If you are among those that believe every day is Earth Day, then there are plenty of upcoming opportunities to make an impact. For starters, May is National Bike Month. According to My City Bikes, a public health campaign for beginner cyclists, there are plenty of perks to taking two wheels. The organization claims that riding instead of driving just three miles a day could reduce air pollution by more than 100 million nationwide. Not too shabby. Just getting started? Check out the Bend Bikes app for route suggestions and basic bike maintenance education, courtesy of the folks at Hutch's.
More of a forest dweller? You're in luck. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to help you improve the health of woodlands and reduce fire risk with up to $100,000 in funding for tri-county woodland owners. Funds are available to private, non-industrial properties and will go primarily toward pre-commercial thinning, with priority to high-density forests near Bend, Sisters, and LaPine. Applications are due to the USDA Redmond Service Center by May 22.
If the warm weather has you thinking about floating the river, check out the upcoming open house to discuss proposed service expansion to the Ride the River shuttle (a much more environmentally-friendly option that taking two cars). The open house will be held Friday, May 1, from 11 am to 1 pm at Hawthorne Station Lobby.
