The Environmental Center

Strategic Storytelling Workshop
2014-10-28 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Strategic Storytelling Workshop: The Secret to Stories that Inspire Action
Designed for Nonprofit and Business Leaders and Outreach Specialists alike, this workshop will help you harness the power of storytelling and strategy to inform, persuade, inspire, and engage audiences. In this one-day workshop, you’ll create a “GAME Plan” for identifying, capturing, and sharing powerful stories that inspire deep connections among donors, volunteers, and others.
You’ll walk away with stories and tools you can use immediately to help you meet your organizational goals.
This workshop is brought to you by The Environmental Center and Lightbox Collaborative, and will be taught by Renee Alexander and Ryan Schwartz (click on their names for bios). A description of the workshop topics and bios of the teachers can also be found here.
Strategic Storytelling Workshop Rates:
Nonprofit/Student Individual: $110
Nonprofit Team (of 2 or more): $90/person
For-Profit Individual: $150
For-Profit Team (of 2 or more): $130/person
Register by emailing Sara this information:

Your First and Last Name
Your Organization/Business Name
Your Email Address
Your Phone Number

If you have any questions, please contact Sara at 541-385-6908 x18.

Drink More Give More for Commute Options
2014-10-28
Join us for a night of great brews and food for a good cause.
On the evening of Tuesday October 28th from 5-9 PM, all proceeds from retail, food and beverage sales will be donated to Commute Options. This includes to go items if people don’t want to wait, but would like to participate.
10 Barrel is also selling the “Drink More Give More” charity shirts during the month of October and will donate all the proceeds to Commute Options.
Come enjoy the evening with us!

Trick or Treat Your Energy Art Show
2014-10-29
The Sierra Club Presents: Trick or Treat Your Energy Art Show
Please join us as we invite local artists to represent what coal use and climate change means to them.
This Halloween, envision how scary a world that continues to depend on fossil fuels like coal might look.
Or imagine if we took the initiative to transition to the clean energy options that are available now.
Art submission deadlines are due on Wednesday, October 22nd. For art submissions and further information, contact Lee Chapman.
We will be inviting attendees to partake in a community art project, enjoy live music and vote on their favorite piece! Free music, art, and games for all ages

Green Drinks at Cascade Couriers/Agricultural Connections
2014-10-30
Join us at Green Drinks, the bi-monthly gathering to learn about local businesses and their sustainability efforts while enjoying an Eco-conscious drink or two!
Where: 1470 NE 1st St. #105 Bend
When: Thursday, October 30th, 5:00 – 7:00PM
A special co-hosted Green Drinks Event in the Maker’s District of Bend with Agricultural Connections and Cascade Couriers!
Agricultural Connections delivers wholesome local and regional food to individuals, families, restaurants, and marketplaces in Central Oregon. Year-round, they offer seasonal produce, local meats and cheeses, and a variety of pantry items. From beginning to end-the farm to your door- Agricultural Connections support small, local businesses and the environment.
Cascade Couriers is an environmentally conscious approach to transporting goods in Central Oregon. Wholesale distribution of local products or one-time deliveries, they can do it and minimize your carbon footprint. In addition, Cascade Couriers offer unique advertising and promotional opportunities via our cargo trikes.
Join us at Green Drinks to network, learn about other businesses and their sustainability efforts and have a green drink or two! 5-7 PM, the last Thursday of every month.
Costumes are encouraged (preferably related to local food), and there may be a prize for the best costume! A local food treat give-away will be offered by Agricultural Connections.
Enjoy a truly green drink by bringing your own cup and consider alternatives to driving alone such as carpooling, walking, biking and transit.

Housing Affordability Forum
2014-10-30
The Bend 2030 Livability Series: Housing Affordability Forum is the first crack at this new chapter in the Bend 2030 organization’s work. It begins with a survey that goes live today, which will take the community’s temperature on housing affordability. We know it’s a problem, but what critical choices are we willing to make to ensure everyone in our town has a place to live? Are we willing to allow taller buildings? More homes per acre? How about exempting developers who build affordable homes from fees?
To help us ask the right survey questions, Bend 2030 talked to two-dozen housing stakeholders, including agencies like Housing Works, Central Oregon Builders Association and the City of Bend. Now we’ll work hard to ensure hundreds of people take the final survey. To encourage participation, Bend 2030 is giving away dozens of $25 gas cards to those who take the survey by Oct. 26.
That date is important because on Thursday, Oct. 30, Bend 2030 will hold a Housing Affordability Forum at the Bend Senior Center from 6-8:30 p.m. Featuring interactive exercises, survey results and personal housing struggles, this is the public’s chance to learn the truth about housing in Bend. More importantly, participants will make real recommendations on solutions, which Bend 2030 will summarize in a final report presented directly to decision makers and key stakeholders.
Funding for the Bend 2030 Livability Series is provided by the generous support of the Leadership Alliance of Bend 2030, including BendBroadband, Bend Park and Recreation District, Brooks Resources, Central Oregon Community College, the City of Bend, Deschutes Brewery, OSU-Cascades, St. Charles Health System, US Bank, The Garner Group, Sunwest Builders and NorthWest Crossing.

