Corvallis Environmental Center

“The members of the board are provided annual financial statements and the 990. The finance committee reviews the 990 prior to submission.”

“Potential board members are invited to sit in on several board meetings. Potential board members are asked if they have any potential conflicts of interest.”

“The process includes benchmarking, finance committee review, and board approval.”

“Compensation is reviewed and approved by the board and/or finance committee for all staff who run programs and the decisions are documented.”

“The public may ask a staff member. Our tax return is available on www.guidestar.com.”

“Mission and vision statement the corvallis environmental center (cec) is a community-based non-profit that has implemented programs to address local food and education needs since 1994. Cec's mission is to create a healthy, sustainable community. We do this by providing pre-k through 8th environmental education, local & healthy food security initiatives, and farm to school programs. We work in corvallis, oregon and surrounding rural communities. Our programs include classroom and afterschool education within the corvallis and philomath school districts, summer camps, a nature-based preschool, and a 1-acre demonstration and education garden known as sage. The food grown at sage is donated to social service partner agencies through the food for families program.”

“Nature education: cec offers a variety of opportunities throughout the year for pre-k through 8th grade youth to experience place-based environmental education. Child- centered learning practices are designed to meet state and national education standards while building connections with nature and among students. Programs include natureplay preschool, nature school for homeschoolers, junior naturalists, wild afterschool, schools out adventures, summer camps, community events, and family activities. With a focus on nature-based content we include math, reading, science, culture, and the arts in order to create a well-rounded experience. In 2019, we reached 1,374 students in k-8th grade with in-school junior naturalist lessons. We led nature field trips, reaching 732 pre-k and elementary age students from twelve schools. We continued offering both an am option and pm option for natureplay preschool. The pm preschool is a new, bilingual program called nios de naturaleza, where students learn ecology and science in both english and spanish. We offered six school's out adventures, providing day camp programming for students on no-school days. Camps offered in the summer months are week-long, nature-themed outdoor learning adventures for children ages 3-14. In 2019, we continued our partnership with corvallis parks and recreation to provide the wild afterschool program, reaching an average of 251 students per week. Cec's nature education programs increase environmental literacy and a sense of stewardship within the next generation of leaders.”

“Farm to school: the corvallis farm to school program works to increase children's access to and consumption of fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and legumes, while teaching about good nutrition and encouraging healthy food choices. It integrates food and nutrition programming into corvallis and philomath district schools, with activities that engage children in growing, preparing, and eating fresh, local, and healthy foods. The program supports outdoor and place-based learning goals by utilizing school gardens for broad-based curriculum. Program activities are held in the classroom, cafeteria, school gardens, and in the community. In 2019, we taught a total of 208 classroom food adventure programs, reaching 807 students from four schools. Four family cookout nights were held at sage, with a total of 34 participants. 22 farm field trips reached 514 pre-k and elementary age students from local schools. We provided 7,300 students with monthly opportunities to sample local foods from local farms. The 'harvest of the month' tasting tables were held at 16 schools.”

“Food for families: the corvallis environmental center's food for families program helps alleviate hunger and food insecurity in corvallis by filling gaps in the local emergency food system. The goal of the food for families program is to improve the health of vulnerable populations in corvallis and increase their food self-sufficiency while simultaneously engaging and educating community members in sustainable agricultural production practices. The program provides fresh produce year round to partner emergency food distribution centers, shelters, and social service agencies in corvallis who distribute our fresh vegetables to individuals and families in need. In 2019, we donated over 11,000 pounds of fresh, healthy produce to 9 community partner organizations. Staff, interns, and community volunteers work year-round to plan, plant, maintain, and harvest fruits and vegetables on our 1-acre production, demonstration, and education garden located in bruce starker arts park. Staff work with local businesses to source plant seeds and starts, compost, and equipment as well as to plan work parties for interested companies as part of their volunteer service. In 2019, we held 70 volunteer work parties, with volunteers from osu student groups, samaritan health, hp, montessori, and others.”