Support will help students hone skills, understand nature

ENTERPRISE, Ore. — Local youth will increase their knowledge of the northeast Oregon landscape and the relationship of the community to the natural environment thanks in part to support from the Pacific Power Foundation. The foundation donated $3,500 to the Wallowa Resources Exploration of Nature Program.

"We are proud to help improve writing, math and observation skills of local youth through program activities," said Bill Clemens, regional community manager for Pacific Power. "We hope that the students increase their knowledge and inquisitiveness about their natural local environments."

The Wallowa Resources Exploration of Nature Program is an all-day field studies program for local fifth, sixth and seventh grades that meets Fridays during the course of five to eight weeks. In the program, students work collectively on a field research project with the guidance of an instructor.

"Wallowa Resources Exploration of Nature Program was created in 2002 in response to large-scale budget cuts within the local school district," said Nils Christoffersen, Wallowa Resource’s executive director. "These budget cuts led to the adoption of a four day school week and the scaling back of art and science courses. This program increases opportunities for Wallowa County youth to learn in the outdoors in a hands-on experiential manner. We are delighted with the Pacific Power Foundation’s support of this valuable program."

In addition to the educational benefits, the program addresses many of the social challenges that arose with the adoption of a four day school week. These budget cuts created new burdens on families through additional child care costs or it left children unattended while parents worked. This grant will help support the two staff members who run the program.

About Wallowa Resources

Wallowa Resources, established in 1996, is a grassroots nonprofit committed to promoting healthy lands and communities. The organization was born out of a two-year community dialogue to foster sustainable land stewardship though constructive nonconfrontational approaches. In working collaboratively with private and public land owners, Wallowa Resources has made significant steps toward improving the environmental health and community well-being of Wallowa County.

About the Pacific Power Foundation

The Pacific Power Foundation is part of the PacifiCorp Foundation, one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created in 1988 by PacifiCorp, an electric utility serving 1.7 million customers in six Western states as Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington and California) and Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho). The foundation's mission, through charitable investments, is to support growth and vitality and improve the general welfare and quality of life in communities served by Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power.

Media inquiries:
Bill Clemens, Regional Community Manager, Pacific Power, 509-522-7007
Nils Christoffersen, Wallowa Resources, 541-426-8053
newsdesk@pacificorp.com