Kim McCarrel: Sisters Trail Alliance Speaker
2014-10-30
Sisters Trails Alliance Speaker Series“Sisters Area Trails are Fabulous”
A presentation by Kim McCarrel
Kim McCarrel has been an avid trail riderfor over 20 years, and has ridden the horse trails all over Oregon.
Her books, Riding NORTHWEST OREGON Horse Trails,Riding CENTRAL OREGON Horse Trails, and Riding SOUTHERN OREGON Horse Trails (Ponderosa Press), are “must haves” for horse trail riders and are also used by hikers and mountain bikers.
She is the current Vice President of Deschutes Land Trust, current and past Co-Chair of the Central Oregon chapter. She has explored, mapped, and published written descriptions of trails and horse camps throughout Oregon. Oregon of Equestrian Trails, past State Marketing Vice President of Oregon Equestrian Trails, and a former Board member for Sisters Trails
Alliance.
Trails for Everyone! The Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to planning, constructing and maintaining walking, hiking, cycling and equestrian trails in Sisters Country. For more information, please visit our website.

Our Wild Ones: Oregon's Amazing Wild Rivers
2014-10-30
OUR WILD ONES, OREGON’S AMAZING WILD RIVERS.
Wild Rivers have their own vital energy and personality and are stunningly captured by Northern California photographer and author Tim Palmer. He is well known for his beautiful photos, books, stories of river adventure, and insights about the problems and promise of free-flowing waters. Not to be missed!
6:30 gathering and snacks, 7:00 program.
Visit the Juniper Group of the Sierra Club’s website for more information about this and other events.

Spirits of Camp Polk Meadow
2014-10-31
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Kelly Madden for a twilight visit with the spirits of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Learn about this culturally rich meadow, home to one of the earliest settlements in Central Oregon, while listening to the stories of the ghosts who once made their home there. Registration opens 1 month prior to the event.
Registration is required
– See more here

Geology Hike, Smith Rock State Park
2014-11-02
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Derek Loeb for a hike along the Summit Loop Trail at Smith Rock State Park. This gorgeous loop follows the Burma Road up to a ridge overlooking famed peaks like Monkey Face. On the descent, the Summit Loop connector trail crosses a private property protected by the Land Trust before joining the Park’s river trail. Learn about how this dramatic area was formed by the forces of volcanoes and water during this fun and challenging 7 mile loop. Registration opens 1 month prior to the event.
Registration is required
– See more here

KPOV Election Coverage
2014-11-04
KPOV 88.9FM will be partnering with Oregon Community Media and KBOO in Portland to bring listeners up-to-the-minute election night coverage of local and statewide issues. Times and details TBA.

YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip
2014-11-04
Green Team Movie Night: “YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip”.
This award-winning “docu-comedy” tells the story of a year-long adventure trip of three friends to personalize sustainability and to answer the question: “Are we doomed?” They travel to every state to interview courageous and creative innovators who are tackling our environmental threats.
Questions? Call Nancy Merrick 541-815-6504

Project Wild Thing Film Screening
2014-11-07
Celebrate the launch of the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon with a fun and inspiring evening with friends and partners. PROJECT WILD THING is the hilarious, real-life stor of one man’s determination to get children out and into the ultimate, free wonder-product: Nature. This ambitious, feature-length documentary takes a funny and accessible look at a complex issue, the increasingly fragile connection between children and nature.
Learn more at www.projectwildthing.com. Purchase tickets in advance at: www.mcmenamins.com/events.

