The Environmental Center

Electric Vehicle Workshop: Get Plugged In
2017-08-16 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Redmond Public Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
We all still have a lot of questions about electric vehicles. They’re really cool, but still a mystery to most of us.

How far can you really go?
How long do the batteries last?
Are they fast?
Can I charge at home?
How much will it cost to charge it?
Can I still take a road trip?
Can I fit my whole family in the car?
Can I power my car with solar?

We invite you to join us so we can demystify EVs and have a conversation about how a zero emissions vehicle might fit into your life. Come get all your EV questions answered and learn about Central Oregon’s new Electric Vehicle Group Buy Program that can help you save up to $17,500 off the cost of a new all-electric car.

Summer Discover Nature Days - Bend
2017-08-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Presented by the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon partners, Discover Nature Days are free family events throughout Central Oregon that connect children and families to the wonder of nature.
Bring your family to a different park each week for an interactive experience and learn, play and have fun in nature! Recommended for ages 5-10, with family, but all ages are welcome. Free!
Bend Events
Thursdays, July 13-August 17, 11 am – 12 noon

July 13: Hillside Park
Special Ops Survivors presented by Wildheart Nature School. Learn to navigate the world of unpredictability while playing team games and practicing survival skills in nature.
July 20: Ponderosa Park
What’s all the BUZZ About? presented by Discover Your Forest. Meet and greet the local buzzing, burrowing, and creeping bugs of our forests through science activities, stories, and games.
July 27: Pine Ridge Park
Birds of Prey presented by High Desert Museum. Experience an up close encounter with a raptor, learn about its amazing adaptations, and play a game about bird migration.
August 3: Larkspur Park
Predators and Prey with The Environmental Center. Have fun learning about the diverse animals that call Central Oregon home through exciting games and interactive science activities!
August 10: Shevlin Park
Watery Wonders presented by Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. Explore the watery wonders of Tumalo Creek, collect and identify stream critters, and learn about what makes a healthy stream.
August 17: Sawyer Park
Amphibious Adventure! presented by Sunriver Nature Center. Jump into the wet and wild world of your favorite amphibian! We’ll explore the life of frogs and their relationship with wetland ecosystems.

Bend COTA Work Events
2017-08-17, 2017-08-24, 2017-08-31, 2017-09-07, 2017-09-14, 2017-09-21 | 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.

Pints, Politics and Postcards
2017-08-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
MINGLE WITH OLCV’S LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE AT PINTS AND POLITICS

Join OLCV and fellow community members, who care about protecting Oregon’s natural legacy, for a fun and informal night of action. Meet members of OLCV’s Leadership Committee and learn about Central Oregon Conservation Network’s priorities to protect Whychus-Deschutes and Implement the Bend Climate Action Resolution. Stop by and write a postcard in support of public lands and action on climate!

VegNet Summer Speaker Potluck
2017-08-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us for our third and final summer speaker at VegNet’s monthly potluck! Meet Central Oregon’s veg community, eat, and learn.
Please bring a vegan dish (no animal products, including honey) to serve 6-8 people, a card listing ingredients, and your own cup, plate, and utensils.
This is a family-friendly event. Suggested donation $2-5 to help cover room rental. See you soon!

Happy Hour in the Garden
2017-08-22, 2017-08-29 | 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

Waldo Lake Campout
2017-08-25 - 2017-08-27 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Spend a few days exploring Waldo Lake. One of the most beautiful places in Oregon, Waldo Lake is motor-free and remains beautiful because of it. From our group camp we will take day hikes to explore the surrounding the area, and provide information about the geology and natural systems that keep this lake pristine. Kayaks and canoes are welcome!

Climate Change: The Science, Solutions, and How to be an Agent of Change
2017-08-28 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn more about climate change and how we can work together to achieve a more sustainable future for our planet. Bend resident, Caroline Skidmore, who was trained by Al Gore as a Climate Leader will be giving a presentation on the science behind climate change, the global impacts, how it affects the Pacific Northwest, renewable energy, public lands, and how we all can be agents of change.

