Washington, D.C. – Project Learning Tree® (PLT), the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, is now accepting applications for GreenWorks! grants to help fund “learning-by-doing” environmental neighborhood improvement projects that partner PLT educators and their students with local businesses or community organizations.  Grants up to $5,000 are available; the first round of proposals are due April 30, 2007.

“Student leadership, service-learning, and community participation are the cornerstones for PLT GreenWorks! projects,” said Al Stenstrup, Director of Curriculum Programs for Project Learning Tree.  “We look forward to funding some exciting community-based projects around the country that not only engage kids in hands-on learning about the environment, but also provide leadership opportunities for students in their school and community.”

Since 1993, Project Learning Tree has distributed approximately $375,000 to fund over 700 grant projects in communities across the country. This year, PLT is making $100,000 available for environmental projects that combine academics with community service, engage elementary through college-age students in active learning about the environment, and connect youth with local community partners.  Sample projects include, but are not limited to, outdoor classrooms and gardens, habitat restoration, watershed improvement, and energy conservation.

The maximum grant available is $5,000 and this amount will be awarded to a select number of proposals of greater scope and reach.  These projects may take up to two years to implement and must also incorporate a PLT professional development training workshop for other educators or youth leaders.  Most projects will be funded at $1,000 or below and must be completed within twelve months.

“GreenWorks! projects support PLT’s hands-on/minds-on approach to learning about the environment,” said Kathy McGlauflin, Director of Project Learning Tree and Senior Vice President of American Forest Foundation. “We are proud to grow our GreenWorks! program and look forward to partnering with many more education and community organizations to help make a difference in how students think and act in their communities.

For more information about GreenWorks!, grant guidelines, and an application, visit http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_18.html.

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) (www.plt.org) is the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation. PLT uses the forest as a “window on the world” to increase students’ understanding of our complex environment and to help students learn the skills they need to make sound choices about the environment. Developed in 1976, PLT has an international network of more than 500,000 trained educators using seven curricula covering the total environment. GreenWorks! is PLT’s environmental service-learning/community action program that brings teachers, students, families, schools, community groups, and businesses together for grassroots partnerships that enhance local environments.  The American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization, works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and informed decision-making about our communities and our world.