(“Learn About Your Home Waters” with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and COCC | Photo courtesy of COCC)
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council (UDWC) are partnering to present “Learn About Your Home Waters,” an in-depth speaker series beginning in February focused on two significant local watersheds: the Metolius River and the Upper Deschutes.
Organized as two standalone lecture series, each comprised of five learning sessions over ten weeks, “Home Waters” explores a range of local watershed topics with natural resources professionals, from habitat restoration to water usage to recreation. Registration is now open; visit cocc.edu/watershed or call 541-383-7270 to register and learn more. Cost is $49 for each complete series.
Other areas of focus, for both series, will include river hydrology, water quality, wildlife, ecology, conservation and native fish populations.
The five-session Metolius River Watershed Speaker Series, beginning February 7 and with an every-other-Tuesday format, will be held 5:30-7:30pm at the Sisters High School, and concludes with an all-day field tour. Capacity is 50 in-person attendees and 20 virtual attendees.
The five-session Upper Deschutes Watershed Speaker Series, beginning April 6 and with an every-other Thursday format, will be held 5:30-7:30pm at the COCC Bend campus’s Health Careers Center, and concludes with an all-day field tour. Capacity is 36 in-person attendees and 20 virtual attendees.
“These presentations, led by local experts and natural resource managers, will offer a holistic understanding about our local watersheds,” said Kris Knight, UDWC executive director. “It’s a great learning opportunity for citizens of Central Oregon, whether they are new to the area or have lived here for many years, to learn about their local rivers and streams, how they’re managed, and the value of these rivers and streams to fish and wildlife, water users and outdoor enthusiasts.”
“COCC’s community education program is offering learning space, streaming technology, registration services and promotional assistance,” shared Stephanie Goetsch, coordinator for community education. “Being part of sharing the Watershed Council’s important mission is an honor for the college.”
For enrollment questions, contact Stephanie Goetsch at sgoetsch@cocc.edu. For information on program content, contact Kris Knight at kknight@restorethedeschutes.org.
Since 1996, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council has worked to protect and restore the 2,000,000-acre upper Deschutes River watershed through collaborative projects in watershed restoration, monitoring and community awareness.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact Caitlyn Gardner at 541-383-7237. For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact disability services at 541-383-7583.
