EUGENE, Ore. -- Spring break offers community members and families an opportunity to check out local museums, and five of Eugene’s most popular museums are offering free or discounted admission to families in need.

Understanding Imperiled Earth is a unique introduction to how understanding archaeology can support modern-day sustainability efforts, from restoring forested land to developing fire management strategies. The world faces an uncertain future with the rise of climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, overfishing, and other threats.

Ronan Donovan had seen plenty of wolves...but no wolf pups. And he really wanted some pictures of wolf pups. Ronan was on a project documenting the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. Ronan is a National Geographic wildlife photographer, which means his job is to take pictures of animals behaving naturally.

An exhibit that celebrates Eugene’s lesbian history is wrapping up this weekend. Outliers and Outlaws, Stories from the Eugene Lesbian History Project has been on display at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene for a little more than a year.

Stephanie Craig, citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, runs her own business, Kalapuya Weaving & Consulting. Besides teaching traditional basket weaving, she consults museums and galleries on basket designs and materials. That includes helping with exhibits and identifying woven pieces.

After a roughly four-year hiatus, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Tuesday that she’s reviving a task force dedicated to inventorying Native American items in state and public collections across Oregon, via executive order.

The Shady Cove Library is now hosting an exhibit that’s designed to teach children about the prehistoric creatures that once roamed Oregon. “Oregon’s Dino-Story” is a hands-on display on loan to the library from the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Stephanie Craig, citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde, runs her own business, Kalapuya Weaving & Consulting. Besides teaching traditional basket weaving, she consults museums and galleries on basket designs and materials. That includes helping with exhibits and identifying woven pieces.

Some of the libraries in Douglas County hosted Oregon Rocks! during the summer of 2023, and are looking to host the new summer program offered in 2024. “I think that the Museum of Natural and Cultural History does a fantastic job with their educational outreach,”

Historically, museums across the U.S. have taken a detached, scholarly, and archaic view of Native Americans. But over the past decade especially, there’s been a push by Native advocates and their supporters to “decolonize” – or alternately, “Indigenize” – these institutions, including in Oregon.