The Environmental Center

Clean Energy Jobs Testimony PREP
2019-03-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
To help you prepare for Saturday’s hearing on Clean Energy Jobs, here is an opportunity to learn about what to expect at the hearing and get help drafting your compelling testimony. We’ll be available to answer questions and help you prepare from 4:00-6:00pm and we’ll give a brief presentation at both 4:30pm and 5:30pm. Drop in when you can!

Clean Energy Jobs Hearing
2019-03-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction is holding a series of public hearings on Clean Energy Jobs all throughout the state. On March 2nd, they’re stopping in Bend. This is your perfect opportunity to tell them why you support the Clean Energy Jobs bill.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP here!
This event will be held at Central Oregon Community College, Cascade Hall, Room 246-248.
Even if you don’t plan to speak during the hearing, it’s important to show up! We must demonstrate to our Legislators that there is support for Clean Energy Jobs in Central Oregon.
The Clean Energy Jobs Bill (HB 2020) would cap carbon emissions for large industrial polluters, set a price on each ton of carbon pollution, require large polluters to pay to pollute, and then invest that money into building Oregon’s renewable energy economy. Passing this bill is the most important next step Oregon can take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. And we have the best opportunity to pass it this year.
For those who do want to testify… There will be an informational prep event on Friday, March 1st, where you can ask questions and get help preparing your testimony.

Sacred Activism: Being a More Peaceful, Powerful Social Change Agent
2019-03-02 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
In this interactive workshop we address key environmental and cultural problems we are currently facing in a way that will help you transform fear and despair into inspiration and a sense of empowerment. We will explore gratitude, anger, grief, and hope and move into a deeper understanding of how to create a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world where all beings can thrive.
We will learn how to raise awareness and take action on important issues in ways that are respectful, healing and unifying. Our intention is to cultivate more spiritual activists and more active spiritual practitioners!
Insights and methods will include:

Personal strategies and tools for staying informed and hopeful at the same time (for instance, positive media outlets and restoration journalism)
Definitions and samples of Sacred Activism in action.
Ways to discuss critical issues and terms to unite, inspire and rise above political divides.
Evidence that the evolution toward a healthier life sustaining society is already underway and promote tangible actions we can take to be stewards of creation.

POSTPONED: Clean Energy Jobs Bill Educational Forum
2019-03-03 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
** This event has been postponed! Please attend the Clean Energy Jobs Hearing on March 2nd!! **
Come learn about Clean Energy Jobs –a landmark bill now pending in our State legislature that would put a limit and price on climate pollution from the largest polluters in our state, secure greenhouse gas reductions, and require reinvestment in communities across Oregon to create clean energy jobs and a thriving economy, especially in communities that need it most. Free and open to all.

Conversation Project: How Do We Create Equitable Spaces Within Our Public Lands?
2019-03-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Gabe Sheoships of the Cayuse and Walla Walla Nations will lead a community discussion about what a relationship with nature means and how we can provide inclusive and equitable spaces within our public lands and natural areas. How we can begin to work toward healing relationships with our land? Come to share your own perspectives and hear others.

Movie Night With KPOV
2019-03-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join KPOV at Volcanic Theatre Pub on Monday, February 25th for a screening of the award winning, musically focused film “American Folk”.

The film tells the story of Joni and Elliott as they, in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, make an unexpected journey across the US taking in the kindness of all of the ‘folk’ that make America what it is. Featuring acting and music by real-life singer/songwriters Amber Rubarth and Joe Purdy.

Doors open at 7:00pm, Showtime is 7:30pm. General admission tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Movie Night with KPOV is a fundraiser for KPOV!

Bend COTA Work Events
2019-03-07, 2019-03-14, 2019-03-21, 2019-03-28 | 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.

A Journey of the Sea and Soul
2019-03-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
An evening of adventure and personal insight as speaker, Susan Conrad, shares her passion for kayaking and stories from her journey of a lifetime. Featuring music by Pitchfork Revolution!
This is a fundraiser for Coalition for the Deschutes. Tickets are available here.
Doors open at 5:30. Food and beverages available in Father Luke’s room. Presentation begins at 6:30 followed by a raffle. Susan is an EXPED representative and is bringing some great items to raffle off!
Susan Conrad is a water-loving, adventure-seeking, word-slinging, public speaking kinda gal. In spring 2010, Susan Conrad launched a journey of the sea and soul. That journey took her north to Alaska where she paddled the 1,200 mile ribbon of water known as the Inside Passage, and inward as she discovered the depths of her own strength and courage.
Susan covered marathon distances for weeks on end in her 18-foot sea kayak. She forged friendships with quirky people in the strangest of places, and she pretended not to be intimidated by 700-pound grizzly bears and 40-ton whales.

