Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors (ECO)

ECO is making a significant impact in the field of ecology education, equipping children with the tools and awareness needed to tackle current and future environmental challenges. Their work is vital and commendable, making them a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future. I can only hope ECO can inspire more like minded nonprofits to do what they do best, because that is exactly what we need for our future generations.

I initially engaged with ECO as a parent volunteer in my child's middle school. Not only did I enjoy hanging out with the kids, I really learned a lot listening to the ECO staff/coaches teaching the kids about the environment and then asking them to work on various projects that had a real impact on our local environment e.g. removing invasive species, planting new plants, learning about soil and water, etc.

Since then, I joined the board of ECO and have gotten to know the other board of directors. It is a passionate group of volunteer board members who bring very diverse set of viewpoints and skills to the board.

The Executive Director is always a pleasure to work to with. Not only is she really knowledgeable on every aspect of ECO, she always has a positive outlook and attitude.

Finally, I really appreciate the work that ECO is doing to educate our children about the environment by connecting them directly to it.

I absolutely love Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors! They build programming that is relevant, easy to understand and fun for kids of all ages. The fantastic educators will go into classrooms or bring the kids outdoors to different teaching sites, making nature more accessible to everyone and creating a connection for kids and their environment. Work like this is critical for raising sustainable and environmental stewards and make the world a better place for our current and future generations.

When I watch the ECO educators in action, I see the faces of kids light up with wonder and awe! ECO programs give students a chance to experience and connect to nature in their schoolyards and neighborhoods. This is such an important opportunity that every student deserves.

ECO is a wonderful organization that educates students on how to become stewards of the earth. The staff members are inspiring and wonderful in every classroom. I look forward to seeing how this organization continues to grow!

ECO is such a unique nonprofit, one that fosters environmental stewardship for the next generation. They do so in a way that kids love which is hands-on, authentic and practical. I highly recommend those interested in learning more to visit www.ecologyoutdoors.org.

Incredible non-profit with staff who live and breathe the mission daily. I am continuously impressed with them and look forward to seeing the great work done next year.

Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors' curriculum brings depth to science learning. Their Place-based Units (curriculum kits) are easy to use--with resources, activities, and assessments--and lessons for science, math, social studies, art, and ELA.

I believe ECO provides an essential service for the youth, teachers and environment of the Portland area. Acclaimed conservationist Rachel Carson once wrote, "If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow." Through their hands-on, placed-based ecological programs and thoughtful educators, ECO works in both seeds and soil to create the next generation of curious and passionate environmental stewards.

ECO is a fantastic organization. The staff truly care about the mission and their work connecting kids to their communities through exposure to the nature world and education about ecology is imperative. ECO continues to invite students who don’t normally have access to the outdoors to play in nature, empowering environmental stewardship in future generations.

I participated in an activity with a group of middle school students who spent time in the forest, testing soil PH levels to learn about soil types, putting classroom lessons into practice, led by the ECO educators. Students also had a chance to help pulling the ivy while having some scavenger fun. This type of outdoor learning should be encouraged and supported across all schools.

ECO has gone above and beyond as a partner in the local field of environmental education. My organization began working with them last year and their support has been invaluable. Their commitment to equity has also driven them to think outside the box in terms of programming and their treatment of staff and partners. I'm looking forward to continuing our work with ECO.

ECO is a fabulous nonprofit! These ecologists have been coming into my elementary classroom for over a decade providing excellent lessons that are engaging and hands on. My students have routinely retained the information taught, as these lessons are the best alignment of appropriate science standards. We also have enjoyed the field studies conducting our ecological research in our community, and hope more people become aware of ECO so more youth are enabled to flourish with their program.

ECO has been bringing engaging, hands-on science lessons to students for nearly twenty years, and this year, staff are making an enormous effort to expand their reach by getting more place-based curriculum units (incorporating ecology sciences into math, language arts, social studies and art) into teachers' hands around the PNW, and by offering programs and materials in Spanish! The organization cares deeply about connecting all students to the outdoors, and this push for expansion and equitable growth is exciting!

