Rooted in Community. Guided by Environmental Learning.

Salem Environmental Education is a community focused organization committed to fostering environmental understanding and stewardship! Rooted in collaboration, SEE listens closely and

responds thoughtfully to community needs by partnering with local agencies and organizations

to provide high quality, science driven programs.

Over the years, SEE has evolved into a trusted nonprofit delivering a wide range of programs centered around experiential learning. Through strong community partnerships, Salem Environmental Education has reached thousands of students and families across the Mid‑Willamette Valley, at little or no cost.

Early learning - little minds, big discoveries

Salem Environmental Education is excited to host a fun and exciting program for 3-5 year olds, introducing young naturalists to the world around them. Nature Play invites children and their parents into guided outdoor adventures that spark imagination and encourage exploration through hands‑on play.

Research suggests that connecting young learners to nature enhances creativity and problem solving, encourages cooperative play, inspires natural curiosity, boosts focus, develops physical skills, and fosters critical thinking.

Join the FUN!

Interested in joining Nature Play?

PAWS - plants, animals, water, and soil

Salem-Keizer Outdoor School Coalition

Salem Environmental Education is the lead for the Salem-Keizer Outdoor School Coalition, a group of agencies and organizations throughout the Mid-Willamette Valley dedicated to environmental education. Working together, the coalition delivers unique, high‑quality outdoor school science experiences for every student.

BEETLES Curriculum

PAWS is academically oriented and aligned to Oregon State Standards, NGSS, contains literacy components, and uses effective instructional practices. Engaging, hands-on science lessons and social-emotional learning components build a sense of community and a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion making all students feel welcome. Student activities inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world, support their innate tendencies for exploration, and guide students to make explanations based on evidence.

BEETLES five research-based design principles guide every learning experience.

Engage directly with nature, proven instruction based on how people learn, think like a scientist,

participate in culturally relevant learning environments and learn through discussions.

Learn more - Beetles Project Home

Field Locations

PAWS is a unique non-residential program - schools rotate to a different field site each day:

The Oregon Garden, Ankeny Wildlife Refuge, Minto Brown Park and Wallace House Park, all within a convenient distance from the Salem-Keizer School District. Common concepts and nature observations connect all field sites. Each site is staffed with PAWS instructors who have years of experience in both content and instruction.

Pre and Post Learning in the Classroom

To prepare students, PAWS instructors lead a one‑hour classroom lesson to help students gain the essential academic knowledge for outdoor school. After the field experience, we’re available to assist with follow‑up projects students choose to explore. In addition, four pre‑teaching modules are available for teachers to use in the classroom to further enrich learning.

Register Now - Space is limited

PAWS is able to accommodate four schools in the spring (May) and four schools in the fall (October).

The cost to attend is $125 per student covered by lottery funds distributed by OSU Extension to the school district. Schools can use their remaining allotment of outdoor school funds for transportation and to purchase a variety of resources from curriculum support and field studies equipment, to student supplies like backpacks, ponchos, and clip boards.

Email to Register

In and Out of the Classroom

Partner with our educational specialist!

With more than 30+ years of teaching experience in and out of the classroom, our community education outreach team will deliver unique, hands-on science experiences designed to meet your student's needs.

COST - $35 per hour plus materials and mileage

STANDARDS BASED PROGRAMS

(not limited to this list)

Water Quality Studies - Macroinvertebrates

Birds – Project FeederWatch

Monarch Butterflies

Pollinators

Bats

Life Cycles

Native/Invasive Species

Composting

Naturescaping

Watersheds

Costs for outdoor school post learning projects

are covered by outdoor school funds.

eSTEM - Environmant, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Environmental STEM (eSTEM) is a free after school program that takes

place on four consecutive Tuesdays per month.

Environmental engineers focus on ways to sustain and improve the natural

and man-made environment. This program provides hands-on exploration

that develops critical thinking and problem solving skills through

engineering design challenges.

DESIGN CHALLENGES

Animal Adaptations

Beavers: Nature’s Engineers – Design and Build a Dam

Solving the Pollinator Problem

“SOAK it UP” – Storm Water Management

In this age of environmental degradation and disconnection from nature, it is imperative to provide opportunities to learn about environmental issues and inspire stewardship through ecology, natural history, and outdoor recreation to combat “nature deficit disorder.”

Salem Environmental Education is proud to provide environmental education at a variety of community events throughout the year. In partnership with

local organizations and agencies, SEE volunteers resources and time to help inspire people to foster deeper connections to the natural world.

Rooted in Community. Guided by Environmental Learning.

Nature Play

PAWS Outdoor School

PAWS Outdoor School

PAWS Outdoor School

PAWS Outdoor School

PAWS Outdoor School

Youth Science

PAWS Outdoor School

Youth Science

Adult Programs

Community Connections

Youth Science

Community Connections

Community Connections

Community Connections

Questions?

Community Connections

Community Connections