SUN, JAN 4 (ALL DAY)
MWBA (AUDUBON): 2025/2026 Airlie/Albany Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a census of birds, performed annually by volunteer birdwatchers. Last year 50 field observers & feeder watchers counted 125 species of birds in the Airlie/Albany area.
Contact: bmaecan@gmail.com to participate
Sponsor: Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance
SUN, JAN 4 (3 – 5 pm)
CORVALLIS INTERFAITH CAFÉ – SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS
Gathering Theme / Experiencing Silence – Please bring a dessert to share.
At Friends Meeting House, 3311 NW Polk Ave, Corvallis
Contact: CorvallisInterfaithNet@gmail.com
Sponsor: Corvallis Interfaith Network
TUESDAYS, JAN 6 & JAN 20 (10 am – 1 pm)
JAMMIM’ FOR THE HUNGRY
Make and process jam in a licensed kitchen that will be distributed to local food banks. Learn how to make low sugar jams and get a sample to take home. Come join us in the fun of making jams! Contact us to confirm in case of last minute changes.
At 1166 NW Jackson, the kitchen in the Corvallis First United Methodist Community Center
Contact: jammin@corvallisfumc.org
Sponsor: Corvallis First United Methodist Church in partnership with Jammin’ for the Hungry
TUES, JAN 6 (12 noon)
GEARING UP FOR GARDENING
Eight weekly gardening talks on Tuesdays, beginning Jan 6 through Feb 24, to inform and inspire beginning and experienced gardeners.
At Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.
Contact: info@BentonMG.org
Sponsor: Benton County Master Gardener Association
TUES, JAN 6 (4:30 – 6 pm)
SUSTAINABILITY COALITION ANNUAL MEETING
Want to hear some good news from 2025? Join us for an overview of the past year’s accomplishments. We think you’ll be amazed and inspired by what our action teams achieved in 2025! Enjoy delicious “happy hour” snacks provided by our event sponsor, First Alternative Co-op. Details at sustainablecorvallis.org.
At C3 (Corvallis Community Center), 2601 NW Tyler Avenue
Contact: info@sustainablecorvallis.org
Sponsor: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition
THURS, JAN 8 (9:30 am)
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR IN THE LAND OF THE PEOPLE OF THE RIVER
Dave Eckert will present programs and installations intended to rebuild Indigenous/Non-Indigenous relationships and to reawaken local Indigenous culture in Corvallis.
At C3 (Corvallis Community Center) 2601 NW Tyler Ave.
Contact/info: Dave Eckert at deckert@willamettewatershed.com
Sponsors: Academy for Lifelong Learning Corvallis and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Water Action Team
FRI, JAN 9 (4 – 6 pm)
SAFE HAPPY HOUR ON 2ND FRIDAYS
Join SAFE Corvallis on the second Friday of the month for a gathering of people who care about alternative transportation. Relax and enjoy the late afternoon; talk about transit, walking, biking, rolling and many other things at this informal gathering. We have tables reserved each month in the Pride Pavilion. Bring yourself, bring a friend, bring your thoughts for the New Year and welcome in 2026!
At Common Fields Pride Pavilion, 545 SW 3rd Street
Contact: wendy.bikes.byrne@gmail.com
Sponsor: Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) Corvallis
SAT, JAN 10 (8 – 12 noon)
MWBA (AUDUBON) SECOND SATURDAY FIELD TRIP
Led by Duncan Evered & Caryn Stoess.
At Willamette Park, meet at Willamette Park Shelter, east end of SE Goodnight Ave.
Registration required, open to the public.
Contact: CorvallisAudubonSecondSaturday@gmail.com
Sponsor: Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance (previously Audubon Society of Corvallis)
MON, JAN 12 (7:30 – 8:30 pm)
GREENBELT LAND TRUST CONSERVATION UPDATES
Carolyn Menke, Stewardship Director at Greenbelt Land Trust, will share plans for upcoming floodplain forest restoration and planting at Luckiamute Confluence, located in Polk County, adjacent to the Luckiamute State Natural Area, plus give an update on prairie restoration at Oak Creek Preserve in Benton County, near Bald Hill Farm.
At Cordley Hall Room #2602, Oregon State University
Contact: Esther McEvoy estherco@peak.org
Sponsor: Corvallis Chapter Native Plant Society of Oregon
THURS, JAN 15 (7 – 8:30 pm)
JACKSON-FRAZIER WETLAND HABITAT
Presentation by Jesse Ott, Director, Benton County Natural Areas, Parks & Events. Social gathering & refreshments from 6:30-7 pm; business meeting & special raffle from 7-7:20 pm; Slide & video presentation from 7:20-8:30 pm. Online option also available.
