OFRI Board Member Jake Gibbs, Roseburg, makes a point at a recent workshop to develop a conceptual framework for forestry literacy.

via OFRI: K-12 Forestry Curriculum planning

What should every Oregon student know about forests? Good question!
OFRI convened a workshop on forestry literacy to figure out the answer.

Math’s a given, science a certainty. But Oregon, the nation’s second most-forested state, has no published standards for forestry literacy. OFRI is spearheading a program unique in the Northwest to help teachers link forestry with core subjects such as math, science and social studies.

"Half the state is forest. Economically, ecologically, spiritually, we have a connection to our forests, so it's very important for students to know something about them," reflects Norie Dimeo-Ediger, K-12 education program manager.

Supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Department of Education, OFRI convened the two-day Conceptual Framework Workshop April 27-28 at the Oregon Garden in Silverton. Dimeo-Ediger invited 30 people to collaborate on the development of key forestry concepts. The group included scientists, educators and foresters, as well as representatives from state and federal agencies, conservation groups, the forest industry and small woodland owners.

"The task before us was important on behalf of kids"
Dr. Adele Schepige, professor of science education at Western Oregon University, observes, "It was remarkable. Developing the draft could have been a difficult task, but it was not. Everyone listened to each other and valued others' ideas. It seemed that we all knew the task before us was important on behalf of kids and forests."

The group agreed on 60 key concepts, called a Conceptual Framework, organized under four main themes:

• What is a forest?
  Provides fundamental knowledge of forests as ecosystems.
• Why are forests important?
  Investigates the connection between forests and the students' own lives.
• What is your responsibility to Oregon's forests?
  Shows how to become active participants to protect and sustain forests
• How do we sustain our forests?
  Explains the role humans play in the future of Oregon's forests.

Forestry concepts for the next generation
In July, OFRI will follow up with a workshop for teachers, who will translate the framework into a scope and sequence for K-12— a "map" to integrate these concepts by grade level into core subjects. Concluded Executive Director Paul Barnum, "As we think about the implications for the future of forestry education, this effort may emerge as the most important work OFRI does in 2010."