Environmental Leadership Program Restoring Connections 2015
The mission of Restoring Connections is to provide elementary students with six years of an annual outdoor exploration where they identify local species, grasp cultural history and expand their curiosity while restoring native habitats.
We envision a world where children unplug and reconnect to the environment around them.
We envision a world where children unplug and reconnect to the environment around them.
"Today children are more plugged in and less connected to the natural world than ever before, and thus, may not develop the awareness, concern, or motivation to protect our natural heritage. As the environmental leaders of tomorrow, children deserve experiences in nature in order to foster lasting connections with the places they inhabit. This year the Environmental Leadership Program at the UO launched a new five-year partnership with Mt. Pisgah Arboretum (MPA) and Adams Elementary School called "Restoring Connections." The purpose of the project is to develop a place-based, experiential environmental education project for elementary school children as they move from kindergarten to fifth grade. This year’s team focused on an in-class lesson and an all-day field trip at MPA for over 200 elementary students in grades K-2. Journaling, sit spots, species identification, singing, drawing, and restoration projects inspire and encourage children to become explorers and gain a sense of personal responsibility for the stewardship of the natural world. Based on the methods of Coyote Mentoring , a motivation-driven educational approach, the facilitators and children create an active learning environment using inquiry to expand their knowledge of place. As budding environmental educators, we are gaining professional experience in place-based education through curriculum development and implementation, while making a difference in the lives of local children."
- Restoring Connections Team
- Restoring Connections Team