Did you know that forests contain the world’s largest reservoir of plant and animal species on land, serving as home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity? Pretty incredible. That’s just one of the many reasons we love forests! Let’s celebrate the variety of trees, other plants, fungi and countless animals, from bears to beetles, that contribute to our biodiverse planet.
Introduce biodiversity to young readers through this nonfiction picture book that explores a typical day for animals that call a soggy forest home.
As the days stay sunny for longer, summer can be the perfect time for kids and adults to relax under their favorite tree and catch up on their reading lists. Explore some of our favorite all-ages books about forests and trees to connect with the natural world!
Have you ever stopped to think about how much you rely on forests? What about water? These natural resources support our everyday lives in so many ways. Check out these fun activities to celebrate International Day of Forests and World Water Day!
This month’s People of PLT highlights the work that Mississippi PLT State Coordinator Jonathan Smith is doing to share his love of nature and inspire educators to bring nature to life in the classroom!
Did you know that February 24-28 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week? Take some time this month to introduce learners to what invasive species are, the threats they pose to the environment, and how to prevent them from spreading.
We’ve compiled various activities and resources you can do and share with your learners to inspire them to make a difference.
Time spent in nature is good for you! A young girl named Jina realizes this very fact when she’s out for a hike with her family. However, upon visiting the nature center, she learns that many children don’t have access to parks and have never been hiking or camping. This lights a fire in her belly to help more children spend time in nature.
Something we all have in common is that in one shape or form, we all have been touched by trauma. Everyone’s experience with trauma is different, which is why it is crucial to create a supportive space for people to learn. Learn about the work Oregon PLT State Co-Coordinator, Yasmeen Hossain, is doing to help educators incorporate a trauma-informed approach into environmental education.
Creating an edible soil activity featuring the different layers of soil—organic layer, topsoil, subsoil, parent material, and bedrock—is a fun way to engage participants in learning about the structure of soil and how it supports plant life.
