PLT’s Newest Activity Collection: Connecting for Health and Planet

Posted on by Jennifer Byerly

Project Learning Tree recently launched a new theme-based activity collection!

The Connecting for Health and Planet Activity Collection is our latest release featuring three PLT activities for educators of students ages 8-11 and grades 3-5. And if you work with older students, the activities also contains age-appropriate adaptations for educators working with grades 6-8.

Designed to be flexible, the activities can be used as stand-alone lessons, or all together as a cohesive unit of instruction using a storyline technique.

green get the activities button

 

 

 

Connecting for Heath and Planet: Grades 3-5 Activities

The three downloadable activities were developed with support from Nice-Pak and invite students to investigate how being outside—and among trees, specifically—provides people with many different physical, emotional, social, and learning benefits:

    • Get Outside!: Students investigate the physical and emotional benefits of working or playing outside.
    • Poet-Tree: Students explore the benefits of being outside as they make observations of how trees make them feel. This activity also incorporates traditional knowledge with a gratitude walk.
    • Helping Hands: Students plan and carry out a project to improve a shared, local outdoor space.

 

How do trees connect with human and environmental health?

A growing body of research confirms that children are healthier, happier, more creative, and have better knowledge retention when they consistently play and learn outdoors. Some benefits of time outdoors for youth include:

  • Increased attentiveness and better recollection of information, even after they go back inside.
  • Improved performance on tests and other external measures of knowledge gains.
  • Greater feelings of competence and motivation to learn.
  • Elevated mood and better ability to regulate emotions.
  • Decreased stress and anxiety.
  • More physical activity and improved physical health.
  • Improved balance, coordination, and problem-solving skills through less structured play.
  • More frequent and more effective conflict management, communication, and peer cooperation.

While much of the research focuses on children, there is also evidence that being outdoors is good for adults as well. Plus, an additional benefit of spending time outdoors is an increased investment in these places and spaces by the people who experience them.

 

green get the activities button

Learning Progressions

Storylines provide connectedness and continuity to individual activities and can serve as the instructional glue that holds areas of knowledge and skills together. The activities in Connecting for Health and Planet may be linked together into a unit of instruction using a storyline technique, such as the one that follows.

Guiding Question: How does being outside benefit people?

Storyline: Being outside and among trees provides people with many different physical, emotional, social, and learning benefits.

The sequence of individual activities supports this storyline:

1. Get Outside!
Investigate the physical and emotional benefits of working or playing outside; encourage students to design and plan the investigation and analyze their results.

2. Poet-Tree
Explore the benefits of being outside and make observations about how trees make us feel. Invite students to gather “tree impressions” and to use these impressions to write poems centered around trees.

3. Helping Hands
Challenge students to describe the feelings a local area evokes and what they wish were different about it. Plan and carry out a model project to improve the site, and reflect on the environmental, community, and personal benefits of the project.

 

New Features Within Each Activity

In addition to the typical elements that educators have come to rely on from PLT, the following new features in our theme-based series will further help educators adapt the activities for specific groups and settings.

Academic Standards
Classroom educators and nonformal educators alike need to ensure that instruction helps diverse learners meet rigorous academic benchmarks. Each PLT activity displays explicit connections to practices and concepts mandated by the following national academic standards. Here’s an example from the first activity in the collection, Get Outside!:

 

 

 

Take It Outside!

Describes how to extend student learning into the outdoors.

icon of a grey arrow pointing right

 

Differentiated Instruction Strategies

      • Cooperative Learning
      • Literacy Skills
      • ELA Skills
      • Hands-On Learning
      • Higher-Order Thinking
      • Multiple Solution Pathways
      • Nonlinguistic Representations
      • Personal Connections
      • Student Voice

question mark made of tree canopy with text reading did you know above

 

Did You Know?

Forest Facts present interesting insights into forests as global solutions for environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

 

text-bubble-with-i-love-my-green-job!-inside


Career Corner

Introduces youth to forest-related careers.

 

 

green get the activities button


Purchase Connecting for Health and Planet now from PLT’s Shop for $5.95

 

 

Like what you see? Check out our other low-cost, downloadable activity collections:

 

 

This collection is supported by Nice-Pak.

Building Partnerships for Sustainability – 2025 PLT Conference

Posted on by Megan Annis

What do you get when you bring over 120 people together to talk about environmental education and growing effective forest partnerships?

Magic.

Last month, we held our 39th annual Project Learning Tree (PLT) conference in picturesque Clemson, South Carolina. PLT State Coordinators, facilitators, educators, and partners in the forest and conservation sector came together to build relationships, design the future of environmental education, and collaborate on ways to introduce more children to nature.

The week started with a special pre-conference workshop created for nearly 100 local South Carolina educators to receive hands-on PLT training. Supported by the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF), the workshops delivered professional development tailored for three tracks: Early Childhood, Kindergarten through Grade 8, and Green Jobs. Attendees learned how to lead PLT activities and incorporate them into their programs.

Keynote speaker Dr. J. Drew Lanham, Distinguished Professor and Master Teacher of Wildlife Ecology at Clemson University (who is also featured in the SFI-PLT-MANRRS guide Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers) kicked off the conference with an inspiring speech.

