The Human Dignity Coalition Hosts the Central Oregon Community Gay/Straight Alliance Network Support Group.

LGBTQ youth and their allies welcome to attend. Ages 20 and younger. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm. Please contact Virginia for location by emailing virginiam@humandignitycoalition.org or look us up on MySpace .

Portland's Great Parks, Great Cities Lecture Series

Portland Parks and Recreation is hosting a series of four lectures that make the case for the importance of city parks in the 21st century. The "Great Parks, Great Cities" series begins Thursday, March 13th, with a lecture by Neal Peirce, author and Washington Post columnist. Lecture tickets $25 and will be available at the door for Thursday's event. Click link above for the complete lecture schedule.

Join Oregon Wild for FREE Hikes and Events Year-Round

The Oregon Wild expert staff lead outdoor adventures around the state throughout the year! Join us to experience and learn more about Oregon's spectacular wild places. All hikes are FREE unless otherwise noted. Hike space is limited so pre-registration is required. Complete trip details are provided upon RSVP. Visit http://www.oregonwild.org/hikes_events to RSVP or learn more.

Spring Hikes with the Sierra Club

For all hikes wear comfortable boots and appropriate clothing for the weather. Bring plenty of water and your lunch. Meet at a designated location and voluntarily carpool to the trailhead. The trip officially starts at the trailhead. Call leader Alison Hamway, 382-2035, for meeting location and to confirm your attendance. Click link above for more information.

Four Winds Foundation Offers Their Spring Session of Native Ways Teachings

All are welcome to attend these 12 week classes on primitive skills, beading, leather work, drumming & singing, as well as ceremonial understandings. Classes focus on understanding the native perspectives and way as well as how they can be applied in this 21st Century. Click link for details or visit www.fwfoundation.com

Riverfest Event: Discover Alder Springs

Enjoy a stunning hike on the Crooked River Grasslands at Alder Creek. Begin our descent into a canyon containing Alder Springs, a tributary of Whychus Creek. After a water crossing we’ll meet up with the mighty Deschutes River. Hydrology, delicate plants and magnificent geology greet the hiker! Dress for weather and bring a small pack with water, snacks and a lunch. This event is presented by Wanderlust Tours and the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. The cost for this program is $25 per person. Difficult hiking conditions exist on this tour. Meet at the ODOT Office Parking Lot off OB Riley Road. Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Register: 389-8359

Explore the John Day Fossil Beds Back Roads by Car with the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute.

Begin Thomas Condon Center. Ride through Picture Gorge and along the historic Dalles Military Road to Antone. Then hit the highway, and coast most of the way back to the Thomas Center. Car trip includes Mitchell, Painted Hills, one stop for fossil hunting. Stops in Mitchell for Lunch on your own, returns to TCPC at 4 PM. $35, includes snacks, transportation, guidebook. Register by calling Ellen Bishop 541-763-4480 or email ebishop@oregonpaleoproject.org.

Eco-Healthy Childcare: Helping Create Environments for Kids that are Safe and Eco-Healthy

The Oregon Environmental Council and Neighbor Impact invite you to learn how to improve the environmental health of your childcare business and become certified as “Eco-healthy.” May 12 in the Central Oregon Environmental Center's High Desert Room. 6-9 PM Click the link above for more information.

Editor/Photographer George Wuerthner will discuss his new book, Thrillcraft, hosted by the Juniper Group Sierra Club.

He'll talk about the psychology of "motorized wreckreation" and issues of liberty and responsibility, fascination with machine power, estrangement from nature, and frustrations that induce ORV drivers to abuse the landscape. 6:30 pm social gathering, 7:00 program. Central Oregon Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas (cross street Lava Road), Bend.

The Cascades Mountaineers present: Tim Neville and His Experience as a Freelance Journalist

A former editor on the travel desk at Outside and now a correspondent for Skiing magazine, Tim Neville has traveled to more than 50 countries and speaks four languages, five including Pig Latin though his accent is atrocious. Join the Cascades Mountaineers at their monthly meeting for Tim's exciting presentation. 7 PM at the Central Oregon Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave.

