Youth Education

Apply for funding to support your educational activities that advance Marion SWCD’s mission to protect, conserve, and improve the quality of soil, air and water in Marion County. Eligible projects address one or more of the following: Water Quality & Conservation, Soil Quality & Conservation, and/or Sustainable Land Use.

We’ve developed a series of educational kits you can check out for up to two weeks on topics from soil secrets to native and invasive plants. Most of the lesson plans are available in English or Spanish. We supply the materials you need to to bring nature to life for your students!

In September – October, Marion SWCD coordinates Salmon Watch field trips for students in Marion County. Stations: riparian habitat, salmon lifecycle & biology, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and water testing.

Marion SWCD offers a $2000 scholarship each year, renewable for a second year at $1000 for students who graduated from a high school in Marion County and attending an Oregon college or university.

Requirements

• Graduates (including GED recipients and home-schooled graduates) of Marion County high schools
• Residence (county): Marion County
• Major: Natural resources (agriculture, animal science, environmental science, forestry, natural resources, wildlife, or other related fields of study)
• Colleges: Oregon only
• Enrollment: Full-time enrollment required
• FAFSA: Required – based on financial need
• Automatically renewable for one additional year if renewal criteria met (reduced award second year)

We attend science nights and community events with engaging hands-on activities. We cover a wide range of conservation topics from compost critters to painting with soil.