Corvallis Environmental Center (CEC) is a community-based, educational nonprofit that has prioritized partnerships to implement programs to address community needs since 1994. CEC's mission is to create a healthy, sustainable community. We do this through pre-K through 8th environmental education, Farm to School programs, youth leadership development, teacher training, and food security.
CEC’s programs include after school programs, summer camps, NaturePlay preschool in Avery Park, and classroom education and field trips in partnership with school districts in Benton and Linn Counties. We offer family programs and events including summer concerts and a fall film festival, and operate a 1-acre demonstration and education garden in Starker Arts Park known as SAGE. The food grown at SAGE is donated to those in need through our social service partner agencies.
Starker Arts Garden for Education (SAGE):
SAGE is a 1-acre production garden located in Bruce Starker Arts Park.
Each year we donate over 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables to enhance food security in Corvallis! Each year SAGE produces over 5000 lbs of fresh organic produce.
Here are some of the locations where the community can find our produce:
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South Corvallis Food Bank
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Stone Soup Kitchen
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Basic Needs Center at OSU
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Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center
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Old Mill Center & Stand By SAGE
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Community Outreach Inc.
Our goal is to put more nutritious, fresh, locally grown produce in the hands (and mouths) of our community’s residents who need it most!
Education Programs:
Avery House Nature Center in Avery Park holds our preschool as well as serving as a base for many of our summer camps and other nature-based programming. in 2019 we established our afternoon bilingual preschool program! Area schools and partner organizations also host CEC programs including Tasting Tables, Classroom Food Adventures, and the Corvallis School Districts PAGES afterschool enrichment program. Nature and farm field trips occur at parks and partner locations in and around Corvallis.