Train the Next Generation of Wildfire Experts through the Environmental Leadership Program

Wildfires are reshaping our landscapes and communities. At the University of Oregon, students in the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) are stepping up to meet this challenge.

What is ELP? 

ELP is a community-based, experiential learning program that empowers UO juniors and seniors alongside graduate student mentors to: 

• Work in interdisciplinary teams with nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses 
• Take on real-world environmental challenges, from conservation and education to wildfire prevention and habitat restoration 
• Build professional skills in leadership, communication, fieldwork, and project management 

In recent years, ELP students have obtained valuable hands-on experience through: 

• Partnering with the McKenzie River Trust and Long Tom Watershed Council to restore wetlands and oak habitats 
• Collecting and analyzing data to improve prescribed burns, making ecosystems more resilient to future fires 
• Helping to reseed native species and monitor previously burned areas 
• Learning directly from Indigenous stewardship practices, gaining insight into the cultural and ecological importance of “good fire” 

Why it matters: 

• Students gain transformative, applied education 
• Communities benefit from cost-effective, science-driven partnerships 
• Ecosystems are restored and made more resilient against wildfire

"Through working with our community partners, our ELP team gained valuable experience in fieldwork and community connection while providing time and resources to help each organization reach its goals"

—"Learning From Fire" ELP project

Since 2001, ELP has empowered students and supported Oregon communities through dozens of projects each year. 

Your gift sustains this vital work, equipping the next generation of environmental leaders and protecting the landscapes we all depend on and love in Oregon and beyond.