Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Workshop
2024-06-19 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
Did you know that wasted food makes up over 25% of waste at Knott Landfill by tonnage – making it the largest category of waste in the landfill? Yet, in Deschutes County, 1 in 8 people is food insecure, meaning they don’t always know where their next meal will come from. In addition, the average family of four tosses $1,800 worth of food every year ($150/mo on just wasted food!) and wasted food uses the same energy and water as 50 million homes. It’s time to rethink food waste, and we want to help you do it.
We will start with a brief presentation on why food waste matters, how to prevent food waste, and strategies for composting. Afterwards, a small group of us will walk over to the Bend Farmers Market to the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) booth for an intro and demo to food rescue. If you’re interested in both, the presentation and the demo, be sure to select the appropriate ticket below. There are only 15 spots open for the demo, so once it is sold out, that option will no longer be available. Please reach out to kavi@envirocenter.org with any questions.
REGISTER HERE

Happy Hour in the Garden
2024-06-18 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-06-04 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-04-16 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-04-02 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-03-19 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-03-05 16:00 - 18:00
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.

Free Home Energy Assessment Community Info Session
2024-06-05 17:30 - 18:30
RSVP HERE!
Find out if you qualify for discounts that may cover the full cost of energy efficiency home upgrades! Homeowners and renters are welcome.
Please join us on June 5th, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm to learn about The Environmental Center’s brand new Free Home Energy Assessment Program! This new program could help you access free or low cost energy upgrades. Home upgrades like insulation, efficient heating systems, hybrid water heaters, and new windows, can increase the comfort of your home and save you money on your energy bills. This information session is a great opportunity to see if you qualify*, ask questions, chat with our program manager, and sign up to participate.
Qualification criteria:
You identify as a person of color, a person living with disabilities, a rural resident, or a person with low to moderate income
AND
You are a homeowner or renter in a single-family home, manufactured home, or multifamily residence that is an attached side-by-side unit
AND
You live in Oregon and heat your home with electricity or natural gas provided by Pacific Power or Cascade Natural Gas.

Eggshell Garden Starts at The Environmental Center's Happy Hour in the Garden
2024-06-04 16:00 - 18:00
Make cute garden starts in eggshells and explore a garden!
Stop by the Environmental Center’s Happy Hour in the Garden to plant some eggshell starts, and feel free to volunteer in the Environmental Center’s learning garden afterwards (optional). This is a family friendly event – no experience or tools necessary. Beer and bubbly will be provided!
In 1989, The Environmental Center was born to inspire locals to live lighter on the planet. Their work began with a handful of people and a building in the center of Bend. Today, they’ve grown to become a regional leader in environmental education, engagement, and action. Their team works alongside people of all ages, local businesses, and elected officials to create and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.
Through unique programs and partnerships, the Environmental Center engages as many people as possible in their mission: To embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon.

Free Home Energy Assessment Program Community Launch
2024-05-30 13:00 - 14:00
RSVP HERE!
Do you work with a Community Organization in Central Oregon? Are you a local elected official in Central Oregon? Come learn about how your constituents can benefit from The Environmental Center’s brand new Free Home Energy Assessment Program.
We are teaming up with Energy Trust of Oregon to provide free home energy assessments to communities who have been historically underserved by Energy Trust Programs. The energy assessments will evaluate the energy efficiency of the participants’ home and then connect them with increased financial incentives and support to complete home energy upgrades to improve the comfort and affordability.
Julie Williams, the founder of Seeds for the Sol, a community organization in Corvallis, will be joining us to lead a discussion about their successful Home Energy Program and how The Environmental Center can achieve success here in Central Oregon.
If you’re interested in connecting your clients/members with the program, come to our Community Partner Launch event to learn more.

2024 Earth Day Fair and Parade
2024-04-20 11:00 - 15:00
Save the Date! The 2024 Earth Day Fair and Parade will take place on Saturday, April 20th. An Annual Celebration of Earth And Community.
This family-friendly event typically features a lively and inclusive parade through downtown Bend where folks are encouraged to wear costumes to showcase their favorite thing about planet earth. During the fair, food vendors, booths, and performers offer something for everyone.
Stay tuned for updates on performances that will take place on Troy Field!

Tertulias . . . ¡de película¡: 100 Dias con la Tata
2024-04-10 18:00 - 20:00
Tertulias … ¡de película! Es un programa que busca proveer espacios seguros y de conexión para comunidades hispanohablantes. En Tertulias de película se habla abiertamente y sin prejuicios sobre nuestras ideas y sentires a partir de la interacción con el arte cinematográfico y documental. Un lugar en el que se le de rienda suelta al mundo de las ideas y de la mente. Un espacio de autoeducación popular, unidos por un lenguaje propio.

