Project Learning Tree: Celebrating 50 Years

A horizontal banner graphic reading, "50 Years Forward: Growing the Next Generation". The number 50 is overlaid with the Project Learning Tree, PLT, logo, a simplistic paint stroke stylized coniferous tree, with a blended collage of photographs of children in the outdoors. The Project Learning Tree, PLT, logo is placed in the top right.

 

In 2026, Project Learning Tree (PLT), a flagship program of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), celebrates a remarkable milestone: 50 years of award-winning environmental education that has transformed how young people understand and care for the natural world. Through hands-on activities brought to life by educators nationwide, PLT has cultivated generations of environmental problem-solvers and stewards.

A horizontal banner graphic reading, "Reaching 100 million students in 50 years. 1976 to 2026". The number 50 is overlaid with the Project Learning Tree, PLT, logo, a simplistic paint stroke stylized coniferous tree, with a blended collage of photographs of children in the outdoors.

What next? Fifty Years Forward!

PLT is looking to the future to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future powered by education. 50 Years Forward positions PLT to reach new communities, cultivate education champions, and deliver environmental education at scale, resulting in transformative change that benefits people and planet.

 

50 YEARS FORWARD: THREE PILLARS OF IMPACT

 

 A photograph depicting a group of educators participating and learning an interactive nature-based activity created for children, available in curriculum developed by Project Learning Tree, PLT.

 

A photograph depicting an educator teaching two young children about nature, in nature.

 

A photograph depicting a person holding a twelve-inch ruler upright with their arm extended in front of their body, looking towards a tree canopy.

 

 

1. GROWING OUR NETWORK

 

2. CULTIVATING EARLY CAREER CHAMPIONS

 

3. ENHANCING PLT DELIVERY

 

 

PLT’s robust delivery network includes 60 leading environmental education providers positioned in communities across the United States who train and inspire thousands of educators daily. Investments will directly increase capacity and reach, attract new place-based partnerships, and spark student interest in sustainability and forest sector careers.

  

PLT’s cross-disciplinary approach will attract emerging educators to our field at a critical time when student academic performance declines and individuals are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. This initiative will expand PLT’s preservice educator training programs—positioning PLT as an integrated educational approach that builds student STEM skills, improves academic performance, and inspires interest in sustainability careers.

  

PLT will pilot new delivery methods and instructional models, using emerging technologies that make it easier for new and seasoned educators to deliver environmental education. In partnership with an advisory team of education experts, this collaborative approach will result in more educators tapping into PLT as a low barrier-to-entry resource integral to their programming.

  
  The image reads, "IMPACT". Within the letters is an image of pencil crayons arranged in the color spectrum.   The image reads, "IMPACT". Within the letters is an image of pencil crayons arranged in the color spectrum.   The image reads, "IMPACT". Within the letters is an image of pencil crayons arranged in the color spectrum.  
  REACH 50,000 NEW EDUCATORS, WHO IN TURN REACH 4.5 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.   PARTNER WITH 25 NEW UNIVERSITIES, REACHING 10,000 NEW PRE-SERVICE STUDENTS.   CREATE NEW DELIVERY MODELS THAT INSPIRE NEW AND SEASONED EDUCATORS TO USE PLT EASILY AND OFTEN.  

 

50 YEARS FORWARD: INVEST IN FOREST LITERACY ACROSS THE NATION

Your investment in PLT enables transformative change in communities across the country. By strategically investing in new communities; building PLT champions nationwide, and developing innovative delivery methods, we can cultivate the next generation of environmentally literate citizens and green workforce leaders– creating more sustainable, resilient communities for the next 50 years and beyond.

 

INVESTING IN A HEALTHIER, MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

50 YEARS FORWARD positions PLT to reach new communities, cultivate education champions, and deliver environmental education at scale, resulting in transformative change that benefits people and planet.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO INVEST IN PROJECT LEARNING TREE’S FUTURE. CONTACT US!

Melissa Taggart
Sr. Director, Development and Strategy
melissa.taggart@forests.org

 

Rocco Saracina
Director, Strategic Partnerships
rocco.saracina@forests.org

 

DONATE NOW

 

50 YEARS OF PLT

Explore 50 years of PLT with voices from across the community that has supported PLT’s award-winning environmental education that has transformed how young people understand and care for the natural world.