Demonstrations like the recent Global Climate Strike can mark a first step toward system-wide change. The next steps can be a little less clear. In Bend, two upcoming climate-related conferences offer various paths and ideas for those who want to get involved. Surfrider Foundation’s Newport chapter—along with Central Oregon Community College’s Outdoor Leadership Program, The […]
The Environmental Center
Posted inNews
Wasted in Bend: Sustainable Schools
Green schools reduce waste and improve energy use
Every parent of school-age kids has a similar shopping list this month: Pencils, glue sticks, highlighters, notebooks, dry-erase markers, crayons, sharpies and erasable pens… and don’t forget the earbuds and iPad stylus. Most items are not recyclable, or biodegrable, and represent just a fraction of the resources that go into educating kids. Schools create a […]
Posted inOutside
Learning in the Garden
‘Garden for Every School’ initiative awards grants to local schools
On a sunny afternoon in the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden at The Environmental Center in downtown Bend, an excited group of kindergarteners flits among the raised garden beds filled with veggies and flowers, each tasked with finding one thing that has changed since the last time they visited the garden. Lindsey Nightingale teaches kindergarten at […]
Posted inNews
Conservation in Central Oregon
When it comes to plugging into local environmental and conservation causes, these are groups to choose from
Bitterbrush Broads – Great Old Broads for Wilderness Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a national nonprofit organization based in Durango, Colo. Currently, 40 Chapters of the Broads operate throughout the U.S., with four chapters in Oregon. The Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads chapter is local to this region. The Broads are engaged in inspiring women […]
Posted inNews
Wasted in Bend
Locals make an effort to minimize food waste
Imagine standing in front of a fridge stocked with produce, dairy, meat, plus dozens of condiment jars. Now take a quarter of that food out and bury it. That might sound ridiculous, yet that’s what happens all across the country: more than one-fourth of the food produced in the U.S. ends up in a landfill. […]
Posted inBend Nest
Community Connection
Amiguitos: opening access for all youth
Milagros Aparicio greets children and their parents with a smile and a hug as they arrive at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe for their first paddle lesson. The kids, ages 8-14, are quiet, wide-eyed and nervously inspecting foreign gear that are boats, paddles and dry bags. They may not fully understand the transformative experience that […]
Posted inNews
Stay Lit, Central Oregon!
Energy Challenge program extends into Redmond and Tumalo for 2017
Over the past two years, you may have wondered at the crew of people in Americorps gear, riding around Bend on bikes laden with boxes of LED bulbs. Whether in snow or in sleet, the crew has been working to get the word out about the incredible energy savings you can get by replacing your […]
Posted inNews
Applications for the 2016 Sustainability Awards Now Being Accepted
The Environmental Center is accepting applications for the 2016 Sustainability Awards, now through September 9, 2016. Awards will be given to an individual, small business, large business, and organization (agency or nonprofit) that are leading the way to a sustainable future in Central Oregon. Application forms and information about the awards can be found on […]
Posted inOutside
Go Here 6/1-6/8
Deschutes Land Trust Events Memorial Day weekend has kicked off the summer and has Central Oregonians anxious to hit the trails. Deschutes Land Trust, an organization that conserves and cares for over 8,750 acres of land in the region, is here to help get those winter legs moving with a variety of outdoor hikes and […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
“Bikes vs. Cars”
The idea of a battle between cars and bikes is an interesting one because there does seem to be a rivalry between the two modes of transportation. In Bend, a day doesn’t go by (especially downtown) without bicyclists and car drivers cursing each other. Yet it should be easy to understand the common purpose of […]