Let’s Go Back to School and Back to Nature

Posted on August 15, 2023October 18, 2023 by Megan Annis

Ahhhhhh…the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the crispness of notebooks, the excitement of learning new things.

This school year, keep the energy and excitement for learning high with ten fun ways to engage learners.

10 Ways to Engage Students with Nature

Take learning outside. Being outdoors provides so many benefits – social, mental, physical, and learning! – but it also connects children to nature, which is so important in a world where people are tethered to technology and disconnected from the natural world. In PLT’s activity collection, Connecting for Health and Planet, students investigate the physical and emotional benefits of working or playing outdoors.
Play detective. Every child learns differently, but one way to put theory into practice is through inquiry-based learning. Invite students to make observations, ask questions, and set up their own investigations. This helps build their problem-solving and analytical skills while keeping them actively engaged. Check out our Trees in Trouble activity, where students play detective with leaves.
Bring nature inside. We realize that heading outdoors to learn isn’t always feasible, but there are many ways you can bring nature inside. Make your own paper. Observe the changing leaves from your classroom window during the Fall. There are 50 fun activities in PLT’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide that give you options for learning indoors and outdoors.
Do a service-learning project. What better way to teach children about giving back than to work on a project that betters your community? Whether you do a quarterly litter clean-up or plant trees in an urban space, students can learn while helping out.
Encourage students to dream big. As an educator, you inspire children every day. PLT’s Water Wonders activity can help you teach about watersheds and the water cycle, and may spark an interest and lead to a student becoming a hydrologist in 20 years. You have the power to encourage children to follow their passion, explore nature, and open their eyes to careers they may have never dreamt about.
STEM it up! Get hands-on with nature-inspired STEM activities. Check out our Pinterest page – there are tons of fun ways to encourage students to build, collaborate, and use their creativity! We also have STEM Strategies with suggestions for enriching activities from the Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide.
Learn and imagine. Take your learners on a journey by reading a new book (or two or three!). Reading to children helps to support their cognitive development, improves language skills and creativity, and increases focus and concentration. Check out the Recommended Reading section on our website where you can find different books that teach children about nature.
Start a classroom garden. Plant seeds indoors to observe their growth and then transfer them to an outdoor garden. Learn how to get started using minimal resources!
Become budding artists. Some of the most amazing art is inspired by nature. Encourage your students to get creative and be inspired by trees and the world around them. Check out 21 tree art projects for young learners!
Explore nature through technology. We’re all about putting our phones away for tech-free time. But there are some really cool programs and apps to help you and your students learn more about the environment. Check out i-Tree (calculate the value of benefits that trees provide), iNaturalist (plants and animals identification), and Merlin (bird identification), to name a few!

This school year, take learning to the next level with PLT!

Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide

Looking for activities for the whole school year? Check out PLT’s flagship curriculum, the Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide. Filled with 50 activities suitable for educators working with ages five through fourteen, or kindergarten through 8^th grade. The activities are multidisciplinary and incorporate math, science, language arts, social studies and more.

Try Our Digital Activity Collections

If you’ve never tried PLT activities with your students, a great way to get started is with our theme-based digital activity collections. Comprised of three activities that can be done as stand-alone lessons or together as a cohesive unit of instruction, these are the perfect way to take students outside to learn or bring nature indoors. Each collection includes 3 hands-on activities for just $5.99!

Get the most out of PLT by pairing our resources with professional development.

We know how busy life can get, which is why we have in-person, online, and hybrid training opportunities that work with your schedule. You’ll experience PLT activities, get comfortable leading activities outdoors, connect with an amazing network of educators, and leave with a plan to incorporate activities into your lessons.

Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day

Posted on May 11, 2023August 30, 2023 by Megan Annis

Together for Birds

Birds are a wonderful introduction to the natural world and happen to be just outside your door! Whether in the city or a forest, a variety of birds are usually within easy eyeshot or earshot.

PLT and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) collaborated to develop a special new digital activity collection–Together for Birds. The activities are designed for educators to use with students in grades K-2, with variations for grades 3-5. The collection is filled with enhanced bird-specific content such as new enrichment experiences, recommended reading, forest facts, accompanying posters, and charts.

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

This saying seems fitting as we prepare to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on May 13, 2023. This special day originated to bring awareness of the threats that migratory birds face, their ecological importance, and why it’s so critical to help conserve migratory birds and their habitats.

According to ABC, “Hundreds of bird species flood back and forth between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas twice yearly, each a unique circuit of landscape, habitats, and threats.”

Why Birds Migrate

Birds migrate for two primary reasons–food and nesting. Birds that nest here in the Northern Hemisphere migrate north in the spring because of ample food supply and places to call home. While some birds do not migrate at all, those that do travel varied distances ranging from simply moving down a mountain to a lower elevation to thousands of miles. What is even more incredible is that while the exact path birds travel may differ slightly each year due to weather conditions, food availability, and other reasons, a bird’s inner compass, so to speak, always gets them back home.

