Dear ECO Supporter
Goodbye, winter. Hello, spring! There is much to do and the warming, lengthening days are a boon!
We have done a lot of reflection this (now) past winter on our organizational structure, our shared goals, our work within the community and the schools we serve, and how we can deepen our impact.
There is collective excitement as we look ahead. After a six-month-long strategic planning process, we are finalizing the roadmap for the next three years. Equity and resilience are front and center as we build toward a shared leadership structure, develop more culturally responsive curricula through partnerships, and further expand our programs into under-resourced communities.
Thanks to our dedicated staff and board, this important work is already underway - they are ever the problem solvers, innovators, and doers. Our team and our steadfast community are the foundation for the work ahead!
We hope spring finds your plans in full bloom!
With gratitude,
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Lara Jones
Interim Executive Director
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As part of our strategic vision, our impact is centered around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. It is our mission to create equitable access to our programs by prioritizing under-resourced students. Our DEIJ trainings have shown us we can go deeper. It is a lens through which we can further develop our curriculum, guide our partnerships, and strengthen our organizational structure. We believe equity in ecological education is essential to the health of our society, communities, and planet - as are its people's diverse cultural histories, unique interests, and world views.
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A little aside...to get outside! |
We are certainly lucky in the Pacific Northwest. The beauty is astounding and spring brings bountiful wildflowers! Here’s a tidy list of where to go and when from the folks at Outdoor Project.
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The natural world regains its magic when students get out in nature. Their imaginations have no end! On a recent outing, students were challenged to forget the western scientific name of plants and came up with names based on their observations. Snake plant was the name given to a conifer that had shed branches in a windstorm and a common moss became known as lizard feet based on its textural resemblance to the reptile’s appendage. 😂
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Lindsey Gohd found their way to Oregon from central New Jersey. They studied plant medicine at Rutgers University before heading to Chicago and Northwestern University to examine the intersection of environmental and cultural conservation through their research of soil ecology and agriculture. They bring their wealth of knowledge to ECO where they will lead and develop programs while managing a local farm, improving soil health, and growing tasty veggies. We are excited about the expertise and energy they bring to the team! Welcome, Lindsey!
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We have another powerhouse in our midst! Shelley Peng hails from Beijing and now calls Portland home. She has joined our board, bringing a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for Climate Action. Her career has spanned journalism, public relations, and communications. She led Global Communications for Nike Inc. and developed innovative strategies to reduce Nike's carbon footprint. Now, she dedicates her time to the Peng Field Foundation, a venture she founded with her husband. They work to promote regenerative agriculture, facilitate habitat conservation, and enable children to form meaningful connections with nature. A warm and heartfelt welcome to Shelley!
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Message from the ECO Board |
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Exciting change is on the horizon for ECO! These last few months, the board has been searching for an Executive Director. We spoke with many qualified, wonderful individuals but have yet to make a hire. Through the intensive work of laying out our strategic vision, we realize our approach needs to shift. The board, with the support of our staff, has decided to accelerate our goal of a level organizational structure - where we co-create from our strengths. Over the next few months, with the help of outside resources and experts, we will define the roles ECO most needs. So, to this end, we invite you, our community, to share your knowledge of shared leadership structures. Please email Bethany Shetterly Thomas with your ideas and suggestions.
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We’re deeply grateful to all our ECOsystem partners - individual donors, local Oregon businesses, foundations, government agencies, school districts, and nonprofit organizations - for their support in 2022. They have propelled our programs and Climate Action goals forward with a combined $338,000 in contributions, including $58,000 through our year-end campaign. Wow! We know it is crucial to empower our youth! Without our partners, it would be impossible. Thank you! |
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Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors inspires students to care for nature and their local communities through hands-on science
education and climate action.
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