The Environmental Center

Fire in the Sky: Unlocking the Secrets of the Earth's Aurorae
2024-08-01 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory for an illuminating lecture on one of nature’s most captivating phenomena—the aurora. Professor Shane L. Larson, an esteemed astrophysicist and engaging speaker, will guide us through the scientific wonders and myths surrounding the Earth’s aurorae, commonly known as the Northern and Southern Lights.

Kids' Entrepreneur Summer Market
2024-08-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Troy Field, 51 NW Louisiana Avenue, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Kids’ Entrepreneur Summer Market Details: A market for kids ages 5-17 in our community who make and sell their own products & services. This is a real-world experience that allows children to be creative, build confidence, and learn skills beyond the classroom.
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024 Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Troy Field – 51 NW Louisiana Ave, Bend, OR 97701
Cost: Free to attend. To participate: $10-$20.
Register to participate: www.KidsEntrepreneurMarket.com

AdvenTours: Lava Lands National Monument Hike and Stargazing
2024-08-03 19:30 - 23:00 | Lava Lands Visitors Center, https://www.google.com/maps/place/4354'34.5N+12121'32.9W/@43.909578,-121.359151,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d43.909578!4d-121.359151?entry=ttu, Bend, OR, 97707, United States
Adventure: Wanderlust Tours is excited to bring more access to the outdoors by partnering with AdvenChair to help those with mobility challenges get into the outdoors and explore beautiful areas that initially may not seem accessible. With the AdvenChair off-road wheelchair and the incredible team of volunteers at AdvenChair, we will explore Lava Lands National Monument, gaining an understanding for Central Oregon’s volcanic history and immersing ourselves under the night sky!
Naturalist Guided Experience: This adventure will take us to Lava Lands, an amazing 10 square mile lava field just south of Bend. We will hit the trail and head towards the incredible Kipuka, an island of trees that thrive amongst a sea of ancient lava flows. Your guide will share stories and wisdom about Central Oregon’s uncanny geology as we search for inspiring vistas as the sun descends behind the mighty Cascade Mountains. Once the sun’s glow has waned, we will turn our attention skyward, as your guide will impart their knowledge of the twinkling heavens above!
Learn more and register here!

Happy Hour in the Garden
2024-08-06 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-08-20 16:00 - 18:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Join us in our Kansas Avenue Learning Garden for our ongoing volunteer work party series. In 2022, volunteers contributed over 200 hours to help keep our learning garden maintained over the growing season. We couldn’t do it without you!
This event is open to all ages and gardening abilities! No experience or tools required. Beer and non-alcoholic beverages are provided for all who volunteer. Each event includes seasonal ongoing tasks as well as special projects as needed throughout the growing season. Volunteers are welcome to pop in for an hour or stay the whole time. No need to RSVP or commit ahead of time. (Pro tip – put the following dates in your phone calendar now – then when it pops up you can decide if it works out for you or not!)
In 2024, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 4-6pm. This schedule throughout the extent of the growing season offers meaningful volunteer experiences for all who come, and deeper care for the garden when it needs it.

Stream Sampling on Whychus Creek
2024-08-15 08:30 - 16:00, 2024-08-16 08:30 - 16:00 | Creekside City Park, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Sampling aquatic insects, including mayflies and stoneflies, provides important insights into the health of Whychus Creek. Volunteers meet at Creekside Park in Sisters for a sampling training, then, in teams of two to four, use nets to collect aquatic insect samples from the stream at sites along Whychus. This event is a great opportunity to learn about habitat restoration on Whychus Creek for salmon and steelhead, spend a day along less-visited reaches of the creek, and contribute to knowledge about how restoration actions are changing stream conditions.
UDWC will host our 14th annual Stream Sampling on Whychus Creek event on August 15th and 16th, 2024! This will be our 14th consecutive year collecting aquatic insect (macroinvertebrate) samples to learn about how physical habitat conditions for native trout and salmon and other aquatic organisms are changing alongside stream flow and stream habitat restoration work by UDWC and our partners.
2024 sample collection will focus on the following reaches of Whychus Creek:

Recently restored reaches at Deschutes Land Trust’s Rimrock Ranch Preserve, and at Creekside Park in Sisters;
Older restoration sites including Whychus Canyon Preserve Phase 1, Camp Polk Meadow Preserve upstream reaches, and Whychus Floodplain on National Forest lands upstream of Sisters);
Samples from unrestored, “control” reaches at Whychus Canyon Preserve; and
Samples from Alder Springs and upstream of USFS Road 6360, both affected by stream flow restoration but where no habitat restoration has occurred.

