Oregon Forest Resources Institute Created by the Oregon Legislature in 1991 to improve public understanding of the state’s forest resources and to encourage environmentally sound forest management through training and other educational programs for forest landowners.

OFRI programs K-12 student and teacher programs Landowner workshops Public education and outreach Public Tours Speakers bureau presentations Rediscovery Forest at the Oregon Garden Kids

K-12 Education is Important to OFRI Stakeholders OFRI and its partners have been successfully providing forestry education to K-12 students and their teachers since An innovative approach was taken in 2007…

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Goals Help school districts use forestry education as a pathway to student success Help school districts integrate forestry education throughout K-12 grades

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Goals Help natural resource providers better understand and meet the needs of school districts Inform schools about the materials and natural resource professionals available to support forestry education in their community

OFRI partnered with Oregon Department of Education Oregon Department of Forestry Oregon State University-College of Forestry Tillamook School District Local forestry companies K-12 Forestry Education Conference Collaboration

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Participants District Teams Superintendent, principals, teachers and specialists from district (approximately 5 total) Community Partners Natural resource professionals and community providers were invited to join district teams

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Components Host site Highlighted a school district taking pride in its success in integrating forestry education into all K-12 grades (Tillamook, Oregon 2007) General Session Speakers (Place Based Education)

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Components Field Sessions Participants visited outdoor sites where students often engaged in natural resource activities during the school year.

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Components Pride in Community State and private forestry locations were utilized as conference sites Forest sector career opportunities were highlighted

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Components Session topics included Funding/Grant Opportunities Assessment Professional development models English as a Second Language GPS

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Outcomes Each district team developed a (or enhanced an existing) plan to integrate forestry education through K-12 grades District plans were presented at the end of the conference

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Evaluation High marks were received from participants in all areas surveyed. A system was established to monitor the status of each district’s K-12 programs over time.

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Lessons Learned School district/natural resource professionals partnership This pathway of partnership leads to NR professionals enhancing what a school needs/wants Assists NR professionals in knowing where to allocate resources.

K-12 Forestry Education Conference Long-term Success Integration of forestry education across K-12 grades to improve student achievement Long-term relationship between natural resource professionals and school districts Continuous evaluation and monitoring.

OFRI Follow-Up Publications and Communication

Oregon Forest Resources Institute Thank You!! Julie WoodwardNorie Dimeo-Ediger