Electric Vehicle Workshop: Get Plugged In – Bend
2017-08-30 17:30 - 18:30 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
You’re invited to join The Energy Challenge, a program of The Environmental Center, to demystify electric vehicles and have a conversation about how a zero emissions vehicle might fit into your life. Come get all your EV questions answered and learn about Central Oregon’s new Electric Vehicle Group Buy Program that can help you save up to $17,500 off the cost of a new all-electric car. You can even come by early to take a Nissan LEAF for a spin.

How far can you really go?
How long do the batteries last?
Are they fast?
Can I charge at home?
How much will it cost to charge it?
Can I still take a road trip?
Can I fit my whole family in the car?
Can I power my car with solar?

You bring the questions–we’ll bring the answers, beer, and kombucha!

Whole Foods 5% Day
2017-08-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
We are partnering with Whole Foods Market for their upcoming Community Support Day on Thursday, July 26th!
What it is…
Whole Foods Market Community Support Days take place four times per year to help raise funds for a local non-profit organization.
How it works…
5% of Whole Foods Market Bend’s net sales on July 26, 2018 will be donated to support the Environmental Center.
Why it’s important…
The Environmental Center will be using the funds raised from Whole Foods Market’s Community support day to help fund our vision of A Garden for Every School in Central Oregon. You can learn more about this initiative here.
Support local school gardens by shopping at Whole Foods Market Bend on Thursday, July 26th!
Whole Foods Market Bend is located at the Forum Shopping Center on Highway 20 and 27th Avenue in Bend.

Electric Vehicle Workshop: Get Plugged In – Sisters
2017-08-31 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You’re invited to join The Energy Challenge to demystify electric vehicles and have a conversation about how a zero emissions vehicle might fit into your life. Come get all your EV questions answered and learn about Central Oregon’s new Electric Vehicle Group Buy Program that can help you save up to $17,500 off the cost of a new all-electric car.

How far can you really go?
How long do the batteries last?
Are they fast?
Can I charge at home?
How much will it cost to charge it?
Can I still take a road trip?
Can I fit my whole family in the car?
Can I power my car with solar?

For Every Kid Celebration
2017-09-07 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
For Every Kid will be in Portland, Bend, and Eugene next month to celebrate our victories with grassroots supporters throughout the state – and you’re invited!
The For Every Kid Coalition invites you to a party to celebrate this huge first step towards making Safe Routes to school for every kid in Oregon. RSVP today!
These parties are organized by The Street Trust and made possible by Commute Options. There will be light snacks and an opportunity to meet and congratulate other For Every Kid supporters and some of the Oregon legislators who helped make safe places for kids to walk, bike, and access transit.

Renewable Energy: An Economic Opportunity
2017-09-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Community by community, we are demanding action on climate change. Join 350Deschutes and Caroline Skidmore for a presentation on the impacts, solutions, and what you can do to help drive action. Caroline Skidmore is one of thousands of trained Climate Reality Leaders from over 135 countries informing communities about climate solutions.For more info and RSVP click here.

Speaking of Fish and Frogs
2017-09-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
What do bull trout, steelhead, and Oregon spotted frogs have in common, besides their affinity for water? They are all listed under the Endangered Species Act and are the subjects of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being prepared by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Join USFWS field supervisor, Bridget Moran, for a discussion of the draft EIS being prepared for these and two other species (Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon).
Bridget Moran is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Field Supervisor for the USFWS Bend Field Office. Bridget manages a team of seven biologists out of the Bend field office where she works with other federal agencies and private landowners to conserve and recover endangered species. She welcomes the opportunity to talk with those interested in spotted frog conservation and the restoration of the Deschutes River.
RSVP appreciated.