We will collect 18 samples over two days with restoration partners and community volunteers, working in teams of 2-4. You can register for one day or both at the links below:
Thursday, August 15th REGISTER
Friday, August 16th REGISTER

Shiny Happy People—The Paradoxes of Living in Central Oregon
2024-08-15 11:30 - 13:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, OR, United States
In our high desert community of Central Oregon, the allure of natural beauty and a desirable lifestyle often comes with hidden challenges. Residents are frequently faced with the high cost of living, employment hurdles, and soaring housing prices, making it difficult to find the happiness and well-being they sought in arriving here. This City Club Forum will address these unique paradoxes, fostering explorations on self-care and community well-being amidst these realities. We will spark conversations about what constitutes personal happiness in our growing mountain town, including its impact on employment, aspirations and growth.
Objectives

Explore Paradoxes of Happiness: Understand the contrast between the idyllic perception and practical challenges of living here.
Promote Well-Being: Share strategies to enhance personal well-being and community thriving.
Facilitate Dialogue: Encourage open discussions about self-care and communal support, why both matter, and personal next steps.

Forum Benefits

Gain Insights: Learn about the realities of living in a place “everyone wants to move to for the lifestyle.”
Reinforce Self-Care: Discover practical self-care strategies to enhance well-being.
Build Community: Connect with others to create a supportive community network.
Engage in Conversations: Participate in discussions about personal experiences and strategies for well-being.
Access Resources: Get information on local resources for housing, employment, and health.
Foster Support: Share stories and navigate the paradoxes of happiness together.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on balancing the charm and challenges of life in Central Oregon, and discover how to thrive amidst the paradoxes.
REGISTER HERE!

CityFest 2024
2024-08-15 16:00 - 19:00 | 9th Street Village, 911 SE Armour Road, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
Join Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler and the City of Bend for CityFest community gathering on Thursday, August 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 9th Street Village, 911 SE Armour Road.
CityFest creates an opportunity for City departments, staff, and Bend City Councilors to meet the community in a dynamic, family-friendly space! Bevel Craft Brewing, the awesome food trucks hosted on their property (Tacos el Nava, IndoDaddy, Nosh Street Food, Little Red Kitchen), and local ice cream extraordinaire Bonta will be onsite as our food (yes, ice cream is food!) and beverage partners. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. We’ll also have music by the talented DJ Jah Yogi!
The event will feature a short message from Mayor Kebler regarding the “State of the City” (touching on goals and priorities for Bend’s future), live music from DJ Jah Yogi, family-friendly activities, police, fire, and streets vehicles, plus information and staff from various City departments regarding their programs and services.
Bring the whole family and meet the folks who work for your City of Bend!

Únase a la alcaldesa de Bend, Melanie Kebler, y la Ciudad de Bend para la fiesta comunitaria CityFest el jueves 15 de agosto, de 4 p.m. a 7 p.m. en 9th Street Village, 911 SE Armour Road.
CityFest es una oportunidad para que los departamentos de la ciudad, el personal y los concejales de Bend se reúnan con la comunidad en un espacio dinámico y familiar. Bevel Craft Brewing, los increíbles camiones de comida ubicados en su local (Tacos el Nava, IndoDaddy, Nosh Street Food, Little Red Kitchen), y el extraordinario helado local Bonta serán nuestros socios de comida (¡sí, el helado es comida!) y bebida. Habrá comida y bebida a la venta. ¡También tendremos música en vivo por el talentoso DJ Jah Yogi!
El evento contará con un breve mensaje de la alcaldesa Kebler sobre el “Estado de la Ciudad” (compartiendo las metas y prioridades para el futuro de Bend), música en vivo, actividades para toda la familia, la policía, y los vehículos de bomberos y calles, además de información y personal de diversos departamentos de la ciudad con información sobre sus programas y servicios.
¡Traiga toda la familia y conozca a la gente que trabaja para su Ciudad de Bend!

SheJumps x COTA x Trail Sisters of Bend l Trail Work Event l Bend, OR
2024-08-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Swampy Lakes Sno-Park and Trail Head, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join SheJumps as they partner with Women of COTA and Trail Sisters of Bend for a day of trail work and learning!
Whether running, hiking, mountain biking, or exercising with our dogs, hitting the trails is an important part of our lives in Central Oregon. That’s why they’re bringing together three amazing women-led groups to learn about trail maintenance and to have a little work party of their own!
When: Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 10:00 am
Where: Please join at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park (Location is subject to change based on conditions or controlled burns. Participants will be notified in advance if the location changes).
Cost: Free! (Suggested donation of $5 to SheJumps)
Details: This event will focus on education about COTA and trail maintenance. You’ll learn about drainage, sight lines, native vegetation, brushing and so much more about the trails we all use.
Timeline of Events:
10:00 am- Meet at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park
~10:05 am- Introductions and Safety Talk
~10:30 am-12:45 pm Learn as we work on trails
~12:45 pm-Wrap up and thank yous
What to Bring: Come ready to work with sturdy/closed-toe shoes, long pants and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring work gloves, eye protection (sunglasses or clear lenses), sunscreen/chapstick, water, lunch/snacks and a backpack to carry your things. WoCOTA will provide all tools and hard hats. This will be a fun day of learning, getting dirty, and meeting other trail friends!