In North America, there are four “avian superhighways”–the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways. Check out this article from ABC to learn more about the flight patterns of bird species near you!

Home Tweet Home

From wetlands to forests, birds have a host of habitats they call home. Some birds build their nests high up in trees, while others create burrows in sand. You might find a bird’s nest delicately floating in a pond and another attached to a freeway overpass. Birds build nests from various materials, including sticks, grass, roots, lichen, bark, feathers, and even mud.

For a fun activity to do with young learners, do the Tree Textures activity from Trees & Me. Set up a discovery table with various materials, like shredded paper, twigs, and moss, and encourage children to build their own nest.

Trees & Birds–A Symbiotic Relationship

Trees are more than just a place birds call home. Birds often find their food, like insects and worms, flying around trees or in the rich soil surrounding a tree and its roots. But it’s not just birds that benefit from trees. It goes the other way around! Birds are essential for dispersing seeds–they contribute to growing more trees. They also help control insect populations, eating pests that can harm trees and plants. These are just some of the many ways trees and birds thrive from one another.

Acorn Woodpecker (in pastel) by Swapna Shepherd, American Bird Conservancy Fellow

Activities to Celebrate Birds

Here are some fun ways to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!

World Migratory Bird Day – Global Events Map: Check out events happening near you with this easy-to-use map. From guided nature hikes hosted by birders to interactive exhibits, there is something for everyone!
Download the Together for Birds activity collection: Take learners on a journey outdoors to discover the birds and other organisms living in, on, and around trees; how coloration helps animals survive; and signs of animals in different habitats.
Introduce kids to urban birdwatching: Head outdoors and have your learners to use their bird-spotting eyes and ears (or binoculars!) to observe birds. Bring paper and some colored pencils with you and get creative–encourage students to draw the birds they see in their nature journals.
Name that bird: With profiles of over 400 bird species, check out American Bird Conservancy’s Bird Library. Instead of having students write a book report, have them write a bird report. Encourage them to learn more about a bird’s habitat, its population, what it eats, where it lives, and even the sounds it makes–whether to attract a mate or to warn others of nearby danger.

Get Your Copy of Together for Birds – New Activity Collection!

PLT partnered with American Bird Conservancy to create a new bird-themed digital activity collection, Together for Birds. Thanks to generous funding from ABC, this collection is available for free until December 31, 2023.

Celebrating Leaders in Education

Posted on April 10, 2023June 12, 2023 by Megan Annis

PLT 2023 Conference Attendees — PLT Coordinators, Facilitators & Partners at 2023 Annual Conference in Stevenson, WA

At the end of March 2023, over 100 Project Learning Tree (PLT) coordinators, facilitators, and partners came together to learn from one another and share best practices at our PLT Annual Conference. These individuals work tirelessly to help spread the word about PLT and educate teachers, natural resources professionals, and others about how to incorporate PLT activities with their learners. It’s our collective goal and commitment to inspire children (and adults) to get outside and learn in (and from) nature.

Every year we honor a few individuals who embody PLT’s mission of advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways by using trees and forests as windows on the world. This year, PLT recognized four outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions over the years.

Gold Star Awards

The Gold Star Award is given to National PLT partners and outstanding PLT Coordinators that are advancing PLT and acting as ambassadors for the program.

Robert Raze – PLT EOC Member & PLT Facilitator, Florida

Robert Raze, PLT Gold Star Awardee, and Jess Kaknevicius, SFI, VP Education

Robert Raze has served as an environmental educator for over 40 years, inspiring the next generation to consider a career in forestry. As a member of the PLT Education Operating Committee (EOC) as well as a PLT Facilitator in Florida, Robert is always willing to contribute. Whether providing insights into how we can reach more educators and pre-service teachers to contributing to discussions around reaching underserved communities, he is a shining leader and member of the PLT community.

Robert’s support for PLT includes growing partnerships with college and university preservice programs across Florida with an emphasis on working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). He most recently served as part of the SFI-MANRRS Advisory Committee and shared his own story in the PLT Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide.

In 2004 when Robert began teacher as a faculty member in the College of Education, St. Petersburg College, he introduced the concept of professional development for preservice teachers through PLT workshops. Robert Raze shares his passion for EE with his preservice students. As one student commented, “Dr. Raze made me realize the importance of including environmental education in my practicum experience.” Another student wrote, “Dr. Raze’s teaching style is one that I want to emulate because I know my students will learn as much as I have if I teach like Dr. Raze teaches.”

