The U.S. Forest Service is creating a national network of youth engagement and educational activities through an exciting program called Children’s Forests. Whether it’s a physical location on a National Forest or a symbolic designation, the important message is that the Forest Service is focused on connecting kids to the natural world.
The Deschutes Children’s Forest
The Deschutes National Forest is working with 23 partner organizations to develop a Deschutes Children’s Forest. The Deschutes Children's Forest will act as an "umbrella" program and with a coalition of partners to link existing and new activities in a network of locations on and off the forest where youth engagement and conservation education will occur in central Oregon. This "umbrella" will create more sustainable, fiscally healthy projects, and strengthen all partners.
Some New Projects We Would Like to Develop
NatureHoods: This certification program would identify parks, school grounds, and other urban green spaces as easily accessible outdoor "classrooms" where elementary students can be introduced to basic conservation education principles of the Children’s Forest curriculum.
A Forest for Every Classroom: A train-the-trainer style professional development program for Teachers to implement No Child Left Inside curriculum outlined in the Oregon Environmental Literacy plan.
Children’s Forest Discovery Center: A day-use/multi-day use facility for place-based education, teacher training, forest and trail restoration training, Children’s Forest events and workshops.
You will be hearing more about the Deschutes Children's Forest over the next year as we develop a strategic plan and begin implementing new activities.
