In this Issue:
-->4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program Message
- EWEB EV Challenge Event June 5!!
- Fall offerings and opportunities
- 4J Love's Food Not Waste Update
- Include in back to school cafeteria expectations/routines review at all levels PK-12
-->Eco News
- Eco Tips for End of Year Discard
- Commingle Recycling Changes July 1
- Lane County Reusable Dish Ware- borrow a kit for your party or event!
-->Monthly Matters
June 1 National Trails Day
June 5 World Environment Day
June 6 National Secure Your Load Day
June 8 World Oceans Day
Subject to Climate: Ocean Lessons
Plastic Free July
-->Events and Opportunities
- Ocean Day at the Oregon Coast Aquarium
- Adopt a Block
- Play-Summer in our City
-->Resources
- Wildfire Preparedness-It's a Shared Responsibility
- Sustainability Ambassadors Neighborhood Inventory Protocol Activity
Learn-Climate Professional Development
Read- Climate related titles to help you take action
Listen-Climate podcasts
-->Eco Experience Archive
-->Sites: SPLASH!, 4J/EEP, The Salmon Spot
Happy June...Let the summer FUN begin.
Hey People!
Thank you for participating in the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership program offerings and welcoming us into your buildings this year. One of the beauties of the unique role our program plays in our district is being in all the buildings at some point or another depending on the project and time of year.
And, oh, what an incredible year it was! Looking back it is a blur of meaningful engagement, projects and experiences with many of you and our 4J students. From Love Food Not Waste, Salmon Education and water & energy projects to the 4J Climate Justice Team, the "A" in STEAM and the EV Challenge, we are privileged to engage with so many students and amazing staff!. Working with teachers, building staffs and community partners year after year, as well as serving many of the same students at varying levels over their educational experience in 4J is one of the best parts! I appreciate all the mini-relationships that have been created.
And, none of this would be possible without grant funding from EWEB and our amazing team! Tasha, Maggie and I have been a dynamic trio along with our salmon education team for the past couple years. We added in a partnership with Emma Garner from the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council. We worked together to pilot a new salmon related spring field trip called the Willamette Wonder Wander at the Willamette Confluence Reserve. We hope to offer this experience next spring to our 3rd and 4th grade salmon raising classes (by lottery). Many hands make light work and I am sure grateful for the support and collaboration. Next year we will miss Maggie as she ventures on to become the Outdoor School Coordinator along with continuing in her role as Elementary Science TOSA. The good news is...we will still overlap in projects and working together to serve many of you.
Here's to a lovely, much deserved, summer break ahead---enjoy every moment! Get outside and love on our Mother Earth a little every day.
~Tana aka Eco Chick
The EWEB EV Challenge Event is BACK!!
In partnership with Lane ESD and annual grant funding from EWEB's Green Power program, the historic middle school challenge event has made a big come back... with many changes. Formerly known as the EWEB Solar Challenge, the project was rebranded to design and build mini electric vehicles allowing students to take a dive into the world EV as a clean transportation option.
For the past several weeks, 8th graders from across the county have been industriously building their vehicles while learning some engineering skills. The best of the best from each class will be competing at the regional event on Thursday, June 5th at the Lane County Fairgrounds Auditorium. It should be a phenomenal day!
4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program Offerings SY 2025/26
As you start wrapping your head around school year 25/26, I'd like to remind you the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program is here to support you and your students!
The 4J/EWEB Education Partnership (4J/EEP) is a grant funded program within Eugene School District 4J. About 30 years ago, this phenomenal partnership was formed to support and supplement science education, particularly in the areas of energy and water. The program is focused on Our Changing Planet-Preparing for Our Future (Salmon, Water, Climate, PNW Energy- Awareness, Adaptation/Mitigation, Resilience).
Next fall's offerings:
- Salmon Education- (Oct-Dec) From late October to winter break raise salmon in your classroom with your students and release them into the "wild". This experience is has great science and social studies connections with Tribal History, Shared History and the NGSS standards. (Priority for 3rd/4th grade) If you are new, check in with your building about who participates at your site.
- No Time to Waste (Sept) Be Aware of What Goes Where...classroom visits/assemblies/cafeteria waste education-The 5R's of Zero Waste Living, including Loving Food Not Waste, and how to "Recycle On"
- 7th grade Wind Energy Project A 7-9 day teacher led mini-unit with a focus on blade design to generate maximum energy output. Materials are available for check-out all throughout the year. Our program supports on blade building days, as able/needed.
- 4J Climate Justice Team for high school students-this team includes representatives from all 4J high schools' climate related clubs and acts as an advisory committee to district initiatives.
- Part of our district's Climate Action Plan is for every school to have a Green Leadership Team...we are here to support existing teams or help your school get one going. Set up an initial consultation and we will work together to get a team going at your site.
- Check out our website's teacher page for more program offerings.