ECO effectively merges classroom learning with hands-on environmental education, cultivating a profound respect for nature in students. ECO's commitment to diversity and equity is also great, reflecting in their inclusive educational model. Supported by a diverse array of organizations, ECO's impact is both deep and widespread. They represent not just education, but a movement for a brighter ecological future. Highly recommended!

Each year, I continue to be impressed by the change-making programming ECO puts into the world. ECO shares environmental knowledge and educational resources with students so that young people can both come to know *and* love their natural surroundings. This type of programming is essential in the era of climate change, encouraging future generations to become stewards for this planet we call home.

As a public school teacher ECO provides invaluable subject-area knowledge, extremely high-quality curriculum, and instructors who are well-trained and effective. They broaden the science and ecology experiences my students are exposed to and are a wonderful partner.

ECO continues to bring educational resources to students with their highly- skilled educators and an incredible team of staff. It is clear they are making a positive impact in the community and are bringing passion for the environment and climate action into the classroom.

Ecology in the Classroom has been a real gift to me and my students. Julie and team swoop in with engaging lessons, sharing information many of my students haven't had the opportunity to be exposed to. A highlight of our time with Eco is to get out inot the field. There is nothing like seeing students get dirt under their nails to appreciate the power and value of connecting with our environment. Thank you, Eco!

ECO has been such an important part of our school community for over 16 year. They have guided our students in knowing the world around and the important role that they play in taking care of it. Our students are excited to see the educators from ECO. They know that they will be engaged in a fun lesson inside or better yet, heading outside to our nature garden. Our students know and understand the world around them better because of our relationship with ECO.

My class loves it when ECO comes to visit. ECO a brings a new energy and perspective to the topics that we are learning about in Science. They always have engaging materials. One of our favorite sessions was when we found micro invertebrates in the soil and ECO allowed us to take a look with the digital microscopes. The students were in awe of the intricacies.

Ecology in the Classroom and Outdoors (ECO), is a very special nonprofit organization primarily serving Title 1 schools in the Portland metro region. ECO is committed to engaging children, youth, teachers, and community groups in climate action and environmental education. ECO's program educators and managers are passionate, knowledgeable, and committed to advancing equity and inclusion through trauma-informed care, lived experience, cultural training/workshops, and ECO's new climate action activities for middle and high school youth. ECO will soon be offering free lessons (downloadable) to make their unique programming even more accessible! Small and mighty, this team can weather any storm and re-emerge with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Go Team ECO!

ECO is making a positive impact across the region - educating students and providing hands-on curriculum that will contribute to environmental stewardship within our schools and communities.

ECO is so dedicated to in depth curriculum and engaging activities for youth. They support teachers in learning how to teach ecology and outdoor science with lesson plans, activities and materials. There is so much good learning and exploration that happens each day, leading to more students feeling confident in their ability to affect positive change to our environment! These are the leaders of tomorrow! ECO is preparing and empowering them to steward land, advocate for the environment and make change!

As someone who is passionate about our need to address climate change, I love ECO's content and tools. They get the importance of instilling a love of the outdoors in our kids, and my son loves their Learn at Home materials- always asks me when we get the next one. Thank you ECO!

We work with this organization as an education partner, and we absolutely love working on projects with them!

They have a wonderful staff that offer a great range of skills and we see them as an expert reference when it comes to outdoor education in western Oregon. Their lessons are current and they are good at collaboration with regional partners to ensure that the content shared with students can start them on their journey to environmental careers or simply an appreciation for the Earth.

I am honored to be part of the Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors (ECO) team which increases access to high quality science and climate education, and truly makes a difference in young people’s lives by connecting them to nature.

