This year has brought many new bike riders onto our local streets.

Whether due to high fuel prices, the desire for exercise or to live more lightly on the planet, it would be nice to continue the trend even through the rainy season. How? As a regular bike rider year round, I find that once you get used to the idea, riding in the rain can be enjoyable. A waterproof breathable rain jacket/pants combo works well, and a waterproof cover for your helmet helps with both cold and rain.

Riding year round helps you stay literally connected with the seasons! The price is right: Even with purchasing a rainsuit, the cost is less than a trip to the auto-repair shop or a few tanks of gas! Begin your encounter with the winter elements by cycling to one of the events below - and don't forget your helmet!

Upcoming events and opportunities:

* Trees and Forests of America: 7 p.m. tonight, Grass Roots Books and Music, 227 S.W. Second St. Author/photographer Tim Palmer. Contact: Charles Goodrich, 737-6198. Sponsored by the Spring Creek Project.

* Hewlett-Packard/World Fund Climate Change Roadshow: 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight, Austin Auditorium, LaSells Stewart Center, 26th Street and Western Boulevard. John Matthews of World Wildlife Fund and Jay Celorie of Hewlett Packard team up to share ideas that brought individuals from across the country into the climate-change debate. Free. Contact 737-6020. Sponsored by College of Business, Oregon State University.

* Now through Jan. 23, 2009: Benton Soil & Water Conservation District's 2009 Native Plant Sale. The order form and details are available at http://www.bentonswcd.org/projects/treesale. Order deadline is Jan. 23. Some plants have limited availability and will be sold on a first-order, first-filled basis. Plant pick-up date is Saturday, Feb. 7.

* Rainwater Harvesting Workshop: 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 15. Free workshop at the First Alternative Co-op (South Store Meeting Room). Registration required: 753-3115, Ext. 0. Sponsored by First Alternative Co-op and Willamette Watershed Productions.

* Naturalist Adventures with Tracking, Wild Edibles, Native Plants, and Birding: 9 a.m to noon Nov. 16, meet at Avery Park Rose Garden, 1210 S.W. Avery Drive, Corvallis. For more information, contact Don Boucher, 753-7689 or bouchdon@peak.org.

* Living With Wildlife Forums: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Philomath Library and Nov. 25 at the Beazell Forest Education Center in Kings Valley. Learn how to humanely prevent or resolve conflicts between humans and animals, the implications of feeding animals, and why it is important to keep wildlife wild. Free. For more information call 745-5324, Ext. 6, or cwrc@peak.org.

* Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Work Group Presentation - Housing Work Group: noon Nov. 18, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Come and learn about the Sustainability Coalition task groups in an informal setting where you can ask questions and make comments. Free.

* Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Work Group Presentation - Transportation Work Group: noon Nov. 25, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Come and learn about the Sustainability Coalition task groups in an informal setting where you can ask questions and make comments. Free.

* Master Gardener Online Program: OSU Extension is accepting applications for the Master Gardener program. Sustainable gardening is the focus of this volunteer program. Fee: $400. Contact ecampus@oregonstate.edu or 800-235-6559. For more information: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/mastergardener. Sponsored by the Oregon State University Extended Campus.

* OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 17 to March 18, Grace Lutheran Church, Corvallis. Program cost: $100. Contact Oregon State University Extension/Benton County, 766-6750 or Linn County, 967-3871, and ask for Barb Fick. Sponsored by OSU Extension Benton County/Linn County.

Maureen Beezhold coordinates the local chapter of the Northwest Earth Institute and is assistant coordinator for the Corvallis chapter of the Oregon Natural Step Network. For information on any of these projects, call 752-3517.