Full Circle Schools Restoration Ecology Program

Lomakatsi Restoration Project (LRP) is sponsoring the Full Circle Schools Restoration Ecology Program for schools in Jackson County, Oregon.  With funding from the Hinkle Charitable Trust and community donations, Lomakatsi expanded its existing native plant nursery to provide a new total of five nurseries as foundation for involving students, teachers and communities in education and experiences in local ecosystem restoration.  Through the Full Circle Schools Restoration Ecology Program, we provide educators with a multi-year, science-based curriculum and hands-on environmental studies programs, focusing on significant restoration issues and projects in the region.

The Full Circle Schools Restoration Ecology Program promotes and increases environmental literacy by engaging students in a broad array of sciences which inform ecosystem restoration.  An interdisciplinary approach encourages lifelong stewardship, and fosters the emergence of a restoration culture capable of effecting positive ecological changes to enhance bioregional resiliency for present and future generations of all species.

Full Circle Schools program activities introduce students and teachers to multiple aspects of forest and watershed restoration.  With Lomakatsi’s assistance, program participants nurture native plant seedlings into stronger planting stock.  Twenty five species of native plants and trees are grown with students to address the restoration and enhancement of the renowned botanical diversity of the Klamath Siskiyou eco-region. 

As seedlings are grown, Lomakatsi engages students in field trips to active forest and riparian restoration sites. Here students directly study and learn about many needs for revegetation with native plants and trees. Field trips allow students to directly plant  the trees they have grown in significant forest and watershed  restoration projects, supporting  reforestation, salmon habitat improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement, noxious weed reduction, stream bank stabilization, and water quality improvement.