The story of a place. Under a dense canopy of Douglas-fir, students from Rachel Carson School of Environmental Science engage in ECO-led restoration ecology along Johnson Creek.
Over the last seven years, students have removed three acres of invasive species. Twenty-three types of natives now grow here, including Nootka rose and Pacific ninebark. Mushrooms are also starting to appear - a sign of a healthy functioning ecosystem.
More than 1200 students have formed relationships with the land and each other through biological assessments like monitoring water quality and conducting plant transects, birding, and sit spots - a pause to sit quietly and observe.
“It felt really peaceful to take a quiet moment and just observe nature.”
Student, Rachel Carson School of Environmental Science, Sit Spot activity
A teaching moment. The January storm coated Portland in snow and ice, brought destructive winds, and drastically altered the landscape, toppling many trees. This year, students will tend to this storm-damaged site. They will learn about resilience - the ability of a system to absorb and adapt to change - and the powerful force of regrowth and renewal.
Our team and students are thankful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District, and Neighbors for Smart Growth for making this project possible. Native plants have been generously provided by Clean Water Services.
Hello spring and welcome our newest educator! Lilla has been learning from and teaching young people at environmental and outdoor education organizations in Vermont, Maine, Colorado, and California for the past eight years. She loves helping students build relationships with their human and more-than-human communities by inspiring curiosity, embracing imperfection, and encouraging play. 

From left to right, Alexandra, Paul, Lilla, and Carina.
Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors inspires students to care for nature and their local communities through hands-on science
education and climate action.