Natural Resource Education Guide

The Natural Resource Education Guide is a compilation of agencies and organizations that offer materials, tours, presentations, workshops, and other resources to area educators.

The original Guide and yearly revisions are provided to classroom teachers, club leaders, community outreach agencies, and parent and community volunteers.

This Natural Resource Education Guide was created to help teachers and educators identify resources in the Benton County area. Inclusion in this guide does not constitute an endorsement.Edited and produced by Benton County-OSU Extension faculty and staff.

Click the organization to learn more about them

Oregon Agriculture in the classroom

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Allied Waste of Corvallis 

110 NE Walnut Blvd
Corvallis OR 97330

Website: corvallis.disposal.com
Contact: Julie Jackson, Recycling Analyst & Promotion Specialist
E-mail:  Julie.jackson@awin.com
Phone:  541-754-0445 ext 204

Classroom presentations:

Recycling at school and at home, composting, vermi-composting, alternatives to household hazardous waste, reducing waste through responsible shopping, and school waste audits.Presentations are tailored to fit class age, size and time available.

Materials available:

• Background information of a variety of waste reduction issues.
• Guide sheets on how schools can reduce wastes and achieve Green School status-Levels 1, 2, and 3.

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Audubon Society of Corvallis                                                                              

PO Box 148
Corvallis OR 97339

Website: www.audubon.corvallis.or.us
Contact: Kate Mathews, Education Committee Chair, 541-754-1172, Kate.mathews@comcast.net

The Audubon Society of Corvallis, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society, is an active group. There are monthly general meetings and field trips, school programs, a bluebird trail, conservation concern, and a Christmas bird count. We have a Nature Center-Hesthavn - located on Oak Creek Road northwest of Corvallis. Check the Audubon website for Open House hours and planned programs.

Presentations:

Programs can be arranged in the classroom, at Hesthavn or a location of a group's choice.

Some standard programs are:

• Birds of Corvallis-All about the common birds in the Corvallis area.
• Keen Eyes and Swift Wings-All about Eagles, Hawks and Owls.
• Marsh Creatures-Food chains and life in a fresh water marsh.
• Feathery Wings and Leathery Wings-A comparison of bats and birds..

We can adapt these programs to the specific needs/desires of a class or group.  We do not have live birds, but many mounted and study skin specimens which we bring to the programs.

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Avery House Nature Center                                                                                

1200 SW Avery Park Road
Corvallis OR 97333

E-mail:  ahnc@corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
Website: www.corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
Contact: Meika Vingelen, 541-758-6198, ahnc@peak.org
Open House Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 am-3 pm, June-September.

Avery House, a part of the Corvallis Environmental Center, provides nature education programs for youths and adults, which fosters knowledge and stewardship of our local ecosystems.

Field Trip Opportunities:

K-5 Habitat Field Trip Programs-Guided field trips for school groups at local nature areas which include pre- and post-classroom visits with activities that introduce key science concepts and encourage reflection about human impacts on ecosystems. Each program has been designed to fit with the Oregon Department of Education's Learning Benchmarks. Grants may be available to cover program costs for schools. 

Classroom Presentations:

Nature program staff can be scheduled to come to your classroom and lead one-hour programs that include active games, exploration of local ecosystems and species found there. Hands-on activities give students fun, new experiences while teaching or reinforcing grade appropriate standards and benchmarks. Programs also correlate with Foss kits. Grants may be available to cover programs.

Opportunities:

• Pre-school Programs, K-5 In-Service Day Programs, Summer Day Camps, Family Nature Walks and many Adult Workshops including Naturescaping, Bird Identification, Mushroom Identification and more-Each program includes art projects, interactive games, hands-on nature activities, experiments, journaling, and storytelling.
• Organized group visits to the Nature Center-Birthday parties, home school groups, preschool field trips, youth group leaders, or other special events. One-hour programs for ages 2-12 offer activities, games, nature art, and hands-on experiences with nature. Many nature topics and themes from which to choose.
• Special Programming-Avery House staff are available to educators and youth group leaders in the community for on-site programming at a low cost. Environmental education programs are tailored to meet specific group needs or topics.
• Avery House is surrounded by a native plant garden that features over 30 different species of local plants. Free to the public.

OSU Benton County Extension 4-H

1849 NW 9th Street
Corvallis OR 97330-2144
Phone: 541-766-6750 or 1-800-365-0201
Fax: 541-766-3549
Website: extension.oregonstate.edu/Benton/4h/4h_home.htm

OSU Extension provides research-based information to the general public. Subject areas include Community Horticulture, Small Farms, Forestry, Family and Community Development and 4-H & Youth Development.

OSU Extension 4-H & Youth

Website: extension.oregonstate.edu/Benton/4H/4h_home.htm
Contact: Tammy Skubinna, 4-H & Youth Development Faculty
541-766-3555 or tammy.skubinna@oregonstate.edu
Maggie Livesay, 4-H Outreach Faculty
541-766-3550 or maggie.livesay@oregonstate.edu

4-H serves youth and adults by providing them with fun, creative, learn-by-doing or non-formal educational and leadership experiences. These opportunities are offered through clubs, schools (during and after) and other short-term projects.

Opportunities:

• 4-H Natural Resource 4-H Clubs-Adult leader develops life skills in youth through project based learning.
• 4-H Wildlife Steward Program-Create sustainable wildlife habitat sites on school grounds and promote stewardship among youth by inspiring, educating and connecting communities, schools, and natural resource agencies and organizations. The program trains volunteers (parents, teachers, community members) to develop, maintain and sustain natural resource education at schools. 4-H Wildlife Steward Advancement Program provides member schools opportunities for grants and awards. Curriculum includes 50 lessons tied to Oregon Educational Benchmarks for grades K-6 are available.
• Ongoing training opportunities-available in a variety of subjects offered to local educators. Visit our website at extension.oregonstate.edu/4h for upcoming training opportunities.
• We also provide assistance to educators in locating resources to encourage youth involvement in natural resources in Benton County.