“Environmental educators are wonder weavers,” Dr. Lanham shared. If you’ve ever looked at a child’s face when they first explore nature, you know this to be true. Watching as a sense of awe and wonder fills their eyes.

Environmental education is needed now more than ever. And as Dr. Lanham said, “This is not the work of becoming rich, but becoming enriched.” Nature is something that enriches us all. It enriches our minds, fills our cup, sparks creativity, and nourishes our souls. His words set the tone for the rest of the conference and left us inspired.

From learning how to use PLT activities to certify as an Arbor Day Foundation K-12 Tree Campus to best practices for delivering theme-based professional development to educators, attendees were inspired to bring their knowledge back to educators in their state. And a special field excursion to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)-certified Clemson Experimental Forest capped off everyone’s experience!

We heard from local wildland firefighters and learned how they use prescribed burns to manage the forest and remove fuel ladders. We saw the damage that invasive insects can cause to trees, which harm forest health. We also visited a working forest, seeing regeneration in progress at a recently harvested site with replanted trees thriving. It was incredible to learn from experts in the field!

When educators discover how a sustainably managed forest operates and how it benefits our communities, economy, and environment, it opens the eyes and minds of entire communities. Educator forest tours like these are available in many states, and we highly recommend attending one! It opens up so many new ways to teach and brings the forest to life in the classroom.

During the week, celebrated several individuals for their contributions to PLT over the years, honoring our Leadership in Education awardees: Butch Bailey, Mississippi; Angela Bartholomay, North Dakota; and Susan Cox, New York.

(L to R): Ted Stevens, Gold Star Awardee; Rocco Saracina, PLT, Director Strategic Partnerships

We also gave two incredible PLT State Coordinators, Ted Stevens of Texas and Ashley Hoffman of Kentucky, our PLT Gold Star awards. If you’ve ever had the chance to meet either of them, consider yourself lucky! Ted and Ashley embody the meaning of PLT champion. They consistently show up with gratitude, passion, and a love of environmental education.

(L to R): Josh Brankman, PLT VP Education; Rocco Saracina, PLT Director, Strategic Partnerships; Ashley Hoffman, Gold Star Awardee; and Kate Nagle, Director, Education & PLT Network

Ashley is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of Environmental Education (KAEE) and the PLT State Coordinator in Kentucky. She also serves on the SFI Board of Directors and PLT’s Education Operating Committee. Ted is the Education Director of the Texas Forestry Education and the PLT State Coordinator in Texas. His passion, hands-on approach, and unwavering dedication have left a lasting impact, ensuring that future generations understand and value the role of forests in our world.

The 2025 PLT Conference left us all inspired and refreshed (check out the full photo album on Facebook!), and we could not have done it without the help of our gracious hosts, South Carolina PLT! Matt Schnabel, South Carolina PLT State Coordinator, formed an incredible team of volunteers to help plan the conference alongside our national team, and we are so grateful for their hard work in making this such a successful week.

 

Thank you to all our amazing sponsors, speakers, and attendees for celebrating another impactful year with Project Learning Tree. We can’t wait to see everyone again in 2026 for our 50th anniversary and conference in Nebraska at the Arbor Day Farm Lied Lodge!

 

Earth Day 2025

Posted on by Jennifer Byerly

earth day 2025

 

Earth Day this year is held April 22, 2025 and the theme is Our Power, Our Planet.

To celebrate, we’ve compiled stories and resources to help educators and youth learn about sustainability issues, climate science, and actions they can take this #EarthDay2025 and every day.

 

 

beavers faceGuide to Curriculum for Teaching About Climate Change 
PLT teamed up with Earth Day Network, Project WET, and Project WILD to produce a guide that lists all available education resources to help you teach about climate science and the impacts of climate change. Use our “Teaching About Climate Change: Water, Trees, and Wildlife” guide to help plan a series of lessons that fit with your teaching situation to teach about the impacts of climate change on water, forests and biodiversity.

 

Pencil transforming into a tree above a notebook

Student Worksheet 
TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE—TOGETHER
Learn about the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals with our guiding questions. Young people will explore how the Goals are interconnected and address the global challenges we face.

 

 

Free Activities for Families and Educators:

pine trees with a purple borderTREES AS HABITATS 

From their leafy branches to their tangled roots, trees provide a habitat for a host of plants and animals. Take inventory of the life in, on, and around trees to discover how plants and animals depend on trees in many ways (available in English and Español.)

 

tree cookie with blue arrows in a circle indicating renewabilityRENEWABLE OR NOT?

Children often do not know which resources are renewable and nonrenewable. Use this activity (in English and Español) to learn what these terms mean and discover why sustainable use of natural resources is so important.

 

recycling symbol with triangle of arrows surrounded by a red borderREUSE AND RECYCLE AT HOME 

Learn how to analyze waste and whether items being thrown away could be reused, recycled, or composted. Bookmark our handy chart (available in English and Español.)