ECO has partnered with The Wetlands Conservancy, by introducing the benefits of wetlands to youth in the Portland Metro region.

Children learn about these unique and often misunderstood landscapes. Learning through observation, information and experiencing the abundance’s found in swamps, bogs, wetland and estuaries.

ECO has the passion, skills and connection to schools to provide the experience for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

Thanks to ECO for expanding our community reach about wetlands and providing outdoor experiences.

ECO is a terrific partner. They have teamed up with Earth Day Oregon, to "Amplify the Impact of Earth Day" for the past three years and each year they more than exceed their commitments as a partner organization. ECO has reliable and dedicated staff that have earned the organization a strong reputation amongst organizations and businesses in our community. Earth Day Oregon looks forward to teaming up with ECO again in the future.

Patricia Andrade-Gordon
ECO is an extraordinary organization with a crucial mission in today’s environmental needs. I wish there were more ECO’s around our precious planet that would educate our future generations on the importance of natural resources, conservation and love of our fragile planet. ECO does it all with tremendous commitment and dedication. The staff is very resourceful, creative and engaging. They bring to the students their knowledge with fantastic creative activities that makes it enjoyable for the kids. They will remember their experience with ECO and will keep it to adulthood. We need this type of resourceful education to preserve our environment so we can continue to enjoy living in a healthy planet for future generations. You go ECO!!! Please keep it up. We need you.

ECO gifted my classroom a Beavers as Engineers week long unit to use in the classroom and it was AMAZING! The kids were so engaged with all of the activities and really had fun with building the dams with the resources we were given. We did some extension activities that were provided by ECO that were highly engaging and educational! This is an awesome resource!

Ecology in the Classrooms and Outdoors does important work. The lives of our children are full of electronics and screens and ECO offers the important balance of the natural world.

Their staff is professional and dedicated; their science and educational practices are sound.
ECO creates excitement and joy with their classes.

I am happy to endorse ECO and the important work they do.

I came across ECO's Learn at Home lessons and I love them. They are thoughtfully created, engaging for multiple grade levels, NGSS aligned, and incorporate nature elements into each lesson. Kids love them!

In an increasingly digital era, it's important that ECO is doing what they do. Bringing the next generation into the outdoors allows them to grow as well-rounded, curious, holistic future leaders, as well as provide them with opportunities and memories they may have never had.

ECO programs and curriculum materials are very high quality. I can see this organization going far, especially with their newest projects - educational videos, games that can be utilized in classrooms and at home, and climate action lessons. Go ECO!

I am extremely proud of the work that ECO does to help other educators, community partners, and students feel "at home" in the science world. Science can be a daunting subject, and ECO programs bring energy and fun to the subject, while connecting what students learn to their own backyards. I am proud to work for this exceptional organization and bring nature education to life.

Despite the challenges of the current pandemic and having to rely solely on remote learning, Eco has done an outstanding job of meeting the needs of the community by offering high quality programs, services and initiatives.
I am looking forward to Eco's continued approach to quality programming as we all move through these unprecedented times.

As a donor and advisor to ECO I am continually amazed at how they touch the lives of children throughout the state with their inspired educational programming and generosity of spirit. The leadership (Executive Director and Board of Directors) is exceptional and they even strive to be better and stronger around the mission and delivery of services. It's my pleasure to support such an outstanding nonprofit.

Been great to see what my cousin is doing for the young generation.

I was luck enough to watch ECO grow for all of the last 15 years! Bethany and Sarah are visionaries, who have shared a true gift with their community. So very proud to be a donor to this amazing non-profit.

With all the challenges in our world today, ECO continues to amaze and inspire! Not only is the work this wonderful non-profit provides tailor made for some of life's most pressing issues, Climate Action/connecting students to nature; but it is also been able to swiftly and deftly adjust to the new realities of working remotely and providing web-based instruction during all the difficulties posed by Covid-19. The talented and dedicated staff at ECO have done a truly extraordinary job of continuing to provide much needed leadership in the field of Environmental Education and Science Inquiry. It is also noteworthy that ECO staff has been able to show great initiative in tackling the subject of how to get students involved in the fight for Climate Action. Thank you for all you do for our community, and for our Planet!