Events:

Kids Day for Conservation-a one-day natural resource education event. Hands-on activities. Held early fall each year. Youth in grades 4-12 are highly encouraged to volunteer for this event.
4-H Wildlife Stewards Summit-The high point of every year for 4-H Wildlife Stewards is the 4-H Wildlife Stewards Summit where youth from 4-H Wildlife Steward Member Schools work in teams to develop and present an educational display highlighting schoolyard projects. Area natural resource educators provide hands-on activities.

4-H Windowsill Gardening Program-OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners^TM bring a plant propagation activity into Corvallis and Philomath classrooms. Children in grade 2 or grade 2 combination rooms receive instruction on different ways plants reproduce and are given a cutting to root and to later replant. 45 minute lesson

Materials Available:

• K-12 curriculum available for checkout-4-H Wildlife Stewards, Geology, Entomology, Horticulture, Herpetology, Science, Expressive Arts, Home Economics, Animal Science, Engineering, and more.
•  Natural Resource Education Guide for Benton County-40 page guide to natural resource materials offered by local organizations for educators in Benton County. A printable PDF version is online at extension.oregonstate.edu/benton/yfe/nrg/nrg.htm.

Ecology Field Cards of the Willamette Valley-Douglas-fir Forest, Oak Woodland, Riparian Bottomland Forest, and Wetland sets. Each set contains 50 laminated field identification cards focusing on common flora, fauna, and fungi in the given habitat type. An Educator's Guide includes a map to locations for use of cards, curriculum and teacher resources. Available for check-out or purchase. Purchase cost is $40.

Kits available for checkout include:

• Animal Adaptations Kit-Mammal, pelts and skulls, guidebooks, game, curriculum.
• 4-H Wetland Wonders-Hands on science experiments, videos, wetlands curriculum.
• 4-H Oregon Earth Science Kit-Geology curriculum for Oregon. Guides to rocks and minerals, anthropology lessons, John Day Fossil Beds video, LOTS of experiments.
• 4-H Wildlife Stewards Habitat Mapping Kit-Tape measure, compass, soil testing kit, mapping guide.
• Forestry Education Kit-Includes an activity binder full of fun interdisciplinary lessons, posters, laminated dichotomous keys for tree identification, several copies of Trees to Know in Oregon, lichen and tree rounds.
• Private Eye Kit-36 jeweler loupes and curriculum ideas.
• Wildlife Tracks, Pelts and Skulls Kit-Pelts, skulls and track molds of common mammal species. Field guide to tracks.

*Lending materials may be obtained in person, or via the Corvallis School District Shuttle Service (Wednesday morning). Check out is for two weeks.

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 Benton County Natural Areas- Parks

Avery Complex
360 SW Avery Avenue
Corvallis OR 97333
Phone: 541-766-6871
Fax: 541-766-6891
Website: www.co.benton.or.us/parks

Benton County has an excellent parks system, which meets many near-to-home recreational and educational needs of our citizens. Continued success of our Natural Areas and Parks Department is based, in part, on volunteers who strengthen our resources in areas of trail construction/maintenance, habitat restoration, membership on advisory committees, educational outreach. We work with private landowners, public agencies, community non-profits and volunteers to offer a variety of amenities which provide health, recreation and interpretive/education benefits for the citizenry. The system includes recreation and group picnic site rental amenities for all users. Please check the Benton County website for a view of Benton County's diverse and exceptional parkland resources and opportunities!

Environmental education sites:

• Jackson-Frazier Wetland-A nature preserve in northeast Corvallis with a boardwalk, hiking and bird watching. A 3,400 foot wooden boardwalk winds through the wetland allowing visitors to see many plant communities and habitats. Educational kiosk, interpretive signage and materials available. The walkway accommodates individuals with disabilities. The site has no restrooms or drinking water available. Guided walks are offered by Steve McGettigan, 4-H Wildlife Stewards Volunteer, 541-766-6048 (message only), mcgettis@peak.org. All ages, about 1 hour. No cost.
• Clemens Park-Located along the north fork of the Alsea River, features a self-guided interpretative nature trail. Interpretive markers and printed brochure available.
• Beazell Memorial Forest-586 acres located in Kings Valley, managed for environmental education and research opportunities. A demonstration forest and open space area with progressive ecosystem management practices utilized to protect, conserve and restore natural, scenic, outdoor recreation and wildlife values. The site contains five miles of trails and two small outdoor shelters for use by classes or casual hikers or picnickers. Beazell Forest Education Center is available for rental use. Call for more information and fees.
• Fitton Green Natural Area-308-acre site located west of Bald Hill City Park. Hiking, panoramic views, bird watching and environmental interpretation are available.
• Fort Hoskins Historic Park-130-acre site in Kings Valley offers accessible restrooms, reservable picnic shelter, educational interpretive displays, and self-guided trails that allow users to access the park's varied history, vegetation, and views.

Benton Soil and Water Conservation District

305 SW C Avenue, Suite 1
Corvallis OR 97333
Phone: 541-753-7208
Fax: 541-753-1871
Email: office@bentonswcd.org
Website: www.bentonswcd.org
Contact:      Heath Keirstead, Education Coordinator, Hkeirstead@bentonswcd.org

Teresa Matteson, Education & Outreach Director, tmatteson@bentonswcd.org

Educational Support:

• Stream simulation table and curriculum notebook-This miniature stream can be manipulated to help students explore watersheds, the water cycle, stream channel dynamics, erosion and flooding.
• Making Ripples Program: Community Building for Water Quality-This program supports service learning, hands-on projects for teachers and students while working with Benton County citizens, businesses and other conservation partners. We work with educators and citizens on creek restoration and water quality enhancement projects.
• Making Ripples Newsletter for Natural Resources Education-This twice-yearly four-page newsletter provides information on local resources for educators, from a calendar of upcoming events to articles about our partners and where to get funding for your activities. Access the newsletter through our website: www.bentonswcd.org/teachers/ or contact Heath to get on the newsletter mailing list.
• Available materials-Tree planting and soil sampling equipment; soil tunnel, curriculum books, educational circuit board, and soil infiltration, soil/water purification equipment, and advice.