 

 

student craft of a planet drawn on paper with messages below each corner of the pageEARTH DAY ACTIVITIES TO INSPIRE YOUR STUDENTS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Earth Day is about raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet and taking action. Use these activities to inspire your students to take action this Earth Day and every day.

 

child hands with blue paint on their palmsARTISTS FOR THE EARTH (EarthDay.org)

Celebrate the many sights, sounds, and textures of the natural world by becoming an artist for the earth. Filled with creative exercises for children and adults, alike, this webpage contains ideas and inspiration for sustainable creative expression.

 

young indigenous men in orange safety vests and hardhats hug in a forestLEARN ABOUT FORESTS

Engage middle school aged youth in learning about trees, forests, and sustainable forest management with PLT’s 12 free, ready-to-use, hands-on activities. Each 50-minute activity offers simple suggestions for leading learners ages 10–16 in themes related to sustainable forest management, stewardship, and green careers.

 

 

Free Teacher Stories and Resources:

wood boardwalk surrounded by grasses12 NATURE WALK ACTIVITIES FOR EARTH DAY (OR ANY DAY!)

Getting outside can be one way to boost our resilience. Try these activities to ensure your walks are an engaging and enriching learning experience.

 

young woman poses in front of a painting of an eagle13 YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Young students don’t need to wait until they’re older to make a difference! Share these inspiring stories that show what’s possible when young environmentalists take action.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY TIMELINE (EarthDay.org)photo of an alarm clock with a purple border

The big events that shaped our environmental history can fascinate kids. These printable timelines (in English and Español) can be used as a research activity for students.

 

young girl drinking a glass of waterBECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST

From tackling plastic pollution to supporting the global food supply to observing local bird species and more—this article is your go-to guide to classroom community science.

 

photo of lettuce planted in rows of soilSOIL EROSION: WHY IT HAPPENS AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT

Soil erosion is a natural phenomenon caused by water and wind, but can become more of a problem as humans inhabit and develop more of the planet.

 

children gather around a tree being plantedTIPS FOR PLANTING TREES WITH KIDS

Express your appreciation for trees this Earth Day (or any day!) by planting a tree at your school or in your community. Here’s some inspiration and a few tips to get you started.

 

photo of a tree surrounded by a purple borderHANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO EXPLORE THE MANY USES OF TREES

If you’re brainstorming ideas for outdoor lessons, trees are a great place to start! Bookmark a few of these fun and engaging outdoor activities to explore how trees and forest products are used every day!

 

CREATING A ZERO-CARBON FUTURE ON EARTH DAY (AND EVERY DAY)

In recent years there has be an increased urgency to implore policymakers to make a change for a zero-carbon future. Celebrate this Earth Day by exploring ways you and the young people you work with can become advocates for the planet.

 

group of young children smiling at the cameraSUBSCRIBE TO THE PLT MONTHLY BRANCH NEWSLETTER

Access more resources, tips, and free activities every month when you sign up for PLT’s monthly Branch newsletter.

Inspired Journeys

Posted on by Megan Annis

It’s now been two years since we released Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers. And we’re beyond thrilled that thousands of students, young professionals, educators, counselors, and more have been impacted by the incredible stories shared within the book.

SFI and PLT have been working alongside Auburn University to foster the next generation of green leaders and environmental stewards. On this anniversary, we wanted to celebrate by sharing some stories – those of Auburn University leaders and Junior MANRRS students who have been inspired by the journeys of others.

 

Michelle Cole

Academic Administrator, Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment

Michelle Cole, Auburn UniversityGrowing up in a middle-class home, Michelle Cole dreamed of becoming an accountant. “I must be honest, a green career was not my first choice.” But thanks to her mentor, she ended up finding her green path.

Ron Smith, who now works for Tuskegee University, used to work for the USDA Forest Service. He shared with Michelle that organizations like the Forest Service need accountants, too. He encouraged Michelle to attend a forestry camp in Florida. “I really liked the camp and all the things it had to offer; however, I still wanted to be an accountant.” It wasn’t until Ron convinced Michelle to take an introductory forestry course in college that everything changed.

“I got an A and never looked back. The next thing I knew, I had an internship in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, and boom! Green career, here I am! I landed one forestry job after the next and finally carved out where I was always supposed to be.”

In Michelle’s work, she has seen the direct impacts of The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers. “The most inspiring thing about the guide for me was seeing all the people who looked like me, people that I knew who had careers in the green industry, and they were doing what they were passionate about. As I turned the pages, I said to myself, ‘I taught him in that class; I worked with her on this project.’ It brought me full circle in my career, and I love it. We are a small niche, but we are here for each other. I was in awe of the guide and was thankful that someone took the opportunity to feature natural resource professionals.”

Michelle is an urban forestry expert and academic administrator in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University and advises all the forestry and natural resource management students, the Auburn community, and beyond through MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences). “I am most hopeful that we will continue to create the next generation of natural resources scientists. Working with MANRRS helps create those connections in professional development.”

