Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors (ECO)

Mission

ECO inspires students to care for nature and their local communities through hands-on science education and climate action. Our approach is inclusive and multidisciplinary, ensuring that every student has a chance to learn and grow as they connect with nature through our quality experiential science education programs. 

Our earth needs advocates now more than ever and youth are spending less and less time outside. We bring solutions to both issues through our programs which promote critical thinking and guide students to connect academic content to real world challenges. We teach both science and stewardship to foster personal connections between children and nature and help build future earth advocates and change makers. 

Bottom Line for Portland

Oregon students are asking for a plan to combat climate change in our area. They need to be equipped with the knowledge, skills and hope necessary to face this challenge, head on. 

ECO is answering that call, providing Climate Action curriculum units for middle and high school teachers that include current, comprehensive science with engaging, hands-on activities that give students the real world knowledge they need for the task ahead of us. Units cover biodiversity conservation, environmental justice, renewable energy, consumption and waste and more, with tangible goals to achieve actionable change. Your support helps us reach more students with this vital and necessary education. 

Quote

“I like ECO because it teaches you about climate and how the things we do affect our future.”

4th grader, Lent Elementary School

“[Ecology] can change the way I treat plants and help the Earth.”

5th Grader, Whitcomb Elementary School

"I can't wait to tell my parents all about what we did today. I'm going to teach them how to plant a tree."

4th Grader, Marysville Elementary School, field trip at Wahoo Area

“I like ECO because it teaches you about climate and how the things we do affect our future.”

4th Grader, Lent Elementary School

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Equitable access to education is at the core of our work at ECO. With help from generous supporters and partners, ECO is able to offer its programs and curriculum for free or low cost to participating schools in Portland and across the state. The Climate Action Education Program helps students understand how climate change disproportionately harms marginalized communities worldwide and what we can do to shift it. The program advances climate justice by prioritizing curriculum delivery in diverse and low-income schools and providing long-term solutions, everyday actions and introductions to green careers.  

ECO is committed to building relationships across differences to share power and resources resulting in greater access to STEAM education curriculum and local natural areas where we can gather in community and advance our work. 

Incentives

Donations of $25 and above receive a coupon for a FREE Acai Bowl from Moberi.

The first 4 people to donate $150 will receive a special gift from our friends at Patagonia.

The first 3 people to donate $1,000 or more will receive an Alpaca Picnic experience.

Business Partner(s)

ECO’s business partner is Portland’s own Brew Dr. Kombucha. Brew Dr., a certified B-Corporation, works to be a positive force within our community by supporting ECO and other nonprofits throughout the year with donations of product, funds and services.

All donations to ECO through the Give!Guide will be matched by Brew Dr. up to $15,000!!