"Backyard Birds and Birding" hosted by Wild Birds Unlimited and the Central Oregon Audubon Society

Program will focus on attracting birds to your backyard with tips on feeding, housing, watering and more. For questions about Birder's Night contact: Damian Fagan at dfagan@bendnet.com 541-317-3086

Tight Lines Auction and BBQ Dinner with the Deschutes River Conservancy

Join the DRC in honoring the Deschutes River and tributaries by bidding on exclusive fly fishing packages in the Deschutes Basin and destination fly fishing trips to exclusive lodges throughout the world. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have granted special access to the DRC for pre-arranged fishing trips on the tribal side of the Lower Deschutes for this event. Call 541.382.4077 ext.10 to register.

Deschutes River Clean Up at the Sunriver Resort Marina- Sponsored by SOLV

Volunteers will clean up the river in boats and along the shore. Activities include litter pickup and weeding. Meet at the marina at 9:00 AM for a light continental breakfast. Visit for directions to the site. 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.

Photographing the Painted Hills with the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute.

Join geologist/photographers Terry Toedtemeier and Ellen Morris Bishop for two days of exploring and photographing the legendary Painted Hills landscapes and beyond. We’ll employ both color and black and white, with an evening to examine and critique the first day’s shooting. This workshop is based in Mitchell at the Oregon Hotel. $245 includes lodging, transportation, and sack lunch. Limit, 10. Contact Ellen Bishop by email ebishop@oregonpaleoproject.org or call 541-763-4480 to register.

The Falling Age of Puberty in U.S. Girls: What We Know and Need to Know, at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland

Over the course of a few decades, the childhoods of U.S. girls have been significantly shortened. What does this mean for girls today and their health in the future? Sandra Steingraber, PhD and author of “Consequences of Early Puberty in U.S. Girls - Implications for Learning,” will share recent findings in this area and to discuss the policy actions that are needed to address this problem. Click link above for details.

Boys Rite of Passage: Sponsored by The Four Winds Foundation.

It's time again for the wonderful Boys to Men Rite of Passage. It will be held May 23rd-25th at Deer Haven. Boys 9-16 and their male sponsors (father, uncle, friend) will be led on an adventure back in time to learn the ways of the peaceful warrior. Primitive skills, camping under the stars, sweat lodge and Native Ways teachings. Join us to honor your young warrior in his passage into clear-eyed, confident manhood. Call 306-0383 for registration and additional information.

Community Solar Electric Event brought to you by Sunlight Solar Energy.

Join with your neighbors to learn about solar electricity for your home and business. When: May 24. Time: 10:00am. Location: SolAire Homebuilders - 593 NW York Drive., Bend. Cost: FREE.

Ancient Forests, Ancient People, Lost Landscapes, hosted by the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Start your adventure at the High Desert Museum and travel through the unique small towns and geologic features of Central Oregon. Visit Millican, Christmas Valley and Fort Rock, Lost Forest, Crack in the Ground, Aldrich Mountain and more! Stay overnight in Burns and return to the High Desert Museum on May 25th. $245 includes transportation, lunches, snacks and lodging. Click link above for details or call Ellen Bishop at 541-763-4480 to reserve your spot.

Green Drinks, Hosted by reSource and The Green Spot.

Network with like minded professionals! Green Drinks is an informal happy hour gathering of sustainability minded people. Join us at Green Drinks to network, learn about other businesses and their sustainability efforts, and have a green drink or two. 5:00-6:30pm at Silver Moon Brewery.

reSource and Human Dignity Coalition co-sponsor Bend Bioneers

Building on the success of April's Bioneers movie and discussion, HDC and reSource will once again showcase the best seminars recorded during the 2007 Bioneers Conference. Speakers address the world’s most pressing ecological and societal challenges. The Bioneers message shows how we can shape our future together. Thursday 5:00 light refreshments and music-6pm program begins. Old Stone Church, downtown Bend. $5 suggested donation.

Watershed Summit: A Student Vision for Whychus Creek

Join students at Five Pine Lodge (Sisters, OR), as they present Watershed Summit: A Student Vision for Whychus Creek. This is an event for local students coordinated by Wolftree and the Healthy Waters Institute. Please email kyake@restorethedeschutes.org for more information. 1:00 to 3:30PM

June Programs at the Sunriver Nature Center

Click the link above for a complete list of daytime and evening educational programs at the Sunriver Nature Center. Call 541.593.4394 or visit www.sunrivernaturecenter.org for more information.

Bend Area Habitat For Humanity and Mirror Pond Gallery/Arts Central Host “A CHAIR-i-table Event”.

Bid on unique chairs, hand painted by talented local artists, via silent auction. All chairs will be on public display at Mirror Pond Gallery May 26th through the First Friday Art Walk on June 6th. Click link for details...

