EnVisioning Bend’s Future
2022-06-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Are you worried about the future of Bend—how growth and change may affect our community? Are you excited and committed to help the greater Bend area become the best it can be—both now and for coming generations? If so, please join the next City Club forum: EnVisioning Bend’s Future, Tuesday, June 14

How to Go Solar + Storage
2022-06-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
At this workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to know to feel confident adding solar or energy storage to your home or business.

Sagebrush Sipper: Bend
2022-06-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Oregon Natural Desert Association staff and supporters for a casual happy hour in their office this summer. Mix and mingle, learn about new aspects of Oregon’s high desert, and find opportunities to dig deeper into conservation work.

Your Home & The Electrical Grid
2022-06-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Electricity impacts our lives, works, education, entertainment, health, and safety. Learn about the electrical grid and climate resiliency.

Bend COTA Work Events
2022-06-16, 2022-06-23, 2022-06-30, 2022-07-07 | 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.

2022 Bend Young Professionals Summit
2022-06-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
5th Annual YP Summit
Meet and reconnect with engaged and diverse young professionals on Central Oregon Community College’s beautiful campus for our annual all-day professional development-enhancing event. The YP Summit features a keynote speaker, great breakout sessions for deeper dives into specific learning topics, networking and social opportunities, and an afterparty to cap off the day. Build your day’s schedule by selecting a morning and afternoon session and join us for an all conference networking session. Coffee, lunch, swag bags, and afterparty are all included in the price of your ticket.

Juneteenth 2022
2022-06-18 - 2022-06-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Central Oregon Celebrates Freedom Day! Join us on June 18th and 19th for fun, food, education and entertainment for the entire family! ALL are welcome to celebrate and learn at Juneteenth 2022, located at Drake Park!

Solar Energy Showcase: Bethlehem Inn
2022-06-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Solar and efficiency have allowed Bethlehem Inn to better serve its vulnerable residents. Learn their story in this free educational webinar.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2022-06-21 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
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

Stories We Didn't Learn in School: Understanding Diverse Rural Experiences (Rural Development Initiatives)
2022-06-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
With the resurgence of social justice movements around the country, people in rural places are becoming more aware of the history of marginalized neighbors in their communities. Join to hear these important stories, and learn more about ways we can broaden our understanding of the variety of life experiences in the rural Pacific Northwest.

Portable Heat Pumps - Low Cost Supplemental Heating and Cooling
2022-06-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Portable heat pumps are a way to lower utility bills by efficiently warming or cooling a single room – a great solution for renters.

Midtown Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossings Project
2022-06-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You are invited to an open house on June 22 to learn about the Midtown Crossings Feasibility Study. This study looks to find opportunities to improve east-west connectivity through safer walking and biking connections in the Central Core area of Bend.

SPRING HIKE SERIES: LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
2022-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This Spring Hike Series features Lookout Mountain in the beautiful Ochoco National Forest. Join Central Oregon LandWatch for a moderate to strenuous hike during the renown peak season to appreciate the blooming wildflowers.
The details
Length: 4 miles (feels longer with elevation)
Elevation gain: 1,045 feet (a good bit of elevation)
Conditions: Be prepared for all conditions; hike can be warm/hot/sunny/partly covered
Parking: Around 15 spots, permits not required. Carpool strongly suggested.
Limited availability to 20 attendees. Please limit your registration to one hike to accommodate all those interested.

Bend Pride 5k Run/Walk 2022
2022-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
OUT Central Oregon is thrilled to continue on 2019’s inaugural Bend Pride 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Drake Park. In association with the Central Oregon Pride Festival (Central Oregon Pride), we hope you join for this fun 5K run and walk that celebrates inclusivity and pride in our diverse community.
The out-and-back course runs along the beautiful Deschutes River and through the Old Mill District. The event starts with the Pride 5K Fun Run/Walk*, followed by the Drag Dash (a ‘dash’ of fun, silliness, and pride for everyone), an awards ceremony, and ends with a raffle.
Join Drag queens & kings in costume in the Drag Dash as they contend for the coveted title of Drag Dash Darling.
*Bend Pride 5k Fun Run is an untimed event.

