On June 23rd, at a ribbon cutting and open house at their downtown Bend location, The Environmental Center’s new mission and programs were unveiled in front of a crowd of about 250 people. Click the link above to learn more.

The Environmental Center Announces New Mission and Programs to Create a Sustainable Central Oregon.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2009

For information Contact:
Shauna Quistorff
The Environmental Center
(541) 385-6908x12
shauna@envirocenter.org


The Environmental Center Announces New Mission and Programs to Create a Sustainable Central Oregon.

Almost one year ago to the day, the Environmental Center and reSource merged together as one organization in order to more effectively and efficiently serve their shared purpose: to ensure a healthy environment in Central Oregon and beyond, today and for future generations.

On June 23rd,at a ribbon cutting and open house at their downtown Bend location, The Environmental Center’s new mission and programs were unveiled in front of a crowd of about 250 people.  

The Environmental Center’s new mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in central Oregon.  

“We believe that ensuring a healthy future for people and the planet hinges on how we live our daily lives,” said Executive Director Mike Riley.  “And that means taking a second look at how we get around town, how we generate and dispose of waste, what we eat, how we consume and how we teach our children about creating a sustainable future.”

In addition to a new mission, there are program changes afoot at the new Environmental Center, including a focused effort to advance a regional transit system.  

“Achieving a public transportation system that is practical and accessible for all people is a critical part of creating a sustainable central Oregon,” said Riley.  “We recognize that a lot of work has been done to establish the limited transit options we have today.  But  more needs to be done to realize an effective transit system that serves all those who need it as well as choice riders – those who would choose to leave their cars at home if the bus were accessible and practical.”

Another focus area for The Environmental Center is youth education.  Building on its established strength in this area, Riley announced a new focus on teaching youth about nutrition and sustainable urban gardening.  The City of Bend has agreed to lease the lot adjacent to The Environmental Center’s for use as its first pilot garden site.  The Kansas Avenue Learning Garden will become an outdoor classroom for Amity Creek Elementary 4th & 5th graders as well as the nearby Boys and Girls Club.  The Kansas Avenue Learning Garden is a pilot project that The Environmental Center hopes to replicate within walking distance from several elementary schools over the next few years.

“The biggest difference here at The Environmental Center,” says Riley, “is that we’re focusing on effecting change in how people live, work, play, learn and govern.  In the past a significant part of our work has focused on enhancing the natural world directly and we did that largely by supporting the work of our 39 member group partners, most of which protect land, water, air and wildlife.  That’s really important work, but very few organizations focus on how we as individuals affect our community through our daily actions.  How we go about our daily lives has a huge impact on the quality of our environment, our economy and our social sector.”

To learn more about the changes being made at The Environmental Center or to get involved as a volunteer or become a member, visit their website at www.envirocenter.org or call 385-6908 x13.

About The Environmental Center:

The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life. We educate children, adults, businesses and agencies about how to act and operate more sustainably, and we advocate for public policies and initiatives that advance our vision of a sustainable central Oregon.  The Environmental Center is a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988.  We can be found on the web at www.envirocenter.org or at our public facility at 16 NW Kansas Avenue in downtown Bend, Oregon.