Cascade Education Corps: Students Connecting to Nature, Community, and Self

The motto for Cascade Education Corps is “Connecting to Nature, Community, and Self," and our partnership with Tree for All is an important part of that connection. We are an experiential education program within Tigard-Tualatin School District that aims to provide underserved youth with the knowledge, skills, resources, and confidence to be life-long environmental stewards.

Students in CEC spend three days per week out in the field working on restoration projects sponsored by other Tree for All partners, including Clean Water Services, Friends of Trees, and The Wetlands Conservancy.

We have had many incredible experiences together this school year. Cascade Education Corps is a program driven by its members, so in this photo gallery, I will get out of the way and let each of them share what has been most meaningful to them about the year so far.

-Jason Pankiewicz-Waldram, Program Coordinator/Crew Leader

So Much More Than a Group of Planters

“This picture was taken on one of the first days I spent in CEC. We went into a wetland area and planted some bulbs, but also attached a wildlife camera to a tree. That's me in the waders with the red shirt on. CEC is so much more than just a group of planters. It offers a new experience and a new outlook on life. By far some of the best days of my life have been with my CEC crew.” -Delon

Teaching Middle Schoolers

“The first group picture that we took of this year was by far my favorite because it was the start of a great year. I knew that right away. Everyone had a wonderful time meeting the Friends of Trees crew and working with them as well as working with students from Fowler Middle School. I remember a week before the actual day of teaching these middle schoolers, we had a lot of doubt of our ability to teach. Especially the teens who never had any experience teaching or even planting shrubs. At the end of the hard teaching day we were so proud of how we all did. Besides the excitement of seeing how much I’ve grown, I got see the development of the others and watch their self-confidence go from nervous to I want to do this again! That is why this photo is very important to me.” -Kessley

Enjoying the Moment

“A special picture to me was taken at Oxbow Park when we saw the deer and did the stinging nettle project. It is special to me because when we saw the deer, we all just froze and enjoyed the moment while we could. It was peaceful and relaxing just being able to watch the deer eat and walk together. The way the mama deer was protecting her kids was really cool to see. That’s why the picture is special to me and why I chose it.” -Treyden

What Cascade Education Corps is All About

“The picture I chose is the time we went hiking in Silver Falls. I chose this picture because its represents what CEC is all about. We are all about having fun and connecting to nature, community, and self. Trips and days like these are awesome for the group because it allows us to connect to nature and each other.” -Brandon

Presentation Time

“Clean Water Services asks us to do jobs for them and one is called #snabitat. We gave a presentation for #snabitat and in this photo had just got done playing in a sand box in the main office. I have a lot of fun in CEC and a lot of the stuff we do would not be possible without the help of Clean Water Services.” -Joshua

"Is He Going to Run Me Into a Tree?"

“In this picture we are at OES doing some teambuilding exercises. In this we had to partner up and one was blindfolded. I was partnered up with Brandon, and at the time we didn’t get along very well. The exercise was the non-blindfolded had to guide the other person that was blindfolded to another location, and you had 3 choices: You could either guide by touch, talking, or just by sound. Me and Brandon both decided to do the hardest one which was just by sound. The whole time I was thinking, ‘OMG, is he going to have me run into a tree or something?’ but to my surprise he did not. The reason I chose this photo was because that day we all connected and came together as a team. Out of all the other fun and amazing days I’ve had with my crew, my friends, my family, that day was the best. It’s when we all became family. We all have a special bond.” -Tyler