“Dr. Raze is extremely committed to environmental education and his expertise is recognized by his students who always give him the highest marks on their evaluations of his teaching.” – Kimberly J. Hartman, Dean, College of Education, St. Petersburg College

Denise Buck, PLT Gold Star Awardee and Kate Nagle, Director, Education & Project Learning Tree Network

Denise Buck – PLT Co-Coordinator, Washington

Denise Buck has served as the Washington PLT Coordinator since 2017 but has been engaging educators and students in environmental education for the past 34 years. During that time, she has served as a facilitator for PLT, Project WET, and Project WILD, training countless educators in all three programs.

Denise has lent her experience and passion to numerous working groups and committees for PLT, including service on PLT’s Education Operating Committee (EOC). This strategic advisory group provides insight and leadership over national programs. Her role on the EOC was the Coordinator Representative, where she gathered insights from the full PLT state network and served as their voice at the highest level. Denise has also been a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through her work to partner with tribes across Washington in the delivery of environmental education.

She even postponed her retirement to host the PLT Annual Conference in her home state when COVID shut down initial plans that began back in 2019! She has been a tireless advocate for PLT and a constant source of positivity for those she’s touched over the years.

Her colleagues describe her as a charismatic, warm, and enthusiastic leader creating a culture of care, inclusion and belonging. As Denise begins her next chapter retiring from her role as Washington PLT Co-Coordinator and Program Director for the Pacific Education Institute, her passion will be greatly missed, but the mark she has made will be forever imprinted on the PLT community.

“Denise is pretty fantastic – she has been sparking joy with PLT for many years. Her empathy and enthusiasm for our work and personal lives help connect and bond us as a community of friends.” –LeeAnn Mikkelson, PLT EOC Member

Leadership in Education Awards

Chanda Cooper

Chanda Cooper, an educator with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, was recognized for her more than a decade of leadership in championing PLT.

“Chanda rises to any challenge put before her. She works across the county, reaching more than 50,000 students at more than 100 schools in three school districts with her tireless message that learning about forest and conservation science isn’t just important—it can be a lot of fun too,” said Matt Schnabel, Environmental Education Coordinator with the South Carolina Forestry Commission and the South Carolina PLT State Coordinator, “Chanda acts as an ambassador for PLT in South Carolina.”

Cooper co-designed and co-facilitated South Carolina PLT’s strategic planning process in 2019. In 2020, Cooper led the South Carolina PLT Marketing Subcommittee through the development of a state marketing plan. She also co‑authored the final PLT 2020-2024 strategic plan and ushered it through full PLT Steering Committee approval. As a part of this process, she assisted with the reorganization of the South Carolina PLT Steering Committee’s subcommittees.

As the current chair of the South Carolina PLT’s Marketing Subcommittee, Cooper has been instrumental in the development of several new PLT outreach materials over the past year. She facilitated subcommittee work sessions to recommend and review new designs for PLT’s informational brochure and four pop-up banners. In 2022, Cooper scripted, filmed, and edited a series of six video testimonials featuring PLT Steering Committee members, then posted the videos on the South Carolina PLT Facebook page.

Cooper was recognized as a National PLT Outstanding Educator Honoree in 2018 and 2017, and as the South Carolina Jerry L. Shrum Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2016. She was also named South Carolina’s Environmental Educator of the Year by the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina in 2022.

Dennis Mitchell

Dennis Mitchell, a retired teacher from Evergreen Elementary in Cottonwood, California, was recognized for his tireless work over a quarter century delivering PLT education programs to a diverse range of students.

“It is hard to overstate Dennis’s rich experience in developing and delivering education curriculum programs as a middle school educator. He has proven his dedication by contributing to multiple rewrites of PLT’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide, delivering consistent workshops, training new coordinators, and being a monumental resource as California PLT has grown,” said Jonelle Mason, the Northern California PLT State Coordinator at the University of California. “Dennis spreads his deep love for our natural world with ease. He is a role model for all education professionals.”

Mitchell provides PLT trainees throughout California with a critical understanding of both natural resources and education techniques. He plays an important role as the Sierra Education Director for the Forestry Institute for Teachers programs, where he certifies PLT participants annually. This week-long camp involves vigorous planning and coordination to align PLT education curriculum with natural resources concepts. He works closely with natural resources partners, local foresters, school districts, and Sierra Pacific Industries.

Through the Forestry Institute, Mitchell brings his decades-long experience applying PLT in the classroom to elevate the role of forests and the people who work in and care for them. He has a close relationship with many local foresters and natural resource professionals, bringing them in as guest speakers during workshops. These enthusiastic professionals’ specialties include wildfire, law, wildlife, and forestry. By bringing in outside sources, Mitchell gives PLT educators the opportunity to speak to working professionals and then bring that knowledge back to youth learners.

Congratulations to all this year’s award recipients and nominees!