Michelle’s advice to the next generation is this: “Take the leap of the unknown. Think outside the bark. Have an open mind about a green career path. My green career has taken me to some pretty amazing places, opportunities, and spaces that I thought were out of my reach. Trust and believe that there is an opportunity out there that has your name on it. It may not be what you thought you would be doing, but everything that you needed! Take that leap!”

 

Amari Parker and Hannah Padgett

High School Students

Just like Michelle’s mentor pointed out, a green job doesn’t mean you have to be working in the forest. Whether you want to pursue a career in communications, human resources, accounting, or law…your job can still be green! There are so many organizations within the forest and conservation sector needing your talents!

Amari Parker, Vice President of the Junior MANRRS program at Auburn University, is planning to pursue law school. “I’ve always wanted a career in the legal industry where I could assist others.”

Hannah Padgett, President of the Junior MANRRS program at Auburn, is following her dream of going into medicine, where she hopes to become a dermatologist and eventually own her own practice.

Through being a part of Junior MANRRS, both Amari and Hannah learned about green jobs. But after reading The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers, both students discovered just how many more green career opportunities there are.

For Amari, “The most inspiring thing about the Journeys guide was being able to read and learn about the different people who look like me and have found happiness inside their green careers.” Hannah felt “The most inspiring thing to me was seeing all of the African Americans working in this field.”

Amari hopes that more people in his generation “will be open to learning more about green career paths and pursuing careers they are passionate about and love.”

And even if students don’t pursue a green career, they can still be inspired to take care of our planet. Hannah hopes her generation “will do all we can to make the earth a safer and better place.”

 

Janaki Alavalapati, Ph.D.

Emmett F. Thompson Endowed Dean of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University

Dr. Janaki Alavalapati was born and raised in a rural community where he developed a passion for farming and natural resources. He went on to obtain master’s degrees in botany and forestry, getting his first job working for a state forest service agency in India. “After moving to North America, I continued my efforts in advancing higher education related to forestry, wildlife and the environment.”

Today, Dr. Alavalapati leads the world-class College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment at Auburn University in Alabama. He is helping develop the next generation of natural resources professionals. “The future of the environment lies in sustainable management and conservation of agricultural and forested landscapes. The youth, considered as our next generation, will significantly influence the ways we produce, consume, and distribute goods and services. These activities will have direct implications for conservation of natural resources.”

He is hopeful that more young adults will choose green careers. “Anyone who is interested in and passionate about natural environments, green career paths [such as] forestry, wildlife conservation, environment-society interface offer a great promise. The importance of these areas for social, economic, and environmental well-being at local, state, national, and global is growing leaps and bounds. Youth in these career paths would be in the front and center of analyzing complex issues and finding practical solutions.”

Resources like The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide help increase the visibility of these types of careers, opening a whole new world of possibilities for students and young adults. “The Journeys guide provides youth with valuable information about green career pathways. More importantly, the featured stories in the guide inspire youth to embrace green jobs. Since governmental, non-governmental, and private organizations are increasingly seeking professionals from minority groups, I am very hopeful that the Journeys guide will stimulate the supply of minority professionals.”

 

It’s up to us to have conversations with young people and expose them to various career paths. Find out what makes a person tick, what they’re passionate about, and what their strengths are.

  • Do you love writing? Communications and marketing are green jobs!
  • Do you love numbers? Accounting and finance are green jobs!
  • Do you love wildlife? Biologists are green jobs!
  • Do you love teaching? Educators are green jobs!
  • Are you fascinated by building designs? Architects are green jobs!

Just think of the endless opportunities. As Dr. Alavalapati said, there are government, non-government, and private organizations that need the talent and passion of this next generation!

Let’s get those conversations started. Explore green careers with your students using PLT’s suite of career education resources, including Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers, Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers Educator Guide, and Find Your Green Job: Youth Personality Quiz

People of PLT | Becoming a Better Naturalist

Posted on by Kate Nagle

Get to Know Jonathan Smith, Mississippi PLT State Coordinator

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. When you first meet a PLT State Coordinator, there’s always something special about them. Warm, fun, full of life, enthusiastic, and welcoming. They’re excited to be with you and share their passion for environmental education.

This month, meet one of our newer PLT State Coordinators, Jonathan Smith, who leads the PLT program in Mississippi and embodies all these wonderful traits.

Jonathan is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Mississippi Forestry Association. His passion for nature began early in life, and he aspires to continue becoming a better naturalist each and every day. In high school he volunteered at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and he then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture from Mississippi State University.

Now he gets to share his love of nature with others.

“Environmental-based outreach education is a passion of mine, and PLT provides an excellent avenue to conduct that education.” Jonathan leads professional development workshops where he shares how to lead PLT activities. For him, the best part is seeing educators realize how easy it is to incorporate PLT.  “I get to see teachers express how they can use what is presented in the activity guide in their classrooms.”

What Engages Learners?

Jonathan says, “Find the best way to engage your students. Each student will respond differently to a PLT activity, so find out what engages your student or draws them in while you’re teaching, then use that by incorporating different PLT activities.” For one learner, they may love the hands-on component of an activity, and another enjoys being creative while learning about nature.