Rocks and Writing on the John Day River with the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

This trip is a 3-day deluxe , fully provisioned raft float with award winning nature writer Kathleen Dean Moore and writer/photographer/geologist Ellen Morris Bishop. Explore geology, photography, wildflowers, wildlife, birds on the wildest stretch of the Wild and Scenic John Day River. Click link above for details.

The Footzone 2008 Dirty Half Marathon: A Benefit for the Deschutes Basin Land Trust.

Race for a great cause! Entry forms will be available March 1, 2008. For the month of March in store registration only. Beginning April 1st registration will be available online at www.signmeup.com or a printable entry. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION! Any Questions? Please contact Super Dave Thomason by email at superdave@footzonebend.com or by phone at 541-317-3568. Click link above for course information.

Wildflower Show at the Sunriver Nature Center

Yes, You can grow beautiful wild flowers in Central Oregon! Over 100 live specimens on display and experts to answer questions. 9:00-5:00pm Cost: $5/ Adults $2/children (ages 2-12) Members receive $2 discount Price includes admission to Nature Center. Call (541) 593.4394 or visit our website: www:sunrivernaturecenter.org

Butterfly inventory with the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Help in Wheeler County’s first annual spring butterfly inventory, with Susan Anderson. You’ll visit riverside, prairie, and upland locations to observe and count butterflies in this juniper-sage-grassland, and pine forests. $45 includes lunch, transportation, carbon neutral contribution. Phone: 541 763-4480 for information or click the link above.

Learn about Dragonflies with the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Explore ponds and riversides of Wheeler County for known and new dragonflies; learn about the life-cycles and benefits of these animals that have persisted, nearly unchanged, for some 350 million years! Includes lunch, transportation, and carbon neutral contribution. Limit: 8; $45. 541-763-4480 for more information or click the link above.

Deschutes Chapter of Trout Unlimited - Monthly Meeting

Trout Unlimited will have their regular monthly meeting at 6 PM at the Central Oregon Environmental Center. Meetings are open to the public and usually have a speaker on a current topic of interest. Join the Deschutes Chapter of TU and see what they have in the works.

Commute Options Week

Choosing not to drive alone even one day a week can make a big difference. It saves money and reduces traffic congestion and pollution. Plus, it's fun, healthy and helps keep Central Oregon the livable place we all love. Look for a complete list of Commute Options Week events in the Commute Options Guide scheduled to be distributed in the May 29th edition of The Source or visit www.commuteoptions.org for more information.

Drugs in the Water: How Our Medicine Cabinets are Contaminating Nature

Have you ever wondered what happens to those pharmaceuticals that you flush down the toilet? Ilene Ruhoy, MD, will discuss how prescription drugs enter the environment, the potential consequences of their presence in the environment, how these pollutants affect us as well as fish and other species. Reservations can be made online at www.oeconline.org

Bend Pride ‘08 Celebrating Love and Diversity in Central Oregon, hosted by the Human Dignity Coalition

In Central Oregon, there's more to our shared environment than trees, mountains, and stunning rivers. Our environment includes the people with whom we live and work, and the community created by our shared love of where we live. At the forefront shaping a healthy human environment in Central Oregon is Human Dignity Coalition. On June 21, Human Dignity Coalition hosts the fourth annual Bend Pride ’08. This event features booths by local and statewide vendors, beer garden, music, dance, spoken word performances, youth activities, and much more. Join us! Call 385-3320 for more information. McKay Park from 12-6 pm.

Wolves, Wildlife, and Wild Rocks on the North Fork, John Day River hosted by the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Explore Oregon’s wolf habitat with biologist and Oregon Wolf Plan coordinator Russ Morgan. Then on Day 2, Explore the scenic headwaters of the John Day River’s North Fork in the Greenhorn and Elkhorn Mountains with geologist Ellen Morris Bishop. Camping only, at USFS campground, North Fork. $125 covers transportation, guidebook. 541.763.4480 for more info.

Habitat for Humanity Women Build Volunteer Training in Portland

Training offered in Portland for Women Build volunteers. This training is offered by Habitat International, in order to train volunteers who would like to develop leadership skills which can be used on Women Build projects. This is a fabulous opportunity and a lot of fun! Click link above for details.

