9th Annual International Educators Institute

The International Educators Institute (IEI) is an intensive 8-day study tour that brings together some of the most successful classroom teachers in the US and abroad to the World Forestry Center to exchange information about utilizing best practices in forestry education. This year's group included participants from India, Australia, Taiwan, Russia, Brazil, China, Korea, Norway, Mexico, New Zealand, South Carolina, Oregon, and Idaho. Past participants have called this unique educational opportunity the highlight of their professional career. Participants have taken home countless new techniques and resources and made many new friends for life. Participants in IEI return to their classrooms with new tools, new inspiration, and an active global network of colleagues and resource specialists. Click on the group photo for more pictures.

Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum, one of WFC's neighbors in Washington Park, hosted Fellows to discuss ways to collaborate. Hoyt Arboretum's plant collection is made up of just under 10,000 individual trees and shrubs, representing nearly 1000 different species. Their purpose is to grow the broadest possible range of woody plants from around the world. All of the plants have labels with the scientific and common names, and the geographic origin of the species. With Fellows coming from many different regions of the world, the opportunities to work together are endless.

Bull Run Watershed

Bull Run Watershed 007
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Fellows visited with watershed educator Briggy Thomas at the Bull Run Watershed. The Bull Run, located east of Portland near Mount Hood, provides exceptionally clean, unfiltered water to the City of Portland and is the primary water source for the city. The Bull Run watershed is co-managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the City of Portland under special legislation known as the Bull Run Act, Forest Service regulations and formal agreements between the two agencies. The Bull Run Act requires the Forest Service to consult and coordinate with the City on plans and activities for the watershed. Click on the photo for more.

Oregon SAF President meets Fellows

Oregon Society of American Foresters president Lena Tucker met with Fellows to discuss SAF. The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and, to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems and the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society.

Wallowa Resources and Eastern Oregon

Fellows spent four days exploring the far northwest corner of Oregon in Wallowa County. One and a half days were spent with Diane Snyder, Executive Director of Wallowa Resources. This community based non-profit works to provide economic opportunities for the community that are in line with ecological restoration goals. Fellows participated in a tour of WR projects along with the Board of Directors of Sustainable Northwest. Additional highlights of the trip featured the Mount Howard Tram, exploring the story of Chief Joseph, and discussing issues in rural communities. For more photos, click on the group photo above.