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.

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Latest Resources

Explore Hopkins Demonstraton forest with a mobile app

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

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

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

Lauren Grand, Dr. Ashley D'Antonio | Mar 2025 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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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

CORVALLIS, Ore. — In the early 2000s, Alison Heimowitz became a facilitator for a train-the-trainer program designed to help Oregon teachers understand and teach about the state’s forests. More than 20 years later, Heimowitz is...

Chris Branam | Dec 9, 2025 | News story

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

Where We Belong captures the collective experience of a sixth-grade class from Beaverton’s Conestoga Middle School, following two girls, Leah and Audrey, as they experience personal breakthroughs.

Grace Xue | Oct 21, 2025 | News story

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

OSU Extension is launching the inaugural Youth Outdoor Career and Leadership Summit to help high school students explore career opportunities and build leadership skills for their future.

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

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 Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Upcoming Events

Feb 7

Wilderness First Aid Training

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Dallas, OR

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.

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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What should we plant in our school community garden?

Q: 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.

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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