Programs

ECO connects students to nature through innovative, hands-on science education. After nearly two decades providing in-person programming, we are actively developing a suite of curriculum to expand access to our top-notch interdisciplinary ecology lessons to allow any educator to deliver our programming, connect students to nature, and empower them to be positive agents of change in their communities.

  • K-8th grade with ECO educators

    Developed by our team of outstanding educators, our in-school programs bring ecology to life for K-8 students while building critical thinking skills and an affinity for nature. We partner with environmental organizations and land management agencies to get students outdoors with stewardship opportunities and field trips.

    ECO in-school

  • Ecology for everyone

    Take a page from our educator’s playbook! Whether you’re curious to learn or need tools to teach ecology, our free lessons make it easy. With minimal setup and materials, you can dive right in and take the learning outdoors.

    This link will take you to our curriculum site to browse lessons and become a member.

    Browse free lessons

  • Place-Based Units for K-5th grade

    Place-Based Units are ready-to-go curriculum kits modeled after the hands-on lessons ECO educators deliver in classrooms and outdoors. Our PBUs give you the resources and tools to teach standards-aligned ecology lessons across multiple subjects, meet academic benchmarks, and guide students to take what they learn into their communities.

    What's included?

  • Climate Action Program for 6-12th grade

    This action-oriented series is an engaging way to bring climate literacy into your classroom. The lessons ground climate science in the socioeconomic factors behind climate change and provide the tools teachers need to empower students to act individually and collectively to build stronger, resilient communities.

    Learn more

Our education model

We deliver multidisciplinary, place-based curriculum rooted in community partnerships to deepen a student's sense of place through engaging hands-on content and outdoor experiences where they live and learn. We expand ecological concepts across core subjects to ensure learners of all styles and abilities will be able to engage with the content in a meaningful way. Our lessons are standards-aligned and support classroom teachers in meeting academic benchmarks.

  • Talent and Passion and more Talent. ECO is a wonderful team of hardworking, passionate educators and visionaries. They do so much to get children out into nature, and to help kids appreciate and value their wonderful world - my favorite nonprofit in Portland, hands down.

    — Donor, Great Nonprofits

  • Ecology in the Classrooms & Outdoors (ECO) is an essential part of student growth in elementary classrooms. I have watched my students over the past several years become more excited and knowledgeable about science and natural, native habitats through this program. I appreciate greatly the hands-on outdoor activities that ecology experts provide for my third-grade students. My hope is that this program may continue to grow so that more students will benefit from this experience.

    — Ron Morgan, 3rd-grade teacher

  • I like ECO because you get to learn and do new things and it doesn’t feel like you’re at school.

    — 4th-grade student, View Acres Elementary

  • I can't wait to tell my parents all about what we did today.

    — Student, Marysville Elementary

  • ECO is a great way to teach science with hands-on fun activities. The ECO teachers make every attempt and succeed in matching lessons with curriculum and also standards! What an amazing help for teachers and learning for students!

    — Teacher, Seth Lewelling Elementary School