Eco Experience
with Eco Chick
In this issue:
-->4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program Message
- Let's talk about water....
- Revving up for 8th grade EWEB EV Challenge
-->Eco News
- Coming soon: A Day On Earth Documentary
- AI and Water usage
-->Monthly Matters
- March 18th Global Recycle Day
- March 21-International Day of Forests
- World Water Day March 22
- March 25 Earth Hour
-->Events and Opportunities
- 4J Climate Education Collaboration 3/31
- Oregon Climate Education Thought Leaders 3/17
- BRING recycling in the classroom
- BRING's Student Design Challenge
- Agents of Discovery...a gamified way to explore local the local area
- OSU extension services March Calendar
--> Resources
- New: One Water site
- SPLASH! site
- 4J/EEP Water page
- USGS "new" Water Cycle
- Freshwater Illustrated
- Highlight: Water Lessons
- Climate Lit
-->Eco Experience Archive
-->Sites: SPLASH!, 4J/EEP, The Salmon Spot
Hello People!
Let's talk about water...
Water is a connector to all living things on the planet. Water is one of the most valuable-yet finite- natural resources, needed and used by all human and more than human beings. All the water we have is all the water we will ever have. It is more important than ever to understand that water really is LIFE!
We are so fortunate to live and work in a community with two rivers flowing through. We have delicious drinking water from our taps and a recreational playground in our back yards. And, we as humans can do so much to help keep our water ways clean and conserve in our usage.
This issue of the Eco Experience is focused on water and is loaded with water related resources and information. There is a little something for everybody! Every drop counts...use your brain and only rain down the drain.
Breathe. Smile. Know that you are appreciated.
-Tana
Revving up for the Annual EWEB EV Challenge
8th graders from Eugene 4J, along with students from across the county, will have the opportunity to participate in the annual EWEB EV Challenge project later this spring. The project leads up to a school based competition with winners heading to the regional EWEB EV Challenge event.
Teachers have access to an all day workshop in the next couple weeks that helps them gain an understanding of how to lead the project, as well as build their own teacher car for the teacher race at the event in June.
This project is fully funded by the EWEB Education grant and is available to all 8th grade teachers/students every year. For more info check out the EV Challenge webpage.
A Day On Earth Documentary
If not us, then who?
A global participatory film that captures the beauty, resilience, and diversity of communities across the world on a single day.
A Day on Earth, a collaborative film project, documented entirely by Indigenous, Afro-descendent, and local community storytellers worldwide on April 22, 2025.
Through short personal sequences this moving film captures the diverse life of those in remote and often overlooked communities.
This feature documentary will premiere on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2026.
Global Recycling Day March 18th
Don't think waste...think opportunity!
Recycling is a brilliant way to help our planet fight climate change. It’s a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect the earth’s dwindling natural resources. That’s what Global Recycling Day is all about – a day for the world to come together and put the planet first.
Why recycling matters:
Conservation of Resources: Recycling reduces the need for extracting, refining, and processing raw materials, thereby conserving natural resources.
This includes energy savings and pollution reduction.
Recycling is considered the 7th resource...read more here.
Read about Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act here.
Recycling Guide
Recycling specifics
SORrT in 4J
International Day of Forests-March 21
This year's theme is Forests and economies:
The interconnections, challenges, and the opportunities
Forests Power Economies and Well‑Being
Forests are the backbone of sustainable, inclusive economies—providing jobs, income, nutrition, energy and resilience for billions, especially in rural, forest‑dependent communities. They also deliver vital ecosystem services such as climate regulation, water security, soil protection and disaster risk reduction, supporting agriculture, energy, industry and cities.
Despite these benefits, forests are vastly under‑valued and under‑funded. Investment falls short of what’s needed to stop deforestation and unlock their full potential for sustainable development.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs-Forests
Check out the resources from Project Learning Tree
Get outside in Eugene! Parks and Trails Maps
Speak for the trees!
Civics opportunity: Oregon's Oldest Forests are slated for felling. Read the article below for more info.
Take Action:
Submit a comment. You can do it right now:
Online: ePlanning project page — click “Participate Now”
Email: BLM_OR_Revision_Scoping@blm.gov
Mail: Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington State Office, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204, Attn: Elizabeth Burghard, RMP Revision
World Water Day March 22nd
This year's theme for World Water Day is Water and Gender
The global water crisis affects everyone – but not equally.
Where people lack the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt.
This World Water Day, it’s time to center women and girls in water solutions.
Because where water flows, equality grows.
World Water Day (scroll to the bottom for additional resources.)
Earth Hour March 28th 8:30-9:30pm
Earth Hour --- A Lights Off Moment --- Unplug for the Planet
Switch OFF-spend one hour doing something-anything-positive for our planet.
Make an impact by doing something – anything – positive for our planet. Whether you’re into food, fitness, the arts, or the outdoors, anyone, anywhere can Give an hour to care for our planet.
Since their beginnings in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for the symbolic “lights off” in support of our planet. Over the years, they've stepped things up, breathed new life into the movement and mission to create the Biggest Hour for Earth.
March 28th, they’ll mark the 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of collective action and storytelling from communities around the world. Earth Hour
Agents of Discovery-Gamify Getting Outside
Agents of Discovery is an interactive mobile game that turns Eugene’s parks and landmarks into an exciting adventure! Solve challenges, learn about nature, history, and culture, and explore the outdoors—all while having fun!
BRING provides free in-classroom presentations, tours of Lane County waste-handling facilities, and additional opportunities to engage students in waste prevention. From reuse and recycling to food waste reduction and the circular economy, classroom and field trip experiences help foster the connection between natural resources and consumption habits and explore ways students can change behaviors to have a positive impact on the world around them. Click here to learn more.
Classroom presentations may be scheduled in conjunction with field trips for extended learning. Programs are in partnership with Lane County Waste Management. Email jackg@bringrecycling.org to get started.
Fresh Water Illustrated
K-12 educators, please see our Water Teachers page for Honorary membership and benefits!
A new fave...
Climate Literature is a newer genre in the ELA world. The Cli Lit site has so many great resources!
SPLASH! Stormwater Pollution Learn and Share site
4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program site
Salmon Education-The Salmon Spot
4J/EWEB Education Partnership
TOSA-Climate. Energy. Conservation
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533