Oregon State University
ONREP Mission

Preparing educators to engage students in relevant, meaningful, and inspiring classroom and outdoor learning experiences that contribute to student academic achievement

Partnerships

ONREP partners with programs and curricula, such as PLT and Project WILD, that teach science based ecological concepts through leading edge educational practices.

Connections to content standards

ONREP incorporates strategies for addressing Oregon and national content standards through natural resource topics.

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Impact Teachers... Impact the Future

The Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP) has been a leader in providing professional development programs for K - 16 educators since its inception in the mid-1980s. ONREP programming has contributed to building thousands of educators’ understanding of Oregon’s diverse natural resources and ecosystems by providing strategies, information, and resources that instill confidence and increase capacity to engage learners at all levels. Each year 800 to 1,000 classroom, pre-service, and non-formal educators attend programs offered throughout the state. Foundational to our program offerings is the integration of natural resource concepts into the curriculum. Through hands-on, interactive, and investigative strategies that foster how to think, not what to think teachers learn how to meet state and national learning standards while engaging students in relevant, meaningful, and place-based learning. Through the use of balanced, non-biased curricula teachers involve students in lessons that promote the development of the critical thinkers and creative problem solvers of the future, who are prepared for life and work in the 21st Century.

Why natural resources? | How do we do this?

ONREP News

Feeding the Birds

If you feed them, they will come.  At least, Oregon State University researchers are hoping that’s the case with area hummingbirds. The university has tapped fourth-graders at Timber Ridge School, among students at other mid-valley schools, to hang feeders to help researchers collect data.  This project was funded through an NSF grant to College of Forestry professor Matt Betts, who partnered with ONREP for the broader impacts part of the grant.

Plants on the Move Registration Now Open

Protect Oregon's native habitat from invasive weeds!  This free, week-long summer workshop will allow you to participate in your own learning as we explore our environment and the impact of invasive weeds on the ecosystems of Oregon.  You will receive curricula for your classroom, and explore how to bring lessons and activities into your classroom.  There are workshops scheduled for Eastern and Western Oregon.

LeeAnn Mikkelson honored with Dean's Award

At the Dean's award ceremony on February 21, 2012, ONREP Program Coordinator LeeAnn Mikkelson was presented with the Dean's Award for Extended and Continuing Education.  LeeAnn works closely with our statewide network of facilitators, oversees our schedule and infrastructure of professional development programs, and coordinates the Stewardship Schools Program.  Congratulations to LeeAnn and thanks for all your hard work!