Teacher Resources

Thank you for your interest in Southern Oregon Land Conservancy’s educational resources! We hope that these will help you support your students in developing scientific and ecological literacy during this time of online and socially-distanced learning and beyond.

Please contact SOLC’s Education Program Manager Tara Laidlaw with questions, comments, and feedback by email or 541-482-3069 ext. 111.

Interactive Map of the Rogue River Preserve

SOLC’s Interactive Map uses the Rogue River Preserve, our exceptionally biodiverse 352-acre property located in Eagle Point, as a lens for learning. The map invites students to explore the Preserve through videos, photos, interactive tools, and more, all of which are integrated into Next Generation Science Standards-aligned lessons designed for web-based learning.

The map also includes content that connects to lessons from other curricula, such as SB 13 Tribal History/Shared History and Southern Oregon Fire Ecology Education, to help students place the Rogue River Preserve in broader contexts and conversations.

Interactive Map for Grades 3-5: This map’s content focuses on dynamic interrelationships in ecosystems, comparing and contrasting the Preserve’s diverse habitats and connecting those systems to regional and global topics. Links to the map, lesson plans, and supporting resources can be found here.

Oredson-Todd Woods StoryMap

SOLC and the City of Ashland worked together to create a digital StoryMap that guides visitors through a trail-side exploration of “The ABCs of Forest Ecology” in Oredson-Todd Woods, a publicly accessible park in Ashland. Although the app is designed for onsite use at the park with adult supervision, students can “visit” the park from home through photos and text in the app. The StoryMap is available in both English and in Spanish. A student worksheet to accompany the StoryMap is available in English and in Spanish.

Digital and In-Person Visits

Interested in connecting your students directly with land resource professionals and educators? Want support for a classroom or schoolyard activity? Ready for a field trip to a conserved property in the Rogue Valley? Get in touch with Tara Laidlaw, SOLC’s Education Program Manager, to discuss opportunities for synchronous learning, whether online or in person. She can be reached by email or by phone at 541-482-3069 ext. 111.

The Southern Oregon Regional Environmental Education Leaders (SOREEL) Network

SOLC is proud to be part of SOREEL, a network of passionate environmental education providers and practitioners based in the Rogue Valley and surrounding area. Visit SOREEL’s website for a list of current program offerings (including many activities that are suitable for distance learning) and a list of participating organizations.

Fall in the Field—Southern Oregon University

Every year, graduate students in SOU’s Masters of Science in Environmental Education program develop place-based experiences to foster environmental awareness, stewardship, literacy, and a love of nature in local students in grades 3-12. SOLC regularly offers Rogue River Preserve site access to this program. 2020’s Virtual Fall in the Field offerings are available online, and more information about the program’s in-person day and residential programs is available.

Southern Oregon Fire Ecology Education (SOFEE)

In early 2020, Ashland Forest Resiliency convened a group of community stakeholders, including SOLC, to launch the SOFEE project. SOFEE offers Next Generation Science Standards-aligned and trauma informed fire-related curriculum for both online and in-person learning, and it also hosts and develops resources for living with and recovering from wildland fire. Visit SOFEE’s website for more information.

Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP)

SOLC contributes to ONREP’s Professional Development program, which is part of OSU’s College of Forestry and which supports preK-16 formal and non-formal educators in engaging their students through experiences with the natural environment. Visit ONREP’s website to learn about upcoming professional development events. Professional Development Units (PDUs) and substitute reimbursement are available for many of the workshops.