ECO is a phenomenal organization that has the environment and education at the forefront of their mission. It's so important to have an organization that creates content about ecology and the outdoors for students to learn outside their classroom or homes. I've seen the results of their amazing work- empowering students to really learn about nature and providing the opportunity for connection with nature. I'm excited to see how this organization pivots to relate to the current time and explore that connection to nature even more for students and young ones that need that mental break outside.

In order to continue reaching students learning at home, ECO has pivoted from in-person programs to video and digital curriculum. The content is well researched, based on teacher's and student's needs, and focused on urgent issues like climate change and biodiversity.
I'm glad to be involved and excited to see what they do next!

I cannot even begin to express how incredible working with ECO for the past 3 years has been. It has, no doubt, been some of the most rewarding work of my life. Their enthusiasm and dedication to ensuring that today's youth get the ecology education and experiences that they need is nothing short of infectious, especially during a time when science education is more necessary than ever. Furthermore, ECO's ability to quickly and efficiently pivot and adapt to ridiculous times and circumstances this year has been inspiring beyond belief. Yes, we ALL face challenges, but their unwavering creativity in finding ways to face those challenges to make sure that those kiddos get that information in wholesome, productive ways has been a super high point of an otherwise unprecedented year. There's a reason ECO has thrived over the past 15 years, and it's the reason ECO will reach heights yet to be seen over the next 15.

ECO has done an outstanding job navigating the changing and challenging landscape for school-based programs since March. ECO's talented and creative educators have been busy adapting the curriculum to support students, parents, teachers learning at home. I'm so proud to support this dedicated team and their amazing programs!

ECO is comprised of some of the most conscientious and experienced individuals I have ever engaged. During a once in a lifetime crisis globally ECO adapted to provide innovative virtual learning opportunities and custom educational materials focused on ecology and fostering students relationship with nature.. The organization also enhanced its commitment to working on Climate Change with a specific focus on Climate Action and Youth Engagement. As an award winning female founded nonprofit celebrating a 15th anniversary of operations, ECO is making an impact where and when it counts. The mission and programs have never been more timely or more worthy of financial support.

It's incredible to watch ECO grow and evolve! Expanding into new grades levels, across the state and into after school and summer camp. The ECO team is an incredible group of dedicated, passionate educators!

I have been involved with ECO since late 2017 and have been so impressed with the growth of this organization in the last few years. ECO serves a critical role in the Portland metro and in other parts of the state by providing enriching and engaging environmental educational programs to K-12 students. As someone who was once inspired by similar environmental education programs growing up, leading to my current career as an environmental scientist, I strongly believe in the mission of ECO to inspire students about the natural world and to build science literacy and environmental awareness. This important work helps to build an increasingly educated population when it comes to environmental issues and empowers Oregon students to become environmental stewards.

ECO is an organization full of talented, knowledgeable staff that function as a cohesive team. The educators are engaging and deliver much needed ecology lessons that many students would not have otherwise had. In addition, through ECO and its attentive staff, these students participate in meaningful outdoor exploration, strengthening their connection to nature right in their own neighborhoods and enriching their educational journey. ECO is truly helping build a future generation of environmental stewards.

ECO works tirelessly to develop and implement lessons that instill awe and wonder. As an educator, I can confidently say that our team intentionally creates experiential learning environments that provide students with a sense of empowerment and autonomy. ECO recognizes the importance of place-based education and values the intimate connection between place and learning.
Having worked with ECO for almost a year, initially as a curriculum developer and now an elementary educator, I can confidently say ECO brings passion and energy to their classrooms. It is a pleasure to be a part of an organization that believes in the work they are doing and has a continuous dream to grow and do more.

