The Rediscovery Forest Education Programs provide K-12 students an opportunity to discover the importance of Oregon's forests, see forest management and understand how forests contribute to our quality of life. The Rediscovery Forest is located inside the Oregon Garden.

Program Overview:
The program typically takes four hours to complete; this includes a half hour for lunch. Hands-on, science based lessons average 60-90 minutes long. Program time is flexible based on travel schedules.

The sessions may cover two or three of the topics listed below. Please rank your preferences and we will try to accommodate your top choices for both lessons and trip dates. Visits may take place throughout the school year, however, winter months are not highly recommended.

We have a classroom or covered picnic area available, your students should bring a bagged lunch for full day programs.

We request a minimum of one chaperone for every five students for our K-8 programs. Students must be accompanied by adults at all times.

Program Availability:
Rediscovery Forest Education Programs are open to the public and are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Most groups arrange their field trip several months in advance. Spring is our busiest season.

To enhance the forestry experience, programs are limited to two classrooms per day.

The Rediscovery Forest contains many trails to explore, many of them ADA accessible. We also have several restroom facilities, drinking fountains and a covered area.

All programs occur rain or shine

Program Cost:
Funding is provided by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute and enables the Rediscovery Forest Education Programs to be offered to students statewide for no costs to state or private schools.

Transportation reimbursement is available; a request form must be submitted.

Registration:
Participants must submit a program request form. Registration is only available online.

After a review of your application, participants will be contacted with details of their trip. All participants receive an electronic packet with a confirmation letter, maps and additional information.

Please notify staff of any special requirements your group may have.

Lesson Descriptions:
The grade ranges listed with each lesson below are suggestions based on previous experience. If a lesson sounds suited to your needs but is out of your grade range, just let us know, we frequently add or adjust lessons to meet individual classroom needs.
If your group has a forestry topic that you would like to cover but don’t see it listed we may be able to accommodate the request.
The forestry education staff has experience and knowledge in natural resources and education; they reserve the right to modify lessons based on availability and appropriateness.

Lesson	Grades	Details	Apply
Tree Treasure Hunt	K-3	Click here	Registration Form
Wildlife Habitat	K-4	Click here	Registration Form
Animal Tracking	2-8	Click here	Registration Form
Forest Food Chains	4-12	Click here	Registration Form
Forest Ecology	5-12	Click here	Registration Form
Tree Identification	5-12	Click here	Registration Form
Role of Fire in Oregon Forests	6-12	Click here	Registration Form
Sustainable Forestry/Forest Practices Act	6-12	Click here	Registration Form
Forest Management / Tools of the Trade	6-12	Click here	Registration Form
Science Inquiry in the Forest	9-12	Click here	Registration Form
Service Learning Opportunities	3-12	Click here	Registration Form

Lessons:

Tree Treasure Hunt
Grades: K-3
Deciduous conifers? Yes! Explore the wonder of trees in the Conifer Garden, the Rediscovery Forest and throughout The Oregon Garden. Registration Form.

Wildlife Habitat
Grades: K-4
Explore the Rediscovery Forest, find insects, frogs and other forest critters. Learn what habitat is and why living things depend on the forest for their diverse habitat needs. Registration Form.

Animal Tracking
Grades: 2-8
Use track molds, animal signs and other visual aids to identify "animal detective techniques" and then venture into the Rediscovery Forest to find the real thing. Registration Form.

Forest Food Chains
Grades: 4-12
Using interactive science lessons, students learn about the relationships between forest plants, herbivores, carnivores and decomposers at compare different ages of forests. Registration Form.

Forest Ecology
Grades: 5-12
Use forestry tools to learn about forest layers and how forest structure influences the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors of the forest. The topics of succession and adaptation are included for advanced grade levels. Registration Form.

Tree Identification
Grades: 5-12
Become tree experts! Learn how to identify broad leaved and/or coniferous trees using a dichotomous key. Discover along the way the many fascinating uses for trees and their importance to wildlife and all living things. Registration Form.

Role of Fire in Oregon Forests
Grades: 6-12
Investigate the historic role of fire in Oregon’s East and West side forests, the factors that influenced fire then and now, and how forest managers are attempting to understand and manage this ongoing situation. Registration Form.

Sustainable Forestry/Forest Management
Grades: 6-12
See forest management in action and learn how it can meet our present needs without compromising the needs of our future generations. Learn hands-on about the laws and practices that govern forestry activities on state and private lands in Oregon. Registration Form.

Forest Management / Tools of the Trade
Grades: 6-12
Students will use hands-on forestry tools used by foresters every day. Registration Form.

Science Inquiry in the Forest
Grades: 6-12
Pre-field trip preparation is advised
Use the Rediscovery Forest as an outdoor laboratory to make observations, ask questions and collect and analyze data. Students will use forestry related tools and integrate math, decision-making and communication skills. Registration Form.

Service Learning Opportunities
Grades: 5-12
Combine your learning experience with work projects such as pruning, planting trees, noxious weed control and other forest related activities. (Opportunities vary according to season). Registration Form.

Feel free to contact Julie Woodward, Woodward@ofri.org, 503-584-7259, if you have any questions about programs or content. We have many accompanying publications available at www.oregonforests.org. As always, students learn best with advance classroom preparation of subject and vocabulary, we can provide pre or post lessons if requested.