Opportunities:

• Native Plant Sale-This annual sale provides low cost native plant materials for riparian and wildlife habitat enhancement projects. Order forms available in the fall. Order pick-up is in February. The February pick-up is a great volunteer opportunity.
• Conservation Education Grants-This fund supports educational projects that promote the conservation of soil, water and related resources. Requests include, but are not limited to, equipment and supplies for on-the-ground projects, activities or classroom learning. November deadline. Contact BSWCD office for more information..
• Natural Resources Scholarship-Annual $1000 scholarships for higher education students who are pursuing degrees in natural resources fields. See www.bentonswcd.org/teachers for application and details. Deadline is mid-April.
• Benton Soil and Water Conservation District also supports natural resource education for youth and adults through participation in community events. Look for us at events including Earth Faire, da Vinci Days and Kids Day for Conservation (KDC). KDC a free, fun, hands-on natural resource event held in fall.

Chintimini Wildlife Center

PO Box 1433
Corvallis OR 97339
Phone: 541-745-5324
Email: cwrc@peak.com
Website: www.chintiminiwildlife.org
Contact:    Connie Barnes, Education Development Director,  541-745-3029, cbarnes_cwc@comcast.net

Jeffrey S. Picton, Executive Director,

The mission of the Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is to provide care for injured and orphaned wildlife, and to foster a connection between people and wildlife through education.

Classroom presentations and Interactive Programs:

Presentations teach about wildlife behavior and natural history, and share tips on co-existing with the wild animals in our communities. There are several non-releasable birds of prey in the program to give people a chance to see a raptor up close. Current presentations include:

Raptors: Hunters of the Sky (Grades K-8)

Those Amazing Barn Owls (Grade K-8)

Wildlife Rehabilitation: Animal Care Techniques (Grade 4-10)

Living with Wildlife (Grade 4-10)

Presentations can be tailored to any kind of group. The length of the presentation depends on the group age.

Cost:

Presentation fees depend on the group size with a $75 minimum.

Summer Programs:

Chintimini offers three week-long summer Wildlife Ranger day camps for ages 9-15 and three on-site Family Saturday Programs for all ages to learn about local wildlife, their habitat and how we can protect them. These programs are held on-site. Visit www.chintiminiwildlife.org for more information.

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Corvallis Parks and Recreation

1310 SW Avery Park Drive
Corvallis OR 97333
Phone: 541-766-6918
Fax: 541-754-1701
Website: www.ci.corvallis.or.us/pr/prhome.html
Contact:           Becky Merja, City Forester, 541-754-1723

David Phillip, Parks Operations Specialist, Natural Areas, 541-754-1704

The Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department offers a number of sites to the community as outdoor classrooms and laboratories. Some are urban parks and within walking distance of many schools. Others are open space areas that require transportation, but are within five miles of the city center. See website for detailed listing of the diverse parks and open space areas in the community.

Programs:

What is Urban Forestry? - The  urban forest consists of the planted landscape and forest remnants that are left behind as our city grows. Urban forestry is the planting care and management of trees where we live. The benefits of urban trees include oxygen production, cleaner air through gas absorption and filtering dust, slower storm water run off and soil erosion, muffled noise, and cooling shade that reduces energy costs. (Call for an Urban Forestry presentation.)

Tree Appreciation Slide Show-Part 1: The Life Cycle of a Tree; Part 2: The Care of a Tree. These slides can be checked out for use, or arrangements can be made for a presentation to be given to your group.

Environmental education sites:

Bald Hill Park-274 acres located west of Corvallis in the foothills of the coast range. Bald Hill Park is a unique resource consisting of oak savanna, oak woodlands, wetlands and native prairies. Nine miles of trails provide access to the summit and numerous routes allow for age appropriate group trips. The 1/4 mile self-guided interpretive trail demonstrates natural heritage, oak savanna restoration and native plant and animal associations. Interpretive kiosks and brochures are available.

Chip Ross Park-125.5 acres of oak savanna, woodlands, and upland prairies encompass "IV Hill". The 1.5 mile loop trail provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and panoramic views of the Coast Range and Cascade Mountains. The trailhead off Lester Avenue provides primary access to Chip Ross Park.

Mary's River Natural Area-A 74 acre natural area along the Mary's River south of Corvallis. The site consists of riparian forests, wetlands, wet prairies and viewpoints  along the Mary's River. An interpretive kiosk and ADA accessible boardwalk is available. The site demonstrates riparian restoration, natural history, and the cultural uses of native plants.

Willamette Park.-The 286 acres along the Willamette River offers the largest riparian trail system in the Corvallis area. Over 3.5 miles of trail are available. Interpretive kiosks, seasonal restrooms, and ample parking make this an ideal spot for field trips.

Tour of Trees in Corvallis-Get to know the trees that can successfully be grown in the urban forest. A self-guided tour that features the wide variety of trees grown in the central Willamette Valley. The mapped route includes Central Park to the Memorial Union Quad on the OSU Campus. Most of the trees on the tour grow on public property; those that are on private property are easily viewed from the street or alley. (Guided tours can be arranged with prior notice.)

