Eco Experience
with Eco Chick
Greetings, People!
I have so much gratitude for YOU and all you do for students in our district. I am the luckiest to have the opportunity to work with and serve so many wonderful folx in our community!
The past month has been SO busy for our program!! We spent time visiting all the cafeterias in the district, working with middle schoolers on our wind energy unit, gearing up for the annual EWEB EV Challenge, meeting with leadership around the climate action plan, supporting Earth Day projects and most recently piloting a new field trip opportunity called the Willamette Wonder Wander. Phew. Makes me smile! What an absolute JOY to be out in our community doing this work and especially to have students learning outdoors at the Willamette Confluence Preserve property. Many thanks to my team and Emma Garner at the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council for partnering with us in this endeavor.
May is full of Eco related days, resources and opportunities in our community. Enjoy the longer days and warmer weather. Nature is the best medicine...get outside to soothe your soul and lift your spirits.
Warmly,
Tana aka Eco Chick
No Mow May
No Mow May...Don't mind us, we're helping the bees.
That's right, you lawn lovers, No Mow May is a thing. Remember the saying April showers bring May flowers? May is the most active pollinator months of the year, so let it grow...let it grow...The goal of No Mow May is to allow grass to grow unmown for the month of May, creating habitat and forage for early season pollinators. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often limited.
Introducing, Bee City USA -City of Eugene Chapter-check out this site for some local ways to get involved and help bees right here in our community. There are a host of activities and resources.
Bee City USA began in Asheville, NC, which kicked off the program in June 2013 with their eponymous declaration. Bee City “encourages city leaders to celebrate and raise awareness of the contribution bees and other pollinators make to our world.”
On July 23, 2018, Eugene City Council unanimously passed Resolution #5240 to become a Bee City USA, joining more than a hundred other cities and campuses across the country united in improving their landscapes for pollinators. The Council’s action is the culmination of months of effort by the Eugene Pollinator Protection Committee to accomplish this certification.
Keep the pedals pumping!
National Ride A Bike Day: May 4, 2025
National Bike & Roll to School Day: May 7, 2024
Bike to Work Week 2024: May 12-18, 2024
Bike to Work Day: May 16, 2024
Safe Routes to Schools Walk + Roll May Challenge
You are encouraged to promote and participate in this year's Walk + Roll to school day, May 8th. For more info about this year's challenge, check out Oregon Safe Routes to Schools site:
SHIFT Community Cycles
Shift Community Cycles is your local nonprofit community bike resource center. Founded in 2021 in response to the need for a community bicycle space.
Their organization is dedicated to removing barriers and empowering everyone to ride a bicycle. The bicycle is a sustainable alternative vehicle that opens the door to a world of possibilities and we aim to bring those opportunities to all.
Collaboration. Through education, advocacy, and community-informed outreach, we prioritize bringing bikes and bike service education to local youth and to the local communities of BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, female-identifying folks, and other groups who have been historically underserved. We are committed to highlighting the contributions that these communities have made to the world of cycling, uncovering and uplifting what has been purposefully erased or hidden.
Access, Community, Education. Shift believes that bicycling is a form of transportation autonomy that everyone deserves. We strive to nurture the local culture of bicycling as a viable, sustainable, and desirable means of transportation, and as a means to address wealth and health disparities that exist in our communities.
SHIFT Community Cycles Website
SHIFT event:
Repair Pop Up on the Bike Path!
At D St. Entrance to river path
Wednesday, May 28th from 3:30-6:30 pm
May 4-10 Drinking Water Awareness Week
Drinking Water Awareness Week is the first full week of May each year. It is sponsored by the American Water Works Association to recognize the critical role drinking water plays in our daily lives.
Why Its Important: Many improvements in health over the last 100 years can be linked to better water quality. In fact, expanding access to safe drinking water was one of the United States' most important public health achievements of the 20th century.
We all rely on safe drinking water. We can keep our water safe by protecting the bodies of water that supply our tap water and by removing harmful germs and chemicals.
