Environmental Education
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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, 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
We host regular programs for families. Check out our schedule of upcoming activities.
Teacher Workshops
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 6th, 2012. 9:00am-2:00pm. Free. Registration required. Download Flyer.
The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge offers an Environmental Education program which enables students to learn the value of our ecosystems. It extends the learning process beyond the conventional classroom limits and encourages students to make connections with their natural environment. The workshop provides teachers with the tools they need to bring students out for teacher-led field trips. Parent volunteers are encouraged to join the workshop too.
Resources for participants include: strategies for planning a successful field trip to the Tualatin River NWR, a CD with the Refuge’s EE curriculum, a walking tour of the Refuge, a 10% discount in Nature’s Overlook on the day of the workshop, and answers to your questions.
Email Jenna Mendenhall or Gardiner Platt with your name, address, phone number, school, and grade(s) you teach. Questions? Please call 503.625.5944.
Flying WILD at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (Grades 3-8)
Thursday, October 25, 2012, 8:30am-4:30pm
Discover the sights and sounds of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge while exploring two different curricula: Flying WILD and Project Learning Tree. Participate in activities that connect habitats, learn how to engage students in nature, and learn more about the educational program at the refuge. Please be prepared to be outside, and be sure to bring your enthusiasm and questions! This workshop is free for educators, but spaces are limited and registration is required. For more information and to register please visit: http://onrep.forestry.oregonstate.edu/workshops/flying-wild-trnwr.
Open Your Eyes to Wildlife (K-8)
Saturday April 13th, 2013. 8:30am-2:30pm. Free. Registration required. Download Flyer
The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge offers an Environmental Education program which enables students to learn the value of our ecosystems. It extends the learning process beyond the conventional classroom limits and encourages students to make connections with their natural environment. The workshop provides teachers with the tools they need to bring students out for teacher-led field trips. Parent volunteers are encouraged to join the workshop too. Resources for participants include: strategies for planning a successful field trip to the Tualatin River NWR, a CD with the Refuge’s EE curriculum, a walking tour of the Refuge, a 10% discount in Nature’s Overlook on the day of the workshop, and answers to your questions. Email Gardiner Platt with your name, address, phone number, school, and grade(s) you teach. Questions? Please call 503.625.5944.
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.
Download
Our Educator's Guide (as pdf files)
Please note: If you use a sceeen reader and are unable to access the material included in the downloads, please contact us for an alternative format. Email Kim Strassburg or call 503-625-5944 x228.
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
- Environmental Education Shelter with restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic tables available for reservation to school groups.
Please note: There are no 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.