Reach out with questions. shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
4J Love's Food Not Waste Update
*S.O.R.r.T.....Be Aware of What Goes Where
Beginning this fall, cafeteria waste stations across the district will be getting a bit of an overhaul to accommodate the new state wide recycling guidelines. We will actually be able recycle many things , such as milk cartons, in our cafeterias after July 1. We have added a lower case 'r' to our S.O.R.r.T. acronym to include recycling. (*S.O.R.r.T.=Separate Organics Reusables recyclables Trash) New educational materials and posters are being created to be shared during back to school routines next year. It will be VERY important that every building PK-12 spends time including this information in back to school routines. Please plan to take at least one 20-30 minute chunk of time in classrooms to introduce/review the how and why of the cafeteria waste stations. Schools that spend the time, have the most successful systems and the happiest support staff!
The 4J/EEP program will be working with building principals and custodians to set up the updated waste stations in August. Elementary cafeterias will add recycling to their existing waste stations. For secondary cafeterias, it is recommended to reduce the number of trash cans to 4-6 in order to create waste stations to accommodate food waste, recycling, redeemables and liquids collection and eventually reusable dish ware and utensils. Kennedy is a great example of how less waste stations can work at the secondary level..and they collect liquids already!
See video: Be Aware of What Goes Where
The plan is to jump right in next fall with building routines around Be Aware of What Goes Where, the SORrT personal waste management routine in cafeteria spaces, teacher delivered mini-lessons the first weeks of school and ongoing support from 4J/EEP staff. The big idea is the system begins the first day of school in all cafeterias and students are learning/being reminded of how we use the SORrT waste stations at meal times. Building a culture around care, community, and eco habits in our cafeteria spaces creates more enjoyment for all and provides vital life skills that students will take forward with them into their adult lives. Through staff support, education and routine building, students learn how and why we do what we do with our waste.
Here are links to the current education resources (updates coming):
24/25 Elementary 4J Love Food Not Waste Resources
24/25 Secondary 4J Love Food Not Waste Resources
Way to support this waste SHiFT, people!
It takes a village to reduce carbon emissions in our community!
Eco Tips for End of Year Discard
The end of school year waste is mind boggling! Schools throw away so much perfectly usable stuff! We often feel guilty, so we may put all kinds of things into the commingle recycling bins hoping somehow they will be recycled. Or, we become so over whelmed we dump it ALL in the trash. It is complicated!
As you close out the year and clean up your classrooms and spaces, consider sorting items into various donation piles for yourself; or work together in your building to help keep usable items out of the landfill. It may feel like it takes longer, but believe me, it will feel really good after making the donations.
Sorting includes:
- Storing and Reusing-SHiFT! try to reuse materials and supplies as much as possible! Kids don't care if things are brand new or what theme you did last year! Reuse is one of the biggest resource savers.
- Swap and Share (in staff room or other common area)-free pile awesomeness, your trash others' treasure; anything leftover donated
- Gather single sided paper (ssp) for next year-always use the other side of paper, (unless confidential info) it is great for rough drafts, doodling, scratch paper...having a dedicated ssp bin and teaching students how it works saves so much paper with miscopies, etc.
- MECCA-school supplies, art supplies...more
- St. Vincent dePaul or other donation facility-games, books, toys, lost and found, etc and they take styrofoam packaging!!
- BRING- furniture items, miscellaneous
- Next Step-broken or working electronic items, cords, etc
- Recycling in the commingle bins. Note: this will change July 1
- Be waste wise- Waste diversion tool, Lane County Recycling Guide (Spanish) Lane County Waste Management
- Glenwood Transfer Station-a one stop drop of sorts. Know before You Go
- True Trash-broken/unusable items, unwanted laminated items, glued/glittered/etc things, anything that doesn't fit in the categories above
We can save money, waste less resources and put a stop to "wishful recycling", by understanding what can and can't go into the commingle bins, as well as reusing, exchanging and donating items.
Always remember, no matter what you choose to do, when in doubt, find out or throw it out.
Did you know?!
You can borrow dishware and waste collection bins for your party or event?! Reuse at its finest!
Recycling and garbage bins, as well as, buckets for food scraps and glass bottles are available for events in Lane County. Bins are a helpful tool for collecting empty beverage containers and for diverting food scraps from the landfill!
Many ways to play!
Visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/EventRecycling, email Kelly.Bell@LaneCountyOR.gov or call (541) 682-2059 to reserve bins for your next event.
Handy Recycle Bin Loan Agreement form
See below for the flyer that gives more info.
June 5th World Environment Day
World Environment Day is June 5th.
This year's theme: BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION
Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet—even in our bodies in the form of microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution.
By drawing inspiration from nature and showcasing real-world solutions, the campaign will encourage individuals, organizations, industries, and governments to adopt sustainable practices that drive systemic change.
Join the #BeatPlasticPollution movement—because together we can create a healthier future.
5 things to do to celebrate the environment:
1. Do an activity that helps the environment around you.
2. Learn more about the environment and initiatives around you
3. Get outside and experience the nature around you!
4. Share what you learned!
5. Take Action
Article: How training in green skills could help turn the tide against plastic pollution
June 6th-Secure Your Load Day
Summer is often a time to dig in, get cleaning and get rid of unwanted items. As you clean-up and haul things to disposal sites ... such as the ones listed in the Eco Tips for Discard... take extra time to ensure everything is secured and won't blow out of your vehicle or trailer. Items blowing out of vehicles not only create the majority of roadside trash, but can also cause accidents. Properly securing your vehicle's load is quick and easy. It only takes a few minutes and basic supplies.
