High Desert Museum
$49,586  Blue Mountains   East Cascades 

Rural communities hold significant knowledge about local wildlife that are vital to comprehensive monitoring efforts in Central Oregon. At the same time, these communities have a high percentage of low-income families who face barriers to engaging in wildlife-associated recreation and community science initiatives. Through an intensive workshop series, Nature in Focus will empower 20 rural families (approximately 60 individuals) to engage with the outdoors while contributing to monitoring efforts essential to key conservation issues and species outlined in the ODFW’s Oregon Conservation Strategy.

This initiative builds on the success of prior programming in rural communities, including a National Science Foundation research study, to promote sustained engagement in outdoor recreation among families who have traditionally faced barriers to these experiences. To ensure equitable access, we will provide a stipend, gas cards, and meal during the workshops and use Spanish translation and interpretation services.

Over the course of three full-day workshops, families will engage in outdoor activities, connect with local wildlife professionals, participate in a telemetry scavenger hunt, and learn about statewide and local monitoring efforts. Educational experiences will focus on Oregon Conservation Strategy issues, such as climate change and barriers to animal movement, and Oregon Conservation Strategy species, including the Sierra Nevada red fox and pika. In addition, each family will receive a trail camera to document wildlife in their own backyards and learn how to upload these images to iNaturalist. The initiative will culminate in an exhibition that will use images and stories from these families to increase awareness of community science opportunities and resources among 40,000 visitors to the Museum. Ultimately, this project will enhance community connections to nature, expand recreational opportunities, and support ongoing conservation initiatives in Oregon.