After 23 years of service with Northwest Regional ESD’s Northwest Outdoor Science School, John Jackson has left the agency. With the involvement of outdoor school staff, NWRESD will begin the recruitment process for the next program leader in January for a start date on July 1, 2022. Megan McCarter, the executive director of instructional services, will appoint an interim coordinator to oversee the program for the remainder of this school year. 

The Northwest Outdoor Science School is the largest outdoor school provider in the state of Oregon. The goal of the program is to immerse fifth and sixth grade students in nature so they can better understand natural ecosystems and develop an appreciation for the natural world. In the years before the pandemic, an average of 10,000-11,000 students had the opportunity to take a multiday, overnight trip to one of our five sites in northwest Oregon each year. 

Caption: The Northwest Regional ESD Board of Directors takes a tour of the Cedar Ridge Northwest Outdoor Science School site in Vernonia, Oregon.

Despite the restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 11,000 students participated in virtual outdoor school during the spring of 2021. Students learned about forest ecology, water, the life cycle of salmon, adaptations, fractals, soil, mushrooms and more. Throughout these lessons, students were encouraged to explore nature in their backyards, neighborhoods or nearby natural areas. 

All outdoor school-related questions should be sent to ODSOfficeAdmin@nwresd.k12.or.us. If you need more information about outdoor school, please visit the outdoor school webpage.