WaterWatch of Oregon Annual Fundraiser
2014-11-08
Please join us for the 12th Annual

Celebration of Oregon Rivers
Banquet & Auction
Benefiting WaterWatch of Oregon
Saturday, November 8, 2014
5:00pm to 9:30pm
Tiffany Center
1410 SW Morrison St, Portland

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Get discounted tickets by purchasing before September 1st
Individual Ticket: $85.00
Tables of Ten: $850.00
After September 1st tickets go to full price
Individual Ticket: $100.00
Tables of Ten: $1,000.00

We are mixing things up this year… New location, New items, New energy!
This is WaterWatch’s single largest source of funding each year. Last year, thanks to your support and generosity, we had our biggest and best year yet! Over 325 people attended the event and helped further our mission to protect and restore streamflows in Oregon rivers.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, guests and friends who help make this event a success – we couldn’t do it without you!

Cascade Audubon Society Annual Fundraiser
2014-11-08
Featured speaker will be Michael Illig, Curator of Animals at the Oregon Zoo. He will be presenting on the Condor Breeding Program at the zoo. There will also be light refreshments, a silent auction and raffles, a review of ECAS programs and projects and awards presented to Volunteer and Conservationist of the year.

Walking Away From the Land
2014-11-10
Walking Away from the Land
Central Oregon LandWatch is excited to announce our next speaker, Jonathan Stewart, an avid long distance hiker who spent the past decade hiking over 10,000 miles the length of the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, Great Divide, Hayduke, Long and Pacific Northwest trails.
Jon’s illustrated talk will expand on themes developed in his recent book entitled Walking Away from the Land. It focuses on the rapid cultural and climatic changes that are challenging the survival of our forests, grasslands, native wildlife, and our very civilization as seen from the crest of the American continent.
The Brooks Room
Downtown Bend Public Library
Please RSVP Here

Symphony of the Soil, the film
2014-11-11
If you’re like me, as a kid you made little mud cakes and set them out to dry in the sun. This requires digging up soil, throwing in some water, a handful of sandbox sand, and whipping up just the right blend so the cake won’t crack as it dries. I was learning about soil. Symphony of the Soil beautifully, lovingly, respectfully offers up this most basic source of life, the mother of nearly all plant life that in turn makes life possible for animal life, us—the soil—for a closer look. Soil is alive with microorganisms that not only feed nutrients to root structures, they capture and hold atmospheric carbon, tucking it underground where it feeds the plant its most important building block for growth, carbon. Learn more about the living skin of the earth separating biology from geology in Debra Koons Garcia’s well done, symphonically flowing, visually appealing treatment of this underappreciated natural resource and how you can nurture it.
6:30 gathering and snacks, 7:00 program.

Camp Fire Central Oregon: In the Garden with The Environmental Center
2014-11-12
Join us for a little late afternoon garden preparation as we help the folks at The Environmental Center get ready for winter, and fill some of their brand new planters with fresh soil!
Gardens require a lot of love and upkeep–so let’s all bring a friend, roll up our sleeves, and get our hands a little dirty! It’s going to be a lot of fun, and a great excuse to learn a little more about what it takes to maintain a healthy garden!

Cascadia Green Building Council: Solar Ready Luncheon Learn
2014-11-13
The High Desert Collaborative and Sunlight Solar Energy will present details on how to build solar ready homes and how to receive incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon. Come join us to learn more about the benefits of solar energy!
Parking is limited so please walk/bike or carpool.
RSVP
to Kim Wilson

Solar Ready-Your Commercial Building
2014-11-13
The Cascadia Green Building Council, High Desert Branch Collective will be hosting this event over lunch on Thursday, November 13th at Sunlight Solar. Sunlight Solar will provide details of how to build solar ready and how to receive the Energy Trust of Oregon incentives. Parking is limited, so please walk/bike or carpool.
1 AIA/HSW Credit
RSVP: kim.wilson@sunlightsolar.com
Cost: Free, lunch provided

2014 Sustainability Awards Ceremony
2014-11-13
The Environmental Center hosts the annual Sustainability Awards to highlight the determined and persistent change makers—in business, government, nonprofits and the community—who are essential to achieving a sustainable future. “By showcasing their commitment to a healthy environment, a vibrant economy, and an equitable society, we hope to inspire even more sustainable action in Central Oregon,” says executive director Mike Riley.

The awards ceremony will take place on November 13th, 2014 at the Cascade Culinary Institute’s Elevation Restaurant. Tickets are $20 and are now available for sale here.