“My favorite PLT activity would have to be either ‘Birds and Bugs’ or ‘Web of Life’ (from Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide). They are my favorites because I get to incorporate different aspects of the ecology and the environment in fun and entertaining ways.” In these two activities learners are truly active participants – moving around the room or outdoor space – while learning!

It’s especially helpful to check out the At-a-Glance and Topic indices in the Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide. Depending on what your learners are interested in, you can find activities to meet those interests. Do some students love working together in teams? Are there a few students who love public speaking? Are there others who are tech wizards? Want to get learners physically active or help them get in touch with their inner artist?

The beauty of PLT activities is that there is something for everyone.

Find Your Inspiration

For Jonathan, his inspiration comes in the form of nature and the others he works alongside.

While he inspires educators to bring nature to life in the classroom, Jonathan is personally inspired by the PLT facilitators he works with in Mississippi. “If I had to give a shoutout to someone, I’d pick Butch Bailey of the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He’s been a PLT facilitator since before I was brought on as the new state coordinator and has PLT workshops down to a science.”

Who inspires you? Is there another educator you work with who inspires you to incorporate different teaching methods or just always has a friendly smile on their face and makes you feel instantly at ease?

Personally, I’m inspired by our entire network of PLT State Coordinators. Getting to know Jonathan and spending time with him at last year’s PLT-WET-WILD conference was a lot of fun. He brings such positive energy, a welcoming spirit, warm smile, and laughter to every room he enters. In this photo from last year’s conference, Jonathan (pictured laying in the front) helped us get our silly and playful sides ready for an excursion in San Antonio. We’re lucky to have him leading the way with PLT in Mississippi!

 

Want to learn more about your state’s PLT program?

Visit plt.org/yourstate to get connected with a PLT State Coordinator near you!

Learning by Giving Back

Posted on by Megan Annis

January.

The start of a new year.

The opportunity to renew our commitment to growth, learning, and making a difference.

It also marks three commemorative dates where we can focus on these three things:

  • National Mentoring Month
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 20, 2025 – National Day of Service)
  • International Environmental Education Day (January 26, 2025)

The foundation of Project Learning Tree is learning by doing. It’s in the doing that we grow and can positively impact our environment, our communities, and each other. So, what better way to honor these special days than by giving back? We’ve compiled various activities and resources you can do and share with your learners to inspire them to make a difference.

Dream Big

My interest was so great that I switched to becoming a wildlife biologist. And to be that person that I couldn't see on TV, now in real life.When you ask a student what they want to be when they grow up, what do you typically hear? Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, or Police Officer? If these sound familiar, it’s time to introduce students to career paths they may have never imagined. How about Sustainability Officer, Urban Forester, Wildlife Biologist, or Environmental Educator?

PLT has multiple resources to inspire learners to explore careers where they can positively impact our environment. Check out Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers and Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers.

Take it a step further and invite individuals into your classroom or organization to speak with students about alternative career paths, especially those in the forest and conservation sector. We suggest reaching out to PLT’s network of State Coordinators as they often have local connections in these fields.

SFI also hosts an amazing Green Mentor program each year, encouraging seasoned professionals to mentor young adults just starting out in their careers. It’s a wonderful way for mentors to give back and for mentees to learn and grow!

Improve Your Place

When you give learners the opportunity to be creative, great things can happen! In the “Improve Your Place / Mejora tu Lugar” activity from PLT’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide / Explora tu Ambiente: Guía de Actividades K-8, students design a service-learning project that encourages them to make their community a better place. Here are just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing!

Plant a Garden

Check out these inspirational ideas for creating a beautiful sense of place at your school or in your community. Gardens not only invite pollinators like bees and butterflies, but they are a wonderful way to teach about the life cycle of plants, what they need to grow (“Here We Grow Again / Aquí Volvemos a Crecer”), and even soil structure (“Soil Builders / Constructores de Suelo”) from Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide / Explora tu Ambiente: Guía de Actividades K-8. When you plant a working garden with vegetables, consider sharing the fruits of your labor with those in need. Connect with a local food pantry about donating fruits and vegetables from your garden.

 

Forests, Water & People Cover ImagePlant Trees

Many communities have nonprofit organizations that host tree-planting events. Check out the Arbor Day Foundation’s network of organizations around the U.S. who are dedicated to making a positive impact on our environment by planting trees. This is also a great opportunity to green your schoolyard and create a calming, natural setting for students to enjoy.

Water Watchers

Depending on where you live, you may face different issues with water, including poor water quality or limited water sources. In the new activity collection for middle and high school, Forests, Water & People, students identify a possible forest-related or other “green” solution to a local watershed issue and develop an action plan to carry out such as organizing a river cleanup to protect water quality.

Paint a Nature-Themed Mural

Before putting paint on a wall, check first with your school, organization, or community leadership to see if there is an available wall or building that could use some beautification. Paint a picturesque forest or a babbling brook running through your schoolyard. Work with students to design the mural and bring it to life, watching creativity blossom! Check out Pinterest for some incredible ideas like these:

Design for the Future

Imagine if you could design a community for the next generation. In PLT’s “A Vision for the Future” from Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live, high school students develop and present a vision for the future of an area in their community. They identify current issues facing their community and work together to develop possible solutions.

