Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Pacific Region
 

Environmental Education

Students at Rock Creek study site
USFWS Photo

Educators are encouraged to bring their students to Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.  We hope that by experiencing the Refuge through their natural sense of discovery, that students will make important connections with their natural world.

Classroom field trips to the Refuge rely entirely on an "educator led" concept.  Educators and group leaders from the community plan and conduct their own field trips within the guidelines of the Refuge's established programs..  The Refuge offers a range of resources and assistance to facilitate student learning.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW "Nature Explore Website"

Learn about wildlife and the outdoors through this fun and interactive website for children.

Start now.

 

Special Events and Activities

Check out our schedule of upcoming activities.

 

Teacher Workshops

Teachers touring the refuge as part of teacher workshop
USFWS Photo

Teacher workshops will prepare educators to conduct a quality environmental education experience on the Refuge. Teachers must have participated in a workshop within the last two years in order to register their class for a field trip.  Workshops will be offered twice a year.  Fall workshops will typically be held late-September to mid-October and spring workshops will typically be held early- to mid-spring.  Workshops focus primarily on K-8 curriculum, however activities can be adapted for younger or older students.

 

Upcoming Teacher Workshops

Open Your Eyes to Wildlife (K-8)

Saturday, October 3rd, 8:30am-1:00pm.  Free.  Registration required. Click here for details.

Let's Go Outside:  Project Learning Tree and Project WILD for K-3 educators

Wednesday, October 28th, 8:30am-4:30pm.  Free.  Registration required. Click here for details.

4-H Sustainable Living Schools and Clubs for teachers, parents and club leaders

Thursday-Saturday, November 5-7, 8:30am-5:00pm.  Fee and registration required.  Click here to learn more.

For more information, contact our 4-H partner, Maureen Hosty

Project Flying WILD and Project Acquatic WILD for 4th-8th grade educators

Wednesday, February 10th, 8:30am-4:30pm.  Free.  Details TBA.

Nature-Based Science Inquiry and Service Learning Workshop for high school educators

Friday, April 16th & Saturday, April 17th. 8:30am-4:30pm.  Free.  Details TBA.

Contact Sarah Dunham for more information.  

 

Curriculum

With the assistance of local educators, and in keeping with national and Oregon State learning standards, the Refuge has produced an educator's guide.  The guide includes information about the Refuge's habitats and wildlife, a field trip planning chapter, as well as pre-field trip, on-site field trip and post-field trip activities.

title pageDownload Our Educator's Guide

Table of Contents

Chapter I--Background

Chapter II--Field Trip Guide

Chapter III--Indoor Classroom Activities

Chapter IV--Environmental Education Activities

 Field Trips

After successful completion of a Refuge Teacher Workshop, educator's may register for a field trip.  Advanced registration is required for all school groups.  Teachers can take advantage of the many environmental education facilities located at the Refuge.  These include:

  • A one-mile nature trail traversing a variety of habitats
  • Five environmental education study sites for students to participate in on-site activities
  • Ample bus parking
  • A Tri-Met bus stop for classrooms using public transportation
  • Restrooms

Please note: There are currently no drinking fountains, public telephones or garbage facilities.

Environmental education facilities have been designed to accommodate our disabled visitors. 

Please contact the Refuge at 503-625-5944 for additional information and assistance. 

 

 
Last updated: October 21, 2009