Outdoor School funding measure makes Oregon’s Nov. ballot

Save OutdoorSchool for All campaign officials announced Monday that petition signatures have officially been verified by the Secretary of State’s office, and that the measure will be on theNovember ballot.

The campaign ultimately collected more than 140,000 petition signatures, far surpassing the 87,213 signature requirement needed to qualify.

Here’s the rest of the group’s news release:

The Save Outdoor School for All measure will allow voters to decide whether to dedicate permanent, long-term funding for Outdoor School–a 50-year Oregon tradition of hands on field study for 5 th and 6 th graders.Outdoor School supporters say it’s a watershed moment for the state, giving voters a chance to create a legacy for Oregon that has direct and immediate benefits for all children statewide, helps support Oregon’s natural resources and outdoor way of life, and contributes strongly to the region’s economy.

“We’re thrilled by the outpouring of support we’ve received. Community leaders and citizens are stepping up to show how much they care about making sure that future generations of Oregonians are strongly connected to our natural resources and what makes Oregon, Oregon,” saidJackie LaFrenz, principal ofPowell Butte Community Charter Schoolin Crook County.

As a proven program with a decades-long track record of success, OutdoorSchool was created to educate children about Oregon’s vibrant and varied natural resources, which remain the underpinning of Oregon’s economy.However, despite the proven success of Outdoor School, budget cuts and unstable funding have created an inequitable situation where about half of Oregon’s students are denied the opportunity to attend. Should the measure pass, permanent funding would ensure access and opportunity for all, no matter what district, county or city a child is from.

A Smart Investment for Oregon’s Economy, Education

The Save Outdoor School for All initiative proposes no new taxes. Instead, it would set aside four percent of Oregon lottery proceeds, not to exceed $22 million annually, to fund a full week of Outdoor School programing for every Oregon fifth or sixth grader. The money would come from unallocated lottery funds; meaning, dollars that are not allocated to any other permanent program currently supported by lottery revenues (27 percent of total lottery funds available are considered “unallocated”). Currently, unallocated lottery funds are used at the discretion of the Legislature.

The main intent for lottery revenue is to support economic development, education and Oregon’s natural resources (parks and watersheds).Outdoor School advocates point to key benefits the program offers for the entire state that directly tie to these purposes: ranging from short- term and long-term economic development, positive economic impact and improved student performance, to helping support Oregon’s natural resources and way of life.

Research shows that kids who go to Outdoor School do better in school; their attendance improves and they become more motivated to learn. Socially, kids feel more connected, confident in the classroom, and become increasingly interested in outdoor activities. The results of Outdoor School are even stronger among children from communities of color. Supporters say that one of the most important benefits of Outdoor School is the sense of community, shared values, common culture, self-confidence and leadership skills that it fosters, especially as Oregon’s demographics change and shift.

Understanding and connection to the natural world has a long-term impact, given that Oregon’s economy remains largely dependent on natural resource industries, such as agriculture, timber, fishing and outdoor recreation. Even non-resource dependent industries rely heavily on Oregon’s storied quality of life, both to recruit and retain employees.

An educated workforce is key to sustainable growth in these areas, and the program not only provides younger students with a scientific, hands-on learning opportunity that they can’t get in the classroom, but it also gives high school students real world training and leadership skills. Studies show that a fully funded Outdoor School program will help generate 600 jobs, mostly in rural areas, and estimates indicate that it will contribute $27 million in economic benefit.

“Like Oregon’s beloved public beaches and bottle bill that have become so integral to our state’s quality of life and culture, this measure gives voters a chance to make an incredibly strong and positive impact on the lives of all kids in this state and the future of Oregon,” said Jim Desmond, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Oregon.

For background and additional information, visithttp://www.outdoorschoolforall.org