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
2019-03-15 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Rainshadow Organics Farm, Terrebonne, OR, 97760, United States
Interested in learning proper pruning techniques for fruit trees in Central Oregon? Join Heidi Noordijk, OSU Small Farms Coordinator to learn principles and hands-on techniques. Workshop will be held at Rainshadow Organics – their orchard has primarily young apple trees, but also cherry, pear, peach and plum. Heidi has over 20 years experience working with orchards and vegetable farms, and is an apple fanatic!
Please bring loppers and/or hand pruners, gloves, and sturdy footwear.
Rough Agenda
9:30 – 9:45 Welcome and introductions
9:45 – 10:00 Tree anatomy and physiology (including resource allocation and thinning)
10:00 – 10:20 Pruning equipment, sanitation, basics of pruning (when to prune, where to cut and why)
10:20 – 11:40 hands-on pruning demonstrations and group pruning
11:40 – noon Wrap-up discussion
Noon(ish) – option to stay for farm-to-table lunch served directly from Rainshadow Organics. Lunch is extra $15 per person, and must be organized directly with Sarahlee ahead of time.
Please register online by March 12th. (Can pay by card or check). Space will be limited so register early!

Worthy Garden Club Plant Swap
2019-03-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Bring annuals, perennials, herbs, houseplants, bulbs, seeds, or even decorative pots to exchange with your Central Oregon gardening community. The more you bring, the more you’ll take home!
Tickets: $10 if you have items to trade; $15 if you don’t. Kids 12 & under receive a $3 discount.
Tickets include one can of Worthy beer (or non-alcoholic beverage), 10% off your meal that evening, AT LEAST two plants to bring home, and a raffle ticket to win our door prize. Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase during the event.
Buy your ticket at Worthy Brewing pub. CASH OR CHECK ONLY.
All proceeds will be donated to one of our favorite local non-profits, the Central Oregon Seed Exchange, a valuable Deschutes County resource for purchasing, trading, exchanging, sharing, and saving seed.

The Human Element, a James Balog film
2019-03-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
We are a force of Nature. As we change the Elements, the Elements change us. Now, humanity itself has its own elemental power—we have created the Anthropocene. Through the 4 elements of Nature—earth, air, fire, water—the film explores the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of Climate Change, stories which inspire us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world. Learn more about the film here.
Free and open to the public.

Nature Nights: Living in the Human Age
2019-03-20 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and National Geographic picture editor, Dennis Dimick, for a fast-moving, visual journey exploring the expanding footprint of humans in Central Oregon and beyond.
The Human Age, or Anthropocene, is a new geologic era proposed by scientists to describe our modern world that is dominated by humans and their changes to our planet. Join Deschutes Land Trust and retired National Geographic picture editor and the environment editor, Dennis Dimick, for a fast-moving, visual journey that explores and explains the modern human era, the Anthropocene. As a native Oregonian, Dimick will present a vivid journey through our modern world of 7.5 billion people that considers our expanding footprint, rising prosperity, and resulting environmental challenges that call for our attention and response. Explore ways to appreciate our place in nature and contemplate how we can contribute towards a positive future for ourselves and the planet.
***This event is free, but registration is required.

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
2019-03-21 16:00 - 18:00 | The Pavillion, 1001 SW Bradbury Dr., Bend, OR, 97702, United States
How often do we stop to tell the kids and teens in our lives how incredible they are? This is why Camp Fire founded Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® in 1997—to activate millions of adults across the U.S. to write/tell a young person in their life what makes them incredible.
Join Camp Fire Central Oregon on Thursday, March 21st to celebrate the incredible kids in our lives with an afternoon of FREE ice skating at The Pavilion in Bend!
Free ice skating for all kids up to 18 years old*. Fun for the whole family – raffles, contests and tasty treats! Wear your Camp Fire t-shirt for a free raffle ticket.
*Must be accompanied by an adult and arrive by 5:30pm. Limit first 200 kids in the door.

Green Drinks at Wren & Wild
2019-03-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please sign up in advance! Space is limited.
RSVP in Advance

Join us for March Green Drinks at Wren & Wild, a clean beauty retail store that just found their sweet spot in the heart of downtown Bend.
The team behind Wren & Wild is dedicated to providing products that are non-toxic, cruelty-free, and sustainable – making it easy to choose brands that are safe and healthy for you and the world around you. You can find many products at Wren & Wild that are created right here in Central Oregon!
My passion for natural beauty and nourishment from the inside/out has inspired me to create a clean beauty boutique where you can experience your true beauty. Wren and Wild is my love for all beautiful beings to be wild and free. — Mandy Butera, Owner/founder
Join us on March 21st to experience this special place for yourself! Oh, and for anyone who has wondered, “Are there actually GREEN drinks at this event?” — we can now say yes, there will be! Wild Folk Flower Apothecary will be creating some amazing green cocktails, plus Wren & Wild will be serving up green matcha bites from Moon Juice.
*Please note this event is the third Thursday of the month, which strays from our usual ‘second Thursday’ routine.

