Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Format: In person 

Audience: Geared toward 6-12th grade educators, formal and nonformal, but all grade levels are welcome 

Materials provided:  

• Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) Focus on Forests curriculum
• Oregon Forest Resources Institute’s (OFRI) High School Curriculum

Description:

Join us in Buxton for an immersive, one-day professional development experience exploring forest products from timber and to non-timber forest products (NTFPs). This workshop highlights the diverse world of forest products and their connections to small-scale forestry.

Designed for middle and high school educators—both formal and informal—this hands-on event offers practical strategies for bringing place-based forestry into your learning environments.

Participants will be invited to learn directly from small woodland owners (OSWA), Oregon State University Extension and University of Oregon professionals about the many ways forests create value beyond traditional harvests. Through interactive demonstrations and activities, we will explore topics such as:

• Building partnerships with local OSWA chapters to connect students with real-world forestry
• Forest management basics and tree measurement techniques
• Shiitake mushroom cultivation
• Maple sugaring (learn the process—even if it’s not tapping season!)
• Nature journaling as a tool for observation and reflection
• Additional topics may include Ag in the Classroom lesson and materials, and iNaturalist for citizen science.

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with and take home ready-to-use activities from Project Learning Tree’s Focus on Forests and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) high school curriculum.

Considerations: There will be a meeting room but no air conditioning. We will spend most of our time together in the forest learning from professionals. The forest is within 50 ft of the room and some activities will be conducted deeper in the forest. Paths are either gravel or bark chipped on slopes and uneven terrain. Some chairs and sit pads will be available and participants are encouraged to bring their own.  

Brought to you by: Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI), Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA), Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service,  University of Oregon (UO) Environmental Leadership Program, Ag in the Classroom and Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP).

Registration required and will close approximately 1 week prior to the workshop or when full.  Offered at no cost to Oregon Educators. Must be 18 years of age or older. PDUs available. Substitute reimbursement available on teacher workdays.