At the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI), our top priority is to support teachers in educating students about Oregon’s forests. We strive to give students meaningful, hands-on opportunities to learn about forests throughout their school years. We achieve this by working with dedicated partners across the state who share our mission.

One of our key partners is the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP). ONREP offers professional development workshops for teachers using nationally recognized environmental education curricula such as Project WET, Project WILD and Project Learning Tree. These workshops are available at no cost to educators and are held in locations across Oregon. Be sure to check out ONREP’s upcoming workshops — you’re likely to find one near you!

We’re also proud to support forest field programs led by partners across the state. These field trips provide students with valuable opportunities to learn about forests, in forests. To find a field trip near you, download or order a free copy of our K-12 Forest Education Opportunities publication or visit our LearnForests.org website. If there are no programs nearby, OFRI offers bus transportation reimbursement for teachers planning their own forest-focused field trips. Just be sure to apply for the reimbursement before your field trip takes place.

As we head into winter and start experiencing weather that isn’t as ideal for outdoor activities, know that you can still bring forest education into your classroom. Our partners at Talk About Trees offer in-class presentations for K-8 students. Their trained facilitators deliver fun, hands-on lessons that educate students about Oregon’s forests and forestry. These classroom visits are offered at no cost to schools through a sponsorship from Oregon Women in Timber and are available statewide.

We encourage you to explore these opportunities to help your students learn about Oregon’s forests and their importance as a renewable resource that has long been part of Oregon’s story. 

For the forest,



Rikki Heath 
Director of K-12 Education Programs

Take advantage of a professional development opportunity OFRI is offering for high school natural resource teachers on Dec. 2-3 in Silverton. This conference is a professional development requirement for the Natural Resources Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study. OFRI’s annual education conference, offered in partnership with the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP), will be held at The Oregon Garden and will focus on the social, economic and ecological aspects of Oregon’s natural resources.

Interim Director of Oregon State University Research Forests Mark Swanson will be the conference’s keynote speaker, and he’ll be presenting on dynamic forests and the lessons we can learn from their resilience.

Conference sessions will follow the same model as in the past. Each session will feature an overview of current research on a topic delivered by a scientist, extension forester, OSU faculty member or industry professional, followed by a related lesson or lab idea delivered by a community college faculty member. Topics for this year’s sessions include forest resiliency, using community science in your classroom, water and soils, and many more.

The conference will also include an update on the Natural Resources CTE Program of Study from Reynold Gardner of the Oregon Department of Education, along with the Future Natural Resource Leaders and the Oregon Natural Resource Educators Association.

A training for teachers whose students plan to participate in the 2026 Oregon Envirothon natural resource skills competition will be held the following day, Dec. 3. This year’s current issue is “Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home!”  

There is no registration fee for the conference, and teachers can apply for substitute reimbursement through OFRI, if needed. If you are traveling from more than 50 miles away, you can apply for lodging reimbursement.

Sign up for the conference and/or training on the ONREP website. For more information, contact OFRI’s director of K-12 programs, Rikki Heath, at heath@ofri.org.



Are you a non-formal educator teaching about forestry? Save the date for a professional development opportunity on Jan. 20 that OFRI will be providing for our Forest Education Network partners. If you would like to join, please contact Rikki Heath at heath@ofri.org. 

Teachers of fourth- and fifth-grade students can sign up now for school tours of the Oregon Logging Conference this upcoming February in Eugene. Offered through the nonprofit organization Forests Today and Forever, this free 1.5-hour field trip on Feb.19 at the Lane Events Center gives students an unforgettable hands-on experience in Oregon forestry. Let’s inspire the next generation of forest stewards! 

During the field trip, students will:

·    Learn about careers in forestry and trees as a renewable resource.

·    Meet a forester and check out real tools of the trade.

·    Get up close with the huge machines used in forest operations — always a favorite!

Let Forests Today and Forever know of your interest in a student tour of the conference by emailing coordiantor@foreststodayandforever.org and indicating your school name, grade level and estimated number of students. Note: schools that participated in 2025 will receive priority scheduling.

4-H is hosting this free program that provides families with an opportunity to explore the outdoors together while engaging in environmental education, observation, and reflection.

Led by Marion County 4-H Youth Development and Marion Oregon State University Extension, participants in the Nature Journaling All Ages program are encouraged to slow down, observe the natural world closely, and document their experiences through writing, drawing or photography. This program is open to all ages and abilities, and youth do not have to be enrolled in 4-H to participate. Sessions are held every second Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at various city, state and Marion County parks, offering new environments and learning experiences each month.

Research shows that spending time in nature supports mental health and overall well-being by reducing stress, improving mood and promoting mindfulness. Through journaling, participants enhance their environmental awareness while cultivating creativity, confidence and a sense of calm.

Anyone interested in participating can RSVP at https://beav.es/TE3 or contact Kelly.noack@oregonstate.edu for more information. Funding for this program has been provided by Marion Soil Water Conservation District CLEAR Grant.

The 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.

Learn more at OregonForests.org/about-ofri

For information about OFRI's educational programs, contact:

Rikki Heath

Director of K-12 Education Programs

503-799-4792

heath@ofri.org

Jenna Mendenhall

Environmental Educator

503-880-5411

mendenhall@ofri.org