Mission
ECO inspires students to care for nature and their local communities through hands-on science education and climate action.
Vision and purpose
We’re taking education outside - into our communities and nature with multidisciplinary, place-based experiential ecology lessons rooted in partnerships.
Our programs aim to cultivate an ecological mindset where the entire ecosphere is shown to have innate value and is an extension of ourselves and our health. Students discover our interconnectedness and through this knowledge, they recognize that caring for our shared place is the same as caring for each other.
Nature connects us
In 2005, ECO was founded by two environmental scientists and educators, Sarah Woods and Bethany Thomas, to address the disconnect between the classroom and outdoors and students from the natural world. They developed hands-on ecology lessons and began to teach science and stewardship.
They set out to foster personal connections between students and nature and engage them with the needs of their communities - human and non-human - and get them learning outdoors at a time when awe and curiosity are abundant.
DEIJ
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are central to our organizational structure and culture through our mission, leadership, policies, and programs. All employees and volunteers, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, are valued and respected. We commit to tending to culturally specific partnerships to integrate diverse perspectives into our education model and meet the needs of the communities we serve.
Support our mission
The importance of ECO’s mission has grown along with the need for ecological and climate literacy to instill stewardship and counteract climate anxiety. Through ongoing ecology education, students develop critical thinking skills, connect human action and environmental health, and work together to build stronger, resilient communities.
We love our community
Our mission is made possible by funding partners and community organizations who share our vision, nonprofits who bring knowledge and know-how, and businesses and individuals committed to bringing hands-on ecology and climate action to students across the Pacific Northwest. We are deeply grateful, thank you!