Summit Loop Hike, Smith Rock State Park
2014-11-14
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Eva Eagle for a hike along the Summit Loop Trail at Smith Rock State Park. This gorgeous loop follows the Burma Road up to a ridge overlooking famed crags like Monkey Face. On the descent, the Summit Loop trail crosses a private property protected by the Land Trust before joining the Park’s river trail. Enjoy fall colors and take in the sweeping views of the Cascade crest.
Hike Rating: This is a challenging 7-mile hike along the Summit Loop Trail at Smith Rock State Park.
Free. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Bend Habitat for Humanity Wargo Family Home Dedication
2014-11-14
Come celebrate with us! The Wargo family home is finished- our 106th! Join us for the dedication ceremony, lunch and a tour of the home.

America Recycles Day
2014-11-15
A nation-wide day to celebrate recycling!
America Recycles Day aims to educate and increase the amount Americans collectively recycle. This national awareness effort is an initiative by Keep America Beautiful, an organization committed to helping citizens, businesses and governments to find solutions to preventing and reducing waste and beautifying communities.
Thousands of events take place across the country in honor of America Recycles Day! We hope you’ll participate by amping up the efforts a bit today. In Bend, the Rethink Waste Project Repair Cafe on November 14-15 would be a great event to attend. Come repair your items (for free!) instead of replacing them.
How else do you plan to participate? Check out the Rethink Waste website for ideas and resources on how to reduce waste – not just today, but all year long.

Central Oregon Trail Alliance Visitor Center Trails Work Event
2014-11-15
Join COTA for a Saturday morning work event on the new visitor center trails.
Deschutes Brewery beer will be available after working.
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.
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.

Social Media & Volunteerism Presentation
2014-11-18
Making Social Media Work Better for our Volunteer Programs
Presentation by Matt Hand, our Central Oregon social media and video expert
Followed by networking time
Cost:$5 per person; free for NOVA members and Volunteer Connect partners
This event is hosted by the Network of Volunteer Administrators (NOVA) and Volunteer Connect. It will be held at Bend’s Community Center.
To sign up, contact betsy@volunteerconnectnow.org

InFARMation (and Beer!)
2014-11-18
Land, Soil, Water, and Farmers: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture in Central Oregon
What does it mean to be farming in the midst of climate change? Can agriculture be a part of the solution? What is the community’s role in building a sustainable food system in Oregon? InFARMation (& Beer!) tackles these questions and more! Join Friends of Family Farmers (FoFF) and Jackson’s Corner for a fun and informative night of panelists and experts in sustainable agriculture as they address land access, soil health, agritourism, and more. FoFF will also be presenting on ways that you can be involved in our work on behalf of family farmers and how you can help shape your local food systems.
Panelists for the first series event “Land, Soil, Water, and Farmers inFARMation” includes:

Linda Anspach, owner and rancher at DD Ranch in Terrebonne
Carys Wilkins, owner and farmer at Mahonia Gardens in Sisters
Clare Sullivan, agronomist and Small Farms and Community Food Systems at OSU Extension

InFARMation is an educational and community building event series created by FoFF that has taken place in locations throughout Oregon since 2009. These events connect eaters and farmers around the most important issues impacting healthy local food systems and socially responsible agriculture in Oregon. The events are always free to attend.

FANs Survey
2014-11-20
Do you care about places like Alder Springs and Steelhead Falls? The FANs Board of Directors wants to hear from YOU!
Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area (FANs) hosted two Community Input Meetings in late-September to gather input from local citizens and groups regarding their values related to the Deschutes Canyon Area and their vision for its future. A Community Input Meeting Summary was prepared to document community feedback from the meetings in Sisters and Terrebonne. A link to this summary and a link to a map of the Deschutes Canyon Area can be found here.
The FANs board is listening to public opinion about these wild lands to help shape our priorities for conservation and stewardship, and our vision for permanent protection of the Deschutes Canyon Area. If you were unable to attend one of these meetings, but would like to provide feedback, please take the survey now. The survey deadline is November 20, 2014.

Hart Mountain Mule Deer Survey Trip
2014-11-20 - 2014-11-23
Hart Mountain Mule Deer Survey Trip

When
Nov 20, 2014 02:00 PM to
Nov 23, 2014 12:00 AM

Contact Name
Nick Dobric

Contact Phone
(541) 330-2638

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BACKGROUND:
For those volunteers who have been lucky enough to have joined us on the sage-grouse lek counts, this trip will be very similar. But other than navigating to predetermined sites to watch and count birds, we will be covering a defined survey area looking for and counting mule deer in order to provide the USFWS a sex and age composition of the herd. This is a great opportunity to explore the Refuge during the quiet season and view and photograph mule deer and other wildlife.
TIMELINE:

November 20th, Thursday at 2pm. We will all gather at the Hart Mountain Headquarters. Arriving at this time is important because it allows time for the USFWS orientation, gear assignments and answering questions. We will be going to bed early in preparation for the early mornings!

