The Environmental Center

Combating Climate Change: Impacts on your life and solutions for your home
2020-11-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn about the impacts climate change has on your life and discover simple and inexpensive solutions for your home and community.
This 2-part event will first focus on how worsening climate impacts are affecting all of us. Presented by Climate Reality’s Paul Alcantra and Candy Baunsgard, this first part will discuss the latest impacts from the science of climate change, the deepening impacts of the crisis now happening around the world, the present and emerging solutions to this existential problem, and steps we can take to create a more sustainable environment for current and future generations.
The second part of this event will focus on easy, inexpensive steps we can take to achieve a zero-carbon footprint for our homes and communities. Presenters Jim Neu and Betzi Hitz from 350Eugene will talk about the dangers of fossil gas, from extraction to its use in all buildings. They will also cover toxic alerts for indoor and outdoor air quality and pollution and what you can do in your own home or business to protect your health.

Environmental Justice Episode 2
2020-11-17
What are the roots of the conservation movement? This episode will discuss our nation’s actions, history and culture of oppression that led to the modern conservation movement. This episode is pivotal in understanding the injustices that conservation and public lands were born from and that persist today. Learn more about the series

Braiding Sweetgrass Author Robin Wall Kimmerer
2020-11-17
Join for a talk with nationally recognized author Robin Wall Kimmerer, of Braiding Sweetgrass fame, on how themes from it can offer lessons on moving towards a more just and sustainable future. How can we apply the concepts of reciprocity and humility both socially and ecologically? How can we change the lens through which we see the world to help ensure our collective survival and restore our relationship with the Earth and each other?

Oregon Wildfire Impact Panel
2020-11-17
Oregon Parks Forever will host a webinar with representatives of the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to talk about the seven major fires (Beachie Creek, Holiday Farm, Riverside, Archie Creek, Lionshead, Slater and S. Obenchain) that impacted our public lands.
If you would like to know how each started, how they expanded, why they burned so hot, the acreage burned, plans for any salvage logging, interim plans for managing soil erosion and hillside stabilization, and thoughts regarding possible replanting … this will be interesting to you!

Heat Pump Water Heaters - Cost effective carbon action
2020-11-18
Join Electrify Now, Community Energy Project, Solar Oregon, Passive House Northwest, New Buildings Institute, Zero Energy Project, Renewable Hydrogen Alliance and The Environmental Center as we explore why Heat Pump Water Heaters are becoming the new standard and how to take advantage of these amazing devices in your home.
Water heaters are the second biggest energy users in most homes and will account for 1.5 – 2.5 Tons of carbon emissions each year. Heat Pump Water Heaters use a fraction of the energy required by standard electric or gas powered models. In most homes this translates to hundreds of dollars of savings on utility bills each year. Our panel will discuss why these products are so efficient, why they avoid carbon emissions, what to know about installing one in your home, and how to take advantage of the money saving promotions that are available now.

Tribal & Indigenous Knowledge in Policy-Webinar
2020-11-18
This webinar will focus on the Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in Data, Research, and Policy-making. Join Beyond Toxics to hear from Tribal staff, community members, and scholars explore the role of TEK in data collection, research, and policy-making. Panelists will also discuss best practices when learning about the use of TEK, and how to avoid knowledge appropriation and exploitation.
Panelist Lineup:
– Robert Kentta – Treasurer, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
– Susan Fricke – Water Quality Program Manager, Karuk Tribe
– Colleen Sanders – Climate Adaptation Planner, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
– Wenix Red Elk – Public Education and Outreach Specialist, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Native American Heritage Month Events
2020-11-18
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, please join upcoming virtual events hosted by the Papalaxsimisha program.
Nov 18: Hunting Regulations and Climate Change with Wildlife Biologist, Austin Smith Jr.

Making Sense of the 2020 Wildfires
2020-11-18
Making Sense of the 2020 Wildfires will focus on the most recent wildfires and what we can do to protect our communities, our forests, and our climate in the face of unprecedented change.
Making Sense of the 2020 Wildfires
Wednesday, November 18th | 4pm – 5:30pm
Virtual meeting via Zoom
This multimedia conversation moderated by Courtney Johnson, Executive Director of Crag Law Center, builds on years of work in the courtroom and in the forests, and information from top wildfire and climate scientists. Panelists include:

Dr. Tim Ingalsbee, Executive Director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology
Ralph Bloemers, Senior Staff Attorney at Crag Law Center

LandWatch’s Executive Director, Ben Gordon, will join at the beginning of the presentation to discuss our work to prevent development in fire-prone areas and how we use land use planning to keep Central Oregon safe.