At Chandler Ballroom, Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Avenue
Contact: audubon.corvallis@gmail.com
Sponsor: Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance (previously Audubon Society of Corvallis)
SAT, JAN 17 (11 am – 12 noon)
STREAMSIDE STEWARDSHIP: BEST PRACTICES FOR RIPARIAN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Join LWC’s Restoration Program Director, Aubrey Cloud, for an informative talk on maintaining healthy streamside habitats through thoughtful vegetation management. Aubrey will share guidance on identifying native and nonnative species, removing invasive trees, and applying best management practices near waterways to support resilient plant and wildlife communities.
At Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St., Monmouth
Contact and RSVP at https://www.luckiamute.org/riparian-veg-management.html
Sponsors: Luckiamute Watershed Council, Polk County Master Gardeners, Ash Creek Water Control District
SAT, JAN 17 (7 – 8:30 pm)
DANCE PLANET
Move in your own way to a rhythmic flow of music from around the world and across the decades. This month will begin with live vocal music by Johanna Beekman, move into a global journey from DJ Geo, and end with more sweet sounds from Johanna. Admission to this family-friendly event is a suggested donation, $5–15 or more. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to local environmental organizations.
At Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2945 NW Circle Blvd.
Contact: georgebeekman@gmail.com
Sponsor: Dance Planet
THURS, JAN 22 (1 – 2:30 pm)
PUBLIC SEED LIBRARY PRESENTATION – “LEGUMES: FOOD FOR THE BODY, THE SPIRIT, AND THE SOIL”
Legumes are a huge group of plants, widely grown in ornamental and edible gardens. Learn about growing edible beans and peas, legume family flowers and herbs, and cover crops to improve your soil health and fertility. Learn more at www.bentonmg.org/public-seed-library-resources
At the Main Meeting Room of the Corvallis Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.
Contact: CorvallisPublicSeedLibrary@gmail.com
Sponsors: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
THURS, JAN 22 (5:30 – 7:30 pm)
ECOLOGY GAME NIGHT
Spend a cozy evening inside playing ecology-themed games. Bring a friend or make new ones. Bring games or share ours. No registration required. A portion of food/beverage sales benefit Marys River Watershed Council.
At Common Fields Truck Pod and Taproom, 545 SW 3rd Street
Contact: nina@mrwc.org
Sponsor: Marys River Watershed Council
THURS, JAN 22 (6:30 – 8:15 pm)
FOOD & AGRICULTURE: NATIONAL ISSUES THROUGH A LOCAL LENS
This fourth program in our Restoring Democracy series will include brief presentations by representatives of a local food bank and local farm, followed by audience Q & A. Join us to learn, discuss, and explore opportunities to take action. See https://lwvcorvallis.org for details.
At Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave
Contact: amills@willamettewatershed.com
Sponsors: League of Women Voters of Corvallis and Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
SAT, JAN 24 (1 pm)
HOW CAN I HELP? SAVING NATURE WITH YOUR YARD
Talk and book signing with author Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door; available at BentonMG.org.
At CH2MHill Alumni Center, OSU campus, 725 SW 26th St.
Contact: info@BentonMG.org
Sponsor: Benton County Master Gardener Association
SUN, JAN 25 (4 – 6 pm)
VIRTUAL ETHIOPIAN CUISINE COOKING CLASS
Join Chef Eleni Woldeyes from Eleni’s Kitchen and learn to cook authentic Ethiopian food from your own kitchen. Registration includes Injera (traditional Ethiopian bread) and Ethiopian spices. $55 per cook
Registration: https://sistercities.corvallis.or.us/ethiopian-cooking-class-2025/
Contact: csca.gondar@gmail.com
Sponsor: Corvallis Sister Cities Association – Gondar
THURS, JAN 29 (1 – 2:30 pm)
PUBLIC SEED LIBRARY PRESENTATION: “HELPING MASON & NATIVE BEES THRIVE IN YOUR GARDEN”
Come learn how to manage mason bees and help meet their needs in the spring, summer, and fall. Learn about the needs of native ground nesting bees, get a few ideas about what to plant to feed them, and learn more about how to avoid harming bees. Presented by Linn County Master Gardeners Pollinator experts. Learn more at www.bentonmg.org/public-seed-library-resources
At Main Meeting Room at the Corvallis Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.
Contact: CorvallisPublicSeedLibrary@gmail.com
Sponsors: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
SAT, JAN 31 (9:30 am – 12 noon)
PUBLIC SEED LIBRARY CLINIC: STARTING PEPPERS & TOMATOES, PLUS SPROUTS & MICROGREENS
It’s about time to cold-stratify seeds that need a cold period to germinate, and to start peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, some cool season crops, flowers and herbs indoors. Benton County Master Gardeners will help you select seeds right for you and your growing conditions, and guide you on how to get your vegetable garden planned and started well. Learn more at www.bentonmg.org/public-seed-library-resources
At Corvallis-Benton County Public Library’s historic Belluschi Wing, 645 NW Monroe Ave.
Contact: CorvallisPublicSeedLibrary@gmail.com
Sponsors: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and Corvallis-Benton County Public Library