Our Vision
Made possible by grant funding!
At Unity, some of our core values revolve around Environmental Education, a vibrant Garden Curriculum, and weaving Outdoor Learning into every child’s daily experience. Our goal is to nurture young stewards of the Earth—an intention reflected in our Mission Statement, which is rooted in creating community-minded individuals who care deeply for the planet and the spaces we share.
We’re committed to elevating learning and have imagined what’s possible on our acre of land in the heart of the city. Thanks to the belief and support of the Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District, our vision is becoming reality. With 2026/2027 grant funding, we’re making measurable progress toward turning our goals and dreams into meaningful action.
Our Vision for the Future:
We aim to:
- Integrate water conservation practices throughout our campus
- Restore Pacific Northwest native plant ecosystems
- Promote energy conservation, including the use of solar panels
- Host annual Indigenous Guest Educators for authentic, culturally responsive learning
- Establish a rain garden and transition to an electric school bus
- Create a year-round, covered outdoor teaching area in the garden
- Build shaded, interactive Outdoor Learning Corridors in the playground, offering four unique exploration zones.
We want to expand and weave all of these initiatives into our daily (already robust outdoor) curriculum, empowering children to become lifelong stewards of the Earth and its many inhabitants.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished thanks to UWSWCD’s Environmental Education Grant funding: By the second week of October 2026, our new Water Catchment System will be fully operational, featuring two 2,500-gallon barrels, allowing teaching our students about what water conservation is and where our water comes from while supporting our garden’s irrigation and water conservation efforts. Beginning October 5th, we’re restoring sections of our landscape with Pacific Northwest native ecosystems—both woodland and prairie—transforming these areas into dynamic teaching spaces and a community-accessible garden. We invite neighbors and visitors to walk the trail, explore the native plants, and learn from the informative place cards we’ll provide along the way.
The following week, we’ll introduce a Native Plant Edible Interactive Garden and Teaching Area to the playground, creating even more opportunities for hands-on exploration. We’re also planting a white oak tree, which will offer habitat for over 2,500 insects and animals and provide cooling shade for generations of children.
On October 7th, 2026, we proudly launch our seasonal Indigenous Guest Garden Educator program. Culturally responsive teaching is deeply woven into Unity’s practices and the HighScope curriculum, reflecting our commitment to equity and inclusion. Learning firsthand from Pacific Northwest Indigenous educators is a profound honor—one made possible through the generous support of UWSWCD.
Design of the Interactive PNW Edible Garden & Teaching Area in the Playground
Meet Our Funders
Oregon Pacific Bank: Provides $1000 yearly for nearly a decade. We use these funds to offset our fundraising achievements.
UWSWCD Environmental Education Grant for the 26/27 year: $39, 948 towards Environmental Education, Water Conservation and Plant Restoration.
On Point Community Credit Union: Secured in September of 2026, $1250 towards purchase of books for outdoor learning and culturally responsive learning
Will you be the next to join in a partnership with Unity to provide High-quality care in an equitable environment to support our young learners of all developmental stages for generations to come?
A heartfelt thank you to the Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District the very first organization to believe in and invest in our holistic Environmental Education vision. Their support has been instrumental in transforming our dreams into reality, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership on this journey.
Front Landscape Design of PNW Native Eco-System Learning Area and Community Garden
Installation of the Water Catchment System
Looking Ahead
We are seeking funding to support several transformative projects:
- A year-round, covered teaching area in the garden
- Solar panel installation to promote renewable energy
- An electric bus to help reduce our carbon footprint
- A rain garden to manage stormwater and enhance biodiversity
- A covered, shaded playground area with independent interactive corridors that feature the eight categories of learning and additional garden beds
- More shaded spaces for children during the hottest months of the year
- Further expansion of our outdoor learning environment
These initiatives will help us create a more sustainable, engaging, and enriching campus for all students.
We are actively seeking new grants to further expand our Environmental Education, support our K-4th Learning Enviroment, and build long lasting partnerships with organizations that share our vision for young learners from preschool through 4th grade. One of our ongoing challenges is that many grantmakers do not fund programs for children younger than elementary age. That’s why it was such a meaningful milestone when UWSWCD recognized that our youngest students deserve the same opportunities as older children.
At Unity, we do more than prepare children academically for kindergarten; we foster a nurturing, year-round environment for preschool and K–4 students and champion the vital work of early childhood education. As trailblazers, we prioritize teaching essential social and emotional skills—so much more than just ABCs and 123s. Part of our focus is on teaching skills. Social and emotional learning is vital to our young learners and helps them become a positive member of the community, no matter the vulnerabilities they may face. Learning self-regulation gives our learners a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.
What truly sets our program apart is the long-lasting relationships we build. And a unique fact: many children are with us for nearly a decade, making Unity their second home, their safe haven, and a place where we partner with families to support growth both in and out of the classroom. We are a true school, not simply a daycare, and our holistic approach ensures every facet of learning is thoughtfully woven into daily experiences.
While grant funding for ECE nonprofit schools remains limited, we are confident that, with the right partners who share our mission, Unity will continue to grow as a vital part of the Lane County community.
Lastly, our goal is to show the Oregon ECE community that every school can do this with dedication and hard work. We strive to become a demonstration site, bringing together all the components mentioned above, and helping other school environments do the same.
We are on our way! Not just on our way, we ARE doing it! And a big thanks to UWSWCD for recognizing our campus potential and what we strive to create for our families and community at large!
