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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

2026 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 click the email button below:

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

2026 Columbia Gorge Field Course Schedule

The dates for the 2026 course are:

(Dates are subject to change. All in-person field days begin promptly at 7:45 AM and end at 5:00 PM. Transportation will stick to this schedule, and will be provided for all participants.)

  • Introduction Session: April 13, 6:30PM via Zoom
  • Session 1: April 19 - Sense of Place (Course Welcome at The Gorge Discovery Center)
  • Session 2: May 3 - Oak Woodlands
  • Session 3: May 31 - Grasslands
  • Session 4: June 14 - Rivers

Volunteer and Potluck Day: July 19 (Optional)

  • Session 5: August 16 - Forests of the Western Gorge
  • Session 6: September 13 - Mt. Adams
  • Session 7: September 27 - Capstone Presentation

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

Application Process:

The Columbia Gorge application will open on December 18th. Applications submitted by January 20 from Gorge residents, those who have completed the online coursework, and individuals on our waitlist will receive priority consideration.

Everyone is welcome to apply at any time. After January 20, remaining applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the course is full.

Application for this course will open up in mid-December, 2025. Please contact Britney Gitch for more information.

Local Partners

Central Oregon

2026 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 click the email button below:

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

Ecosystems and Natural History of Central Oregon Field Course

Central Oregon Field Course

The field course for Central Oregon will be offered every other year. In 2026, we are not offering a field course. Instead, the Central Oregon Chapter will be organizing education and volunteer opportunities. Please visit the Oregon Naturalist Chapters web page for updates.

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

2026 Field Course

Planning is underway for the North Willamette Valley field course. Check back here for updates.

Email Julie Stewart, North Willamette Valley Regional 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!

North Willamette Valley Partners

Our Local Funding Partner

Mid-Willamette Valley

2026 Field Course

Planning is underway for the Mid-Willamette Valley field course.

Here is our tentative schedule of classes for the field course (all dates are subject to change):

  • A Sense of Place: Welcome, Orientation, and Introductions - March (Date TBD)
  • Trees and Shrubs: Field Identification of common species - April 18
  • Wildflowers and Prairies: Field identification of prairie plants - May 9 or 16
  • Herptiles: Field identification of reptiles and amphibians - Date TBD
  • Birds, Oak Savannas and Wetlands: Field Identification of common birds, and oak savanna and wetland restoration - May 30
  • Geology and Earth Processes: Marys Peak - June 13
  • Fish and Terrestrial/Aquatic Insects (Field identification of fish and aquatic insects) - June 27
  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Mammals: Wapato restoration site and Bush Park - Salem - August 29
  • Rivers and Watersheds: Willamette River paddle - September 12
  • Capstone Session & Fungi: Field identification of common forest fungi - November 7
Email Jason O'Brien, Statewide Program Coordinator
Sign Up for the Mid-Willamette Valley Chapter Newsletter
Photo: Jason O'Brien

2026 Mid-Willamette Valley Field Course Schedule (TBD)

The Field Course schedule will be posted here.

Check back here closer to the end of 2025 for further details.

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

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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