The Environmental Center Announces Bend Energy Challenge Week & the 15th Annual Green Tour
This year, the 15th Annual Green Tour (formerly Green & Solar Tour) was organized by The Environmental Center as part of Bend Energy Challenge Week.
BEC Week offers weeklong energy education and inspiration for the whole family and building community. The schedule of events includes an energizing keynote presentation, several educational workshops, kid’s activities and a diverse tour of innovative, energy-efficient homes.
The festivities kick off on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will feature beer, food carts and booths staffed with industry experts with energy-saving resources. Keynote speaker Eric Corey Freed, VP of Global Communications at the International Living Futures Institute, will present at 6:30 p.m.
“This week is designed to inspire and educate everyone in our community and empower them to take meaningful action at home and at work,” said Lindsey Hardy, Bend Energy Challenge Director. “It will focus on highlighting all the great things that are already happening in our community. We want to be able to show people that they are already making a difference, encourage them to give themselves a pat on the back, and find more ways they can save energy.”
Workshops will run from Monday, Sept. 21 through Saturday, Sept. 26. Workshops are tailored toward both residents and professionals, and will be presented by various speakers and organizations, such as the Energy Trust of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Energy. Professional credits may be available for some and lunchtime sessions will offer lunch. Visit bendenergychallenge.org/becweek for a full workshop schedule.
The 15th Annual Green Tour is designed to inform and educate Central Oregon homeowners on ways to use less energy, and to expose the building and real estate industries to the latest trends in green building. The tour is a free, public event on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring seven homes packed with energy-saving features. Tour-goers will be able to pick up a passport to savings as they start the day. If they visit five of the seven homes, will receive a free LED light bulb and be entered to win energy-saving prizes. The homes vary from new, zero-energy homes to a 1971 energy retrofit. Kids are welcome to participate in hands-on energy activities during site visits. View a full listing of sites, features and addresses at bendenergychallenge.org/tour.
Bend Energy Challenge Week is made possible by the Energy Trust of Oregon, Saginaw Sunset, Earth Advantage, and the Oregon Department of Energy.
Contact: Lindsey Hardy
Bend Energy Challenge Director.
(541) 385-6908 ext. 11
Lindsey@envirocenter.org