The Environmental Center

VegNet Potluck
2018-01-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Happy Healthy New Year!
It’s a new year and we’re feeling wholesome. To kickstart a healthy 2018, please join us at the monthly VegNet community potluck. This is your chance to share your favorite whole-food, plant-based (no animal products, including honey) preparations.
For this potluck, think whole, unrefined or minimally refined plants: fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains, legumes, and mushrooms. Consider steering clear of bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil. Let’s show off how tasty and satisfying healthy plant foods can be! Need ideas? Check out the free recipes at Forks Over Knives (https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/).
Bring a vegan dish to serve 6-8, plus extra if there are more than two in your party, a card listing ingredients, and your own cup, plate, and cutlery. Kids are welcome and you don’t have to be vegan to join us. Come and try veg!
Suggested donation $2-5 to help cover room rental.
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VegNet’s community potlucks are held on the third Saturday of every month, 6pm, at the Environmental Center.
To stay up on VegNet Bend’s activities and events:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vegnetbend/
https://www.meetup.com/VegNet-Bend/
http://www.vegnetbend.org/

January COBKA Meeting - Beekeeping Supplies & Suppliers
2018-01-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Central Oregon Beekeeping Association will be sharing their2018 supplier list with the regular information (availability and cost) as well as some educational information about options available and when and what treatments are given. This will be followed up by a panel discussion on everything you’ve wanted to know about where to get your bees.
Beginner’s Corner will be held at 5:30 across the hall. Hope to see you all there!

Snowshoeing Central Oregon
2018-01-24 | 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)
In addition to the snowshoeing presentation, learn more about Oregon Wild’s current efforts to protect wild places and public lands across the state.
Free and open to all ages. Enter our raffle for great prizes at the end!

Bend COTA Work Events
2018-01-25, 2018-02-01 | 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.

Winter Clamshell Recycling Event
2018-01-27 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Whole Foods successfully recycled all the plastic clamshell containers they collected last October, and want to do it again in 2018!
Mark your calendars:

Jan 27

Please note, due to shifting markets in the global recycling industry, these clamshell recycling events at Whole Foods have been cancelled for the remainder of 2018. If you have been collecting them they will need to be put in the trash. When possible, please consider bringing your own containers/bags and make bulk purchases to avoid bringing home more material.

These events will run from 10:00 – 4:00. Items collected are only plastic clamshells. Here are some examples of what often comes in clamshells:

To-Go style plastic take out containers
Grapes, cheery tomatoes, strawberries
Lettuce

We are also looking for volunteers to help staff these events, as it is a great opportunity to talk to people about what is and isn’t recyclable locally, as well as other topics related to rethinking waste. Contact Denise if you’re interested!

Texts and Taps for Clean Energy Jobs Bill
2018-01-28 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Sierra Club and over 40 partnering orgs of the Oregon Conservation Network to make a push for the Clean Energy Jobs Bill in the upcoming short Legislative session. This is a carbon cap and invest bill that will limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation fuels, electric and gas utilities, and large industrial companies, price the pollution our largest polluters are emitting, and invest those funds back into clean energy jobs and community.
Can you spare an hour and a half to help get this bill passed in February? This is like a phone bank but easier, just text messaging to supporters, no phone calls. Bring your laptop or smart phone and we will train users on-site on a cool new app. Let’s get Oregon on the road to a clean energy economy!

