Environmental education (PreK-12)

OSU Extension supports environmental education through hands-on learning, community programs and science-based resources that connect people of all ages with the natural world. We work with educators, volunteers and partners to promote environmental literacy and stewardship across Oregon.

Check out the Outdoor School programs!

OSU Extension works in collaboration with schools, partners, and communities to support and grow the statewide Outdoor School program, building on a legacy that began in 1966. Outdoor School programs offer immersive educational experiences and support equitable, culturally responsive, and interdisciplinary opportunities for Oregon's youth.

Learn more

Latest Resources

Explore Hopkins Demonstraton forest with a mobile app (in English)

This mobile trail app for Hopkins Demonstration Forest invites visitors to explore the forest in an engaging and educational way. Use the app to navigate the forest’s trails while learning about the trees, plants, wildlife and history found throughout the 140-acre outdoor classroom. The app is free to download on Apple and Android devices.

Nov 2025 | Online resource

Angel Outside: An Outdoor School Story (in English)

Angel is uncertain about what to expect at outdoor school, and his family shares his nerves. However, they all embrace the challenge of this new adventure. As Angel navigates this transformative experience, he forges meaningful ...

Apr 2025 | Video

Episode 57: Recreating - Balancing Fun with Ecology (in English)

Learn about ecotourism resources just in time for outdoor weather in Oregon!

Lauren Grand, Dr. Ashley D'Antonio | Mar 2025 | Podcast episode

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Fire Bright: A Curriculum for High School Educators

Fire Bright students learn about wildfire behavior and the skills needed for careers in natural resources or wildfire risk management. They are empowered to help reduce fuels around their homes and help their communities come together to prepare for when, inevitably, a fire occurs.

Download the materials

Credit: Jennifer Payne, © Oregon State University (Cropped from original)

Latest News

ONREP’s statewide impact reaches 50-year milestone

A long-running Extension program helps classrooms connect students with Oregon’s landscapes.

Chris Branam | Dec 9, 2025 | News story

New film spotlights Oregon’s Outdoor School as funding cuts threaten access

Second film captures how shared experiences help students grow through Outdoor School.

Grace Xue | Oct 21, 2025 | News story

First Youth Outdoor Career and Leadership Summit helps Oregon teens explore future paths

Four-day Extension program brings teens together to explore paths beyond high school

Grace Xue | Aug 28, 2025 | News story

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Try these Extension opportunities

Natural science projects

Entomology, forestry, meteorology, and more

4-H Youth Development

OSU Environmental Leadership for Youth (ELY) Short Film - 2018 (in English)

This video is about the OSU Environmental Leadership for Youth (ELY) program that invites a diversity of students from 8th to 12th grades in the Willamette Valley to be inspired by natural areas, watershed science and community engagement.

Feb 2019 | OSU Sea Grant Publication

Upcoming Events

Feb 19

Outdoor School Community of Practice

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST Online

Mar 5

Outdoor School Community of Practice

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST Online

Mar 14

Hood River 4-H Super Saturday

10:00 am - 3:00 pm Hood River, OR

Mar 19

Outdoor School Community of Practice

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT Online

Meet Our Experts

Kristi Backe

Associate Director, Outdoor School

Kara Baylog

Forestry and Natural Resources Program Coordinator

Elliot Drake-Maurer

Youth Outreach Coordinator

Kristopher Elliott

Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement, Director of OSU Extension

Contact me with questions about the Division of Extension and Engagement and OSU Extension Service.

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“Pregúntale a Extensión” es una forma de obtener respuestas del Servicio de Extensión de Oregon State University. Contamos con expertos en familia y salud, desarrollo comunitario, alimentación y agricultura, temas costeros, silvicultura, programas para jóvenes y jardinería.

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What should we plant in our school community garden?

P: I’m a teacher and I want to start a community garden with my middle school students. We would like to grow a variety of flowers and other plants that will encourage pollinators. What do you recommend we plant? It should have maintenance needs appropriate for middle schoolers to provide.

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