EdenAcres Environmental Education
EdenAcres is a learning community that explores sustainability education best practices through the development of model learning environments
Mission
To engage our community in active outdoor learning for transition to a sustainable future
Values
Earth-care ✥ People-care ✥ Fair-share ✥ Limits-Aware
Goal
Environmental Literacy for all learners in our community
Strategies
Work with site providers to open dialog, and develop infrastructure and use protocols that support outdoor learning activities within the context of site attributes and site provider mission and interests.
Work with educators to develop curricula and activities that integrate outdoor experiences with academic content
Work with both site providers and clients to develop funding sources to cover program costs and transportation
Develop outdoor programming for the general public outside of the K-20 school system and schedule
Work with community partners to develop a stand-alone full-service destination model outdoor classroom
Connect with organizations and individuals to develop a broad base of support for EdenAcres and outdoor education across the community
Methodology
Place-based, service, and experiential learning to promote intrinsic motivation and empowerment for learners
Systems thinking as a critical thinking tool to understand complex relationships between elements of dynamic systems
Permaculture design as an overarching systems approach for transition to sustainable human habitats
Demeter certification as a commitment to developing a productive farm organism nested within the local ecosystem
Science-based assessment for continuous improvement of infrastructure, programming, and curricula in relation to mission and goals
Site elements such as" gardens, water features, outdoor kitchens, wildlife areas, and maker's workshop
Curricular activities such as: gardening, food preparation animal husbandry, research, and design/build projects
Assessment tools for learners such as: portfolios, reflective journals, and questionnaires
Assessment tools that measure the effectiveness of the site and curricula in achieving the mission and learning outcomes.
Communities Served
EdenAcres will provide programming and activities for a variety of learners:
Youth Education
After school programming
School field trips and classroom partnerships
Day school (homeschoolers and in-service days)
Programs for at-risk students
Internships, service-learning and job opportunities for youth (http://seattletilth.org/sygw)
6th grade overnight outdoor school
Community Services
Weekend Workshops (adults and youth)
Produce sales, plant nursery, and community gardens
Educator Professional Development
Consultation services for developing outdoor-based curriculum and site design
Sustainability Education Teacher trainings and certificate courses
Permaculture Design and Teach certificate courses
Demeter Biodynamic certifier training courses
Programming
Learning Goals
ODE Environmental Literacy Strands:
Systems Thinking
Physical, Living, and Human Systems
Interconnectedness of People and the Environment
Personal and Civic Responsibility
Investigate, Plane ane Create a Sustainable Future
Permaculture Design Curriculum learning goals (Permaculture Institute of North America)
Habits of Systems Thinkers (Waters Foundation)
Alignment with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards
Program Themes:
The Natural World engages students with scientific inquiry, earth physical systems, ecosystems, watershed, soils, botany, biology, and energy
Garden and Table explores cultural connections to land and place; taste memory, community through preparing and sharing food; and a diversity of eco gardening, farming, and foraging methods
Maker's Workshop develops creative thinking and problem-solving skills, investigates materials, considers the built environment, and promotes stewardship of resources for making shelter, clothing, and “stuff”
Health and Well-being encourages healthy eating and exercise, fosters self-awareness, develops social and physical skills, and builds community.
On any given day, students might rotate through activities such as testing water samples, planting trees, recording observations, drawing insects, harvesting and grinding wheat for pizzas, playing games, hiking trails, and dyeing t-shirts, making paper, or building a trellis from materials harvested on site.
Information Sharing
EdenAcres will provide a vector for influencing education systems towards sustainability education through:
Educator learning communities
Pre and post-service teacher trainings
Curriculum, lesson plans, and outdoor classroom design consultation services
Model learning environment example and demonstration
Presentations and publications on SE best practices
Philosophical Underpinnings
EdenAcres will design the learning environment in accordance with the standards and philosophies described below:
Partnerships
EdenAcres will partner with organizations aligned with our mission to achieve targeted goals. Partner organizations may include: City of Forest Grove, Clean Water Services, Fernhill Wetlands Council, Metro, Hyla Woods, Forest Grove School District, Forest Grove Community School, Centro Cultural, CALC< NWRESD-PACE, Roots and Shoots, Dairy Creek Community Food Web Nana Cardoon, Pacific University, Cascadia Permacutlure Institute, Permaculture Institute of North America, Demeter Biodynamic, Sustainable Oregon Schools Initiative
Viability
Programs will be maintained over the long term through diverse funding strategies including earned income, in-kind volunteer support, and fundraising from foundations, corporations, individuals, and special events. Collaboration is an essential strategy for enhancing organization and program viability.