30th Anniversary Event: A Day in the Life of a Whychus Fir Thirty years ago, when Executive Director Paul Dewey found out about a proposal to pipe Whychus Creek and clear-cut its banks, he made a promise to an old-growth Douglas Fir that he would save its life. And with that, the seed that became…

This fall, our City Council will be making some big decisions about how we shape our city. As Bend prepares to develop a new Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and accompanying policies, we must take into consideration how these changes will impact housing availability, traffic congestion in our neighborhoods, wildlife habitat, access to outdoor recreation, complete neighborhoods,…

APPLY FOR A GRANT! Application deadline: October 1, 2015 Awesome Bend awards a $1000 grant quarterly to a project that will make Bend even more awesome. The definition of "awesome" is intentionally left up to your imagination. It could mean solving a problem, making someone stop and think, or spreading joy-- think social good, the…

Join participating HDFFA Partner Businesses for Taste Local Thursdays, a fall restaurant series featuring specials made from Central Oregon ingredients. Each business will be featuring a Central Oregon special on the dates below. Use the #TasteLocalThursdays and #HDFFA on social media and enter to WIN a local food gift bag! 10/1 Broken Top Bottle Shop…

The City of Bend encourages Bend citizens and area residents to attend an upcoming community meeting to learn more about and comment on the City’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Remand project, including an evaluation of different UGB expansion scenarios. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at any time.  A presentation will be provided beginning at approximately…

The Land Trust is turning 20! Come help us celebrate with a backyard BBQ at Deschutes Brewery's downtown Public House. Enjoy food (available for purchase), beer and other beverages, and music from the Moon Mountain Ramblers in the back lot of the Public House. Remarks at 6:30pm. Come help us celebrate 20 years of great…

This fall, our City Council will be making some big decisions about how we shape our city. As Bend prepares to develop a new Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and accompanying policies, we must take into consideration how these changes will impact housing availability, traffic congestion in our neighborhoods, wildlife habitat, access to outdoor recreation, complete neighborhoods,…

The Residential and Employment TACs will meet on Wednesday, October 7, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, at the Bend Police Dept. (Municipal Court Hearing Room), 555 NE 15th Street.  This will be the first of several discussions regarding how the City can address Remand requirements for lowering vehicle miles travelled per capita (VMT), a key…

The Boundary TAC will resume its work in a two-meeting sequence in October.  On Thursday, October 8, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM at the Bend Police Dept. (Municipal Court Hearing Room), 555 NE 15th Street, the Boundary TAC will discuss the results from the scenario evaluation.  This meeting will set the foundation for continued discussion…

Join us for happy hour at the Central Oregon Cascade Culinary Institute restaurant, Elevation, to kick off our equipment capital campaign, Fleet for the Future. Complimentary beverages available from 5-5:30 and program begins at 5:30. Hor d'ouervres also served.

“America’s most famous farmer”, Joel Salatin, will be speaking at Farm To Table: Freedom Of Choice 2015 on October 10th at Windy Acres Dairy in Prineville, Oregon. This outdoor event on the 32-acre farm of Billie Johnson is not to be missed! Joel’s multi-generational Polyface Farm in Virginia became famous in Michael Pollan’s NY Times bestseller, “The…

Bend Design 2015 is Bend’s citywide celebration of design thinking and design doing. We want to increase awareness, stoke curiosity, spark innovation, empower collaboration, and make things happen. Drawing inspiration from multidisciplinary design thinkers in Bend and across the country, Bend Design 2015 will feature workshops, lectures, tours, and hands-on design opportunities, inviting the entire community to participate in a conversation around the shape of our shared future. Register Now

Locavore Food School: Spice It Up - Using Spices to Enhance Local Food Matt Perry of Savory Spice Shop teaches the basics of using spices and spice blends to keep things interesting in the kitchen and enjoy the bounties of Central Oregon farms and ranches all year long. Dressings, slow cooker recipes, and quick dinner…

Enjoy a cold brew and benefit high desert conservation. Craft Kitchen & Brewery is hosting a pint night next Thursday, Oct. 15. For every pint sold, Craft will donate $1 towards ONDA's effort to protect, defend, and restore Oregon's desert wildlands. Plus, don't miss music from JB Boxter. Pint Night at Craft Kitchen & Brewery…

Join us for one of our favorite events of the year. OLCV External Affairs Director Christy Splitt will present the 2015 Scorecard for the Oregon Legislature. Find out your legislators' voting records on conservation issues and hear about OLCV’s notable champions and leaders in the 2015 Oregon Legislature. We will also offer an opportunity to…

Roll up your sleeves and help the Deschutes Land Trust plant native trees, shrubs, and grasses at Spring Creek, a private Land Trust protected property near the Metolius River. Get your hands dirty and have fun while improving key fish and wildlife habitat in the Metolius Basin. Last year, the Land Trust and partners placed…

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Carol Wall on a fall hike at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Explore this historic meadow while taking in the beautiful fall colors of aspen and cottonwood. Learn about the human and natural history of one of Central Oregon's oldest places that has transitioned over the years from an army…

