Marion SWCD offers a variety of educational programs that serve the "K through Grey" constituents. We host school education programs and field trips for all grades with a focus on natural resource subjects for middle and high school students. We also work with elementary schools to support and instruct at outdoor schools. The CLEAR Grant program was developed in part to assist teachers with field trip expenses for transportation. Ask us to see if you may qualify for the grant program. On the teacher/student resources page you will find a growing library of references to education materials for students and teachers, plus information sources for both urban and rural landowners. Throughout the year we offer several workshops and seminars on various agriculture and conservation topics. Be sure to stay informed on upcoming events by following the District's newsletter and website.
To find out more information and to see how the District's education programs can assist you, please contact the Education and Outreach Coordinator at 503-399-5741 ext.121 or by
Outdoor education programs are the highlight of the offerings at Marion SWCD. We fully support the premise that today's youth are becoming disconnected with the natural world. We provide instruction for student field trips at numerous locations throughout the District and can address virtually any natural resource subject. We work with teachers to integrate subject matter into their ongoing curricula. Past locations have included public lands along the North Santiam and Little North Fork rivers, Shellburg Falls in the Santiam Forest and Silver Falls State Park. We will continue to offer the popular Salmon Watch programs during the fall spawning season on the North Fork where students can learn about salmon biology, water quality, macro invertebrates and riparian habitats. Our 
Soil health is vital to agriculture, whether it is a commercial operation or backyard gardening. We can provide instruction on many aspects of soil. Students can use test kits to determine pH and amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Soil texture can be determined by creating soil ribbons by hand and structure and moisture content can be studied with soil probes. We encourage anyone wishing to create or maintain a school garden to take advantage of these programs. You will find an extensive, downloadable Power Point program on soil prepared by Oregon State University on the 
The study of water quality is the Marion SWCD's most requested educational program. The District can offer these at field locations or at schools. The District likes to combine chemical analysis using test kits with biological inventories of macro invertebrates to determine the present and past water quality conditions. These are compared to the State of Oregon's adopted parameters for salmon and steelhead. These activities are appropriate for grades 5 through 12 and even adults have been known to enjoy grabbing a net to fish out the macros inhabiting local waterways. Join the fun and learn what the fish eat.