"Secure your load as if everyone you love is driving in the car behind you." -Robin Abel
June 7 National Trails Day
There’s something magical about being outdoors. Fresh air, birds singing, moving along a trail or even just around the block – there’s nothing quite like it. But today, those trails and public spaces are in dire need of help —and not everyone has access to these places that can calm and inspire. National Trails Day is the perfect opportunity to get out there with the people you love, give back to the trails that bring us together, and make sure no one is left out.
Take the pledge to leave trails better than you found them.
Eugene Parks and Trails Maps
June 8th World Oceans Day
One Ocean, One Climate, One Future-Together
This year's theme: Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate
Celebrating UN World Oceans Day is a great opportunity to grow awareness and understanding about the largest part of our planet. We currently face one of the greatest threats ever to our blue planet and all its inhabitants: the climate crisis. It is all too clear that we need a healthy ocean for a healthy climate, and vice versa, and we need significantly stronger local, national, and international action from both government and corporate leaders. Now.
Take Action: Plastic Free July
Ocean Day Resources:
World Ocean Day Resources
Resources:
Subject to Climate Lessons:
K-2 Ocean Habitat Changes Lesson
3-5 (The Not So) Great Garbage Patch
Plastic Free July-its a thing, people!
Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?
What you can do...oooooh, this is GOOD!
Take the Plastic Free July Challenge
Subject to Climate Lessons:
3-5 Plastics and Multiplication
6-8 Waste Management: Design Thinking
Spend Ocean Day at the Oregon Coast Aquarium!
Come celebrate World Ocean Day at the Oregon Coast Aquarium! This event takes place on Sunday, June 8, and will feature marine-themed activities, art performances, and displays highlighting community partners from across Lincoln County.
Visitors will also be able to explore the Aquarium’s new temporary exhibit ‘Washed Ashore,’ which features larger-than-life sculptures of marine creatures and the threats they face. Each sculpture is made entirely of debris collected from ocean beaches, with the goal of raising awareness about plastic pollution and catalyzing action.
Adopt a Block
AdoptOneBlock is first and foremost about their thousands of wonderful Block Ambassadors who are dedicated to making our world cleaner and happier one block at a time.
Together they are a force for good for making our community what it can and should be. Our focus is rapidly implementing highly scalable solutions to make an immediate impact in our community that support our fantastic volunteers.
How It Works
You clean up the block you love the most, when and how you want, with cleanup supplies they deliver to you for free. No Meetups, no commuting or scheduling to volunteer, no organizations to join, no fundraising. As an AdoptOneBlock volunteer (or as they like to say: Block Ambassador), they ask you to maintain your adopted square block free of litter over the course of one year.
They suggest that each Block Ambassador cleans their adopted block weekly on the schedule that is most convenient for them. They are happy to provide a trash grabber, trash bags or bucket, gloves, and if necessary, sharps medical containers - all FREE to make it super easy to help. Ordering free supplies is enabled upon completion of the block adoption.
Get out and pick up trash!
Bonus: A cool app to use when doing litter pick-ups : Litterati
Summer in Our City
Staycations are magical...especially when you live in a beautiful place like Eugene, Oregon! Summer is a fun way to see and do things you wouldn't usually get to do during the school year.
Here are some ideas to get you out and about:
Adult Activities guide-so many great classes!!
Love writing? Word Crafters
Step Into Series-poetry, stories, plays and comics in the stairwells in the 10th/Oak Overpark
Lane Events Calendar-"never miss out again"OSU Extension Service-home garden and landscape resources
First Friday at Cultural Museum
Need more ideas?
Summer Climate Institute
Join a community of educational professionals and mentors who can support your climate change knowledge and teaching strategies!
Our Summer Institute network is full of educators and climate change practitioners doing just that! Discover best practices, hands-on activities, lesson plans, and tools that will help you strengthen your climate curriculum and better support your learners.
Whether you’re a formal classroom teacher or a non-formal educator, this is the perfect opportunity to grow your climate change education skills and connect with like-minded professionals. Plus, scholarships are available.
- When: July 14 – 17, 2025
- Where: Virtual July 14-15 (national) and in person (Oregon Cohort) July 16-17, South Slough Reserve, Coos Bay
- Who: Educators passionate about climate teaching
- Cost: $250 Registration (some scholarships available) + travel
- Graduate Credits Available
- Questions? Email: jaime.c.belanger@dsl.oregon.gov
- Register here: https://climategen.org/summer-institute/
Subject to Climate's Free Climate Series
This series is a self-paced opportunity to dig into teaching climate change.
Subject to Climate Teach About Climate Program Guide
4J/EWEB Education Partnership
Tana Shepard aka Eco Chick
TOSA-Climate, Energy, Conservation
Grant Coordinator-EWEB, SPLASH!, Love Food Not Waste
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533