Wildflower Show & Pollinator Festival
2022-06-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Sunriver Nature Center & Oregon Observatory, 57245 River Rd, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Celebrate the diversity of wildflowers in Oregon and the pollinators who love them. Fun for the whole family includes:

Wildflower display showcasing hundreds of native wildflowers
Botanic garden tours
Educational talks and demonstrations
Children’s activities and crafts
Native plants for sale
Local vendors and food trucks

Rural Caucus & Strategy Session
2022-06-25 - 2022-06-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Rural Caucus & Strategy Session will be on Saturday, June 25th and Sunday, June 26th, 2022 in Redmond!
Register your group today for the early bird discount! The registration form is below!
For over 30 years, small-town and rural organizers and community leaders from across Oregon have come together annually at the Rural Caucus & Strategy Session to set the direction and priorities for our rural human dignity movements in the upcoming year. Join to share stories about what your community has been working on, connect with groups and community leaders from other parts of the state, and make a plan together for the year ahead!

Central Oregon Pride! June 2022
2022-06-25 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
OUT Central Oregon is happy to announce Central Oregon Pride 2022 on June 25th – a celebration of Pride in the diversity of our LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Expanding on 15 years of celebrating Central Oregon Pride, presented by Human Dignity Coalition, OUT Central Oregon brings Central Oregon Pride 2022 to Bend with new energy, focus, and commitment.
Throughout the month of June, various events promoting inclusivity, visibility, and fun for the LGBTQ+ community, family, and friends are happening in Bend and Central Oregon.
Join all month long for this celebration of diversity and inclusivity in Central Oregon.

Prideville in Prineville
2022-06-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join your Prineville friends and neighbors in love and respect for our LGBTQ+ community.
ALL are Welcome!

Summer on the Farm
2022-06-28, 2022-07-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join Seed to Table every Tuesday from June 28-August 16th for Summer on the Farm!

This is a time for kids and families to hang out at Seed to Table and engage with staff in different gardening and cooking activities.
Free, and open to all ages.

Tubeless 101 Clinic
2022-06-28 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn why tubeless tires are superior to tubes and how to make the switch.

Earth Advantage Middle Housing Zoning Updates for Bend & Beyond
2022-06-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn about the impacts of HB2001 & SB458 in Bend, Oregon and all large cities in Oregon
Join us for this special edition 2-hour update webinar providing the latest in HB 2001 zoning changes for Bend and other larger housing markets.
Oregon House Bill 2001 was passed into law in 2019 thereby requiring Oregon cities with more than 2,500 people to update their ADU codes to eliminate occupancy requirements and off-street parking requirements as of January 2020 (see map of affected cities).
This code update will go into effect in Bend on July 1st, 2022. This class covers how these new residential zoning regulations under Oregon House Bill 2001 will dramatically change what can be done on residential properties, including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters.
Simultaneously, Oregon Senate Bill 458 will be going into effect, which allows for fee simple land divisions of middle housing. This will allow a lot to be divided into multiple smaller lots, which will hopefully foster the creation of lower cost housing options in rapidly appreciating markets like Bend.
This training will address this legislative topic and provides an opportunity for attendees to consider how these zoning changes impact their development entitlements. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about these new regulations as well as market development feasibility variables.

Q&A WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
The webinar will conclude with a 30-min Q&A session that will feature the primary webinar presenter, Kol Peterson, and the City of Bend’s Senior Planner, Pauline Hardie, and Jesse Russell, owner of Hiatus Homes.
Course Fee
$25 | Regular Admission
$15 | Earth Advantage Accredited Professionals (EA Brokers, AGAs, SHPs), EA Builders, EA Builder sales staff
No cost | ADU Specialists
Questions? Please contact us at education@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x65.

Power Hour: Homegrown Renewables Series - Community-wide 100% Renewable Energy: Can we get there?
2022-06-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
UPDATE: This event is now ALL virtual with no in-person event.
Register to attend virtually
The City of Bend’s Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) calls for Bend to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2025. In the OR 2021 legislative session, HB 2021, also known as the 100% Clean For All bill, passed which will allow communities to buy renewable energy from Pacific Power or PGE through a special rate structure and a long-term contract. Come learn what this means for meeting our renewable energy goals and how you can help support this work.
At this event, we will dig into what still needs to be done to finalize this program and how communities can step up to help shape this program to ensure that it meets their needs, what kind of support there is to do just that, and the kinds of local projects that green tariff programs could support.
Meet our speakers
Mark Gamba – Mayor of Milwaukie, Oregon.
Erik Anderson, Strategic Manager – Renewable Energy and Emerging Technologies, Pacific Power
Dave Moldal, Sr. Program Manager – Renewables, Energy Trust of Oregon
Clay Deckert, Incentives Analyst, Energy Development Services, Community Renewable Energy Grants Program, Oregon Department of Energy
Jed Jorgensen, Director – Energy Solutions, Farmers Conservation Alliance
Field trip opportunity. Visit a micro hydro renewable energy site, right here in Central Oregon!
Thursday, June 30th, 10:00 am @ Swalley Irrigation District’s Ponderosa Hydroelectric plant.

