November 4, 2026
It starts with a question. A curious child. A simple bark rubbing. A group of learners stepping outside to discover that the natural world is full of lessons waiting to be explored.
For 50 years, moments like these have been at the heart of Project Learning Tree (PLT).
Since 1976, PLT has helped educators bring the environment to life through hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, build critical thinking skills, and inspire young people to care for the world around them.
Rooted in Purpose, Growing Through Generations
When PLT began in 1976, its founders envisioned something both practical and powerful: educational experiences that would help young people explore environmental issues, ask thoughtful questions, and make informed decisions. Their guiding philosophy—teaching students how to think, not what to think—remains central to PLT to this day.
What began as an innovative approach to environmental education has grown into a nationwide network of educators, partners, and champions united by a simple belief: learning about the natural world can change how we see it—and how we care for it.
Over the decades, PLT has evolved alongside the educators and communities it serves. What began as an innovative approach to environmental education has grown into award-winning PreK–12 materials, meaningful professional learning, and resources that help young people imagine their future in careers that shape and sustain our forests for generations to come.
Today, as an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI), a non-profit charitable organization with the mission of advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaboration, PLT builds on that legacy to advance environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways, using trees and forests as windows on the world.
Classrooms have changed. Technology has transformed how we teach and learn. Environmental challenges have grown increasingly complex. Yet one thing has remained constant: the power of meaningful learning experiences to inspire curiosity, understanding, and action in both teachers and students alike.
And the evidence reinforces what educators have seen for decades. Research synthesized through the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)’s eeWORKS initiative shows that environmental education supports outcomes ranging from K–12 learning and positive youth development to civic engagement and conservation.
PLT’s impact extends far beyond the numbers.
The power of PLT can be found in a single student who discovers a passion for science, the teacher who gains the confidence to take learning outdoors, and the young person who imagines a future career caring for our forests and natural resources.
Sometimes, that impact comes full circle. In PLT workshops, educators occasionally experience an activity and joyfully exclaim, “I participated in this PLT activity as a kid!” It’s a powerful reminder that the seeds of curiosity planted in childhood can take root and flourish for years to come, inspiring a new generation of educators and learners.
Other times, the impact is found in a newfound sense of confidence. As one pre-service student at the University of Mobile in Alabama reflected after participating in a PLT professional development event, “It gave me more confidence in finding creative ways to get students excited about science and the world around them.”
These moments may be difficult to measure, but together, they represent something remarkable: generations of people inspired, equipped, and empowered through Project Learning Tree.
The People Who Make PLT Possible
As we celebrate this milestone, one thing is abundantly clear: PLT’s greatest strength has always been its people. We all play different roles in building the world we want.
To the educators who bring PLT activities to life in classrooms, schoolyards, forests, parks, and community spaces: thank you. Your creativity, dedication, and willingness to inspire young minds make the learning possible.
To the PLT State Coordinators, facilitators, and delivery partners: thank you for dedicating your time and many times entire careers to building relationships, sharing your expertise, and ensuring that PLT remains relevant and responsive to the communities you serve, from the forests of Maine to the deserts of Arizona.
To the organizations, individuals, funders, supporters, and collaborators who have given their time, expertise, and resources to PLT: thank you for believing in the power of environmental education and helping extend its reach.
And to the millions of young minds that have asked questions, made discoveries, and taken action: you are the reason we do this work.
PLT’s story has never been about a single organization or resource. It is a story of people learning from one another, sharing what works, and building something greater together. These 50 years belong to all of us.
50 Years Forward: The Next Chapter
Celebrating 50 years is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come. It’s also an invitation to imagine what we can accomplish together next. Through 50 Years Forward, PLT is building on five decades of experience to expand access to environmental education, reach new communities, cultivate the next generation of educators, and explore innovative ways to connect young people with nature. The challenges facing our world are changing, and so are the opportunities to make a difference.
As we look toward the next 50 years, our commitment remains strong: to equip educators, inspire young people, and grow a future where people and forests thrive together.
And just as they have for the past five decades, our educators, partners, and communities will lead the way.
Let’s Keep Growing Together
Whether you’ve been part of PLT for decades or are just discovering us, there’s a place for you in this story.
- Join a PLT workshop. Discover hands-on activities and connect with fellow educators who share your passion for meaningful learning.
- Connect with Your State PLT Coordinator. Explore local opportunities, resources, and partnerships that bring environmental education to your community.
- Share the PLT story. Think of 10 people who believe in the power of education, nature, or community—and introduce them to PLT. A simple connection can plant the seed for something extraordinary.
