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Eco Experience

with Eco Chick

EcoExperiencewith Eco Chick

Eco /ˈēkō/ adjective; not harming the environment; eco-friendly

Volume 20, November 2022

Eco Tips and More

Hey, People!

While the weather is getting wetter and colder, it is such a great time of year to get outside! And, the salmon are running in the coastal streams...Lake Creek Falls is a great place to see them jumping. There is nothing like seeing spawning adults propelling their bodies to take the leap of faith that brings them closer to their natal stream to continue the cycle. Sigh. Nature is magic. Get out and be a part of it.


In this issue:


  • Indigenous STEAM site
  • Article: Weaving Traditional Ecological Knowledge into Biological learning: A Call to Action
  • Recycle Right graphic
  • Sanipac's new Recycle Plus program
  • America Recycles Day November 15
  • Teach COP27
  • National Take a Hike Day November 17
  • Support Climate Change Education in Oregon
  • 4J/EEP sites

The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, they speak to me. The summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky, the rhythm of the sea, speaks to me. The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning, the dewdrop on the flower, speaks to me. The strength of the fire, the taste of the salmon, the trail of the sun, and the life that never goes away, they speak to me. And my heart soars.

-Chief Dan George
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“The land is the real teacher. All we need as students is mindfulness.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
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Weaving TEK into Biological Learning: A call to Action

Traditional ecological knowledge refers to the knowledge, practice, and belief concerning the relationship of living beings to one another and to the physical environment, which is held by peoples in relatively nontechnological societies with a direct dependence upon local resources (Berkes 1993). Traditional ecological knowledge is not unique to Native American culture but exists all over the world, independent of ethnicity.


Enjoy this article by Robin Wall Kimmerer about ways to weave traditional ecological knowledge into biological learning. She has a call to action for scientists and teachers.

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Indigenous STEAM

Check out this beautiful site: Indigenous STEAM


The Indigenous STEAM Collaborative co-designs, implements, and shares land based educational materials developed in collaboration with families, communities, and educators and research. They foreground Indigenous knowledge systems – roles, relations, responsibilities, and gifts between and within human and other-than-human communities – and intergenerational arrangements in teaching and learning.

While recycling is great in a lot of ways, the ultimate goal is to get people to prevent waste in the first place.

-McKenzie Jones, kid

Recycle Right...when in doubt, throw it out.

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Introducing: Sanipac's new Recycle Plus service

This is an all new service for City of Eugene residents only (for now!). Recycle Plus will pick up items for specialty recycling and donation right from your doorstep! Our friendly team member will be in your neighborhood every other week to collect the items.


RecyclePlus collects the following items: batteries, light bulbs, textiles, plastic film, Styrofoam/block foam and dairy tubs. In the future, we hope to add more specialty items for collection as an opportunity for donations to various Lane County charities.


More information

Sign up for service

“There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.”

– Annie Leonard, Proponent of Sustainability
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America Recycles Day-November 15

SAVE THE DATE!


NOVEMBER 15, 2021

ONE DAY to educate.
ONE DAY to motivate.
ONE DAY to make recycling bigger & better.


It is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States! Held on and around November 15, America Recycles Day educates and encourages individuals on how to be more mindful of what they consume, where and how to properly recycle, and to pledge to recycle more and recycle right in their everyday lives.


For more info visit EPA's America Recycles Day


For Recycling in our area: Waste Wise Lane County


Visit VEARTHual Field Trips for trips to:


BRING, Short Mountain and the Glenwood Transfer Station

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COP27 until November 12th!

As a teacher, you are leading and inspiring the generation of young people in education today. You have the power and responsibility to equip our children with the knowledge, skills and courage to overcome the challenges of climate change and to shape the world into one in which the human race can live in harmony with the planet it calls home.


Only by teaching our children about climate change, its causes and effects and the significance of COP27 can we empower them to spread the message and effect change as they become the decision makers of the future.


COP27 teaching resources:

Climate Generation COP toolkit

UNESCO's Climate Change Education events

The Go-to Free Resources (2nd grade and up)

World's Largest Lesson (K and up)

Nat Geo What is COP26?

Be a Climate Change Superhero

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National Take A Hike Day- November 17th

Grab your boots, some friends, and your water bottle because on November 17, it’s


National Take a Hike Day!


This annual event gets you outside for scenery and exercise by tackling America’s 60,000 miles of trails. It’s also a great way to get that heart pumping while you breathe in pristine air.


Here's a few sites to learn more:


PBS Articles-Take a hike

National Today-take a hike

Days of the Year


Find a Lane County Trail:


All Trails

Eugene Cascades and Coast

We don’t have time to sit on our hands as our planet burns. For young people, climate change is bigger than election or re-election. It’s life or death.

- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, US Politician & Activist
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Support Climate Change Education in Oregon

Oregon Educators for Climate Education (OECE) is a statewide group of educators working toward Oregon legislation that would mandate the integration and infusion of climate change for PK-12 education across all core subject areas.



Our steering committee is comprised of current and retired K-21 educators, as well as high school students. While most of us reside and work in the Willamette Valley, we are seeking connection and input from stakeholders from regions across Oregon. We are inclusive and invite diverse voices to join us!


To learn more visit OECE's site.

You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment.

-Thich Nhat Hanh
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SPLASH! Stormwater Pollution Learn and Share site

SPLASH!
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4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program site

4J/EWEB Education Partnership
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Salmon Education-The Salmon Spot

The Salmon Spot
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4J/EWEB Education Partnership

Tana Shepard aka Eco Chick

TOSA-Climate, Energy, Conservation

Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533