Climate Protection Program Public Hearing Prep Event
2024-08-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Online Event
Do you want to make a difference for Oregon’s climate AND communities? The Climate Protection Program (CPP) – which requires oil and gas companies to cut their pollution by 90% by 2050, and will provide ~$150 million of investments into Oregon’s communities – needs YOUR help. The CPP is on the path to restoration after being invalidated in Dec of 2023 due to oil & gas industry lawsuits. DEQ is hosting a public hearing on Aug 21 at 4:00 p.m. for Oregonians to chime in with their thoughts about this critical program. The oil & gas industry will stop at nothing to derail the restoration of this program, so it’s vital that DEQ hear a groundswell of support for restoring the CPP’s essential climate and community protections by the end of this year. If you want to testify in support of Oregon’s cornerstone CPP, but just don’t know what to say – this event is the perfect event for you!
Join the Coalition for Climate & Economic Justice at this special PUBLIC HEARING PREP EVENT on Aug 19 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. to; learn more about the CPP, learn how to join the public hearing and craft your testimony, and ask questions of organizers who regularly testify during public hearings like this.
REGISTER HERE

Weeding at Franklin’s Corner
2024-08-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-27 09:00 - 10:00 | Franklin’s Corner Pollinator Garden, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
No registration. Just show up.
NE 9th and NE Franklin, Bend
Parking on NE Larch. Drive east on NE Franklin to NE 10th Street, turn right and proceed one block to NE Larch, turn right.
Bring weeding tools, shovel, bucket, gloves, hat, sunscreen, water. Friends and family are welcome. This is an outdoor event. We’ll cancel if it’s too hot or smoky.
Franklin’s Corner pollinator garden demonstrates waterwise landscaping with native pollinator plants. It’s maintained entirely by volunteers.

Know Migrations - Natural History of Lake Abert at Worthy Brewing
2024-08-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Worthy Brewing, 495 Northeast Bellevue Drive, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Hear about Oregon’s culturally and ecologically extraordinary hypersaline lake.
Ron Larson, PhD shares why Lake Abert is so extraordinary – both culturally and ecologically, and that it urgently needs our ongoing attention so that it remains an essential part of the Great Basin eco

Natural History of Oregon's Lake Abert in the Great Basin
2024-08-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center, Overlook Road, Sunriver, OR, 97707, United States
Hear about Oregon’s culturally and ecologically extraordinary hypersaline lake.
Registration recommended. Register here.
Ron Larson, PhD shares why Lake Abert is so extraordinary – both culturally and ecologically, and that it urgently needs our ongoing attention so that it remains an essential part of the Great Basin ecosystem.

Say Hey!® August 2024 – Bend, Oregon
2024-08-21 17:30 - 20:00 | OSU Cascades – Edward J. Ray Hall, Atrium, 1500 SW Chandler Ave, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
Say Hey!® is an evening of community building. Its main purpose is to welcome professionals of color who recently relocated to Oregon or southwest Washington (aka Honorees) and help them get connected with our diverse communities. The program features an introduction of Honorees, food, networking and prizes.
Partners in Diversity’s goal is to create an environment that is safe for all. Say Hey!® is free and open to professionals of color and allies.

Film Screening: Crown Jewels The Mission To Save America's Oldest Trees
2024-08-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Embark, 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend, OR, 97703, United States
Join Central Oregon LandWatch and Oregon Wild for a special screening of the documentary “Crown Jewels” to learn more about the value of mature and old-growth forests, and the fight to protect them. The event will feature a panel discussion with Q&A and an opportunity to write a letter to the US Forest Service calling for safeguards to ancient forests in Oregon and across the country.
Featured Panelists:

Victoria Wingell – Forests and Climate Campaigner, Oregon Wild
Erik Fernandez- Wilderness Program Manager, Oregon Wild
Fiona Noonan – Wild Lands and Water Program Manager, Central Oregon Landwatch

This event is free and open to all.
Register here.

SheJumps x Between Evergreens | FTW Group Ride Series | OR
2024-08-28 17:00 - 19:30
Join SheJumps as they partner with Between Evergreens for a monthly meet-up mountain bike ride series!
Their monthly summer SheJumps FTW (Femme Trans Women) group rides are back in cooperation with Between Evergreens on the last Wednesday of August and September. You will meet at Between Evergreens at 5:00, spin out to Phil’s Trailhead at 5:30 for “Mild, Medium, or Spicy” ride options, and then debrief with bevies back at the shop afterward. These are always a huge hit, so pop the upcoming dates on your calendars now!
*Location: Between Evergreens Ski & Bike Shop

2843 Northwest Lolo Drive #Suite 110 Bend, OR 97703