Kids Classes at the Sunriver Nature Center

Click the link above for a complete listing of kids classes at the Sunriver Nature Center this June. Pre-registration and payment are required. Call 541.593.4394 or visit www.sunrivernaturecenter.org

Astronomy Week at the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory

Watch for special events to celebrate the “out of this world” of Astronomy. Call (541) 593.4394 or visit our website: www:sunrivernaturecenter.org for details.

Community Solar Electric Event brought to you by Sunlight Solar Energy.

Join with your neighbors to learn about solar electricity for your home and business. When: June 25. Time: 6:30pm. Location: Eastside Senior Center - 1600 SE Reed Market Road, Bend. Cost: FREE.

So You want to See a Star? Hosted by the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory.

Learn about what we’re viewing through our daytime telescopes. You’ll be surprised! 2:00pm-3:00pm FREE!!

Explore the history of the Dalles Military Road, Antelope to John Day with Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Explore the history of one of Oregon’s lost routes, the Dalles Military Road, with BLM archeologist/paleontologist John Zancanella. $20 includes transportation, lunch, carbon neutral contribution. 541.763.4480 for more info or click the link above.

In the Tracks of the Pioneers hosted by the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute in collaboration with Gilliam County, Fossil and Spray Museums.

Discover pioneer homesteads, ghost communities, and family ranches. Learn the history of livestock and timber. Includes Lone Rock, Kinzua, Richmond, Waterman, and other pioneer communities. One-day trip. $20 includes transportation, lunch, carbon-neutral contribution. 541.763.4480 for more info or click the link above.

Steens Mountain Fence Pull Hosted by ONDA

Join the Oregon Natural Desert Association in "The Crown Jewel" of Oregon's high desert. Steens Mountain rises a vertical mile above the surrounding landscape. Come join us on the Northwest slope of the Wilderness Area, pulling fence to enhance wildlife habitat. For Registration and additional information visit www.onda.org

Oregon Field Geology: How Oregon Was Born hosted by the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

A 2-credit graduate teachers geology workshop, with Lewis and Clark College. Register through Lewis and Clark! $1579. Includes rustic accommodations for three nights, and scenic camping locations for three nights, transportation. Please call 541-763-4480 for registration packet. Begins and ends at Central Oregon Environmental Center, Bend.

Steens Mountain Vegetation Monitoring with the Oregon Natural Desert Association

Volunteers will be working to collect annual vegetation data to document plant community change within the Western Juniper Management Area. General plant identification skills are desirable, but not required. The first day will be spent training and familiarizing volunteers with the area and plants on the site. Click link above for details.

The High Desert and Steens Mountain: Climate and Landscapes in the Extreme, hosted by the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Call 541.763.4480 or click the link above for more info.

The Salmon River Suture Float hosted by the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Float the rugged canyon of the wild and scenic Salmon River , where Oregon is sutured to North America with OPLI and Winding Waters outfitters. Explore Native American history, discover wild rocks and even wilder places on this true wilderness float. Organic meals, tents, and geologic amenities provided. $1420. Call 541.763.4480 for info or click link above.

43rd Annual FFF International Fly Fishing Show/Conclave

Held in Whitefish, MT, visit http://www.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4451 for more information.

"RiverFeast"-A Benefit for the Deschutes River Conservancy

You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to support the Deschutes River Conservancy while dining and enjoying a spectacular summer evening complete with magnificent mountain vistas as well as the breathtaking beauty and sounds of the middle Deschutes River canyon. For more information, please contact the DRC: info@deshcutesriver.org. Tickets: $90/person or $175/couple. 541.382.4077 EXT.10

Hart Mountain Fence Pull with the Oregon Natural Desert Association

Come help ONDA work towards finishing off the final 12 miles of fence remaining at Hart Mountain, and take a soak in the hot springs! This trip will not overlap with hunting season. For registration and additional information call 330-2638 or visit www.onda.org

Disappearing Glaciers of the Cascades and the Cascades Diminished Water Supply, hosted by Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

A three-day hike, beginning at McKenzie Pass, and following the Pacific Crest Trail to Sparks Lake. Witness the glacial and eruptive history of the Three Sisters area, rapidly-disappearing Collier Glacier, Explore the “Bulge” area near South Sister, and catch extraordinary views as llamas carry your gear thru the Three Sisters Wilderness. 541.763.4480 or click the link above for more info.

Steens Mountain Fence Pull with the Oregon Natural Desert Association

There will be a 1-2 mile hike to the fence line each day. The work is strenuous and it is often hot, but the trips are extremely rewarding. There will be downtime to rest and explore. Click link above for details.