A Talk About Trees facilitator visits the classroom and uses forest artifacts, displays and hands-on activities to deliver an interactive presentation about forestry and Oregon’s forests. Follow-up papermaking programs, outdoor programs and forest career programs are available. Virtual programs are also an option. This is a good way to launch a unit on forests or prepare for a field trip.

The National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA is a Pre K-12 program in partnership with Oregon Green Schools that provides a framework for effective “green” management of school grounds, facilities, curricula and student experience. One of 12 Eco- Schools sustainability pathways, Learning About Forests (LEAF), aims to increase knowledge about the key role forests play in sustaining life on our planet.

This four-page, black-and-white, illustrated activity sheet is a great way for youngsters to learn about Oregon's forests, the wildlife that lives there and the everyday products that come from wood. Large, simple illustrations are great for coloring.

This illustrated collection of essays addresses topics related to Oregon’s forests, including wildlife, forestry and tree biology. The one-page essays were written by a team of natural resources specialists and then reviewed by teachers for content and readability and scientists for accuracy. Each essay includes reading comprehension questions.

This 16-page publication for the “early reader” uses familiar vocabulary and appealing illustrations to teach about forests and the wildlife that depend on them in a format that children are able to read and enjoy by themselves. Insets with smaller text throughout the book provide more details about Oregon forests for the more advanced reader, parents and educators.

This publication, with text and color illustrations, is intended for young readers (grades K-3) and tells the story of some of the animals that live in Oregon's forests. 

A directory of field sites, special events and ongoing forestry programs for Oregon educators and their students.

This document identifies connections between the Oregon Forest Literacy Plan concepts and the following resources for Grades K-2.Oregon Environmental Literacy PlanOregon Science StandardsOFRI MaterialsPLT ActivitiesProject WILD Activities

A k12 conceptual guide to teaching and learning about Oregon's forest.  

One order per teacher, please. The teacher sampler packet is a great way to receive an overview of OFRI's K-12 education programs and materials.  The folder contains the following publications appropriate for K-5 grade teachers and their students:

The OSU Research Forests serve as a living laboratory and outdoor classroom for students, researchers and managers to learn about forest ecosystems and management.  The Forest Discovery Trail program invites students to explore the Forest Discovery Trail and take a closer look at the plants and animals that live in this forest ecosystem.

Forests Today & Forever brings students to working tree farms to educate them about forest stewardship. Its cornerstone program, Forest Field Days, for grades 6-8, is a cross-curricular package with classroom and field-based learning designed to stimulate critical thinking and creative problem solving through role-playing. Students make observations about wildlife, soils and water, and learn about the forest as an important resource for timber, wildlife, clean water and recreation.

In this 140-acre family forest dedicated to education, demonstration and research, students examine how forests grow and change under different management strategies. Ongoing demonstrations include wildlife habitat enhancements, selective harvesting, intensive plantation forestry, riparian management and tree-growth research projects. Schools are invited for tours, field studies, service learning and other experiences customized to their interests and curricular needs.

Mount Pisgah Arboretum is a 209-acre site located along the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, within the Howard Buford Recreation Area, 7 miles from downtown Eugene. The arboretum highlights the native ecosystems of the southern Willamette Valley. Seven miles of groomed trails meander through mixed forest, oak savannah, meadow and riparian areas. Students learn about tree identification, forest ecology, wildlife habitats and other seasonal topics. All programs address the state science standards for elementary grades. Check the website for more information or call to schedule a tour.

Starker Forests is a fifth-generation, family-owned business that began in 1936, when T.J. Starker purchased cut-over forestlands. Today, Starker Forests actively manages more than 90,000 acres of forestland for timber production. The company encourages forestry education and offers classroom curricula. The Starker Forestry Trail is available for half-day and all-day field trips; a forester leads school groups on these trail tours.

The Tillamook Forest Center, located in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest on Highway 6 about one hour west of Portland, offers educational programs, hands-on exhibits and field-trip opportunities. It’s fun and fully accessible. Programs examine the natural and cultural history, as well as the stewardship, of the Tillamook State Forest. All programs include pre- and post-activity suggestions, are correlated to state education requirements, and require registration. The center is open March through November. Please check the website for hours and days of operation.

The Friends of Tryon Creek State Park offer hands on, experiential field trips designed to facilitate student-driven exploration of basic concepts in science and natural history in a southwest Portland urban forest. Full- and half-day programs for preschool through fifth grade are offered, focusing on topics from animal adaptations and sensory exploration to watersheds and forest succession.