Sunriver Scene July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 12
Accessibility is for ‘every’ body
abundance of native plants and
wildlife, creating countless opportunities for discovery. Our
observatory, home to one of
the largest collections of public
telescopes in the country, offers
visitors a chance to experience
the wonders of the cosmos beneath some of Oregon’s darkest
skies. Observing a trumpeter
swan gliding across Lake Aspen or standing beneath the
Milky Way on a clear night can
inspire peace, awe, and a sense
of belonging.
Our goal is to ensure those
experiences are accessible
to everyone.
Thanks to a generous grant
from Visit Central Oregon’s
Future Fund, we are beginning
our work on our Accessible
Trails & Inclusive Interpretation Initiative. This is a multiphase project beginning with
the goal of creating accessible
routes throughout our eightacre campus. Hard-surface
pathways will improve access
for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and visitors with mobility
challenges while allowing us to
clear snow and extend access
throughout the year.
We are just $20,000 away
from completing this stage of
the project.
Future phases will focus on
opportunities for expanding
and modernizing our interpre-
tive offerings. New signs will
do more than just identify a
plant or animal; they will invite
visitors to engage more deeply
with the stories of the landscape
and feature clear, accessible design, with audio narration and
expanded digital content. This
project will include various
digital aspects, such as an All
Sky Cam and a virtual walking
tour, so that visitors from all
over the world can experience
the magic of a star-filled sky or
the beauty of Central Oregon’s
wildlife and landscapes.
By combining accessible
pathways with inclusive interpretation, we hope to create
opportunities for visitors to
engage more deeply with the
region’s ecology, wildlife and
conservation stories regardless
of their season of life.
While the Future Fund provides a critical foundation for
this work, additional community support is needed to
fully realize the vision. Every
contribution helps remove
barriers and create opportunities for discovery, learning, and
joy. Nature belongs to all of us
and, with your support, we can
create a campus where everyone
can experience the beauty of
the natural world and the awe
of the cosmos. If you would
like to contribute to this stage
or any future work on accessibility, please reach out to our
Development Director, Kayla
Rotunno, at 541-593-4442 or
kayla@snco.org.
Nature is not something we
simply observe; it is something
we participate in. Creating accessible pathways and inclusive
experiences is only the first
step. By removing barriers to
engagement, we open the door
for more people to contribute
their perspectives, observations
and knowledge. Observations
and reflections create a sense
of stewardship and belonging,
fostering curiosity and inspiring people to learn about and
care for the places they love.
One of the most powerful
Round up for local wildlife.
We’re wildly grateful to Sunriver Markets
for collecting round up donations
on purchases to support local
wildlife and nature education at
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory
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ways people can contribute
to conservation and scientific understanding is through
community science, a growing movement that connects
everyday observations with
real-world research.
If you are in need of feeling
hopeful and engaged but are
busy or not sure how you can
contribute, join the community science revolution.
On July 16, the nature center will demonstrate how to
make a difference for yourself,
your community and nature
via a fun and easy community science presentation by
Sevilla Rhoads.
There are community science
projects for all ages, abilities
and skills that only take as
much or as little time as you
have (and can often be done
without changing anything
in your daily routine). Engaging in these projects benefits you in so many ways and
helps your community and our
environment.
This presentation is a simple introduction to local and
national community science
projects, including ways to
assist professional researchers
collecting observations that
help track wildlife populations, monitor habitat health,
document climate impact, and
advance conservation efforts.
Come away inspired and empowered to join a fun project
that brings more meaning and
purpose to your daily life.
Doors open July 16 at 5 p.m.
for some light appetizers and
refreshments, and the lecture
will begin at 5:30 p.m.
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Scan to schedule
an appointment.
Give blood July 13 to 31 for a Fandango Movie Reward
by email to see a movie on us! rcblood.org/July
Give blood July 13 to 31 for a Fandango Movie Reward
by email to see a movie on us! rcblood.org/July
Scan to be directed to
RapidPass®
Scan to schedule
an appointment.
Scan to schedule
an appointment.
1-800-RED CROSS | RedCrossBlood.org | Download the Blood Donor App
© 2026 The American National Red Cross | 517301-3 CW
Page 12
JULY 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
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By SNCO Staff
Sunriver Nature Center &
Observatory was founded on a
simple belief that people are not
separate from nature; we are a
part of it. The natural world
provides profound benefits
for physical health and mental
well-being, and these benefits
should not be limited to a
select few but be available to
“every” body.
When we think about “accessibility,” it is easy to imagine it
as designs for a small group of
people. In reality, every one of
us experiences the world with
unique strengths, limitations,
and needs, and our abilities
change throughout our lives.
A steep trail may be easy to
navigate today and difficult
tomorrow after an injury. A
parent pushing a stroller, a child
still developing coordination,
or even geographical distance
can all limit our ability to
engage outdoors. Many accessibility issues are just seasons
of life we will all experience.
The environments we create
can either expand opportunities for participation or create
unnecessary obstacles.
The Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory campus
encompasses a rich mosaic of
riparian habitat, open water,
meadow and forest. This remarkable landscape creates an
