Individual surveilling with a scope

The goal of the Oregon Environmental Literacy Program is to support teachers in collaboration with non-formal educators to foster Environmental Literacy of Kindergarten through 12th grade students by engaging students in activities and experiences that:

  • Increase their awareness, understanding, and knowledge of the environment and their relationship to it
  • Participate as citizens in the stewardship of the environment
  • Prepare them to engage in actions that ensure a sustainable future
  • Contribute to establishing healthy lifestyles

To accomplish this goal OELP works to build the capacity and confidence of educators by:

  • Providing statewide professional development for non-formal educators to cultivate excellence in Environmental Education in partnership with ONREP and ODS
  • Conducting Research and Assessment of current environmental education programs to qualify and quantify educational, social, behavioral benefits of environmental literacy
  • Providing access to support and provide resources for teachers, community educators, general public via an on-line Resource Directory
  • Building capacity for environmental literacy through statewide partnerships.

The OSU Leadership Team are OSU Extension faculty that provide administrative oversight of the program and work with a Program Council to provide strategic leadership and implementation.

LeeAnn Mikkelson
OELP Program Coordinator
(541)737-9121
Elissa Wells
4-H Youth Development Faculty, Douglas Co.
OELP Impacts, Awards and Recognition Coordination
Barbara Brody
4-H/Familiy Community Health Faculty, Malheur Co. Extension
OELP Regional Network Coordination

The OELP Program Council is a “working” council comprised of 12-15 members representing organizations and stakeholders across Oregon with a strong interest in Environmental Literacy. The Council works in partnership with the OSU leadership team to develop a strategic plan, sets priority projects in each identified focus area, and implements priority projects. Council members are selected by the leadership team through an application process.

Rikki Heath
Oregon Forest Resources Institute
Director of K-12 Education Programs
Steven Braun
eeRISE
Environmental Science and Education Consultant
Alison Heimowitz
Metro: Waste Prevention and Environmental Services
Education Specialist III
Jennifer Grube
Western Oregon Outdoor School
Director, Philomath Outdoor School Program
Kathryn Lynch
University of Oregon
PH.D., Co-Director, Environmental Leadership Program

These are teams of 2-3 individuals from an area of the state that bring together their local networks agencies, organizations, tribes, business and others who deliver or engage in K-12 environmental education programming. They are promoting regional collaboration in sharing information and resources, assessing needs, and providing training.

Heath Keirstead
Benton Co. Soil & Water Conservation Dist.
(541) 753-7208
Lacey Moore
Bonny Glendenning
Port Blakely Tree Farms
John Sheehan
Consultant
Amy Busch
Wallowa Resources
Robyn Anderson
The Museum of Natural and Cultural History (University of Oregon)
Beth Krisko
Forests Today and Forever
Libby VanWyhe
Outdoor School
Bird (Teresa) Wicks
Bird Alliance of Oregon