Small Trees Arboretum-Corvallis has two sites that display a variety of trees for public viewing. The trees were selected for their relatively small mature size and aesthetic attributes that make them appropriate to plant in places that have limited space. These projects were designed to help the community with tree selection for tight spaces, like patios and under power lines. Cloverland Park displays 17 trees and the bike path near Sunset Meadows on Country Club Drive now has 57 trees. (Guided tours can be arranged with prior notice.)

Materials available:

A variety of brochures on all aspects of tree care and the benefits of maintaining healthy urban trees are available at no cost.

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Corvallis Public Works Department

PO Box 1083
Corvallis OR 97339-1083
Phone: 541-766-6916
Fax: 541-766-6920

Contact:    

Mark Taratoot, Water Resources Specialist,Mark.Taratoot@ci.corvallis.or.us
Diana Sharps, Water Resources Specialist,Diana.Sharps@ci.corvallis.or.us

The Corvallis Public Works Department offers educational programs for classroom and community groups in the Corvallis water service area. Activities focus on water and wastewater treatment, water quality, water pollution and water pollution prevention, and water conservation.

Classroom presentations:

River Rangers-An interactive program to help foster stewardship of streams, rivers, and water. Concepts include the water cycle, water use, wastewater collection and treatment, storm drains, water conservation, and the effect of water pollution. In addition to a classroom presentation, students, with help of parents, identify products in their homes that should not be dumped down a drain. Upon completion, students are awarded a card and badge and become certified River Rangers. Designed for grade 4, can be given to grades 3-5.

EnviroScape^TM  Watershed Model-This three-dimensional table-top model of a watershed teaches concepts of land use and non-point-source pollution. The model shows the potential effects of agriculture, industrial, forest, and urban land uses as well as methods to minimize or negate these effects. Works best with groups of ten or fewer, can be modified for most all ages, but is best for grade 5 and up.

Water Quality Testing-On a limited basis, staff is available to assist teachers with instructing students how to measure water quality parameters including temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) using a HACH limnology kit. This Field program is best suited as a small part of a larger water quality curriculum or restoration project designed and delivered by the teacher and/or other cooperators. Best suited for grade 5 and up.

Customized Talks-If you have a water quality or water conservation topic you are interested in, and would like City staff to come give a presentation, by all means, just ask! Due to time limitations, not all requests can be honored, but it never hurts to ask.

Service Learning Opportunities:

Storm Drain Marking: "Dump No Waste; Drains to Stream." - Groups of students, with adult supervision, apply paint stencils and/or curb markers or distribute door hangers to remind people of this fact. Students also develop a stewardship ethic as they feel some ownership of the system. All materials and supplies are provided by the City of Corvallis. The street or curb must be dry to apply the markers or stencils, so appropriate selection of project date is critical. Kids and adults of all ages love this program.

Adopt-A-Stream-In conjunction with Benton Soil and Water Conservation District's "Making Ripples" project, Corvallis Public Works has developed an Adopt-A-Stream program. Please check with Public Works for more details.

Tours:

Taylor Water Treatment Plant-See how water is made safe to drink. Because some of the chemicals used during the treatment process are hazardous, this tour would be most appropriate for middle school and older.

Waste Water Reclamation Plant (WWRP) - Raw sewage is over 99% pure water. Waste water operators show how to clean up that other 1% before discharging it back into the Willamette River. Because the waste water coming into the plant is more dirty than the raw water feeding the water treatment plant, this tour might be more exciting than the water treatment plant. Due to the hazardous nature of waste water, and due to the chemicals used in the process, not to mention the giggle factor of discussing "poop" this tour is best suited to older students. This tour might include looking at the combined sewer overflow (CSO) facility.

Cost:

These programs are available at no cost.

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Institute of Applied Ecology

PO Box 2855
Corvallis OR 97339-2855
Phone: 541-753-3099
Fax: 541-753-3098
Website: www.appliedeco.org
Contact: Jen Cramer, Director of Ecological Education, jen@appliedeco.org

The Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE)is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to conserve native ecosystems through restoration, research and education. Our Ecological Education department offers two programs for local schools.

Programs:

The RARE Partnership-This is a hands-on program which pairs local schools with local restoration areas where students plan and participate in the reintroduction of a threatened or endangered plant species. The plants are grown in a school greenhouse. Students and teachers work with IAE staff on a weekly to monthly schedule throughout the academic year. Students work in the classroom with IAE staff and also make several IAE sponsored field trips to planting sites throughout the year.

RESTORE  Oregon Schoolyards-This program helps teams of teachers and students restore a native ecosystem on school grounds. It gives teacher the skills and resources they need to guide their students in restoration and to use the restored landscape as an outdoor classroom in all subjects from science to art to literacy.

IAE also offers occasional workshops for teachers, landowners and the public to learn more about native ecosystems, their flora, and restoration. Adult volunteers are essential to the success of our programs.

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Izaak Walton League

Mary's Peak Chapter
1420 NW Worden Circle
Corvallis OR 97330
Contact: John Snelling; 541-745-5471

Program:

The Izaak Walton League strives to conserve, maintain, protect and restore the soil, forest, water and other natural resources of the United States and other lands; to promote means and opportunities for the education of the public with respect to such resources and their enjoyment and wholesome utilization.

Opportunities:

• Adult mentorship with conservation issues
• Will work one-on-one with a child to develop a conservation project, such as a poster about water conservation.
• Bird house building
• Will come into the classroom, provide all needed materials, demonstrate how to build a bird house, then help the students actually construct a bird house that they get to keep.

Resources for Teachers:

Small grants ($100-$500) for projects related to our goals: "purity of water, clarity of air, and wise stewardship of the land and its resources."

