By Megan Hill, OLWC Education Specialist
This fall, the Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC) has been hard at work connecting students of all ages with the natural world through hands-on learning and stewardship. From second graders discovering the magic of water to high school students restoring habitat for beavers, OLWC’s education programs are helping young people understand how healthy watersheds sustain thriving communities.
In partnership with the Lake Oswego School District, OLWC delivers Water at Work, a fun and interactive science program for all second-grade students. During these field trips, students observe how water moves and explore its unique properties. Guided by dedicated community volunteers and OLWC staff, students make discoveries that build curiosity and foster respect for their local environment. These early experiences lay the foundation for lifelong environmental awareness and stewardship.
At the same time, Lakeridge High School students are applying science in the field at Pecan Creek, a stream restoration site located on the Cook Family Farm and LO’s Stevens Meadow. Ecology students led by Patrick Connoll and geoscience students taught by Sarah Mock are working with OLWC staff to improve streamside habitat for beavers, one of nature’s most remarkable ecosystem engineers. Students will visit the site multiple times a year to remove invasive species, monitor stream flow, and collect photo data documenting changes over time. Their work not only supports the long-term health of Pecan Creek but also deepens their understanding of hydrology, land use, and the interconnectedness of natural systems.
This Pecan Creek project partnership highlights how education, restoration, and community involvement intersect to make a tangible impact. Continued maintenance—such as removing nonnative blackberry and planting native species like willow and alder to provide food for beavers—will carry on through winter with help from Lakeridge High School’s Green Team, National Honor Society, and community volunteers.
None of this would be possible without the strong support of our community partners, including the Lake Oswego School District, Cook Family Farm, and the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the many volunteers who make these programs possible. Their time, expertise, and enthusiasm bring watershed education to life for hundreds of students each year.
None of this would be possible without the strong support of our community partners, including the Lake Oswego School District, Cook Family Farm, and the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the many volunteers who make these programs possible. Their time, expertise, and enthusiasm bring watershed education to life for hundreds of students each year.
As OLWC’s education programs expand, community support remains essential. This winter, we’ll be training volunteers for the 5th Grade Healthy Waters Field Trip Program—another opportunity to inspire the next generation of watershed stewards—and inviting community members to join students in removing nonnative blackberry at the Pecan Creek restoration site. Your time, participation, and donations all help sustain these hands-on learning opportunities and ensure that OLWC can continue connecting students and the community with the health of our local watershed.
If you’re interested in volunteering or learning more, please contact Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.org. Your involvement helps ensure that these hands-on, place-based experiences continue to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and care for the waters that connect us all. Learn more about OLWC’s work with the LO School District and the Pecan Creek Beaver Habitat Restoration and Education Project.