[Young Climate Warriors]
By Daniel Hiestand
Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator
Also in this section:
As the new school year starts, it's a good time to reflect on the recent passage of a new state law that marks a transformative moment for Oregon education: Oregon House Bill 3365 requires the integration of climate change and sustainability lessons and activities into K-12 classrooms.
Anything with such widespread impact takes a lot of time and effort to come to fruition. Locally, Tana Shepard (AKA Eco Chick) with the Eugene School District 4J (pictured, second from right) and other members of the Oregon Educators for Climate Education (OECE) were instrumental in getting this law across the finish line.
While the law is a significant step forward for proponents of sustainability and climate education, its enactment may bring initial panic for teachers as they search for ways to meet this new mandate. Fortunately, we have a tool made just for them: WasteWiseLane.org. The website, administered by Waste Wise Lane County—a part of Lane County’s Waste Management Division—serves as a clearinghouse made explicitly for local K-12 educators seeking sustainability-related education.
Launched in the fall of 2024, the site was built with efficiency in mind: Instead of spending hours sifting through generic online materials, educators can immediately access a curated library of standards-aligned lesson plans, activities, project ideas, and field trips led by groups such as BRING.
If you are a parent of a student, you can help spread the word. Tell your teachers and administrators about this resource. This will ensure your kids receive the best classroom instruction possible while making things easier for their teachers, too.
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Recycling Modernization is here! Want to learn more?
Join BRING for an important conversation about the future of recycling in Oregon, hosted in the BRING Garden of Earthly Delights on Tuesday, Sept. 16, starting at 3:30 p.m..
Nicole Portley and Cathy Brown of Oregon DEQ will explain how the Recycling Modernization Act is bringing producer funding and regulatory solutions together to address systemic challenges in Oregon's recycling system.
The presentation will provide an overview of the Act, highlight Oregon’s new statewide recycling acceptance lists, and share what residents of Lane County can expect in the coming years. Free to attend.
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BRING Fix-It Fair slated for Sept. 21
Join Waste Wise Lane County—a part of Lane County Waste Management—and BRING for a free Fix-it Fair! Bring your broken items and let our technicians repair them at no cost. 
Repairs will include the following categories:
NOTE: Please limit what you bring to one (1) item per person, which should be something one person can carry without assistance. While our repair staff and volunteers will do their best, fixes cannot be guaranteed. Repair times may vary from several minutes to two hours, depending on crowd size and the complication of repairs.
Finally, we hope all attendees view Fix-It Fairs as more than just a place to fix your stuff for free. We hope you'll learn repair skills, mingle with fellow attendees and fixers, and connect in a spirit of inclusivity.
Whether it's engaging in conversations or simply people watching, Fix-It Fairs are—at their core—about community.
See you there!
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New Master Recycler Class starts Sept. 9
Recycling in Oregon has changed with the passage of the new Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). Learn more about the RMA and other waste prevention and sustainability issues by becoming a Master Recycler! Fall classes start Sept. 9, so sign up today! Learn more at lanecountyor.gov/wastewise-masterrecyclers. 
Fall Session (in-person)
Dates: Sept. 9 - Nov. 4, 2025
Times: Tuesdays | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Eugene/Springfield
Description: This nine-week course is FREE!
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Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council: Salmon Watch returns
With the new school year comes the return of one of the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council’s most treasured programs: Salmon Watch. During September and November, students from across Lane County participate in the Salmon Watch Program to witness the magic of the salmon life cycle.
Volunteers lead four stream-side learning stations on the topics of water quality, riparian ecology, salmon biology, and macroinvertebrates. It is an experience that has a lasting positive impact on students and their relationship with the natural world.
If you are someone who has a love for the environment and would like to help grow that passion in the next generation, please join us for a Salmon Watch volunteer training session! This training is structured as a mock Salmon Watch trip with trainees playing the role of the student. Volunteers will learn how to guide and support student learning during Salmon Watch field trips!
Event details:
Salmon Watch Field Module Training
Date: Saturday, Sept. 20
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Carmen Smith Spawning Channel (map link)
Sign up: Register here! (register by Sept. 10). reach out to contact below after 9/10)
Contact: Reach out to [email protected] after Sept. 10.
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MECCA offers array of workshops this fall + Object Afterlife Art Challenge
Explore the art of upcycled jewelry, printmaking, sewing, beading, stained glass, and more through MECCA's hands-on workshops! 
Expert local artists will guide attendees through a variety of techniques and mediums while offering professional development opportunities for artists looking to take their skills to the next level. Young artists can learn how to market, sell, and promote their art, and connect with other creatives in the community.
Some of the highlights include:
Spooky Swap: Halloween and fall themed, with everything from costumes to decor.
Date: Oct. 10 | 12-5 p.m.
Stained Glass Pumpkin Lantern Workshop with April Reign
Date: Oct. 18 | 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Parent & Child Hand-Sewing with Kayla Boyce: Halloween Plushies
Date: Oct. 25 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cozy Swap: Textiles, hats, gloves, jackets, sweaters, ceramics.
Date: Nov. 7 | 12-5 p.m.
Stained Glass Star Spinner Workshop with April Reign
Date: Nov. 22 | 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
White Elephant Swap: Holiday-themed swap.
Date: Dec 12. | 12-5 p.m.
Click here for MECCA's upcoming workshops and classes.
Object Afterlife Art Challenge Artist Reception & Celebration on Oct. 3
With a mission to connect scrap and fine art, MECCA challenged artists to make inspiring, thought-provoking, and creative works of art out of a mystery box of materials earlier this year. Over 100 artists participated in the Object Afterlife Art Challenge, MECCA’s signature annual event. The resulting artworks exist in the space where artistic discovery and conservation meet, inspiring viewers to think differently about the materials that are traditionally considered waste.
The Object Afterlife Art Challenge Artist Reception and Celebration is from 5:30-8 at MECCA (555 High St., Eugene) on Oct. 3. Refreshments provided.
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EWEB's Halloween Truck-or-Treat on tap
Jumpstart Halloween at EWEB’s Truck-or-Treat customer and crew appreciation event! Bring your kids to EWEB to see our work trucks magically transformed into electrifyingly fun trick-or-treating stops.
Collect candy, enjoy light refreshments, and learn more about winter preparedness. If you have questions about the event, reach out to [email protected].
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Jerry's recognizes Fire Prevention Month with lithium-ion battery safety event
Jerry’s Home Improvement is hosting its annual Fire & Life Safety Day on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lane Fire Authority is assisting with coordination for the event. The 2025 Fire Prevention Month theme from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) focuses on the safe handling and proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
Drop by for fun activities and learn about battery disposal.
Event details:
- Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 4 • 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Location: Jerry’s Home Improvement, 2600 OR-99, Eugene
- Cost: Free community event