OFRI MISSIONThe Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) supports the forest sector and the stewardship of natural resources by advancing Oregonians’ understanding of the social, environmental and economic benefits of our forests.Visit OregonForests.org
Image Rikki Heath, Director of K-12 Education Programs
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In Oregon, forests are the setting and backdrop for many Outdoor School programs. Using forests as a living laboratory engages students in profound ways. It not only helps connect them to classroom learning, but also gives them concrete, on-the-ground experiences they can draw on throughout their lives.
Keep Oregon Green’s Kids Corner has wildfire prevention coloring sheets and games for youth. Students can learn about the types of human-caused wildfires that threaten forests and communities, and explore ways they can help prevent wildfires. Activities can be downloaded from the website for individuals or classrooms.
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.
This free, interactive classroom presentation for high school students, 45 minutes to one hour long, provides a survey of forest jobs and careers. It highlights the breadth and diversity of employment in Oregon’s forest sector. The idea is for high school students to understand the need for and availability of high-paying, high-demand jobs that exist right in their local communities.
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.