NEWS RELEASE

Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute Receives $9,000 Grant from the Wildhorse Foundation

High school students in Eastern Oregon gained a one-of-a-kind field learning experience last week, made possible in part by a $9,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation awarded to the Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute (CCSI). The program, organized by the Rural Engagement & Vitality Center in La Grande, immersed students for a week in Cottonwood Canyon State Park along the John Day River, where they explored science and storytelling in the field while earning college credit. Students were led by Eastern Oregon University faculty.

The grant supported program costs including food, education supplies, materials, and transportation, allowing program fees to stay affordable for students. By connecting young people to the natural landscapes and cultural heritage of the region, CCSI provided an educational experience bridging classroom learning with real-world exploration in the field.

“CCSI is built around curiosity,” said Eric Carlson, CCSI coordinator. “Students ask questions, test ideas, and discover answers for themselves.”

Students conducted stream surveys, identified macroinvertebrates and studied plant ecosystems in the field, applying concepts in real time. Courses also included visual storytelling, where students use photography and narrative to document and interpret their surroundings. CCSI is coordinated by the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center in partnership with Eastern Oregon University and regional partners.

Each year, the Wildhorse Foundation makes grants to eligible nonprofit, government, and Tribal organizations within the homeland area of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people. Also eligible for funding are Tribal government agencies or Native American charitable organizations with their base of operations within Oregon, as well as national or regional Indian organizations. 

The Wildhorse Foundation has awarded a total of over $20 million in grant funding since its establishment in 2001. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis with the deadlines being January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.thewildhorsefoundation.com.

About the Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute 

The Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute is a program of the Rural Engagement & Vitality Center based in La Grande, Oregon, which works to develop future rural leaders. CCSI has brought high school students to Cottonwood Canyon State Park along the John Day River for a unique, week-long field learning experience since 2016. Guided by Eastern Oregon University faculty, participants engage in hands-on exploration of science and storytelling while earning college credit. The park’s 8,000-plus acres are open for exploring, stargazing, and contemplating the elemental forces that carved this unique landscape—connecting the next generation to the landscapes, history, and ecology of Eastern Oregon. More information can be found at www.revcenter.org/cottonwood-crossing-summer-institute.

About the Wildhorse Foundation

The Wildhorse Foundation reflects the commitment of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to take a proactive, positive role in the well-being of the community. Funds, derived from a percentage of revenues from Wildhorse Resort & Casino, are managed and distributed by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders and representatives of the CTUIR.

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Note to editor: Video footage of CCSI can be found here. Photos can be found here.