September Green Drinks: Earth Advantage-Certified Remodel Project
2017-09-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
PLEASE RSVP IN ADVANCE!
This month, come check out the magic of a home retrofit! Our venue is a home that was recently remodeled, giving you a chance to observe the benefits of retrofitting your existing home into the most energy savvy, healthiest house on the block.
This home is a community demonstration project to showcase healthy homes. It will also be the first Earth Advantage-certified remodeled home in Central Oregon! The home was remodeled from 1971 code to 2020 standards, which are much more stringent than our current building codes.
When retrofitting this home, the owner’s motto was “Build Tight, Ventilate Right.” She made sure the shell of the house had as few leaks as possible and then calculated ventilation based on how much fresh air flow was needed. The air leakage was decreased from 17 air changes per hour (ACH) to 4 – and it’s on its way down – which makes for a much less drafty house!
To add to the fun, homeowner Louise has prepared a southern BBQ theme for this event to share some of her favorite dishes and traditions with our community. Get ready to enjoy some soul food from Rockin’ Dave’s and soul music Jumpin’ Joyce, plus some whiskey samples from Cascade Alchemy. Come enjoy some southern hospitality while you explore the house, check out its innovative systems, and meet the partners and contractors who helped tackle this project.
Thanks to Louise for sharing your home and knowledge with us for this event! Louise’s house will also be featured on the 17th Annual Green Home Tour on September 30th.

VegNet Chili Contest and Potluck
2017-09-16 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Love making or eating chili? Enter the contest and win a prize at VegNet’s monthly potluck!
Please bring vegan chili (no animal products, including honey) to serve 6-8 people, or bring a different dish if you don’t want to enter the contest. Include
a card listing ingredients and your own cup, plate, and utensils.
This is a family-friendly event. Eat, socialize, and meet the Central Oregon veg community. Suggested donation $2-5 to help cover room rental.

Bend Open Streets
2017-09-17 12:00 - 16:00 | Bend, 97701, United States
Bend Open Streets is a part of a much larger open streets movement, which has taken place in many cities in the U.S., Canada, and around the world. Open Streets initiatives temporarily close streets to automobile so that people may use them for healthy and fun physical activities like walking, jogging, biking and dancing. Today, there are more than 100 Open Streets initiatives in the United States and Canada.
Bend Open Streets catalyze vibrant public spaces, active transportation, and good health by opening the city’s largest public space—its streets—for people to walk, bike and roll to discover active transportation in a safe, car-free environment.
It is not about closing streets to cars – Open Streets is about opening streets and connecting neighborhoods: people riding bicycles, walking, running, seniors, adults, and children, all enjoying healthy physical activities right in their own neighborhoods. It shows off Bend’s active transportation designs to engage and increase effective, efficient, and equitable transportation in our community. Open Streets broadens transportation choices with ongoing municipal and organizational effort to promote and extend the myriad benefits associated with active transportation.
Open Streets is modeled after Bogotá, Colombia’s Ciclovías held every Sunday on 70 miles of streets. The long-term transportation, health and community benefits can’t be overstated. When people discover just how much fun it is to walk, bike, roll, skate, and stroll (again) and how easy it is be physically active during Open Streets, they are choosing to experience “Open Streets Every Day” – walking to the store, riding with their families, playing in the parks – incorporating physical activity into their everyday lives.
The 4 objectives of Bend Open Streets are to promote: Active Transportation, Community Health, Public Space, and Local Businesses.

An Initiative of Commute Options, The City of Bend, and The Bend Park & Recreation District. More information coming soon!

Bend Adventure Photography, Adam McKibben
2017-09-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join us for Bend Adventure Photography with outdoor lifestyle and action sports photographer Adam McKibben.
Food and beverages available to purchase before and during the program.
6:30 social, 6:50 program.
Suggested donation $5

Chasing Coral, 2017 Sundance Film Festival Winner
2017-09-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join 350Deschutes for this highly acclaimed film and learn why Coral reefs around the world are vanishing at an unprecedented rate. A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why and to reveal the underwater mystery to the world. Our sponsor, Central Oregon Dive Shop will be handing out free biodegradable and non-toxic sun screen samples.
For more information and RSVP click here.

