LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University’s initiative to help bring diverse student teachers to rural Oregon received an infusion of funding from the BottleDrop Fund.

The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, which runs the BottleDrop network, donated $5,500 to the Teach Rural Oregon project, according to a press release. The program aims to recruit upcoming educators to complete their necessary student teaching in rural school districts across the state.

“Supporting initiatives like these reflect OBRC’s commitment to promoting environmental education, particularly in rural communities, throughout the state,” Vice President of External Affairs Devon Morales said in the announcement. “We are thrilled to support Eastern Oregon University’s Teach Rural Oregon project.”

The funds will cover the transportation costs to Cottonwood Canyon State Park in June for students and teachers attending either the Cottonwood Crossing Student Institute or the Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute.

EOU faculty and other regional professionals lead the institute, a four-day long field studies program for teachers, according to Eastern’s website on the program. 

“We go out into the field, we collect samples, and then do a fair bit of data analysis,” Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute instructor Joe Corsi said. “At the end, the teachers prepare a presentation. The idea here is to provide a model for the K-12 teacher that they can take back to the classroom and do with their own students.”

Teachers, such as Brooke Armstrong, who have attended the program have spoken highly of the experience.

“This is the best professional development I have ever attended as a teacher,” Armstrong said. “I had the opportunity to learn real skills.”

The BottleDrop Fund helps support nonprofit organizations in Oregon with a focus on litter and waste reduction, environmental conservation, environmental education, recycling, partnerships working to solve community problems in Oregon, and skill-building or job training for low-income residents.