Wolverine(s) of Oregon Webcast
2020-11-18
According to biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are fewer than 300 wolverines left in the contiguous United States, putting the future of this species in jeopardy. Here in Oregon, the Wallowa Wolverine Project will begin its second year using remote camera monitoring and snow-tracking to learn more about the status and conservation needs of the state’s most elusive carnivore.
We hope you can join Oregon Wild for next week’s webcast, where they welcome special guests Scott Shively and Kayla Deher, field biologists for the Wallowa Wolverine Project. In addition to sharing unique (and exclusive) photos and videos of Stormy, they’ll also talk about what you can do to help this extraordinary species.

Honoring Native American Heritage Month at COCC
2020-11-18
Join a Native fry bread cooking demonstration with Joie Simtustus-Chavez, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs via Zoom: https://cocc.zoom.us/j/97954015852. Simtustus-Chavez learned how to make this customary food from her grandmother and mother, with the recipe handed down in the oral tradition. Please have the following ingredients assembled prior to the event: flour, salt, baking powder and warm water.

She Feeds the World – Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition
2020-11-19
Join FAO North America and CARE USA for a Congressional Briefing on how empowering women brings us closer to our goals of eradicating hunger, ensuring food security, eliminating all forms of malnutrition, and improving the lives of people around the globe.

Supporting Youth Through the Holidays during COVID
2020-11-19
Join Camp Fire Central Oregon for their monthly community conversation series covering the latest topics in youth development. FREE and open to anyone who cares about our youth!

This month: There’s no denying it: Holidays will look different this year. Join Camp Fire for an interactive discussion, emphasizing easy, actionable, low-stress ways to support your kids through a COVID-19 holiday season.

Bend COTA Work Events
2020-11-19, 2020-11-26, 2020-12-03
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.

Gather Film Documentary and Discussion-InFARMation: Racial and Food Justice Series
2020-11-19
Gather is an intimate portrait of the growing movement amongst Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political and cultural identities through food sovereignty, while battling the trauma of centuries of genocide.

Environmental Justice Shared Learning Space
2020-11-20
Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation is offering a focused space to help people hold themselves accountable in what is intended to be a primarily self-led learning experience around justice and equity within conservation. COWC will be convening monthly, from 6:00-7:30pm on:
Call 1: Tuesday, October 20
Call 2: Tuesday, November 17
Call 3: Tuesday, December 15
Call 4: Tuesday, January 19
Call 5: Tuesday, February 16

Locavore's 11th Annual Holiday Gift Faire
2020-11-23 - 2020-12-08
Shop the 11th Annual Locavore Holiday Gift Faire- Special 2020 Online version!
The Annual Locavore Holiday Gift Faire is one of the best ways to find perfectly unique gifts for your special people made right here in Central Oregon. Will you buy them art, local honey or vinegar, hats, a new painting or a beautiful piece of jewelry? You don’t have to decide now—browsing the merry tables of these artists, farmers, and crafters is half the joy of this top notch gift faire.
The other half is knowing your dollars are supporting a vibrant local arts scene. Spending your money on local products is a rewarding way to diversify our economy. These events are truly for our community, by our community and are made possible by the support of dozens of local businesses and volunteers!  Snacks, warm beverages, and lunch will be available.
Ordering from Your Market helps to build and support our community, and to preserve our precious agricultural land for future use.
Support local businesses this holiday season.
Over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and vendors are selling their wares via an online platform. Ordering opens November 23rd and closes December 8th. Pickup up at Agricultural Connections on December 12th.

Virtual Lecture: A Storm of Stars – The Life Story of the Milky Way
2020-11-23
This virtual lecture will be presented by Dr. Shane Larson, Research Associate Professor of Physics at Northwestern University, where he is the Associate Director of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics). He works in the field of gravitational wave astrophysics, specializing in studies of compact stars, binaries, and the galaxy. He works in gravitational wave astronomy with both the ground-based LIGO project, and the future space-based detector LISA.

