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Oregon Naturalist

Photo: Jason O'Brien (Cropped from original)

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Ecoregion Field Courses

Ecoregion field courses give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ecologically distinct areas that make Oregon unique.

The courses occur mainly in the field, are held at various locations around Oregon and give you an placebased experience as you learn.

We recommended taking the online course before starting an ecoregion field course.

Columbia Gorge

2025 Field Course Details

This year, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum is partnering with the Oregon Naturalist Program to offer the Columbia Gorge field course.

Registration will be limited to 20 participants and priority will be given to those who live within the Columbia Gorge and those who have waited longest to take a field course.

Cost: $350.00 (reduced fee options are available)

For more information:

Email Britney Gitch
Get Involved with the Columbia Gorge Chapter
People crouched over examining flowers
Photo by: Jason O'Brien

2025 Columbia Gorge Field Course

The dates for the 2025 course are:

  • Introduction Session: April 6 - online over Zoom
  • Session 1: April 13 - Sense of Place (Course Welcome at The Gorge Discovery Center)
  • Session 2: April 27 - Rivers
  • Session 3: May 3 - Oak Woodlands
  • Session 4: June 1 - Grasslands
  • Session 5: July 13 - Western Gorge Forests
  • Session 6: August 17 - Mt. Adams
  • Session 7: Date TBD - Capstone at the Gorge Discovery Center

This course requires an application. Priority is given to Columbia Gorge residents, but everyone can apply.

Dates are subject to change.

Application for this course is now closed. Please contact Britney Gitch for more information.

Local Partners

Central Oregon

2025 Field Course Details

This course will present a series of field based classes covering the major ecosystems, wildlife and plants, and natural processes that shape the landscape from the Cascade Mountains to the high desert in Central Oregon. Participants will visit a variety locations to get a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ecological processes of forests, shrub-steppe, and aquatic habitats associated with the high desert, and the contemporary land management issues related to each of these ecosystems.

The course is being planned by Oregon Naturalist volunteers. Registration will be limited to 20 participants.

Cost: $350.00 (reduced fee options are available)

For more information:

Email Jason O'Brien, Statewide Program Coordinator
Photo by: Jason O'Brien

Register for the 2025 Ecosystems and Natural History of Central Oregon Field Course

Course Schedule (All dates are final):

  • May 13: Wildlife (includes overview of Central Oregon & Welcome)
  • May 14: The Art of Interpretation - High Desert Museum
  • May 31: Native Plants and Fungi
  • June 2: Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems
  • June 12: Zoom Introduction to Geology and Forest Ecosystems (recorded)
  • June 13: Fire Ecology
  • June 14: Geology and Forest Ecosystems
  • June 28: Rangeland Management on Private Lands
  • June 29: Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems
  • Mid-September (date has not been set yet): Capstone Presentation - click HERE to learn more about the Capstone for this course.

REGISTER HERE: 2025 Ecosystems and Natural History of Central Oregon Field Course

Local Partners

Thank you to all of our current and past Central Oregon field course partners:

We value all of your support!

High Desert Museum Logo, Oregon Natural Desert Association, Oregon State University Extension Service, Deschutes Land Trust, John and Lynne Breese - Dixie Meadow Company (DMC) Ranch, US Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior), Western Beavers Cooperative

North Willamette Valley - Portland Area

A 2025 Field Course will not be offered this year.

Rather, the North Willamette Valley Chapter will be offering chapter events. Please visit the Oregon Naturalist chapter page for further details.

Learn more about the North Willamette Valley chapter by clicking HERE.

Email Jason O'Brien, Statewide Program Coordinator
Photo: unknown

Local Partners

Thank you to all of our current and past North Willamette Valley field course partners.

We value all of your support!

2024 Ecoregion Course Partners

Our Local Funding Partner

Mid-Willamette Valley

A 2025 Field Course will not be offered this year.

Instead, the mid-Willamette Valley chapter will be planning monthly events.

To learn more about the mid-Willamette Valley chapter, click HERE.

Email Jason O'Brien, Statewide Program Coordinator
Sign Up for the Mid-Willamette Valley Chapter Newsletter
Photo: Jason O'Brien

The Field Course Will Return in 2026

The mid-Willamette Valley field course will not be offered in 2025. It will return in 2026.

In the meantime, please join the mid-Willamette Valley chapter at their events.

Local Partners

Thank you to all of our past and current Mid-Willamette Valley field course partners.

We value all of your support!

Luckiamute Watershed Council, South Santiam Watershed Council, Marys River Watershed Council, Oregon State Parks, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, City of Salem, Willamette University, Willamette University - Growing Oaks, Salem Audubon Society, United States Geological Survey, Geological Society of the Oregon Country, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Check out our chapter events in 2025

Apr 24

Mycology Workshop

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Philomath, OR
May 10

Tour of the Oregon Garden

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Silverton, OR
Jun 26

McDowell Creek Hike

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Lebanon, OR

Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast Ecoregion Field Course has been postponed until a future date.

If you have questions, please contact Jamie Doyle, OSU Sea Grant Extension:

Email Jason O'Brien, Statewide Program Coordinator
Person examining captured sea life specimen
Photo by Jamie Doyle

Oregon Coast Ecoregion Field Course Partners

Thank you to all of our Oregon Coast Ecoregion Field Course partners: We value all of your support. We look forward to the next time we can work with you to offer our Oregon Naturalist field course.

Our Local Partners

Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains

The Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains Ecoregion Field Course is on hold.

If you have questions, please contact Jason O'Brien, Statewide Coordinator for the Oregon Naturalist Program.

Email Jason O'Brien, Statewide Program Coordinator
Darlingtonia californica 2018
Photo by: Jason O'Brien

Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains Ecoregion Field Course

This field course includes the following sessions:

  • Introduction & Welcome to the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains Ecoregion Course
  • Geology and Earth Processes of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
  • Illinois Valley & Serpentine Ecology of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
  • Oak Habitats of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
  • Watershed & Riverine Processes of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
  • Forest Ecology of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
  • Exploration of the Cascade Siskiyou Monument
  • Capstone Class - Presentation Day

Local Partners

Thank you to all of our past Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains field course partners:

We value all of your support!

OSU Extension Service, Watchable Wildlife Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Siskiyou Field Institute, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, The Crest at Willow-Witt, Rogue River Watershed Council, Selberg Institute, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

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