The Next Generation Stewards program broadens students’ understanding of the connections among the parts of a Pacific Northwest forest. Students record their observations and reflections in a science journal and take a pledge to become a ‘Next Generation Steward of the Greenway’ during the reflective lesson.
Suggested Grade Level(s): 4th-5th grade classes
Program Overview
This curriculum includes a pre- and post-program assessment, classroom lesson, field study trip, stewardship event, and reflective classroom lesson. To request PDF copies of any curriculum or science journal, email education@mtsgreenway.org.
Introductory Lesson
This lesson, taught by the classroom teacher, helps students get familiar with curriculum topics and key terms. They will complete a pre-program assessment and receive their Science Journal.
Pre-Assessment: English and Spanish; Answer Key
In-Class Lesson
This one-hour lesson, taught by a Greenway Educator in your classroom, prepares students for their field study trip. The Educator gives an overview presentation about the biotic and abiotic parts of forest ecosystems, including producers, consumers, and decomposers. Then, students do a hands-on activity in small groups.
Field Study Trip
Students spend the day exploring connections among various parts of the ecosystem at Tiger Mountain State Forest in Issaquah. They hike for about 2 miles and eat lunch on the trail.
Stewardship Event
Students now get to take action! This ecological restoration helps improve habitats for salmon and other wildlife. Most of the stewardship events happen at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah.
Depending on the season, they remove weeds (like blackberry and ivy) or plant native trees and shrubs. No experience necessary! We provide gloves, tools, and training.
Reflective Lesson
A Greenway Educator will return to the classroom to review the students’ learning experience by facilitating a trivia game and post-program assessment.
Post-Assessment: English and Spanish; Answer Key
This curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 5-LS1-1 and 5-LS2-1
Program Location
The field study trip and stewardship event will happen at Tiger Mountain (High Point Trailhead) in Issaquah. Tiger Mountain is the third mountain making up the Issaquah Alps, alongside Cougar and Squak Mountains. The Tiger Mountain State Forest is one of the most well-known forests in Washington, home to 13,745 acres of working forest. This includes a dense network of trails for hikers, bikers, hang gliders, paragliders, and equestrian users that lead through wildflower meadows and host beautiful displays of foliage in autumn. With the easy accessibility of Tiger Mountain, it is used abundantly for recreation and thus requires continued maintenance. Students will work to help repair overused trails as well as remove invasive plants brought in by trail users and their vehicles. The work done by volunteers helps to preserve the beauty of the well-loved Tiger Mountain.
Program Cost
To remove barriers preventing students from accessing the outdoors, we subsidize the cost of our program through a combination of gifts and grants. Our program fees are per class and are based on a school’s percentage of students from low-income families. Find your school’s percentage on the OSPI Washington State Report Card.
% Low Income Cost Per Class
35-100% FREE
0-34% $750 + sales tax*
*WA State’s new law (ESSB 5814) effective October 1, 2025 classifies live presentations as retail sales subject to retailing Business & Occupation (B&O) tax and retail sales tax.
Transportation
If at least 35% of your school’s population is from a low-income family, you may be able to receive transportation cost assistance. Each year, King County provides a limited number of Wheels to Water buses to schools within its Wastewater Treatment Division service area. If your school is unable to use a Wheels to Water bus, the Greenway Trust may be able to offset the cost of your transportation, thanks to generous grants and gifts. Contact us to learn more.
Ready for Your Upcoming Program?
Please make sure all participants (youth and adults) have a signed waiver and your chaperones know what to expect.
Next Generation Stewards Video Series
Unable to participate in our in-person program, but still looking to bring environmental education to your classroom?
This video series explores the living and nonliving parts of a healthy forest ecosystem and actions we can take to help protect them.