Native American Heritage Month events
2020-11-25
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, please join upcoming virtual events hosted by the Papalaxsimisha program.
Nov 25: Language Presentation

Rise up for Climate Justice: A Giving Tuesday Celebration
2020-12-01
Join Beyond Toxics on Tuesday, December 1st at 6:30 pm for an uplifting virtual membership party to learn about their exciting new opportunities to lead Oregon on a path to climate justice. The event, Rise Up for Climate Justice: A Giving Tuesday Celebration, includes the premiere of a new short video, introductions of new staff members and live music.

World Soil Day Webinar
2020-12-02
Join FAONorthAmerica ahead of World Soil Day to celebrate healthy soils for the future of food. This year’s campaign “Keep soil alive, Protect soil biodiversity” urges us to focus our attention on the workers below ground – from tiny bacteria to agile millipedes and slimy earthworms – all of which contribute to processes that are indispensable to life on Earth. Biodiversity loss is a major threat to soil, which is home to more than a quarter of the Earth’s biodiversity. Yet, we only know 1% of this universe.
This timely webinar will feature a keynote lecture by Dr. Rattan Lal, 2020 World Food Prize Laureate, followed by an expert panel discussion on safeguarding soil biodiversity.

Webcast: Oregon's Vanishing Glaciers
2020-12-02
The retreat of Oregon’s glaciers isn’t just a sign of a changing climate. Join ONDA Wednesday, December 2nd for a presentation with the scientists of the Oregon Glaciers Institute on what this means for the future of our state.

Celebrating Indigenous Food Ways
2020-12-03
There is a growing revival of cultural practices based in seasonal nutrition, reciprocal relationship, and stewardship of land and water.
With listening, learning, and action in the present, we can shift from a system of exploitation to a regenerative and just food economy that reflects an ethic of care. Join for a story and Q+A with Corrina Gould of Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.

Latino Community Association's Annual Fundraiser
2020-12-03
Virtual Empowering Families Luncheon
Coming to the end of 2020, LCA are reflecting on 20 years of service supporting the Latinx and immigrant community in Central Oregon. This year has brought incredible challenges that remind us that we can not let our guard down. To the contrary, we ought to persist in upholding the rights and worth of all, including our immigrant friends and family.
Join LCA on December 3rd from 12-1 pm to hear stories of triumph from Latinx community members while enjoying a delicious “to-go” lunch and connecting with great guests. This is a digital celebration of LCA’s 20 years of service AND a chance to contribute to their mission!

Oregon Trails Coalition Annual Meeting and Virtual Statewide Strategy Session
2020-12-03
Join Oregon Trails Coalition to meet Coalition partners around the state and discuss how we can work together during these unprecedented times to increase access to and investments in a sustainable trails network.

Virtual Program: Growing Up Owl
2020-12-03
Luna, the Eurasian Eagle-owl, will soon turn 6 months old and she’s done a lot of growing up during that time. Join Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory for a family-friendly virtual program that takes a look back at all the exciting milestones in her first half year through stories, photos, and a live appearance by Luna!
This program will be presented virtually through Zoom. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the program.

The Bioneers 2020 Conference: Beyond the Great Unraveling: Weaving the World Anew.
2020-12-05 - 2020-12-06
Bioneers is excited to introduce the 2020 Bioneers Conference: a virtual gathering encapsulating the magic of our annual live conference.
This year’s theme is “Beyond the Great Unraveling: Weaving the World Anew.” As we enter into a permanent emergency, it’s much easier to see what’s dying than what’s being born. But since the beginning, Bioneers has been about what’s being born. They’ll be showcasing many of the most visionary and practical solutions afoot today, and many of our greatest visionary innovators, including the greatest people you’ve never heard of.

Integrated Landscape Strategies to Reach Post-2020 Biodiversity Conservation Goals
2020-12-07
Join FAO North America and EcoAgriculture Partners for a high-level dialogue featuring distinguished speakers that will share their vision for how integrated landscape approaches could guide major initiatives pursuing post-2020 biodiversity goals.

Love Your Neighbor - Virtual Forum
2020-12-07
Learn perspectives from local community members of color, and share your ideas for advancing racial justice locally and around the country.