Recycled Materials Bag Sewing Party
2024-04-08 11:00 - 15:00
Calling all seamstresses! St. Charles Medical Center and Bend Anesthesiology Group are partnering with The Environmental Center to create reusable tote bags out of sterile blue wrap, used to sterilize surgical instruments. This repurposed material is water resistant, sturdy, functional and with your help, fashionable! If the material is not being reused, it is immediately tossed in the trash and sent to our landfill. This is one chance to help our community divert non-recyclables from the landfill! These bags will be reused in our “Sustainable Summer” fundraising event later this year (stay tuned!).
Bring your sewing machine, scissors, pins, ruler, chalk, and cutting mat and we will provide the fabric and patterns!
**All levels of experience are welcome!**

Know Gardens: Stories in the Garden at The Environmental Center
2024-04-05 10:30 - 11:30
Enjoy a story time and explore the wonders of gardening!
Space is limited. Registration is required. This event is suggested for children ages Kindergarten and younger, and all children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
Children and families are invited to explore the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden at The Environmental Center. The event will begin with a nature-based story time, provided by Deschutes Public Library, followed by a chance for caregivers and little ones to get their hands dirty with Denise Rowcroft. Some or all of this program will take place outside, so please bring appropriate layers, snacks, and sun protection.
Denise Rowcroft joined The Environmental Center in 2006 and is responsible for the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden and the Garden for Every School program. The Garden for Every School program exists to connect youth to nature through food. This program includes food-based education in classrooms, cafeterias, school gardens and field trips. It also supports youth organizations, schools and districts with annual garden grants and on-going technical assistance.
The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. The organization’s programs and advocacy efforts focus on building community connections, educating students, revolutionizing energy, and rethinking waste.
REGISTER HERE!

Earth Day Parade Upcycled Costumes Workshop
2024-03-30 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-23 11:00 - 13:00
Hello, fellow recyclers and art enthusiasts! Earth Day is just around the corner… and you’re invited to participate in this year’s Reclaimed Trash//Treasure Transformation Workshop – a chance for families and friends to come together and get crafty with stuff nearly left behind to dumpsters! If you’ve ever looked at something headed for the trash and thought, “What could I make of that? A costume or Pet?” Now’s your chance to imagine and create! Bring along anything you’ve been itching to upcycle – old clothes, empty containers, boxes, cards… you name it. We’ll work our magic and turn them into funky puppets and costumes to wear in the Earth Day parade!! We’ll meet up twice, giving us plenty of time to explore and bring our ideas to life. If you don’t think you’re a crafty human, no problem, because this is all about having fun and getting creative with the ones we love on the earth we love. Let’s make Earth Day a time for creativity, community, and celebrating our planet in style – one recycled masterpiece at a time!
No registration is required!

Power Hour: Fumes in Focus with Beyond Toxics
2024-02-28 19:00 - 20:00
Please not the change of venues to The Environmental Center (formerly COCC). Attendees can now also attend virtually. Please use the same link to register and you will receive an email with the Zoom link.
What’s in the air we breathe inside of our own homes? The Fumes in Focus film helps us visualize the air pollution from gas stoves.
Join The Environmental Center’s Climate Solutions program at our first Power Hour event of the year, featuring Willamette Valley-based environmental justice organization, Beyond Toxics. This year, the Power Hour series will focus on healthy, energy efficient homes and the resources available to improve our living spaces and the built environment.
The event will feature a screening of Beyond Toxics’ eye-opening documentary, Fumes in Focus, highlighting the real health and environmental impacts of natural gas stoves that often go unseen. This project utilized advanced FLIR (forward looking Infrared) technology to capture and visualize the immediate emissions during stove operation.
Lisa Arkin, Executive Director of Beyond Toxics’ will present more information on their Visualizing Air Pollution in Gas Stoves study and be available for questions from attendees. Other local organizations and businesses who can help connect folks with resources to learn more about upgrading appliances in their homes such as Energize Bend and GreenSavers will be available at the event.
Meet our speaker
Lisa Arkin, the Executive Director of Beyond Toxics, has provided innovative policy leadership and grassroots organizing for Beyond Toxics since 2006. Under her guidance, Beyond Toxics embraced the principles of diversity and equity, and adopted an anti-racist ethos to become Oregon’s first environmental justice organization. Arkin is dedicated to placing human rights, racial and social justice at the forefront of all environmental protection and climate resiliency policies. She serves as an appointed member of a number of commissions and workgroups on issues such as land use, environmental justice, pesticide reform and air quality.
REGISTER HERE
Thank you to our sponsors

RESCHEDULED - Garden Educator Network: Nurturing the Soil, Nurturing the Soul
2024-01-25 16:30 - 18:00
We are partnering with Shiv Shakti to bring our Garden Educator Network a free training titled “Nurturing the Soil, Nurturing the Soul”.
From Shiv: “This isn’t just a lecture; it’s a love letter to the land and the magic it holds. Imagine understanding the earth beneath your feet not just as dirt, but as a dynamic, living canvas. Learn how every scoop of soil and each seed you plant can be a step towards a greener, happier life. We’re diving deep into the roots of organic gardening, unraveling the mysteries of nature, and, most importantly, having a whole lot of fun while doing it! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious newbie with an aspiration to cultivate, this event is your chance to let your gardening dreams sprout wings (or leaves)! So, mark your calendars, bring your curiosity, and prepare to be both educated and entertained. Trust me, you’ll leave this event with more than just knowledge – you might just find yourself talking to plants (and having them talk back in their leafy language)!”
Shiv installed the greenhouse at Three Rivers School, as well as designed an educational course: “Organic Gardens: A Garden & Greenhouse Blueprint Manual for All, available online.
This event is free for our Garden Educator Network, beverages and snacks will be served.
RSVP HERE!