Joining the ECO team as an educator was a great decision for many reasons; the interaction with Portland students, sharing a love for the environment with fellow staff, and being able to go out into the community and inspire the next generation to take action. Our team at ECO is skilled, versatile, and passionate about what we do; our small team makes a huge difference.

I have been an educator at ECO for close to a year now and I am proud to be part of an organization who encourages youth to go outside, and know the outside. I have participated in all of our programs, primary to secondary, in-school to after school, and have witnessed how needed this work is. As an educator here, I feel supported and trusted to carry out our after school programming. We got each other's backs here at ECO and believe in one another's abilities. I look forward to what's to come for ECO.

As a newer staff member, I have witnessed both ECO's longest-standing employees and newest faces tirelessly work to ensure our education programs are benefitting underserved groups of students and teachers in Oregon year after year. As a small organization, I say we pack a pretty big punch. Our students adore what they learn and are already showing more care for the planet than generations before them. ECO is a strong leader in Environmental Education.

ECO is a collaborator and and a great partner for Hands On Greater portland. Eco-literacy and outdoor experiences are vital for our youth and I'm thankful this is their focus.

-Cristy Munoz
Program Manager
Hands On Greater Portland

We have worked with ECO for the past four years and it is always a delight. The students come to our site raring to go, excited to get to explore the natural world. The instructors clearly have good rapport with the students. They also project an easy proficiency with the art and craft of coaxing elementary students into the rigors of scientific thought, observing nature with respect, dealing with Oregon's weather, and positively affecting a piece of land.
The "back of house" component is also reliable and competent - correspondence, documentation, and planning is timely, complete, and efficient. Strongly recommended.

I work with multiple schools in the Portland Metro area to support garden education. ECO has been a perfect partner to collaborate with and bring together the intersection of nature lessons and garden education to impact students in a fun and memorable way. The staff is ready and incredibly capable of collaboration with other organizations as they look for ways to lift curriculum up and outside together. I look forward to working with ECO more as they connect with students throughout the area!

I am Director of a non-profit organization that has worked in partnership with Ecology in the Classroom & Outdoors. Working with young people indoors and out, teaching the ecological principles they will take into adulthood, staff members need not only to know their stuff, but be engaging environmental leaders themselves. You can’t fake out the kids or the environment. ECO makes good things happen by being very good, authentic, and fun.

I've been a board member with ECO for a few years now and still constantly feel lucky that I get to be part of this wonderful organization. From the dedication of the founders to the energy and positivity of the classroom staff, ECO always manages to impress.

I worked with ECO as an Encore Fellow exploring productizing curriculum to scale impact beyong the geographical reach of the educator team. I witnessed ECO educators work with students in classrooms and outdoors during service learning projects.

The student engagement experience is magical. ECO educators engage students enthusiastically and students respond fully. For many of the students, the service learning field trips are the few opportunities they have to engage nature. Student ECO experiences in the classroom and outdoors is often identified as a highlight of the year.

Time and time again, principals, teachers, and most of all students request ECO to return to the classroom to teach and inspire students to be more knowledgeable about the natural world. Students love the opportunity to take that knowledge outside and see the classroom teaching in the world. ECO works in partnership with the schools and other organizations and enjoys fostering those relationships. ECO's educators are top notch and strive to provide the best curriculum for the students. ECO is a wonderful organization!

ECO fills tremendous gaps in Portland area schools' science education by taking children into nature for some solid experiential education - the kind that most closely resonates with me, and, I think, most closely resonates with kiddos. It's clear that the kids they reach are deeply impacted by both the education and the fun that is born from ECO's stellar vision and passionate staff. I can't afford to give to much or to many organizations, but when I see the results this fantastic organization achieves, I can't help but open up and give what I can. I'm so thankful that this wonderful organization exists, that they are growing, and that they bring so much light to the eyes of our future!

