Oregon Paleo Lands Institute

Programs: "place-based" education programs with a focus on the geology and natural history of the john day basin. Opli conducted 15 edu-tourism hikes and adventure tours for the general public. Experiential natural history programs are conducted for visiting k-12 schools, college and university groups, organizations, and special interest groups. Our work with local schools engage elementary and high school students in learning about their own landscapes, through field work, and cross-curriculum studies in math, science, language and applied arts, and vocational agriculture. Provide scientific consultation and interpretation for programs with omsi, elderhostel, and private k-12 schools from oregon and washington; collaborated on higher education programs with columbia gorge community college, mt. Hood community college, and lewis and clark college.

regional visitor information services and hands-on natural history exhibits and programs based at the opli field center in fossil or. Operated the field center for 12 months which includes a gallery for educational interpretive exhibits and activities, retail space for science and natural history related books, maps, children's games and toys, travel information and visitor consultation services. A new volunteer program supports visitor information services, education programs, and special events.

sustainable tourism developmentactivities include expanded website content, electronic newsletters, 3 new brochures distributed locally and regionally, including: updated oregon paleo lands institute brochure with program information and website promotion, brochures on the mitchell plesiosaur project, the opli field center, and 2010 adventure programs. With travel oregon, published our region back-country cycling guide on-line on oregonride. Com. Distribution of the "find time guide" for area visitors through the paleo business network of 15 small businesses in the central john day basin, and to regional visitor centers. The guide provides contact information and web links to natural history attractions and local services. Promotion of opli mission and programs at numerous community and professional events, including: the painted hills festival, the condon farmers market, north american research group fossil fest, the audubon society, the sierra club, the geologic society of america national conference, and the 3rd annual opli fall gathering in portland. Collaborations with economic development and tourism professionals from wheeler, gilliam, and sherman counties established a sustainable tourism marketing group that is creating an on-line portal for tourism resources in the region, through john day river territories. Com.