Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm, PT 

Format & Length: online, 2 hours

Location: Zoom 

Audience: 4th - 10th grade educators, formal and nonformal 

Curriculum: Fire Ecology and the Human Relationship (free download)

Description : In this workshop teachers will gain foundational understandings of fire ecology in Oregon, Indigenous use of fire, and current social-cultural impacts. Participants will hear perspectives from an Indigenous Cultural Fire Practitioner, and will get a sneak peek at a few of the lessons.

Released in June 2023, the Fire Ecology and the Human Relationship is an Oregon-centric 4th - 10th grade curriculum that helps teachers and students explore fire and its connections with Traditional Ecological Knowledge, biodiversity, land-use history, climate change, and social impacts. 

Produced by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and written by the Vesper Meadow Education Program, the curriculum promotes hands-on, joyous experiences for diverse learners, equity and justice for all beings, and embraces multiple ways of understanding our world. The curriculum is primarily science-based and aligned to NGSS standards, and lessons can fulfill other subject areas and are infused with art, historical references, creative writing, geography, and even social media. The full curriculum is available to download for free at VesperMeadow.org.

Brought to you by Vesper Meadow and Traditional Ecological Inquiry Program, and Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP)

Registration required and may close approximately one week prior to the workshop. Offered at no cost to Oregon Educators. PDUs available. Substitute reimbursement available on teacher workdays.