Community partners
The Canopy Connections team has had the pleasure of working with multiple local organizations that have been integral to our project’s success. Whether through helping the team improve the curriculum, providing a field trip site and tools, or helping facilitate lessons, Canopy Connections would not have been able to implement our service without the help and generosity of our wonderful community partners.
H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest
H.J. Andrews was first established in 1948 as a US Forest Service Experimental Forest. It is a 16,000-acre ecological research site in Oregon's beautiful western Cascades Mountains. In 1980 H.J. Andrews became a charter member of the National Science Foundation's Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program. Funding for baseline research comes from the National Science Foundation, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Oregon State University, and other sources. The Andrews Forest is one of 26 major ecosystem research sites funded through NSF's Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program and one of 81 USDA Experimental Forests.
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Mission
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The mission of the H.J. Andrews is to support research on forests, streams, and watersheds, and to foster strong collaboration among ecosystem science, natural resource management, the humanities, and education.
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Educational Programs |
H.J. Andrews provides hands-on learning opportunities for people of all ages, and they partner with other institutions in order to provide education of the unique biodiversity and research opportunities this forest provides. Programs include:
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“Diverse instruction allowed the kids to stay focused and on point….I couldn’t imagine a better location”- Dennis Davies, Fern Ridge Middle School Chaperone
Pacific Tree Climbing InstitutePacific Tree Climbing Institute (PTCI) is an organization that offers guided tree climbing expeditions in magnificent trees found in the many legendary forests of the Pacific Northwest. PTCI is based out of Blue River, Oregon, and they provide five unique opportunities for diverse tree climbs in different areas of the Pacific Northwest. One of these unique climbs is located at H.J. Andrews where PTCI guides participants of all ages 90 ft. into a Douglas-Fir Tree. The operators of PTCI serve as advocates and providers of unique environmental education, and they provide partnership to educators who are presenting environmental topics to their audience.
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Mission |
The PTCI is an organization that offers guided tree climbing expeditions in magnificent trees found in the many legendary forests of the Pacific Northwest. Their primary mission is to demonstrate that the remaining old growth are much more valuable than a profitable lumber product. They hope to facilitate inspiration and wonder for those visiting the endangered eco-systems, and create an awareness and appreciation for the beauty that these forests provide.
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Operators |
Rob Miron is the owner and operator of PTCI.
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Events |
PTCI provides professionally guided day expeditions in the canopy of an astounding old growth Douglas fir tree in the unique beauty located in the Pacific Northwest, where you can receive a unique experience observing the diverse ecosystems located in canopies. The institute also provides evening climbs, where you can spent the night aloft in a grand old growth tree. PTCI also provides educational programs in hopes to initiate motivation and personal courage for young minds to interact with the environment.
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Springfield High School Volunteers
Ivan Miller, an English teacher at Springfield High School has created a program that combines outdoor literature, Oregon Geography and history, leadership and exploration all in an advanced placement Literature class. His students brought their personal nature experiences, knowledge and leadership to our field trips and assisted the Canopy Connections team in many ways.
School Participants
Four area schools took part in the Canopy Connections program this year. The student and teacher participants from these schools took part in a pre-trip lesson at their school as well as traveled to the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest for a full day field trip. Click on the links below to access each schools' website.