Although this activity holds a mock community outreach event, consider contacting your local city council or town leadership to host a student-led community workshop. Young people are the voice of the future, and if we want more sustainable communities, we should involve them early on. You never know what innovative ideas may come out of this and into fruition!

 

We’re all presented with the opportunity to do good things. Now is the perfect time to make your resolution to positively impact your community and our planet by helping others learn and grow!

See You at the 2025 Green Schools Conference!

Posted on by Annie Perkins

Green Building Materials Are Shaping the Future of Schools

Educators and students are shaping the future of education and green schools to build a more sustainable world. The Green Schools Conference, organized by the U.S. Green Building Council, is at the heart of this movement. It brings together educators, advocates, and professionals from across the country to advance green schools and sustainability in education.

The conference will cover a wide range of topics, including systems and culture change for whole-school sustainability, resilient schoolyards, project-based learning for sustainability, decarbonization of school buildings and transportation, and partnerships for sustainable and equitable schools. View the schedule-at-a-glance and full session program.

 

Coming together from across the country

The Green Schools Conference is the only national event that brings together people who lead, operate, build, and teach in U.S. green schools. That’s a big reason why I’m thrilled to represent Project Learning Tree and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative at the conference. I’m looking forward to connecting with people to learn from them and share PLT resources like our Green Schools Program, Forest Literacy Framework, and the K-8 Activity Guide.

PLT’s involvement in the Green Schools Conference will focus on the role that sustainable supply chains and green building materials play in shaping the future of schools. I’m excited to collaborate with educators, students, and other advocates to showcase the significant impact that sustainable forestry practices and certified wood products can have in creating schools that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible. As an added bonus, this year’s Green Schools Conference will be co-located with USGBC ADAPT Southeast Regional Conference – even more reason to join us!

 

Conference Highlights

  • Environmental justice and health equity: Explore the intersection of environmental issues and public health and learn how equity can drive community solutions.
  • Communication for climate action: Gain insights into effective communication strategies that inspire action and mobilize communities around climate initiatives.
  • Partnerships for sustainable and equitable schools: Discover how collaboration among schools, local organizations, and stakeholders can foster sustainability and equity in education.
  • Healthy, zero-energy schools: Learn about innovative practices that transform schools into energy-efficient environments that promote student well-being.
  • Sustainable school culture and climate: Delve into strategies for cultivating a school culture that prioritizes sustainability and engages students in climate advocacy.

 

Supporting Green Schools Nurtures the Next Generation

For me, supporting the green schools movement isn’t just about the physical infrastructure of a school—it’s also about nurturing the values of the next generation. By promoting green building practices, we can ensure that students are learning in spaces that not only inspire but also serve to protect the natural world.

 

Join me at the Green Schools Conference

Register for the Green Schools Conference today! A variety of registration packages are available, with special rates for employees of PreK–12 schools and districts, as well as government and non‑profit employees. I can’t wait to meet and talk more about how sustainably managed forests can benefit communities and kids!

People of PLT: Yasmeen Hossain, Oregon PLT State Co-Coordinator

Posted on by Megan Annis

A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching

When you are teaching a group of students, you may or may not have insight into their backgrounds and experiences. But 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 strive towards creating a supportive, safe space for people to learn.

This month’s People of PLT highlights the work that Yasmeen Hossain, Oregon PLT State Co-Coordinator and Associate Director of the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program, is doing to help educators incorporate a trauma-informed approach into environmental education.

What is Trauma-Informed Teaching?

Yasmeen shares, “In my experience there is no one whose life has not been affected by trauma in some capacity, whether their own experiences, those of loved ones, adversity impacting the community they live in, countries, regions or even the entire world (which was the case with the COVID pandemic). Trauma is pervasive. It is also often likened to an invisible wound. If someone has a broken arm that is in a cast, it signals to us that they are wounded. With trauma it is often not as noticeable. This is why it is important to apply a trauma-informed approach in all situations and in all interactions, including in educational settings.

Students, educators, staff, volunteers, students’ families–everyone can benefit from a trauma-informed approach.

In brief, trauma-informed education is a system-wide approach that recognizes the prevalence of trauma, how it impacts learning and teaching and aims to respond to trauma, prevent re-traumatization, and foster resilience.”

How Can Educators Better Support Learners Who May Be Experiencing Trauma?

This is an extremely complex and important topic, and while we’re only scratching the surface in this article, Yasmeen has a few helpful recommendations to get started.

“Often a trauma response stems from feeling overwhelmed, threatened, and that we have no control over our well-being. A trauma-informed approach aims to prevent and counteract this perception.”

A Language Shift

She suggests using inviting language instead of directive language.

With directive language, you’re telling, as though learners must do something and have no say. Examples of directive language include: “You should do this activity, you have to divide into groups, you will write an essay”.

Whereas, Yasmeen says, “Inviting language tells our brains that we have a choice in the matter. For example, “I encourage you to write an essay. I invite you to watch this documentary”. It is a small shift in language for the educator that can make a big difference for students.”