United By Water: Culture, Fish, Water
2018-01-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The inspiring journey of Upper Columbia River tribal communities as they reconnect with their tribal traditions and the river.
Doors open at 5:30 pm; program begins at 6:30 pm
Deschutes Brewery Mountain Room
Tickets can be found here.
The Coalition for the Deschutes is pleased to invite the community to join us for a showing the film “United by Water” followed by a panel discussion with Columbia River and Warm Springs tribal members. The film will be followed by a panel discussion about rivers and how we relate to and understand them. Panelists are:
DR Michel – Executive Director, Upper Columbia United Tribes
John Sirois – Committee Coordinator, Upper Columbia United Tribes
Elke and Alysia Littleleaf – Warm Springs tribal members, Littleleaf Guide Services
Gary Lewis – writer, photographer, show host, Gary Lewis Outdoors
United by Water tells the story of the inspiring journey undertaken by Upper Columbia tribal communities to Kettle Falls, the fishing site of their ancestors, for the first time in 80 years. It is a story about the tribes’ reconnection with their traditions and heritage, and with the river that was once so integral to their way of life.
Kettle Falls is now the site of the Grand Coulee Dam. In 1940, the tribes held a Ceremony of Tears to mark the final time they saw Kettle Falls.
MORE ABOUT THE FILM:
United by Water has received national attention and has been accepted into several film festivals. Directed by Derrick LaMere of War Pony Pictures, this film follows the first tribal canoe journey and gathering at Kettle Falls since the Ceremony of Tears in 1940. The film, narrated by famed author Sherman Alexie, documents this inspiring journey in 2016—building the canoes, the physical and spiritual journey on the Columbia River, and finally the historic landing at Kettle Falls.
The timely film highlights the need to recognize the importance of reconnecting to the Columbia River and restoring our salmon runs. Not only does the film bring attention to the historic wrongs that blocked salmon from the Upper Columbia River; it also shares the current efforts by Upper Columbia United Tribes and other tribes to bring forward tribal traditions to help better understand what is lacking in our contemporary society. We need to forge a deeper connection to the waters that bring life to our communities.
United by Water offers an example of how, working together, we can act and make a positive difference for the future of our shared ecosystem.

The Climate Resistance, Film & Action Night
2018-01-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On January 31st, the day after Trump’s first State of the Union, our movement will come together for Fossil Free Fast: The Climate Resistance.
Movement leaders including Senator Bernie Sanders, Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement, Rev. Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus, Jessica Lorena Rangel of Houston Eyes of a Dreamer, Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, and many more will deliver the state of our climate movement. They will share stories on the urgency of the current political and climate crises, and light our path ahead: resist the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on our climate, build power towards the 2018 and 2020 elections, and secure the lasting change we need through local action.
Together, we will end the use of fossil fuels and usher in the fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy for all.

Nature Night: Wildlife Migration
2018-01-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Central Oregon is rich with numerous species of native wildlife and many of these animals embark on seasonal migrations—large and small—across the landscape. Join Deschutes National Forest wildlife biologist Lauri Turner for a talk about wildlife and the local migration pathways they need to survive in our high desert. From deer and elk to wolves and mountain goats, learn about local species that migrate, the challenges they face as Central Oregon continues to grow, and ways you can help wildlife continue their seasonal journeys. This presentation is free, but you must get your ticket online.

Submission Deadline: Annual Eagle Watch Art Contest
2018-02-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
An opportunity for kids to show their love for birds of prey! Artwork not only of eagles, but also of hawks, falcons, vultures and owls are also encouraged.
Winners will be determined for different age groups and categories, including a few options that are NEW this year:

A “science-fair” styled project board
5 minute video
Multimedia presentation (20 mins max)

These can be either individual or classroom submissions. Deadline is Friday, Feb 2nd.

Backcountry Film Festival
2018-02-02 18:00 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Volcanic Theater & Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Discover Your Forest and Winter Wildlands Alliance joins forces to bring you a powder-filled night to remember!
There will be two screenings in Bend and one screening in Sisters — February 2nd at the Volcanic Theatre Pub in Bend (6pm and 9pm), and a screening on February 7th (6pm) at Sisters Movie House.
We are hoping to raise much needed funds for our Project SNOW field trip programs for Central Oregon students. To date, this program has raised over $10,000 to support this free field trip programs at Mt Bachelor. Project SNOW (Studying Nature Outdoors in Winter) is dedicated to providing a rich outdoor education experience for students that instills in them a sense of awe and stewardship for the environment. Project SNOW provides an unforgettable winter adventure that combines hands-on science education with snowshoe-powered outdoor exploration for over 2,000 kids in Central Oregon. Funds raised have helped us purchase adaptive equipment and warm weather clothing to make sure that kids can participate in the program no matter what.
Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, ski culture- you’ll find it all in this award winning lineup.
The Backcountry Film Festival is produced by Winter Wildlands Alliance as a celebration of the human-powered experience and a gathering place for the backcountry snowsports community. Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization that partners with groups like Discover Your Forest at the local level to inspire and educate the backcountry community to protect and care for their winter landscapes. Funds raised at each screening stay in the local community to support human-powered recreation and conservation efforts, winter education and avalanche/safety programs and to raise awareness of winter management issues.