ECO is a unique program that develops relationships with schools and with children to help them build a relationship with the natural world. Coupling science inquiry with service learning and hands-on experiences in students' neighborhoods, ECO is a great antidote to "nature deficit disorder." The creative and talented educators leave students clamoring for more...and then they come back over and over to give it to them! Great one of a kind program!

This is simply a great non-profit! ECO aims to get kids outdoors, interacting and learning about the world that surrounds them- what else is there to know?!

Talent and Passion and more Talent. ECO is a wonderful team of hardworking, passionate educators and visionaries. They do so much to get children out into nature, and to help kids appreciate and value their wonderful world - my favorite nonprofit in Portland, hands down.

Isiscovered WCO through my work as a STEAM teacher on special assignment . The learning fun and hands on integrated STEAM experiences that they provide brings smiles to the children, as well as a love and increased understanding of their planet.

ECO is hands-down the most dedicated and hard working team I've ever had the pleasure of working with. It's an absolute joy collaborating alongside this group of talented folks and helping realize their vision of connecting more kids to nature.

ECO provides the opportunity for children to learn science in a safe and fun environment. It is the best place for me to invest my money.

ECO is an energetic group passionate about the connection kids share with nature and they bring it to the classroom! The kids stay excitedly engaged - I'm not even sure they realize how much they are learning. It's an incredible program and an amazing group!

Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors brings organic, hands on learning to the classroom. As a volunteer, I have had the pleasure of working with Betsy and Bethany in both the office and classroom. They are two extremely dedicated individuals who believe in the importance of learning ecology through real life experiences. I am so impressed with their teaching style and will continue to participate in any avenues I can. It is absolutely magical seeing the students faces when ECO walks in. They are so enthusiastic about this learning process. This program truly makes a big impact in schools and I feel honored to be a part of it. Keep up the amazing work!

I have been extremely impressed with the ECO program. The staff is dedicated, experienced and exceptionally talented at reaching kids in meaningful ways. In addition, the curricula is structured to be student-centric and hands-on, which maximizes retention of learning. Classes focus on ecology with links to other aspects of student learning, which expands the value of each class exponentially. Finally, if you were to watch a video of the instructors (or better yet, sit in on a class), you would see the amazing rapport they generate with students. They use a wonderful mix of humor and engaging questions to keep kids focused on learning. I could not say enough good things about this non-profit!!

Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors implements fun, organized, hands-on lessons in elementary schools to increase ecological literacy. I recently volunteered with ECO to help teach about ethnobotany and I was impressed by the students' enthusiasm for the lesson and how well the material complemented what the students were already learning about NW native peoples. The ECO teachers are engaging and the ethnobotany lesson included an interactive outdoor portion where students learned about the uses of several native plants and made a bit of rope from plant materials to take home. ECO visits a classroom several times a year, which allows teachers, students, and ECO staff to build stronger relationships. This organization provides a much-needed service in schools today: to get students outside and excited about the natural world they inhabit. I would gladly volunteer with them again!

Ecology in the Classroom and Outdoors (ECO) is one of the extraordinary non-profit organizations working at the Southeast Portland school where I volunteer. The ECO staff impresses me with their knowledge and thoughtfulness, by their friendliness, enthusiasm and energy, and by the skill with which they work with students. But what I most appreciate are the ecology lessons that they teach. These lessons are important on multiple levels.

The lessons are important to students because they provide a hands-on introduction to the natural world and develop skills in observing, questioning, making predictions and gathering evidence to support predictions - skills that are at the core of science and central to critical thinking generally. Students learn first-hand about subtle interactions within and between natural systems. One example of such interaction occurs in the garden insectary. The insectary flowers attract bees and provide the bees with food in the form of nectar; the bees pollinate the garden plants producing fruits and vegetables that become our food

The lessons are important to the community because they include a component of community service. Just a few blocks from the school is creek where ECO takes students for field studies. Over the past century, the creek watershed has been degraded by human development, but is now part of a major restoration project that will reduce local flooding and restore the original natural watershed functions. As part of their field studies along the creek, ECO has students participate in the restoration by planting native trees, shrubs, and smaller plants along the creek banks and floodplains. The field study introduces students to a marvelous natural resource close to home that they can visit and explore outside of school, and invests students in their community through their contributions to local habitat restoration.