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Mary's River Watershed Council

P.O. Box 1041
Corvallis, OR   97339
Phone: 541-758-7597
Website: www.mrwc.net
Contact:Karen Fleck Harding,   outreach@mrwc.net

The Marys River Watershed Council is a voluntary organization of people who live, work, play, or own land in the watershed.  The council promotes broad and informed public participation in ecologically and economically sustainable management and improvement of natural resources and environmental quality in the Marys River Watershed.

Quarterly public presentations on a variety of topics related to watershed health, open to students to attend.

Opportunities for students to participate in restoration projects and watershed assessments.  Service-learning projects.

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US Department of Energy

1450 Queen Avenue SW
Albany OR 97321
Website: www.netl.doe.gov

Contact:

Cathy Summers, 541-967-5844, Cathy.Summers@netl.doe.gov
Steve Matthes, 541-967-5827, Steve.Matthes@netl.doe.gov

NETL employees perform educational and community outreach for classrooms and other groups, large and small. We will visit your location for a variety of science activities, including:

• Audiovisual presentations and hands-on activities on Earth Science subjects (plate tectonics, volcanoes, identification of rocks and minerals, uses of rocks and minerals, and the geology of the Corvallis/Albany area);
• Hands-on Chemistry and Materials science activities (polymer science, corrosion, and material properties);
• Demonstrations and hands-on activities on energy usage and conservation.

We can also develop activities to meet the specific needs of a classroom or student group.

The US Department of Energy sponsors the annual Science Bowl Competition. The regional competition is sponsored by Bonneville Power Administration and is held in Portland in January. NETL will support local middle and high school teams through sponsorships or as coaches.  For more information check the website: www.netl.doe.gov/about/scibowl/index.html or www.bpa.gov/corporate/education/Science_bowl/.

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Oregon 4-H Conference and Education Center

5390 4-H Road NW
Salem OR 97304-9727
Phone: 503-371-7920
Fax: 503-581-6696
Website: www.oregon4hcenter.org

Programs:

4-H WILD Outside-classroom study enhanced by on-site field adventures at the Oregon 4-H Conference and Education Center near Salem. Curriculum packages are designed to actively engage students in learning while helping them reach ODE benchmarks 1 and 2 in scientific inquiry, life science, earth science, math and social science. Components of the program are listed below.

Welcome to Our Woods is offered in four units:

K-2-"A Forest is Like Your Neighborhood: Wings and Things in the Forest"

Grade 3-"A Pond is Like Our Community: Snails, Scales, and Nails at the Pond"

Grade 4-"Watersheds Connect Communities: The Journey of Salmon"

Grade 5-"Habitats Over Time: Visiting the Past, Envisioning Our Future"

Wetland Wonder Water Quality Program-for grades 4-5. Students learn about the water cycle, watersheds, and the soils, plants and animals found in wetlands.

Of People and Fish-for grades 4-5. Participants are introduced to the complex cultural and scientific history behind the "salmon crisis" and become active citizens in the search for solutions within their communities.

GPS Program-for grade 5 and up. On-site GPS training program. Students learn to store and locate way points using hand-held units and interpret data.

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Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom

105 Ballard Extension Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR 97331-8538
Website: aitc.oregonstate.edu
Contact: Tami Kerr; 541-737-8629, Tami.Kerr@oregonstate.edu

Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) provides curriculum, reference materials and teaching aides to K-12 teachers throughout the state for use in teaching agriculture and natural resources for teaching current subject matter. AITC materials are available to public, private and home school teachers throughout Oregon, and are provided through a free-loan reference library. There is no charge to use our materials, and topics include animals, conservation and natural resources, food and nutrition, general agriculture, and plants. Materials can be ordered through the website.

Classroom presentations:

Presentations are available on Oregon's agricultural products and natural resources. Contact our office for more information.

Materials available:

Educational kits on natural resources and Oregon's agricultural commodities available for grades K-12. Visit the website for a complete list and request a resource guide.

Get Organized was written for students in grades 3-4 as they study regions of the state and Oregon's history. The book includes maps and illustrations as well as modern and historical photographs. The student history book features people, natural resources and agriculture.

Opportunities:

School Year Calendar-An art contest for students in grades K-6. The contest features the diversity of Oregon agriculture. Students submit artwork about Oregon commodities-forestry, berries, seafood, animals, and more. Each student that submits artwork receives a personalized certificate. Artwork is due May 15; forms are available online.

Teacher Newsletter-Is available three times per year at no charge.

Workshops-Are available to help teachers incorporate natural resource into their classrooms. PDU credits may be provided. Contact the AITC office to schedule a workshop.

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Oregon Bureau of Land Management

1717 Fabry Road
Salem OR 97306
Website: www.blm.gov/or/
Contact:
Fran Philipek, 503-375-5613 (until January 2, 2009)
Traci Meredith, 503-315-5991 (beginning January 1, 2009)

Environmental Education Sites:

Alsea Falls, Benton County

Materials available:

The Songbird Blues Kit-Exploring Neotropical Migratory Songbirds-an interdisciplinary curriculum

Exploring Oregon's Past-teachers' activity guides on archaeology, anthropology, history, and paleontology.

Reprints about Archaeology, History, Natural History, Ecosystems, Wild Horses.

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Oregon Department of fish and wildlife

Corvallis Field Office
7118 NE Vandenberg Drive
Corvallis OR 97330

*Use the phone numbers listed below for the program, education site, or materials you are interested in.

Programs:

STEP-Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program
Website: www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/volunteer
Contact: Karen Hans, Mid-Willamette District STEP Biologist
541-757-4186 x 251, karen.m.hans@state.or.us.

Opportunities for youth including hatching and rearing salmon and trout eggs, stream habitat restoration work, surveys, and other educational projects.

The Stream Scene: Watersheds, Wildlife and People-a comprehensive watershed-based education curriculum package designed to bring schools and communities to the resource.