Expand Your Knowledge

The more you learn about trauma-informed teaching, the better you can support your learners.

In the PLT workshops that Yasmeen hosts, she utilizes a trauma-informed lens to not only plan the agenda but in the language and materials she uses to how she interacts with participants and leads activities. In certain workshops, such as ones about climate change or wildfire, Yasmeen incorporates the topic of trauma, sharing tools and strategies with educators to effectively lead these types of thematic lessons with their students.

We suggest checking out this free downloadable resource that Yasmeen created, Trauma-Informed Toolkit: A Resource for Educators. In it, she references PLT’s activity “Living with Fire / Viviendo con Fuego” from the Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide / Explora tu Ambiente: Guía de Actividades K-8 and the Nature of Fire activity collection as a case study of how to embed a trauma-informed approach into an existing lesson. You’ll also find helpful information about various types of trauma and toxic stressors, symptoms of trauma, trauma responses (i.e., fight or flight), and helpful ways to bring the nervous system back to normal (i.e., breathwork, being in nature, journaling, etc.).

Finally, we encourage you to seek out professional development workshops that specifically discuss trauma-informed approaches to education. The more you know and learn, the more empowered and comfortable you will be to bring those practices to your lessons or programs.

Additional Resources

Below is a (not exhaustive!) list of several resources to help you understand the various types of trauma and trauma-informed approaches to teaching.

PLT Releases New Activity Collection: Forests, Water & People

Posted on by Jackie Stallard

Forests, Water & People Cover ImageProject Learning Tree is excited to share that we’ve expanded our high school-focused instructional materials with a brand-new digital activity collection! Forests, Water & People includes three place-based lessons that invite learners to explore how trees, watersheds, and our communities are interrelated. The collection is designed for educators to use with learners in grades 9-10, with variations for grades 6-8. 

This special collection was developed in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service.  

The Journey of a Single Drop of Water 

When you think about where your drinking water comes from, what comes to mind? Rivers, streams, or natural springs?  

What about forests?  

Be-leaf it or not, we rely on forests for high-quality drinking water! When rain falls on forests, the layers of vegetation slow and collect the rainwater, enabling it to slowly seep into the soil to recharge streams, rivers, and aquifers. The more forested a watershed is, the better it can maintain water quality. You can thank a tree the next time you quench your thirst with ice-cold water!  

Open students’ eyes to the source of their water and help them explore how their community’s water supply depends on forested lands.  

Explore Your Community 

Image of GIS Mapping ToolWhen it comes to making learning even more relevant, place-based lessons are the perfect way to incorporate what’s happening in your local environment. Plus, learners get to utilize GIS maps and technology as a way to learn about nature!  

The three lessons can be taught as standalone activities or linked together into a unit of instruction using a storyline:  

Activity 1: From Tap Root to Tap Water 

Introduce the concept of watersheds as a critical source of drinking water and challenge students to map out their local watersheds, indicating the location of any forestlands. Familiarize them with the Forests to Faucets 2.0 tool created by the USDA Forest Service to further deepen their knowledge about their watershed. 

Activity 2: Mapping Your Community Through Time 

Explore how a local community has changed over time in terms of its housing, water systems, and green spaces, including forests. Encourage students to look for ways that changes in these community components are connected. 

Activity 3: Watershed Watch 

Invite students to explore a forest-related watershed issue from different stakeholder perspectives and then to plan and conduct an action project that helps resolve a local watershed problem or maintain local water quality. 

Learn more about the collection: https://www.plt.org/forests-water-people-activity-collection/  

 

 

Additional Theme-Based Lessons 

PLT’s downloadable activity collections can be used as standalone activities or cohesive units of instruction that follow a storyline. Containing three to four lessons, they can easily integrate into your existing curriculum or programming, enhancing multidisciplinary learning. PLT incorporates a variety of subjects into every activity, so learners are exposed to science, math, language arts, social studies, art, technology, and more—all the while learning about our environment!  

High School 

Middle School 

Elementary School 

Grades K-2 

Grades 3-5 

Mentorship: Nurturing the Next Generation of Green Leaders

Posted on by Nic Weeks

Have you ever stopped to think about the individuals who have positively impacted you over the course of your career? Your life? The people who helped shape the path you’re on, who served as a sounding board, who guided you through rough waters?

We all need mentors. We all can be mentors.

Mentors profoundly impact the lives of others. They inspire, they introduce, they encourage, they support.

Whether you’re a 5th grade teacher, a university professor working with preservice teachers, an executive director of a nonprofit, or a natural resource professional, you can nurture relationships with the next generation of green leaders.

It doesn’t matter about your background or level of experience. What matters is your kindness, openness, and willingness to be a mentor. You may be just what someone else needs to jumpstart their future.

Fostering Relationships

Through PLT’s educational and career exploration resources that enable educators to introduce learners to various green jobs to SFI/PLT Canada’s Green Mentor Program, we are committed to educating and mentoring young people to connect them to their desired pathway, growing the next generation of forest and conservation leaders.