The lessons ECO teaches are important to the planet. The impact of climate change on human life is one of the critical issues of our time, but largely ignored by our country’s political leadership. Actions taken to reduce or turn back the effects of climate change will come through political decisions. Without a citizenry that sees itself as part of the natural world, that appreciates subtle interactions of natural systems, and is able to think critically about living in a sustainable manner, we will be trapped in the downward spiral set by our political leaders. ECO’s lessons help develop the informed citizens we need to stop the ongoing degradation of the planet.

ECO connects students to their natural world and develops their critical thinking skills. My hope is that ECO continues its programming in schools for the next 100 years and that 100,000 nonprofits teaching the principles of ecology, like ECO, blossom and flourish across the county.

One of the most impressive things about ECO is how it reaches each student, giving every student the opportunity to learn about science and experience science. The fact that each student can contribute and work toward a common goal, all the while relating directly to science at the student's instructional level, is an invaluable opportunity. ECO is a relevant, meaningful organization that deserves attention throughout our community.

ECO is such an awesome organization because it builds on the standard science curriculum with lessons that engage kids in their local environment. Exploring ecosystems and habitats helps develop a greater understanding of the natural world around them and how they too fit into the world. I think it really sets kids up ,not only to be excited about science, but to also be good stewards of the earth as they grow.

I can't express enough that the passion of these people make all the difference. They all think they have the best job in the world, and that makes it a pleasure to volunteer for them. It's how you want to think of nonprofits running, with the efficiency of drive, the passion of a child, and the care for one another like a family. Well done.

These ladies come in and do messy, exciting experiments that I would never dare do in my own classroom and that the kids LOVE. The people of ECO show tremendous passion for their work and the kids can't help but to respond to and emulate that! Our students enjoy learning about science with them and it carries through the rest of the school year. ECO is worth every single penny you can invest. As both a teacher and the director of a non-profit, rustic summer camp, I LOVE the ECO program!

I first met the ECO team of educators (Sarah and Bethany) when they were just starting out and I am continually impressed by the quality of programs they offer--making learning about ecology meaningful and fun for the many young people they serve in classrooms and school yards.

The ECO program has been an invaluable asset to my third graders for the past three years! Sarah and Bethany bring excitement, passion for their cause, and fun to the science curriculum. My students are always excited when they hear Sarah and Bethany are coming in. They are excellent about bringing in objects such as rocks, bird call identifiers, and wetland models so students can really get a hands on experience. The highlight for students is usually a trip to our on campus discovery garden to use dichotomous keys to identify trees. I would gladly welcome them back every year!

As a part of ECO I see firsthand the passion our group has for local ecology and sustainable living. Our scientists-in-residence fill a valuable role in supplementing science instruction in local schools, bringing expertise in all areas of science for K-6 graders. Specifically, the group has developed curriculum in line with Oregon instructional standards which serve teachers and students quite well. As ECO continues to grow, the communities they support will benefit as kids develop lifelong sustainable living habits.

This group is truly making a difference in the lives of our youth - with budget cuts across the board in Education, this team is bringing science enrichment programs into the classroom and in turn, inspiring our youth to go

Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors has a dedicated bunch of Scientists in Residence & Board Members. These people work hard to uphold the organization's mission to bring science enrichment programming to elementary schools. ECO programs are fun and hands-on. Lessons are 30-45 minutes long, and occur in one classroom at a time during the school day. Kids love ECO. Teachers love ECO. Principals love ECO.