Pints & Politics
2017-09-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Broken Top Bottle Shop, 1740 NW Pence Ln #1, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Looking Inward to Prevent Sprawl at Pints and Politics
Join Oregon League of Conservation Voters and special guest, Moey Newbold, advocacy programs manager at Central Oregon Landwatch, to get the scoop on the Bend Central District (BCD) Initiative.
The Bend Central District is the area east of downtown bounded roughly by Revere Avenue on the north, 4th Street on the east, and the railroad on the south and west sides. It has long been identified in the City of Bend’s plans to transition from mostly industrial uses to a more urban neighborhood, and it is uniquely positioned to distribute the load of future growth.
Come to Pints and Politics to learn more about the BCD Initiative. Find out how you can get involved to build momentum and support for the district’s transformation into a vibrant and healthy mixed-use community with safe connections between east and west Bend.

Deschutes River Cleanup
2017-09-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is hosting the 24th annual Deschutes River Cleanup! Cleanup activities will take place at five different sites on the Deschutes river where volunteers will help pull invasive weeds and remove litter from the stream banks. The cleanup sites are: Meadow Camp, Riverbend Park, Miller’s Landing, First Street Rapids Park, and Sawyer Park.

Festival of Cultures
2017-09-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Latino Community Association is hosting a celebration of the diversity of Central Oregon’s people.
Cultural Booths are the heart and soul of the festival representing the vibrant local heritage in Central Oregon.
Cultural Performances – Festival guests speak highly about the diversity of performances offered each year! ALL performers are local and most, if not all, perform voluntarily.
Food Booths – The food at the festival is one of the most sought-after attractions with new and upcoming vendors. Diversity of flavors and aromas is the one constant you can count on.
Don’t miss the Vendor Market, Flea Market and a Kids’ Area.

Discover Nature Festival
2017-09-23 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Presented by the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon, Discover Nature Festival offers over 30 outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy! FREE event.

Gear Repair Station with The Gear Fix, Presenting Sponsor
Climbing Wall
Wild Side Play Area
Fire Fighter Challenge
Bat Cave
Read with a Ranger
Bike Obstacle Course
Fly Casting Practice
Story Walk
Watery Wonders
Skulls, Tracks, and Pelts
Nature Mandala
The 10 Essentials
Crosscut Saw Demonstration
Braintan Leather Demonstration
Slacklining
Obstacle Course
Solar Viewing
Mural Project
Tiny Explores Zone for young children
Plus, much more!

This year, raffle tickets will be sold ($5/each) for awesome outdoor gear and experiences including rafting trips, summer camp scholarships, a High Desert Museum membership, and more. Spanish language interpreters will be available to assist families.

2017 Energy Challenge Week
2017-09-24 - 2017-09-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join The Energy Challenge for the 17th Annual Green Tour to see first-hand how you can save energy at home. From energy retrofits to new construction, we can all save energy at home—sometimes it’s just a matter of learning what to look for. No matter where you are in your home journey, you’ll get information to help you save energy. Get the latest information on home performance, solar, efficient building, electric vehicles and much, much more. And learn why rethinking where our energy comes from and how we use it is important to a healthy, happy future, both locally and globally.

Energy Challenge Week will culminate in the 17th Annual Green Tour on Saturday, September 30th from 10:00 – 5:00.
Curious to know what you can expect? Check out the schedule from 2016.
Get your home on the Tour!

Interested in putting your home on the Tour? Builders, designers, realtors, home performance specialists, solar contractors, or homeowners, among others, can put a home on the Green Tour. Applications are available now and are due Wednesday, July 26th. Download the 2017 Green Tour Site Application.
