A Weeklong Study Tour for Teachers and Natural Resources Professionals

Please join us this year: July 11-16, 2010

The International Educators Institute (IEI) is an intensive week-long study tour that brings together some of the most successful classroom teachers and natural resources professionals in the US and abroad to the World Forestry Center to exchange information about utilizing best practices in forestry education. 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. To date, participants have come from 32 countries and 34 states.

The goals of the International Educators Institute:

• Showcase the Pacific Northwest as a case study of sustainable forestry in action,
• Create an interactive forum for classroom leaders,
• Exchange best practices in education for local applications,
• Provide a variety of perspectives to enrich understanding of local and global issues, and
• Create a growing international network of educational leaders associated with the World Forestry Center.

Applications are being accepted and are due by February 28 each year. Participant selection is announced by March 15.

Download brochure here
Download application here

To qualify for selection, applicants must have:

• Experience in natural resource fields
• Current teaching responsibilities
• Demonstrated leadership skills and professional recognition
• Proficiency in English language skills
• Ability to travel outdoors

Course Fee
$2,500 (USD). This includes six of nights of lodging in comfortable shared rooms with private baths, all meals (vegetarian options available), field trip transportation via deluxe motor coach, admission fees, and course materials.

Thanks to the support of local donors, educators from the Pacific Northwest can participate in this program at a substantial discount - only $500!! Please indicate on your application if you are applying under this discount.

Travel
Airfare and ground transportation is not included in the course fee and participants must arrange for their own transportation to/from Portland International Airport (PDX) at the start and end of the course. Participants are encouraged to arrive in Portland to rest and acclimate a day before IEI starts or after the course for additional sightseeing and shopping. Staff can assist with trip planning and local contacts.

Financial Aid
Limited scholarship assistance is available for qualified candidates to help cover the course fee, travel expenses, or both. Scholarships are awarded on a greatest-needs basis. We encourage applicants to first work with their employers, professional and trade associations, government agencies, and local businesses to seek sponsorship opportunities.

Agenda

Day 1: Welcome and Orientation
Airport pick-up, travel to Menucha www.menucha.org
IEI begins with a family-style evening meal overlooking the Columbia River followed by presentations by participants and staff.

Day 2 : Re-discovering the Forest
Hike through a spectacular old growth forest to the top of world famous Multnomah Falls as we begin our discussion about forest protection, water quality, wildlife, climate change and other forest issues making headlines around the world.

Day 3 : Mount St. Helens: A Tale of Two Forests
From the Johnston Ridge Volcano Observatory to the Weyerhaeuser Forest Learning Center and sites along the Toutle River, we investigate the impact of disturbance, recovery and different management responses to changing landscapes and communities.

Day 4 : The Forest will Provide: Lessons from Warm Springs We travel over the Cascade mountain range to Oregon's high desert country to visit with tribal leaders, forest managers, educators, and children from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The day includes special cultural presentations at the Museum at Warm Springs, mill tour and employee meeting, traditional salmon bake, and a sunset meeting with leaders from the Mount Hood National Forest at picture perfect Trillium Lake.

Day 5: Linking Research and the Passion for Teaching
We cross the famous "Bridge of the Gods" over the mighty Columbia River to explore the tree tops with the scientists at the Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility. In the afternoon we compare the working of natural systems with the multitude of "people issues" at play in the popular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. A mid-course benchmarking session and activity is held at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center.

Day 6: It's Where We Live
After a week in the forest, our attention turns to the importance of trees in our cities, towns and schoolyards. A guided walking tour along Portland's waterfront and meetings with community leaders are followed by a light rail ride to the award-winning World Forestry Center Discovery Museum in Washington Park. A tree planting ceremony will precede the final program evaluation and debrief at the World Forestry Center.

Day 7: Travel Day or Optional Sightseeing and Shopping

Capturing Best Practices

Throughout the course, participants will utilize various methods to capture dialogue and exchange with others, including work in Best Practices Teams, personal IEI Journals, reporting, informal discussions, and pre-mid-post benchmarking.


Questions? Contact us!

Rick Zenn, Senior Fellow
World Forestry Center
(503) 488-2103
rzenn@worldforestry.org