Personally, I am passionate about mentorship. As SFI’s Career Readiness Manager, I have witnessed the pivotal role of mentorship in advancing career pathways in forestry and conservation. The mentors in our program, established leaders with extensive networks and knowledge, play a crucial role in guiding and supporting our mentees in growing their career pathways. Our Green Mentor program ensures young professionals know the diverse opportunities available locally and binationally, strategies to advance their career pathways, and tips to grow their networks.

Former Green Mentor program participant and mentee, Kianna Bear-Heatherington, shared that “This experience helped shape me into a greater agent of change and given me more accountability in my life.” Like Kianna, other mentees have shared similar experiences and expressed immense gratitude for the bonds they have made with their mentors.

PLT’s Career Exploration Resources

So many young people are only aware of careers like doctor, lawyer, engineer, or police officer. That’s why introducing learners to a wide variety of jobs starting at an early age is ideal. You can open their eyes and spark interest in new possibilities!

Did you know that PLT’s PreK-12 instructional materials include information about various careers?

Be the person who introduces a 5-year-old to forestry or opens a teenager’s eyes to a future as a wildlife biologist. Nurture a relationship with a college student and help them explore a career in environmental education.

There are endless green job opportunities out there, and you just never know how you may inspire and impact the career trajectory of someone!

Corazón Latino and Project Learning Tree – A Partnership that Just Makes Sense!

Posted on by Megan Annis

Guest Contributor: This article was written by Dara Brewton from Corazón Latino. Dara is the National Reporting Manager for Corazón Latino but also wears a project manager hat from time to time. In her free time, she dabbles in acting, film making, and script writing. 

 

The collaboration between Corazón Latino and Project Learning Tree (PLT) represents a powerful blend of cultural insight and environmental education. As these two organizations join forces, their combined efforts promise to make significant strides in fostering environmental stewardship within diverse communities. 

Explora tu Ambiente

The launch of Project Learning Tree’s new Spanish-language guide, Explora tu Ambiente: Guía de Actividades K-8, represents a significant milestone in making environmental education accessible to Latino communities. Recognizing that mere translation is insufficient, PLT thoughtfully developed Explora tu Ambiente to ensure the educational materials are not just translated into the Spanish language, but also resonate more deeply with Spanish-speaking students. 

Corazón Latino emphasizes the importance of culturally interpreting educational content. As Felipe Benitez, Executive Director of Corazón Latino, states, “Translations are not enough—word for word doesn’t always make sense. Language needs to be interpreted with the audience considered.” It was an approach carefully taken by PLT when creating Explora tu Ambiente as it ensures the educational materials resonate more deeply with Spanish-speaking students.

Tips for Connecting Multilingual Learners to Nature

  • Bring activities that are engaging, fun, and rooted in environmental and scientific education.
  • Bring music, arts, or sports to break the ice before starting the environmental education.
  • Engage the whole family in the process from the toddlers to the abuelitos (grandparents).

Watch the Explora tu Ambiente Joint Webinar

On September 18, 2024, Corazón Latino and Project Learning Tree hosted a free one-hour webinar titled “¡Explora tu Ambiente! Nature Education for Latino and Multilingual Learners,”  equipping educators with strategies and resources for engaging Latino and multilingual learners in environmental education.

The hour included a presentation on the guide itself, engaging activities, and Felipe’s insights on connecting with Latino communities, building authentic partnerships, and ensuring inclusivity in programming. This joint effort underscores the importance of culturally sensitive and engaging environmental education practices.

But Wait, There’s More!

If you’re heading to the NAAEE Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from November 6-9, 2024, be sure to add the “Engaging Latinx Communities: Inclusive Outdoor Learning Strategies and Activities” session to your schedule! On Thursday, November 7 from 4:50-5:30 pm ET, the joint presentation will highlight PLT and Corazón Latino’s commitment to engaging Latinx communities in outdoor learning. 

Discover the benefits and challenges of such engagement and successful strategies for overcoming obstacles. Attendees will also learn about fun, culturally relevant activities designed for Spanish-speaking audiences and receive free activity materials. Emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in environmental education, the session aligns with the conference’s focus on advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field.

More About Corazón Latino 

At the heart of Corazón Latino is a mission to reconnect Latino families with nature through culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate programming. Our award-winning non-profit is dedicated to fostering social, environmental, and conservation initiatives that emphasize reciprocity between humans and nature. We have a simple philosophy: “If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us.” It underscores everything we do — it is our commitment to nurturing environmental stewardship within Latino communities.

In 2023, Corazón Latino developed a curriculum specifically tailored for Puerto Rico, which was reviewed by environmental education experts and government representatives. It was eventually adopted by the Puerto Rico Department of Education! This curriculum, which serves over 259,000 students across 858 schools, was co-designed in consultation with local communities surrounding El Yunque National Forest. This collaborative approach ensures that the curriculum is not only educational but also relevant and engaging for Puerto Rico’s students. 

Project Learning Tree’s mission to advance environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways using trees and forests as windows on the world is in perfect harmony with ours, making the partnership a no-brainer! 

We look forward to collaborating with Project Learning Tree to expand the reach and impact of both our work.