Protecting Source Water: Many federal, state, and local organizations work with communities to protect source water, such as lakes, rivers, and water under the ground. Stopping sewage from seeping into drinking water sources by repairing broken septic systems and maintaining sewer systems greatly reduces germs in our source water.
You can also reduce water pollution by always following the directions on products with harmful chemicals and disposing of them properly. These products include lawn chemicals, pesticides, motor oil, and household cleaners.
Learn more about drinking water sources: CDC Source Water Information
Water is Life! All the water we have is all the water we will ever have on this planet. We must protect and conserve this vital resource. Learn more about our local water systems with the following links.
SPLASH! Eugene's Water Systems
EWEB's 10 Year Water Protection Plan
And, for more on
Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Week
May 4-10 ICAW!! (International Compost Awareness Week)
This year’s theme was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” (See below for resource link.)
From navigating skyscrapers to the far-reaching fields of corn or forested acres of rural America, composting is an essential element in developing a sustainable resources management plan for any community. Composting empowers communities to manage their own waste, create job opportunities and support healthy soils with locally made compost. The theme highlights that when we're repurposing the food that would go into the landfill, we're creating fresh nutrients for the soil, which regenerates the earth and provides healthier food for everyone in the community. Composting is an action everyone can participate in, no matter the size of your home, garden, or community! Together, through the power of compost, we can create a more sustainable future for our communities!
Here are some key facts regarding organics recycling and compost use helping make our communities more sustainable:
- Composting reduces methane emissions through aerobic managed decomposition providing for a more sustainable community.
- Composting lowers greenhouse gases by improving carbon sequestration in the soil. Getting the carbon back into the soil serves as a “carbon bank,” helping to store carbon thereby removing it from the atmosphere.
- Compost provides essential nutrients for plants, promoting vibrant gardens and farms. Healthier soil leads to healthier, more nutritious food for our communities.
- Compost use increases the water-holding capacity of our soils; important as our communities are more and more often seeing drought and or intense rain events causing soil runoff and erosion.
- Community Gardens and Green Spaces: Compost plays a vital role in community gardens, fostering green spaces that provide fresh produce, recreational opportunities, and community gathering places.
May 4-10th the is OREGON STEM Week!
OREGON STEM Week is dedicated to igniting enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. By setting aside a week for celebrating STEM, we get to organize fun activities, workshops, and demos that everyone—students, parents, and the whole community—can enjoy and learn from. It's our way of showing how cool and exciting STEM can be!
So many fun activities...Shadow Saturday, Soaring Sunday, Make-It Monday, Take It Apart Tuesday, What are you wondering Wednesday, Think About it Thursday, and Field Trip Friday
Click here for activity links and more information.
And, if you want the 2025 AI intensive version click here.
May 10 Migratory Bird Day
Migratory Bird Day takes place on the second Saturday in May each year.
Insects and their importance to migratory birds is the focus of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations.
The World Migratory Bird Day campaign in 2024 will stress the need for proactive conservation measures. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and where possible, switching to organic farming. Other measures include maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation which provide food and shelter for birds and other species, in agricultural landscapes.
Audubon Bird Migration Explorer
The Environment for the Americas has many free resources available.
Read about Audubon's Lights Out Program. While we don't officially have a program in Eugene (Bend does)...you could engage your neighbors to participate...
More info in this NPR article:
North American birds are in decline. Here are 8 simple ways you can help
May 16 Endangered Species Day
Every year on the third Friday in May, thousands of people around the world participate in Endangered Species Day by celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. This global day of action and celebration was created and founded by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition in 2006, and has continued ever since.
On Endangered Species Day 2025, wildlife refuges, gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups, nonprofits, and individuals will hold special programs or events. People around the world participate in these activities and others. Join us in celebrating Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 16th and throughout the month of May!
Check out the Endangered Species Coalition site.
Endangered Species Chalk Art event May 1-18
And, Kids Discover has a nice resource here. Sign up for the free membership and there are many other great resources, as well.
May 22 World Biodiversity Day
“Be part of the Plan”, the theme of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2025, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better.
Visit this site for more information.
American Museum of Natural History ology- What is biodiverstiy?