Environmental Education Sites:

E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area,
29555 Camp Adair Road
Monmouth OR 97361
541-745-5334, eewilson@teleport.com
Website: home.teleport.com/~eewilson/index.html
Self-guided interpretive trail; trail brochures available at trailhead.

Materials available:

Naturescaping A Landscaping Partnership with Nature-a wonderful resource book for developing a backyard or schoolyard habitat for wildlife. Call 503-872-5264 x 5528 for information.

Fish Eggs to Fry-a classroom guide for teachers to teach students how to raise fish eggs in their classroom.

Fish and Wildlife on the Oregon Trail: Then and Now-Researched and adapted from actual pioneer journals. Ideal for studying the Oregon Trail or studying the  changes in Oregon's fish and wildlife in the last 150 years.

Numerous on-line publications about wildlife are available through the main ODFW website at: www.dfw.state.or.us/ Select the division or program in which you are interested.

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Oregon Forces Resources Institute

317 SW 6th Avenue #400
Portland OR 97204-1705
Phone: 971-673-2956
Fax: 971-673-2946
Website: www.oregonforests.org

The Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) is a state agency created by the Oregon State Legislature in 1991 to improve understanding of forestry and the state's forest resources and to encourage environmentally sound forest management. Key OFRI programs include:

Classroom programs and field activities for K-12 students.

Workshops and curriculum support for teachers.

Tours demonstrating modern, sustainable forest practices.

Conferences, publications and scientific research on timely forest topics.

A website offering sound forestry information and a calendar of events.

Workshops to help landowners manage according to best forest practices.

Displays, interpretive programs, including the Rediscovery Forest at The Oregon Garden.

Workplace forestry education videos, website for forest industry employees.

Bus funding is available for forestry field trips.

K-12 publications and videos are available for use.

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The Oregon Garden- Rediscovery Forest

PO Box 463
Silverton OR 97381
Phone: 503-584-7259
Fax: 503-873-4048
Website: www.oregongarden.org or www.oregonforests.org
Contact: Julie Woodward, Forestry Educator, 503-584-7259,woodward@ofri.com

The Oregon Garden, located near Silverton, is an 80-acre botanical garden with thousands of plants. Explore the Rediscovery Forest, a forestry demonstration site, a native Oregon white oak forest, and an array of ornamental trees for the urban forest.

On-site presentations and tours:

Visits to The Oregon Garden for forestry education can be tailored to the needs of your group. Themes available include:

• Animal Tracking
• Forest Ecology
• Wildlife Habitat
• Sustainable Forestry
• Forest Management
• Forest & Wetland Food Chains
• Nature Journaling
• Role of Fire in Oregon Forests
• Oregon Forest Practices Act
• Tree Identification
• Forest Science Inquiry

Opportunities:

Service learning opportunities are available.

Cost: Funds are available to Benton County groups to cover all costs of trips to The Oregon Garden for forestry education. Contact Julie Woodward for more information.

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The Oregon Garden- 5th grade program

PO Box 155
Silverton OR 97381
Fax: 503-873-4048
Website: www.oregongarden.org
Contact: Cindy Quam, 5th Grade Program Coordinator, 503-584-7256, cquaml@chemeketa.edu

The Oregon Garden, located near Silverton, is a botanical garden showcasing natural resources and native plants of the state.

On-site environmental lessons for 5th graders (Spring and Fall):

• Animal Tracking-Students learn about finding and examining tracks and signs of wildlife while discussing biodiversity and wildlife management issues.
• Birds: From Seed to Song-Introduce students to wonderful world of birding. Play games that explain bird basics, then using binoculars, see what birds are visiting us.
• Forest Habitat Hike-a search for clues of wildlife.
• Love of Insects-Identify insects and other arthropods adapted to all different types of environments. Develop an appreciation for beneficial creepy crawlies.
• Pollination Station-Flower dissection. Students stroll through the garden observing pollination in action.
• Plant Adaptation: Keys to Survival-an investigation of the function of plant parts.
• Lovely Leaves-focus on students' observation and classification skills through an exploration of deciduous and coniferous trees.
• The Great Garden Tour-Young students receive a scavenger hunt to complete. Older students learn more detailed information on plants, garden design, and management.
• Amazing Aqua Life-What is a wetland and who lives there? Students discover how macroinvertebrate populations are an indicator of water quality.

Grants provided by the Roth's Benefit Education Foundation is available for bus transportation to The Oregon Garden.  Contact Cindy Quam for more information.

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Oregon Hatchery Research Center

2418 East Fall Creek Road
Alsea OR 97324
Phone: 541-487-5510
Website: www.dfw.state.or.us/OHRC
Contact: Ryan Couture (Facility Manager) Ryan.B.Couture@state.or.us

The Oregon Hatchery Research Center (OHRC), jointly operated by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State University, was built on the site of the former Fall Creek Fish Hatchery. The facility opened in October 2005. OHRC is located in the Alsea River Basin, 29 miles east of Waldport, off State Highway 34.

The OHRC provides a wide range of options for investigating the effects of spawning, incubation and rearing treatments on the growth, survival, reproductive success and other performance of hatchery and wild fish. The OHRC's mission is to develop an understanding of the mechanisms that may create differences between hatchery and wild fish and devise ways to reduce and manage the differences so that hatcheries can be used responsibly in the conservation and use of Oregon's native fish.

Tour:

Tours are given seven days a week, 7:30am-4:30pm.  OHRC is a common destination for school groups in the fall to observe salmon spawning in Fall Creek as it passes by the facility.  Four controlled artificial stream channels offer the observation or study of water chemistry and characteristics and fish behavior.  Fish are available to view in the four concrete rearing ponds and 44 fiberglass tanks. 

OHRC also offers day use of a large meeting room for meetings or use as a classroom.

