Eco Experience

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

Volume 49, October 2025

Eco Tips and More

-Dr Jane Goodall, Scientist & Activist

-->4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program Message

-->Resources

• Lane County Waste Wise
• STEM teaching tools + Climate Learning Resources

• NEA Educator Advocacy Toolkit

• CLEAN Educator Support (climate/energy)

• Oregon Climate Hub

-->Monthly Matters

• Walktober- Lane County Walk Challenge

• World Vegetarian Day October 1

• 2025 Get there Challenge October 1-14

• Bike and Roll October 8

• National Writing Project Write Out October 8th

• International E-Waste Day October 14

• Lane County Audubon's Lights Out Campaign

• The Great Oregon Shake Out October 19 at 10:19am

-->News

• Waste Wise News

• Audubon Lights Out!

• Be Aware of What Goes Where-SORrT!

-->Events and Opportunities

• Oregon Climate Education Thought Leaders

• Fall Ride and Restoration October 12

• OSTA Conference October 12

• Wings on the Willamette Festival Oct 12

• Environmental Film Festival Oct 13-19

• 4th grade teachers: EWEB's Power Town Demonstration
• Fun Kids' Things to Do in Fall
• Top Things to Do in Eugene This Fall
• Oregon's Fabulous Fall Events

-->Newsletter Archive

-->4J/EEP sites

-->Contact

And, just like that, fall is upon us...dare I say *almost* sweater season! Oh, how I love the crisp air, pops of color and longer shadows. I have been spending time doing Awe Walks...slowing down, taking in the wonder of nature, refilling my sensory banks. It does wonders for a full head and the weariness of the world...read/listen a bit about On Being Dacher Keltner-The Thrilling New Science of Awe.

Here at the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program things have been busy! At this time of year, our main focus is salmon education, Be Aware of What Goes Where waste strategies as well as district climate action goal work. It is such a treat to work with so many students and staff-I sure do value the relationships I have made over the past 9 years...thank you!

Come January we will be gearing up for the EWEB EV Challenge for 8th grade, Wind Energy in the classroom for 7th grade, and supporting district climate actions goals across the departments, as well as classroom visits for climate, water, energy and conservation projects. So much fun!

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...

Every year at this time, hundreds of 4J students have the opportunity to raise Spring Chinook Salmon in their classrooms with the ODFW Eggs to Fry program offered through the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership. And as part of this program, 3rd and 4th grade students across the district get to experience the magic of being stream side to learn about this important keystone species, their habitat needs and if there is enough water, often see them spawning in their natal stream.

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.

-Ernest Hemingway, Author

The STEM Teaching Tools site has tools that can help you teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We are currently focused on supporting the teaching of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Each tool is focused on a specific issue and leverages the best knowledge from research and practice. Under the News section, you can learn a bit more about how you might use them. This article provides background on this effort. Review more resources in our Tools area. See below for two practice briefs focused on Indigenous connections.

Great news! NEA, The Aspen Institute and AFT have collaborated to create the K-12 Climate Educator Advocacy Toolkit.

From wildfires to hurricanes, flooding to heatwaves, the impacts of climate change are happening now, and many educators are increasingly concerned about what the future

will hold for students. But educators can work to advance solutions — solutions students

can see in their schools.

Taking climate action in schools can help communities reduce and prepare for climate impacts while creating hands-on learning opportunities for students. Many students are already impacted by climate change and have shown leadership by asking adults to take

climate action. Learning about climate solutions in schools can help students feel prepared to act in their communities and become leaders for a more sustainable future. These solutions can also create healthier learning spaces and significantly reduce schools' energy costs, which can then be redirected to support teaching and learning through salary raises

and other supports.

– Annie Leonard, Proponent of Sustainability

Are you ready to get active, save money, and win prizes? Join the Get There Challenge, October 1-14!

Now in its 13th year, the Get There Challenge is an annual two-week event to help Oregonians drive alone less and use transportation options more. Participants can unlock fun and knowledge-building achievements for points toward weekly and grand prize drawings. Anyone age 18 and older who lives or works in Oregon can join!

Find Out More: Get There FAQ

Get There Challenge-sign up

Write Out is a free two-week celebration that will run October 12-26, 2025 where you step outside the doors of your classrooms, homes, and workplaces to write and create.

Everyone is invited—educators, students, families, and friends—and encouraged to explore neighborhoods, parks, and other outdoor spaces. The goal is to be inspired by the world around us and to connect and learn through place-based writing and sharing.

There are many place based opportunities and ideas to get yourself and/or your students writing!

Check it out: Write Out!

Choice Board

And, check out the Past tab-Some great prompts!

Living in the Ring of Fire in the Cascadia Subduction zone is no joke. The "Big One" could be upon us at any time, so it's good to ask yourself, "Am I 2 weeks prepared?" "Do I have a reunification plan with my family?" "What emergency assistance will be available in our area?"

This year's International ShakeOut Day is October 16, when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home!

At 10:16 am (local time) on 10/16, you can join people across Oregon practicing earthquake safety.

Check out the 4J/EEP Aware and Prepared page for some home tips to get prepared.

And, here is EWEB's Pledge to Prepare page.

- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, US Politician & Activist

Lights Out programs help reduce the impacts of light pollution on birds, insects, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, plants, and humans. They also save energy and money, reduce our carbon emissions and preserve our view of the night sky. Please sign the Pledge!

As a Eugene resident, business, property owner or manager, you can pledge to minimize all non-essential lights and make seasonal lighting changes from 10pm to 6am during peak spring bird migration April through June and fall migration September through October.

Specific actions you can take include:

–Turn off unnecessary and decorative lighting.

–Make sure that outside lights are aimed down and are well-shielded.

–Install motion sensors so that lights are only on when needed.

–Choose warm bulbs (under 3,000 Kelvins, closer to 2000 is better) with negligible blue light.

–During migration seasons, draw blinds or curtains to reduce light spill.

–Reduce lobby and atrium lighting, where possible. Turn off rooftop lighting and exterior architectural lighting not used for security.

–Turn off lights before leaving the home or office.

For more info: Lights Out Eugene

Audubon Lights Out Program

With our climate action plan, Eugene 4J is embarking a journey of greening our school operations practices and habits, as well as educating our students toward a more regenerative future. We have district climate action goals around reduce/reuse strategies and reducing carbon emissions. Food waste collection and recycling systems are a big part of these goals and are available in all settings. By ensuring WE ALL understand what goes where, as well as modeling the use of reusable containers such as coffee cups and water bottles, we all work toward our goals, support student success and ease the load of our custodians and kitchen staff.

-Barack Obama, Former US President

EWEB is offering a new PowerTown demonstration to all elementary schools in their service territory. Designed especially for 4th graders, this interactive 30-minute presentation uses live electrical components to simulate the real electric grid and teach students how to stay safe around electricity. T

The demonstration was piloted at Fairfield Elementary School last year (see attached pic) and was well received by students and teachers alike. This is a great opportunity to spark curiosity and empower your students with life-saving knowledge.

Please reach out to the safety team directly at Safety@eweb.org to schedule.

if you’d like to host a PowerTown demonstration for your class during the 2025-2026 school year.

TOSA-Climate, Energy, Conservation

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

-Chief Dan George