Global climate change is rapidly impacting all life on earth. But impacts of climate change are complex, uneven, and worsening, with people from poverty-impacted and BIPOC communities often experiencing impacts most sharply. We must be prepared to understand and respond to climate science. Education is a vital context for building capacity for just, community-driven adaptation and resilience efforts as well as for promoting the enactment of equitable mitigation efforts around the world.
Justice-centered climate change learning is complex, but urgent. To support educators to build capacity for this work, we are creating a suite of resources focused on different aspects of this work. Climate science learning has to happen across PK-12 classroom, in informal education and outdoor contexts, and in community-based learning settings.
To that end, we have created the following kinds of resources on this page:
- STEM Teaching Tools on Climate (professional learning resources)
- 3D Assessment Examples for Climate Science Learning (from the ClimeTime project)
- The Climate Teacher Education Collaborative
- Climate & Environmental Justice in Education Graduate-Level Course
- Climate and Environmental Education Articles for Educators
May 4th Vegan Fest
Sunday, May 4th from 10 4pm at the Lane Events Center
Eugene VeganFest celebrates compassionate living with plant-based foods, eco-friendly vendors, inspiring talks, and fun activities for all ages. Join the movement for a sustainable future!
Eugene VeganFest is a celebration of plant-based living, featuring delicious food, eco-friendly vendors, inspiring speakers, and fun activities for all ages. Promote compassion and sustainability!
May 10th Living River Exploration Day at Green Island
Take a walk near the place the Willamette and the McKenzie Rivers meet. Observe 15 years of tree-planting work on Green Island, a habitat for beaver, river otter, and over 150 species of birds.
Observe 15 years of tree-planting work on Green Island, a habitat for beaver, river otter, and over 150 species of birds. If you’re looking for a special place to connect to nature this year, join in the fun on the second Saturdays, March through December, and explore the Living Rivers in your backyard!
This event is free and does not require registration. We will have an optional registration station near the entrance. Your participation in registering helps McKenzie River Trust to access funding so that we can continue to offer this space for recreation. Bring your own water!
Monthly Lane Audubon Bird Walks
First Saturday Bird Walks, created in celebration of the Lane Audubon Inclusivity and Diversity Statement, are reserved for women, BIPOC, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Birders of all levels and backgrounds are welcome to join, particularly those who may have felt intimidated at the thought of birding alone or on other guided walks. Location and leader TBA.
FMI or to sign up, contact Sarah: 1stsatbirdwalks@laneaudubon.org
The Third Saturday Bird Walk has different locations and leaders each month. All bird watchers, including beginner bird watchers, are welcome.
Contact audubon@laneaudubon.org to sign up and learn more.
May 9th and May 30th Breakfast to Bridges
Join the City of Eugene for a special Bites @ the Bike Bridges during the 2025 BBB season! As May is Bike Month comes to an end, make sure to bring your passport and get a bird sticker!
Bites at the Bridges is designed for path users and commuters to grab a quick bite to eat, meet City staff, learn more about transportation in Eugene, and get a bicycle safety check all at the same time.
This signature summer event series celebrates the outdoors and encourages active transportation – especially walking and bicycling – to meet larger City goals, including healthy living, sustainability, and a vibrant business community. Breakfast, or Bites, at the Bridges features local advocacy organizations and businesses that actively work toward these City goals. Check out the date and location for each event.
Enjoy:
FREE bites to eat!
FREE bike safety checks
FREE Bike maps, bike bells, and resources from the City of Eugene
2025 Season Info:
-May 9, 7:00-9:00 a.m., Blue Heron Bridge near Cesar Chavez
-May 30, 3:00-5:30 p.m., Amazon Path & 24th
-June 27, 7:00-9:00 a.m., DeFazio Bridge
-July 25, 7:00-9:00 a.m., Greenway Bridge
-Aug 29, 7:00-9:00 a.m., Knickerbocker Bridge
-Sept 26, 7:00-9:00 a.m., Frohnmayer Bridge
Sign up: Climate Generation's Summer 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/
4J/EWEB Education Partnership
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