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Oregon Natural Resource Education Program

College of Forestry
Oregon State University
51 Peavy Hall
Corvallis OR 97331-57131
Phone: 541-737-2128
Fax: 541-737-9037
E-mail: onrep@oregonstate.edu
Website: www.cof.orst.edu/cof/extended/onrep

For over 25 years, the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP) has been helping Oregon's K-12 educators understand our state's natural resources. Our goal is to build educators' understanding and knowledge about the complexity of Oregon's diverse ecosystems so they can prepare children to make informed decisions; exhibit responsible behavior; and take constructive action concerning the future of Oregon's natural resources. We focus on providing educators with the materials, information, and resources that will increase their confidence and capacity for integrating natural resource topics and issues in the classroom as well as engage and excite students.

Who do we serve?

• K-12 Classroom teachers, Educators in after-school programs, Natural resource professionals, University faculty and students in teacher education programs.
• Teacher workshops
• Workshops are offered all year and range from one day to several days in length. Summer programs focus on more intensive multi-day residential learning experiences. All workshops are designed to be interactive, engaging, relevant and immediately applicable. Our workshops are listed on our website.  Check it frequently for upcoming events.
• Workshops and materials are free. Substitute teacher reimbursement provided. PDU's available for all workshops. Credit available for some workshops.
• At the heart of ONREP are two award-winning and nationally recognized environmental education programs: Project Learning Tree® (PLT and Project Wild. Workshop participants also receive correlation s of materials to Oregon Benchmarks and Standards.

Oregon Wood Magic

Wood Science & Engineering Department
119 Richardson Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR 97331-5751
Fax: 541-737-3385
Website: woodscience.oregonstate.edu/woodmagic/.
Contact:
Margie.York, Wood Magic Coordinator; 541-737-4259; margie.york@oregonstate.edu
Leslie McDaniel, Oregon Wood Magic Traveling Show Coordinator; 541-737-3159 or 971-277-9877; leslie.mcdaniel@oregonstate.edu

Program:

Oregon Wood Magic-a three-hour program tied to Oregon Benchmarks for grades 3 and 4 but can accommodate blended 2/3 and 4/5 classes. Students and their teachers move through a series of nine stations in Richardson Hall that cover aspects of science and technology relative to wood and wood products. The stations are designed to be visually stimulating and interactive, and will educate students about wood material and encourage students to think about resource issues. Each station is tied to a series of plans.

Teachers must apply to attend Oregon Wood Magic, but there is no charge for the tour.

Oregon Wood Magic Traveling Show-brings four of the stations of the regular Oregon Wood Magic Show to elementary classrooms in Oregon. This presentation is about an hour in length and is offered without charge to schools throughout the state. Teachers may contact the Oregon Wood Magic Traveling Show Coordinator to schedule presentations.

Materials available:

Visit the Wood Products Extension website: wood.oregonstate.edu for online-resources for teachers including "Common products from trees" presentation.

Resources for Teachers-on-line publications, presentations and graphics related to wood products. Available at: wood.oregonstate.edu/index.php, click on "Stuff for Teachers".

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Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Local Chapter Contact:
Bill Richardson, Oregon State Chair
24550 Ervin Rd
Philomath OR 97370
Phone: 541-929-5365
E-mail: wildlife@peak.org
Website: www.rmef.org

The mission of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitats. The local chapter serves the greater Benton and Linn County area and offers tours, kits, presentations and hands-on learning.

Available Materials

Skulls & Pelts Demonstration Kit-This kit contains skulls and pelts from approximately 25 different mammals that live in the Pacific Northwest, from the tiny shrew to the magnificent Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk.

Elk Trunk-This kit contains 13 lessons correlated to the national science standards for grade 3-6.

Educational Activities

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation staff provides fun and educational, hands-on activities at local schools as well as at the Corvallis Outdoor School (fall ) and Spring Field Day, Kids Day for Conservation, and Youth Outdoor Day. Opportunities include learning to identify animals by their skulls and pelts, and learning to bugle like a bull elk.

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Salmon Watch Program

Oregon Trout
230 SW 3rd Street Suite 202
Corvallis OR 97333
Fax: 541-753-4280
Website: www.ortrout.org
Contact: Kim Carson, Mid-Willamette Regional Education Coordinator; 541-753-4280, kim@ortrout.org

Program:

Salmon Watch is an experiential environmental education program serving Western Oregon's middle and high school students, centered around streamside field trips to observe wild spawning salmon. It includes teacher and volunteer training, classroom instruction, and service-learning projects designed instill a deeper appreciation and understanding of the value of native wild fish, watershed conservation and environmental stewardship..

Tours:

Field trips are from mid-September through mid-November and involve a full day in the field. Volunteers will lead one of four small group sessions covering fish biology, macro invertebrates, water quality, and riparian zones.

Training sessions for new volunteers are held each summer; contact Oregon Trout for more information and specific dates.

Oregon Trout will reimburse transportation costs as well as substitute teacher expenses. There is a $35 registration fee required for teachers.

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Science Education Partnerships-SEPS

Website: www.seps.org
Contact:
Kari van Zee, 6-12 Coordinator, vanzeek@science.oregonstate.edu
Gail Gerdemann, K-5 Coordinator, gerdemag@science.oregonstate.edu

SEPS began as a partnership between Oregon State University, Hewlett-Packard and the Corvallis School District. Additional partners have been added so that a cadre of community scientists help teachers provide a quality science education for all students in classroom settings. SEPS maintains a database of scientists who are eager to give presentations, arrange field trips, mentor individual students, and help teachers with classroom science activities.

Classroom presentations:

Nearly 150 volunteers are available to assist with classroom presentations, mentoring, and classroom assistance.

