NatureConnect Fest is returning in 2024!  NatureConnect Fest (formerly Discover Nature Festival) celebrates the diversity of ways that we all connect with nature. The event will provide something for everyone, including nature arts and crafts, STEM activities, outdoor recreation, music, food, and more. Bring your family out to try a new outdoor activity, connect with amazing community organizations, and learn how we can all help take care of our environment and community. The event is made possible by 20+ community partners, including Bend Park and Recreation District and Deschutes National Forest.

 

Saturday, September 28, 2024
11 am-3 pm
NEW LOCATION:  Alpenglow Park, Bend
61049 SE 15th Street

NatureConnect Fest Raffle

 

Enter the NatureConnect Fest Raffle for a chance to win some incredible prizes while supporting our work of connect kids and families to nature.  Raffle tickets start at $5, with prizes ranging from $500 to our grand prize of a Mt. Bachelor Adult Season Pass ($1,399 value).  All raffle prizes support outdoor adventures for explorers of all ages!

 

This year’s raffle is an important fundraiser for our organization as we move into our first ever dedicated office space this fall!  Funds raised will help us set-up our outdoor gear library and workspace so it can be used across programs, helping build efficiency and support growth of our organization.

 

We can’t thank our raffle prize donors enough for their incredible contributions!  Thanks for believing in our work!

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors!

PacificSource (2)
mt-bachelor9484

2023 Partners and Activities

  • Climbing wall with Bend Park ad Recreation District
  • Fire Truck and Fire Fighter Challenge with Deschutes National Forest
  • Introduction to Mountain Biking with Cog Wild/Cascadia Junior Cycling
  • Natural Dyes with Wildheart Nature School
  • Deschutes County Public Health
  • Watershed Exploration with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
  • Who Lives Here? with Discover Your Forest
  • 10 Survival Essentials and Pine Cone Bird Feeders with Camp Fire Central Oregon
  • Monarch Butterfly Crafts and plants with Deschutes Land Trust
  • Fruit and Veggie Spin Wheel with OSU Extension
  • Art Activity with Juntos Aprendemos
  • Pop-up Poetry with Deschutes Public Library
  • Pedestrian Safety Activity with Commute Options
  • Wildflower Seed Bombs with Think Wild
  • Wander and Wonder in Nature with Oregon State Parks
  • Great Garbage Game with The Environmental Center
  • Night Sky Education with DarkSky Oregon
  • Games with Mosaic Medical
  • Nature Color Match with Family Resource Center
  • Craft and medication with Take Care with Autumn
  • Mud Kitchen and Nature Crafting with Bend Forest School
  • Bird of Prey and Nature Journaling with High Desert Museum
  • Leaf Rubbings and Magnet Fishing with the Oregon Department of Human Services
  • Wondery Art and Adventure School
  • Green Leadership Coalition
  • Vámonos Outside and Camp Chica
  • Treasure Hunt with Children’s Forest of Central Oregon
  • and more!

 

Food Vendors

  • Central Oregon Pupuseria
  • Acme Hot Dog Co.
  • The Sweet Retreat