Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center

Mission

We provide transformative wilderness experiences that grow a community of environmental advocates.

Bottom Line for Portland

Portland’s youth and adults who join Opal Creek's Expedition program come home energized, inspired and grateful for the amazing natural environments we have so close to home. Together we walk, talk, filter water, cook, eat, clean, gaze at the stars in the night sky, sleep well in tents, and learn from each other. When it’s time to go home - we leave no trace of our time as nature’s guest!

Portland schools who join Opal Creek’s Outdoor School program spend 3 days and 2 nights in student-centered, outdoor classrooms. The new curriculum is focused on indigenous knowledge and place, encouraging students to develop a relationship with the land around them.

Quote

“[My child] debriefed everything from adventures, to challenges and successes, to moments of emotional and social trials, friendships and stories, hopes and surprises. She expanded as a person in self and member in her social and environmental world. You would not be able to see the growth, however, I can. This is all thanks to you, Opal adventures.“

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center (Opal Creek) is in a regenerative phase after the Beachie Creek Fire burned much of what we knew of Jawbone Flats.  As we reorient the organization and rebuild Jawbone Flats, we have an opportunity to reimagine what it means to carry out our mission of “providing transformative wilderness experiences that grow a community of environmental advocates” in a way that centers principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). 

Business Partner(s)

Andy Adkins (Floating Point Films, LLC) provides OCAFC with short films and other media from countless hours spent documenting Opal Creek’s storied history - covering the epic battle to protect the area from logging, through today’s post-fire conditions in the wilderness, and the cast of conservationists who made it possible for generations to experience, love, and learn from Opal Creek.