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Carol Wall for a walk back in time to explore the Santiam Wagon Road at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Picture life as a pioneer in Oregon, moving from the crowded Willamette Valley to the wide open spaces and unsettled lands of Central Oregon. Walk the route followed by wagon trains…

Roll up your sleeves and help the Deschutes Land Trust plant native trees, shrubs, and grasses at Spring Creek, a private Land Trust protected property near the Metolius River. Get your hands dirty and have fun while improving key fish and wildlife habitat in the Metolius Basin. Last year, the Land Trust and partners placed…

Get ready for a night of FUN with the amazing Poison Waters & Friends!  VIP seating is caberet style with the Run-Way right through the middle.  Dinner is just $7.50 with three choices. There will be a No Host Full Bar thanks to Absolut Vodka!  General Admission seats are chairs and the Drag Queens will be…

Scheduled 9 times a year, 3rd Thursdays of month. 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. March 19: “Bird Friendly Native Landscaping."   Birders Karen Theodore and Rick Martinson of WinterCreek Restoration will share identify native plants, and share tips about landscaping,…

Live crowdfunding-- Shark Tank style-- for community good! Finalists pitch creative ideas to make Bend more awesome and vie for $1000+ on the spot. Join us for a free feel-good evening of ideas & inspiration! 6:00- Doors open 6:30- Welcome and Past Winner 6:45-7:45 Pitches 7:45- Trustees Vote/Audience Vote 8:05- Announce Winners 8:30- End We…

Open to the Public Contact:  Gretchen Valido, 541-389-0785  Author and ecologist George Wuerthner will discuss the critical role that parklands and wildernesses play in the conservation of biodiversity.  While some assert there is no need for protected areas, the overwhelming scientific evidence suggests that protected landscapes work better than any other land management to conserve Nature.…

Sisters Trail Alliance Speaker Series A presentation by Mike Riehle

The Boundary TAC will resume its work in a two-meeting sequence in October.  On Thursday, October 8, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM at the Bend Police Dept. (Municipal Court Hearing Room), 555 NE 15th Street, the Boundary TAC will discuss the results from the scenario evaluation.  This meeting will set the foundation for continued discussion…

Disaster Preparedness 101 – for Individuals and Families Learn what you can do to mitigate hazards, save lives, and make plans that will allow you to recover more easily. Judy Warren presents her nationally-recognized workshop, specifically updated for the likely disasters we face in Central Oregon. Come for an informal and practical workshop with plenty…

In 1989, Jim Kress touched his toe into Mexico and headed out on the Pacific Crest Trail for Canada, 2600 miles away. For the next five months he backpacked through some of the most scenic spots in the West, creating memories that have lasted his lifetime. But what really happened was learning how to live…

Award-winning environmental writer and photographer Kim Heacox will be speaking at Paulina Springs Books-Sisters (252 W Hood Ave) Friday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. and Paulina Springs-Redmond (422 SW 6th St) Saturday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. Kim's presentation is of interest and value to audiences interested conservation, environmental awareness, and the treasures of nature…

What: A play celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act (written last year) Who: Written and Performed by the Mary's Peak Group of the Sierra Club, from Corvallis Where: Heritage Hall, Presbyterian Church, Bend, OR When: Saturday, October 24, 3:00 p.m. Event poster!

Italian Harvest Feast - one of our most gourmet Community Suppers ever! Featuring Chef Bethlyn Rider of Bethlyn's Global Fusion and Chef Nik Ragazzo of The Blackened Dragon (formerly of Dogwood Cocktail Cabin). Menu highlights include Spicy Calabrian sausage with creamy polenta, roast eggplant soup, caramelized pumpkin salad, Italian meatballs & potato gnocchi, roasted fall…

Award-winning environmental writer and photographer Kim Heacox will be speaking at Paulina Springs Books-Sisters (252 W Hood Ave) Friday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. and Paulina Springs-Redmond (422 SW 6th St) Saturday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. Kim's presentation is of interest and value to audiences interested conservation, environmental awareness, and the treasures of nature…

Please join us on Tuesday, October 27 from 5:00-7:00 pm for the Commute Options 10 Barrel Charity Night Party.  We'll celebrate the Drive Less Challenge and give out prizes. This is a no-host event with all food and beverage proceeds going to purchase helmets for students in our Safe Routes to School Program. We hope to see…

Our Central Oregon Regional Network is hosting a special fall fundraiser at the Neil Kelly Design Center, conveniently located near the Old Mill District in Bend. Join us and learn about the life-changing impacts Outdoor School provides for central Oregon students. You’ll hear inspiring stories from local students and community members while you enjoy hosted wine/beer and delicious appetizers created…

What do volcanoes have to do with the water you drink? The volcanic landscape of Central Oregon has shaped the hydrology of this area in surprising ways. Rain and snowmelt seep into the young volcanic rocks, only to resurface later as springs throughout the watershed. The Deschutes River, the life-blood of our high desert home,…

Photo credit: Jay Mather 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…