Movie Night @ McMenamins: Bikes vs Cars
2019-03-21 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Central Oregon Trail Alliance and Bend Bikes invite you to take a closer look at the different ways that bicycles and cars affect the livability of Central Oregon. We can all see that more cars and more congestion are making an unwelcome impact in Bend.
Bikes vs Cars follows the individuals around the world that are fighting to create change. And it gets you thinking about whether you absolutely have to drive for your next trip, or maybe you don’t.
From bike activists in Sao Paulo and Los Angeles, fighting for safe bike lanes, to the City of Copenhagen, where forty percent commute by bike daily, Bikes vs Cars will look at both the struggle for cyclists in a society dominated by cars, and the revolutionary changes that could take place if more cities moved away from car-centric models.
View the trailer here.
$6, cash only
87 minute run time; minors accompanied by parent or guardian

Oregon World Water Day
2019-03-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
As we face a pivotal moment for water in the West, Oregon World Water Day is a nonpartisan public awareness and engagement campaign led by Oregon Environmental Council to elevate the conversation around water statewide. The 2019 theme is:
What’s your water why?
When you share your #MyWaterWhy with the world, you stand up for water and our future as a healthy and resilient state. Share why water matters to your life, livelihood and the world around us as we celebrate World Water Day throughout March.

KPOV Spring Break Youth Radio Camp
2019-03-25, 2019-03-26, 2019-03-27, 2019-03-28, 2019-03-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Do you know an aspiring DJ between the ages of 10-14? Are you or your children looking for a fun and creative way to spend spring break. If so, KPOV’s Spring Break Youth Radio Camp is just for them.
This camp teaches our community’s youth how to DJ, interview friends, talk live on the air as well as tell stories with sound effects, music, and humor. What’s more, KPOV will help this group produce a one-hour radio show that will be broadcast on KPOV, 88.9 FM. Students will even be able to take home a copy to share with friends and family.
The Camp takes place March 25 – 29, from 9 a.m. to noon at the KPOV studios in downtown Bend, and is for youth ages 10-14.
Bend Parks and Recreation partners with KPOV to produce Youth Radio Camp. Registration is available on the Bend Parks and Recreation website. (Do a word search for KPOV.)

March COBKA Meeting
2019-03-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join COBKA’s Sherlock Holmes agents Allen, Terry & Naomi for an evening of intense, guided investigative work. Each agent will lead a diagnostic group to uncover telling clues that dispel myths about that familiar question, “What the heck killed my colony?”.
The smaller, hands-on groups will give attending wannabe detectives a closer view of the telling clues to a colony’s cause of death. Your detective notes can be jotted on the procedural handout.
Remember the tools of the trade: an LED flashlight, a magnifying lens, a keen sense of smell, and questions abound are necessary.
Our Beginner’s Corner will be held at 5:30 – we will discuss Installing Bees.
*Reminder to all new beekeepers that before each COBKA meeting we hold a “Beginners Corner” starting at 5:30. Club mentors monitor the discussions and we split into groups if the numbers allow.
*Not a true beginner but want to talk bees before the general meeting begins? Please join us in the main meeting room at 5:30!

Upper Snake River Tribes take on a Changing Climate
2019-03-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The third installment of ONDA’s Bend High Desert Speaker Series with Jason Kesling, Environmental Program Director of the Upper Snake River Tribes Foundation. Learn about the establishment and structure of the Upper Snake River Tribes, and gain an in-depth understanding of how the USRTF is adapting to climate change. From assessing vulnerability to coordinating environmental conservation efforts, Jason will share his experience and insight into how the Upper Snake River Tribes are taking on current environmental threats.
Please note that space is limited and preregistration is required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation begins at 7 p.m. The presentation will be held in Worthy Brewing’s Hop Mahal room, located in the far right corner of the main restaurant.
About the speaker
Jason began working for the Upper Snake River Tribes Foundation in early 2017, bringing a strong background in Fish and Wildlife biology and natural resource management. Since receiving a degree in Fish and Wildlife from Oregon State University, Jason has contributed to environmental protection initiatives in a number of capacities. With extensive experience in environmental assessment and wildlife conservation, Jason is a knowledgeable voice on climate change resiliency, adaptation and risk assessment.

Circumnavigating Crater Lake: Winter Backcountry Ski Trip
2019-03-27 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join Oregon Wild for this month’s Wild Wednesday! Circumnavigating Crater Lake in the winter is a fun and ambitious way to experience Oregon’s only National Park. Come hear about a recent trip on splitboard and skis.

Photo by Ben Canales

Spring Break Family Field Day
2019-03-29 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Fridays are for family time! Grab the kids and join a naturalist as we become nature detectives! Every animal that moves through the world leaves clues behind. Together we’ll explore the outdoors as we learn to identify and investigate signs of wildlife, including the owls, porcupines and other hidden animals that call Sunriver home. Children ages 3 and up accompanied by an adult.
Registration: $20 for the first child, $10 for each additional child. Accompanying adults are included in price.
And be sure to check out SNCO’s daily spring break camps!
March 25 – March 28 | 10am – 12pm

Badlands Bash
2019-03-30 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join ONDA and the Friends of Oregon Badlands Wilderness at FootZone Bend to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness.
On March 30, 2009, President Obama signed a massive public lands package that protected the Oregon Badlands Wilderness, Spring Basin Wilderness, and many more.
Come raise a glass to high desert wilderness (bring your own cup and we’ll fill it with free beer from Silver Moon Brewing or kombucha!) and take part in heartfelt toasts to the Badlands, a desert Haiku contest, raffle, and much more.
