Institute hires environmental educator

Portland, Ore. – The Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) has hired a new environmental educator: Jenna Mendenhall.

Mendenhall, who officially joined the Institute’s staff Jan. 15, is an Oregon-based educator with more than 15 years of experience in teaching. As environmental educator, she will coordinate student-oriented programming supported by OFRI’s K-12 education program. This includes overseeing the Oregon Garden Natural Resources Education Program, a field program the Institute provides for students in grades 4-6 in partnership with The Oregon Garden in Silverton.

She previously worked for the Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, where she developed and implemented several education programs, including a nationally recognized preschool program. She also collaborated with local middle schools to create a new non-residential outdoor school program.

Mendenhall has been a facilitator with OFRI’s partner organization, Oregon State University’s Oregon Natural Resources Education Program, since 2010, as well as a leader with the Environmental Education Association of Oregon. 

Before joining OFRI this month, she served as a program assistant for the Lane Education Service District, supporting several programs and projects for 16 school districts. 

Mendenhall is filling a position left vacant by the promotion of OFRI’s former environmental educator, Rikki Heath, to director of K-12 education programs. 

About the Oregon Forest Resources Institute:

The Oregon Forest Resources Institute supports the forest sector and the stewardship of natural resources by advancing Oregonians’ understanding of the social, environmental and economic benefits of our forests.