Louisville ECHO
Louisville ECHO is the programming component of the West Louisville Outdoor Recreation Initiative (WLORI). Its overall goal is to create “cradle-to-career” access to nature with sustained opportunities for young people to engage in nature at all ages. Jefferson Memorial Forest (JMF) and the Natural Areas Division of Louisville Parks & Recreation (Parks) manages this environmental education and outdoor recreation programming. ECHO is also supported by Wilderness Louisville, Inc.
ECHO programming currently consists of several complementary components: school-based environmental education; ECHO out-of-school education/recreation programming; nature play with the ECHOmobile; summer job-training; and family-oriented community events. ECHO serves communities in West and South Louisville.
Explore ECHO Programs
ECHOmobile
The ECHOmobile is a travelling box truck unit that provides nature play programming throughout the community. From mud kitchens to natural musical instruments to shelter building, the ECHOmobile provides nature play to encourage and inspire creativity in the natural world. Check out the calendar to see where the ECHOmobile will travel next! If you would like to request the ECHOmobile at your event please email [email protected].
Out-of-School (OST) Programs
ECHO out-of-school time (OST) provides outdoor recreation and education programming by collaborating with local community centers and after school care providers. Participants can enjoy a variety of activities such as archery, hiking, fishing, canoeing, birding, tree identification, and more. Register your child as an ECHO kid and stay up to date on upcoming programs and camp scholarship opportunities. You can find Parent Interest Forms in the right hand column. Check out the ECHO Calendar to see what programs are coming up!
In-School Programs
ECHO collaborates with local schools to provide a continuum of outdoor programming tied to Kentucky Academic and Science standards. Students in grades 2-4 can experience hands-on, immersive programming in their local environments, as well as at Jefferson Memorial Forest and Mammoth Cave National Park. If you are interested in your school becoming an ECHO School, email [email protected]
SummerWorks Job Opportunitiess
ECHO hires 10-12 youth every summer to do a combination of land management projects and outdoor programming with younger youth at partner community centers as part of Mayor Greg Fischer’s SummerWorks program.
Land management projects completed by SummerWorks youth include the bicycle pump track in Shawnee Park, a green infrastructure infiltration trench in Chickasaw Park, invasive plant species removal in both Chickasaw and Shawnee, and an upcoming soft trail installation in Shawnee near the old Fountain Ferry Park.
Young adults who enjoy working outdoors and working with youth can apply for SummerWorks positions with Jefferson Memorial Forest here: https://www.summerworks.org/
Community Events
ECHO and Jefferson Memorial Forest hosts several community events including the Shawnee Outdoor Adventure Day the first weekend in June; Urban Canoe Adventure in early October: Forest Adventure Day in mid-October; and Forest Fest in the spring. For a full list of our community events, check out the ECHO Calendar and follow us on Facebook.
ECHO Program Calendar
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Thank you to our partners and sponsors!