Register for micro hydro tour

Power Hour | Homegrown Renewables: Micro Hydro
2022-06-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The City of Bend’s Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) calls for Bend to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2025. In the OR 2021 legislative session, HB 2021, also known as the 100% Clean For All bill, passed which will allow communities to buy renewable energy from Pacific Power or PGE through a special rate structure and a long-term contract. Come learn what this means for meeting our renewable energy goals and you can help support this work.
Central Oregon can and should be a leader in the local generation of renewable energy. We have rich resources to explore here in our backyard. As the community embarks on discussions around creating an energy plan for Deschutes County and as the City of Bend explores local generation opportunities to meet renewable energy goals laid out in the Community Climate Action Plan, now is the time for us to come together and learn about the resources that are available in our community. This series will explore homegrown opportunities to produce renewable energy right here in Deschutes County and beyond.
We will kick off this event by learning about irrigation modernization with three local irrigation districts. These projects not only save water, they save energy and make renewable energy production a possibility for irrigation districts and rural communities. We’ll learn about modernization progress and renewable energy generation to date (spoiler: they are already producing A LOT of energy and more could be in the works) and what that could mean for our local energy and resiliency goals.
These events are meant to be exploratory and not necessarily answer which sources of energy are the best for each community. Rather, we want to see communities engage in robust dialogue about what is available so that when it comes to making energy plans, we all have some foundational knowledge to work from.

Register for the tour
Meet our speakers
Jer Camarata, General Manager, Swalley Irrigation District. Jer holds two degrees in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, a BLA and MLA with honors — regional resource planning, GIS and database, and land use were his acedemic focus. Jer has over twenty years experience in the water resource industry and has led two irrigation districts in Oregon — Swalley ID, Bend and Farmers ID, Hood River — taking responsibility for large-scale irrigation and hydropower infrastructure assets.
At Swalley, Jer strives to achieve environmentally and economically sustainable energy and irrigation service for the common good. As Swalley’s executive officer, he has charge of the staff, oversees field and office operations, proposes and manages budgets, spearheads strategic planning efforts, implements large-scale capital improvement projects, and is responsible for implementing and interpreting policy as well as engaging in and executing District negotiations, contracts, and agreements.
Marc Thalacker, Manager, Three Sisters Irrigation District.
Marc has been the manager of Three Sisters Irrigation District since 1997. As a farmer in Central Oregon since 1988 he has firsthand experience in the needs of irrigators. At the beginning of his irrigation management career Marc saw the writing on the wall and started pre-emptive measures to restore water to the creek while maintaining, and improving, water distribution to TSID patrons.
Over the last 25 years TSID has piped the district with HDPE pipe and installed the 700 kW Watson Hydroelectric facility, which generated close to 3 MW in 2016. The 200 kW Micro-Hydro Demonstration Project was installed in 2018. The current project is a 300 kW McKenzie Hydroelectric facility which will be completed in 2022.
Marc has been recognized for his work in conservation by various agencies and lauded by TSID patrons for his work in improving irrigation water distribution. His ultimate goal is to make TSID carbon neutral. Marc serves on several boards including Oregon Water Resources Congress and Family Farm Alliance and is actively involved in water and energy legislation.
Doug Watson, Director of Hydro, Central Oregon Irrigation District. Doug is a Central Oregon native that recently parted ways with the United States Navy to pursue his career and opportunities within the Hydro community. He has a degree in renewable energy from Northwest Renewable Energy Institute. More geared towards wind/solar until introduced to hydroelectric generation to which he saw a better way to benefit and impact his community. He works continuously to keep both of COID’s Powerhouse facilities running at peak performance. Upholding the highest of standards for his facilities through FERC license and keeping Siphon Power project with LEHI certification. He manages all aspects from the business side of operations to maintenance. Doug also took on the roll of modernizing and upgrading the COID irrigation system via remote operations and controls giving water management features to piping projects and paving the way for the future operations.

Register for the tour
Learn more about renewable energy goals in Central Oregon, the new green tariff program, and how you can support these efforts
Wednesday, June 29th, 5:00-7:00 @ The Environmental Center or tune in virtually.

Register

Bend 101
2022-07-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Are you new to Bend? Looking to learn more about Bend and become engaged in the community?
Whether you moved here recently, or several years ago, Bend 101 is dedicated to connecting you with the information and resources to engage and thrive in the place where you live. You’ll meet both new and longtime residents and make meaningful relationships.