November 21st, Friday. On the first day of observations, one or both of our groups of ONDA volunteers will be accompanied by a USFWS employee or an experienced volunteer observer. We will do morning and evening surveys and will have the middle part of the day for eating, hot-springs-soaking, sleeping, relaxing, hiking, etc.
November 22nd, Saturday. Same as Friday

November 23rd, Sunday. After monitoring in the morning, we will be able to clean the bunkhouse and be ready to head home by around lunch time.

THE WORK:
Participants will work in small groups of 3 either taking short hikes and/or driving some of the rough roads. In addition to safety reasons, a team approach is especially helpful since the methods require multiple counts.
This trip involves a commitment to waking up early, hiking off trail and standing in the cold/dark with wind and potentially snow.

L.Arbanas photo
CAMP:
We will be staying at a USFWS bunkhouse at Hart Mountain Refuge Headquarters. It is modern, heated and roomy, with 13 beds in 7 separate rooms, and a full modern kitchen with some utensils, and a bathroom with hot showers.

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2
Early working hours, below freezing temperatures, hiking in the dark on uneven terrain. Click HERE for a description of the trip difficulty rating system.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participants are responsible for their own food but we will likely coordinate a group dinner or two. Sturdy off-trail ankle-high boots are recommended for this trip. This trip is offered to members free of charge.
You will need a vehicle capable of driving on graded gravel roads and possibly snowy conditions (all wheel/4wd recommended), for transportation to and from Hart Mountain.Carpooling can be arranged after registration. Transportation on Hart Mountain for the work will be in Refuge vehicles.

PROVIDED BY ONDA:
USFWS vehicles for transportation to work sites, data sheets, Rite in the Rain notebooks, pencils, GPS units, SPOT emergency beacon and USFWS radios (for medical or logistic emergencies only), first aid kit, spotting scopes and some binoculars
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This trip is led by Nick Dobric ONDA’s Hart-Sheldon Program Manager. Group size is limited to 8 participants. The trip is available free of charge.
REGISTRATION:
An ONDA registration application and medical form is required for this trip. Click HERE for the medical form. You only need to fill this form out once per year: You can join additional trips by e-mailing the trip leader directly.
You will receive a confirmation e-mail within 10 working days of submitting the form. The confirmation e-mail will provide information regarding which trips you are on the “participant list” for, and which trips are full and so your name has been placed on the “wait list”. Five weeks before the trip starts the trip leader will send out an RSVP e-mail to make sure everyone is still available to participate. Three weeks before the trip begins, the trip leader will send out an e-mail with additional information, maps, driving instructions, car-pooling options etc. However, if you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the trip leader at the e-mail address above.

Green Drinks at Gear Fix
2014-11-20
Join us at Green Drinks, the bi-monthly gathering to learn about local businesses and their sustainability efforts while enjoying an Eco-conscious drink or two! This month we’ll be learning about quality used outdoor gear at Gear Fix; 5-7pm.
You’ll learn about this great local business and the sustainable practices they follow in repairing and selling quality used outdoor gear. This will be The Gear Fix’s 6th year hosting this event, so be sure to come by for a drink, snacks, networking, and inspiration!
Enjoy a truly green drink by bringing your own cup and consider alternatives to driving alone such as carpooling, walking, biking and transit.
Questions? Please contact Sara.

CANCELLED: East Cascades Audubon Society Birders Night
2014-11-20
When: Scheduled 9 times a year, 3rd Thursdays of month.
Location: Central Oregon Environmental Center, 16 N/W Kansas, Bend, Oregon 97701
Time: 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.
Cost: Free and open to the public. You do not need to be a member of any group to attend.
Sponsors: East Cascades Audubon Society.
Contact: For more information contact Diana Roberts or Nancy Merrick.

November 20: “Mystery Birds”
Are you interested in an educational and fun evening as we study enigmatic Pacific Northwest bird photographs and attempt to answer the ubiquitous question, “Can you tell what that is?” Everybody is invited to bring a stick or cd with a few puzzling local bird photos, whether the ID is known or not, if the shot is blurred, shows only half a bird, or is obscured by foliage etc. to give everyone the fun of contemplating and perhaps even answering “What is that bird?”