Science Kits available to 509J schools for check out through Central Instructional Media Center (510 NW 31st St, Corvallis), 757-5923:

Kindergarten: Animals 2x2; From Seed to Plant; Chemistry Beginnings; Fabric; Wood; Paper

Grade 1: New Plants; Balance and Motion; Pebbles, Sand & Silt; Observing an Aquarium

Grade 2: Insects; Solids and Liquids; Air and Weather; Ideas and Inventions

Grade 3: Food Chains and Webs; Water; Physics of Sound; Earth Materials; Metric Measurement

Grade 4: Structures of Life; Magnetism and Electricity; Astronomy; Levers and Pulleys

Grade 5: Fungi and Molds; Heat; Mixtures and Solutions; Landforms; Variables; Models and Designs.

Opportunities:

Workshops for teachers are offered at various times throughout the year. Check the website calendar of events for details.

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Suislaw Learning Center

Siuslaw National Forest
4077 SW Research Way
PO Box 1148
Corvallis OR 97339
Fax: 541-750-7234
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw
Office hours: 8 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday
Contact: Siuslaw National Forest Headquarters; 541-750-7000

Materials available:

Materials for grades K-12 and college available for check out include puppets, videos and books on forests, wildlife, insects, mammals and curriculum boxes.

Curriculum boxes topics include: wolf, animal scat, animal tracking, forest, night animals, bat, seasons, desert, orienteering, wildflower, geology and wetland ecology.

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Starker Forests

PO Box 809
Corvallis OR 97339
Fax: 541-929-2178
Website: www.starkerforests.com
Contact: Dick Powell, Forester, 541-929-2477, dick@starkerforests.com

Tour:

Day-long field trip to Starker Forestry Trail near Blodgett. Program can be tailored to teacher/class needs.

Key concepts covered in the tour: Plants need sun, air, water, and nutrients. In any plant community, plants compete with each other to meet their needs. Over time, some plants compete better than others and become dominant. This change (also known as plant succession) is a normal on-going process. Nature is very resilient because all flora and fauna are affected by these changes. These science concepts apply equally well to farm, forest, and to the homeowner's backyard.

An elementary school teacher has completely revamped what we have to offer. Our "Passports" and the Starker Forestry Trail are more age-appropriate and designed to meet the state's benchmarks.

Video:

"I Am Not an Alien!" - explores the diversity of today's forests. 23 minutes long. Teacher manual with activities. Meets 5th grade benchmarks.

Opportunities:

Self-guided tours are available to the public at Starker Forests along a 1/4 mile trail. Trail brochures are available online or from the Starker Forests office at 7240 SW Philomath Blvd., Corvallis.

Cost: Starker Forest will pay for bus service for any public school in Benton County.

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Talk about Trees

Oregon Women in Timber
PO Box 820084
Portland OR 97202
Phone: 541-663-1067
Fax: 541-663-1067
E-mail: tat@orwit.org
Website: www.orwit.org/TAT.html
Contact: Joan Mason Ruud, Program Director, 503-243-5672

The goals of Talk About Trees is to encourage awareness and appreciation for  the value of trees and forests in our daily lives; and to encourage and understand about the protection, management and conservation of the  renewable forest.

Presentations:

Talk About Trees-a no-cost interactive science based program for pre-K through 8th grade students. Topics discussed include:

Tree identification

Photosynthesis

Benefits of trees

Renewability/Reforestation

Tree Growth/Structure of a tree

Conservation and forest management

Papermaking Program-learn the history of paper, the many uses of paper, importance of recycling and finally make your own paper.

Outdoor Program-take the students to the outdoor classroom and experience first hand tree identification and much more.

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US Fish and Wildlife Service

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
26208 Finley Refuge Rd
Corvallis OR 97333
Phone: 541-757-7236
Fax: 541-757-4450

Environmental Education Site:

The refuge consists of oak and maple woodlands, Oregon ash thickets, second growth Douglas-fir, hedgerows, marshes, meandering creeks, open meadows, and cultivated fields. Wildlife observation, including migratory birds, and self-guided interpretive trails. Information kiosks and comfort station available.

Trails include:

Woodpecker Loop Trail-1.1 miles, open year round; interpretive brochure available at trailhead. Travels through oak woodland, second growth Douglas-fir, and mature maple habitats.

Mill Hill Loop Trail-3 miles, open year round; This up and down trail takes you through many different forest types: oak woodland, mature maple and Douglas-fir.

Inter-tie Trail-.5 mile, open year round. Ties Woodpecker and Mill Hill Loops together. Passes through the understory of a mixed deciduous and fir forest.

Cabell Marsh Trail-2.2 miles, open April 1-October 31. The marsh is common hunting ground for bald eagles and osprey. Viewing scope available.

Beaver Pond and Cattail Pond Trails-2.5 miles, open April 1-October 31. Good viewing spring wildflowers, grazing elk, and migratory birds.

Cheadle Marsh Trail-1.5 miles, open April 1-October 31. Flat trail along the banks of Cheadle Marsh.

Pigeon Butte Trail-1.5 miles, open April 1-October 31. Travels to highest point on the refuge for great views of the Willamette Valley.

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Youth Garden Project

Corvallis Environmental Center
214 SW Monroe Avenue
Corvallis OR 97333
Phone: 541-753-9211
Website: www.corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
Hours: Noon-5 pm Tuesday and Thursday

The mission of the Youth Garden Project is to connect food with people and people with their food. If students understand how healthy food is produced, they are more able and likely to make healthy decisions for themselves and their community.

Program:

The Youth Garden Project is a community based, hands-on learning program for Corvallis area youth. Participants take part in all levels of garden work, incorporating science, art, and nutrition education while gaining vocational skills and exploring community needs. In addition, for use by program participants, produce grown at the Youth Garden is harvested, packaged and delivered to selected community programs serving families in need.

Opportunities:

Promoting the principle of service learning, the Youth Garden Project offers an eight-week summer service and learning program, and resources for school garden programs.

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