Rethink Waste Community Innovation Fund Info Session
2024-01-23 13:00 - 14:00
Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your neighborhood, workplace, school, your favorite park or restaurant, or other community space, but aren’t sure how to get started? Apply for the Rethink Waste Community Innovation Fund! Attend an info session in-person at The Environmental Center or Virtually to get your questions answered.
SIGN UP HERE
Zoom link will be emailed out prior to the event.

Climate Friendly Areas Open House
2023-11-07 17:00 - 19:00
Join the City of Bend for an informational open house to learn more and provide your feedback on Climate Friendly Areas!
City staff are in the phase of analyzing locations throughout the city to designate as Climate Friendly Areas in a multi-year project driven by the state. As a part of this phase, the community is invited to the Climate Friendly Areas Community Open House on Nov. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. It will be held in the Audubon Room at the Environmental Center at 16 NW Kansas Ave.
Climate Friendly Areas are part of the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities rules required by the state that intend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by changing land use patterns. The end result will involve designating walkable, connected areas that provide a mix of businesses, housing and amenities such as parks and schools through code and policy amendments.

Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-10-24 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-10-10 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-09-26 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-09-12 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-08 16:00 - 18:00
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 2023, Happy Hour in the Garden will once again run twice a month from March through October. 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.
For Summer & Fall 2023, our Happy Hours will be 4-6pm, on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month.
March & April Happy Hours sponsored by Wild Ride Brewing

March 7 & 21
April 4 & 18

May & June Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

May 2 & 16
June 6 & 20

July & August Happy Hours sponsored by Worthy Environmental

July 11 & 25
August 8 & 22

September & October Happy Hours sponsored by Boneyard Beer

September 12 & 26
October 10 & 24

Contact Denise, Garden Program Manager, if you have any questions about getting involved.

Stories in the Garden at The Environmental Center w/ Deschutes Public Library
2023-10-02 10:30 - 11:30
This is an in-person program. Registration is required. This event is suggested for children ages Kindergarten and younger, and all children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Children and families are invited to explore the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden at The Environmental Center. The event will begin with a nature-based story time, provided by Deschutes Public Library, followed by a chance for caregivers and little ones to get their hands dirty with Denise Rowcroft. Denise joined The Environmental Center in 2006 and is responsible for the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden and the Garden for Every School program.
Part of this event will occur outdoors — please bring appropriate layers, water, and sun protection.
Register here!

Welcoming Week-Multicultural Art Exhibition
2023-09-13 16:00 - 19:00
Join us at The Environmental Center in downtown Bend for a Multicultural Art Exhibit. Experience live poetry, music, and creative arts by local BILAPOC, LGBTQ+ artists. Attendees can also tour The Environmental Center’s Learning & Demonstration Garden. You will also get the opportunity to practice your creative skills during our live art demonstration. We invite community members who practice any of the various creative arts to participate. ASL interpretation will be offered on-site.
September is also Latino Heritage Month! To honor, celebrate and recognize the contributions, achievements, and influences that the Latino/a/e/x community has had, and continues to have in our community, we’ve partnered with High Desert Museum. We will be giving away passes to HDM during our Art Walk event to highlight the Vistas del Cielo exhibit created by artist Justin Favela.
Acompáñenos en The Environmental Center en el centro de Bend para una exhibición de arte multicultural. Experimente en vivo poesía, música y artes creativas de nuestros artistas locales BILAPOC, LGBTQ+. Los asistentes también pueden hacer un recorrido por el Jardín de aprendizaje y demostración de The Environmental Center. También tendrá la oportunidad de practicar sus destrezas creativas durante nuestra demostración de arte en vivo. Invitamos a participar a los miembros de la comunidad que practiquen cualquiera de las diferentes artes creativas. Se ofrecerá interpretación de ASL.
¡Septiembre también es el Mes de la Herencia Latina! Para honrar, celebrar y reconocer las contribuciones, logros y influencias que la comunidad latina ha tenido y continúa teniendo en nuestra comunidad, nos hemos asociado con High Desert Museum. Regalaremos pases al museo durante nuestro evento para resaltar la exhibición Vistas del Cielo creada por el artista Justin Favela.

(Cancelled due to smoke) Happy Hour in the Garden
2023-08-22 16:00 - 18:00