Check out more photos from this year’s PLT conference on our Facebook page!

Bring PLT Into Your School or Community

If you are interested in connecting with PLT in your state, whether you’re looking for online or in-person professional development workshops to learn how to incorporate PLT resources with your learners or you want to become a PLT workshop facilitator, visit: plt.org/your-state-project-learning-tree-program

Celebrating National Park Week

Posted on April 8, 2023April 8, 2024 by Meggan Balcaen

National Park Week, celebrated from April 20–28, 2024, is a time to explore unique places, discover stories of our history and culture, and experience parks near you. Celebrate this year’s National Park Week with the children in your life by teaching them about national parks and encouraging the exploration of these culturally and historically significant areas.

In 2022, the National Park Service celebrated its 106th anniversary and social media celebrated by elevating and learning about the experiences and impact of Black Americans in National Parks.

You can still join the conversation by searching and engaging with #BlackInNationalParksWeek on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Jump to:

National Park Week Activities

Get outside and visit a park

Many U.S. national parks do not charge entrance fees, but for those that do, be sure to take advantage of the fee-free first day of National Park Week on Saturday, April 20.

Plan your trip at NPS.gov and remember to recreate responsibly— our parks belong to all of us, and everyone needs to do their part to help preserve and protect them. You can also skip the travel time and crowds by looking for a smaller park, preserve, or recreation area with this list of ways to celebrate small parks during National Park Week from our friends at the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).

National Park, Public land? What’s the Difference?

A national park may typically come to mind when thinking about public lands—vibrant areas of land and water designated and protected by the U.S. Government to preserve the natural and cultural resources “for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of future generations.”

But there are other lands managed by the government. So, what’s the difference?

The National Park System (NPS) is comprised of historical monuments, lakeshores, scenic rivers, and battlefields, in addition to natural landscapes. More than 400 national park sites are recognized in the United States, spanning more than 85 million acres in all 50 states and territories like the Virgin Islands and Guam. There are many kinds of National Park System units (also called designations), and they can only be designated and made official by Congress.

Public land refers to the many natural areas of land managed by the federal government and open for public use. National parks are public lands, but not all public lands are national parks. Other examples of public lands include national forests, monuments, preserves, wildlife refuges, recreation Areas, and more.

The History of National Parks

With so many national parks in the United States, have you ever wondered which was the first?

If you guessed Yellowstone National Park, then you would be right! Covering 2.22 million acres in Northwest Wyoming, it is also the 8^th largest national park in the United States.

Yellowstone National Park received its official designation in 1872. It is also recognized as a UNESCO biosphere and World Heritage Site. The park’s landscape includes geothermal structures, forests, lakes, rivers, and mountains—so it’s easy to see why Yellowstone National Park welcomes 4 million visitors annually.

With an active and established history spanning over 100 years, the National Park Service (NPS) has an interesting story to tell. You can retrace the history of the NPS using the National Parks Service’s timeline.

Spotlighting the Contributions of Black Americans in the NPS

You may have also wondered how the NPS transformed over time. Many Black Americans have contributed (and continue to contribute) to the development and conservation of parks. We’ve spotlighted a few leaders below, but we encourage you to continue your own research to learn more about how Black American history is preserved and shared in communications and programming across many national parks.

Buffalo Soldiers

Some of the earliest stewards of our national parks were the Buffalo Soldiers. Initially formed in 1866, the “Buffalo Soldiers” moniker came to refer to the soldiers in four all-Black U.S. Army units. Buffalo Soldiers played a significant role in building roads, fighting forest fires, and protecting parks from poachers for many years. Unfortunately, when the National Park Service was formally established in 1916, Buffalo Soldiers were barred from returning as park protectors in civilian life.

Learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers’ contributions.

Charles Young

The protection of national parks and their natural habitats was part of the American army’s role in 1903. Colonel Charles Young—soldier, diplomat, and civil rights—was the third Black American graduate of West Point and the first Black superintendent of a U.S. national park when he and his army unit took on the stewardship of Sequoia National Park and developed infrastructure so visitors could experience the parks.

Young only spent one year in Sequoia, But the effects of his work as the first Black park superintendent are still visible—the roadways his unit planned and built in the park are mirrored in other parks today.

And Young’s love for nature also led to him educating his community about conservation practices. His work enhanced the natural spaces he stewarded by reducing animal poaching, deterring illegal logging, and reducing illegal sheep grazing within the park.

Learn more about Charles Young’s contributions.

Betty Reid Soskin

When men and women left for WWII, supplies and support from home were still needed—Black American women worked jobs in manufacturing and the defense industry to support the U.S. military. Their efforts on the home front went largely unrecognized in white communities. Still, they accelerated social change when Black American women and other women of color began pushing for equitable treatment and pay for their work.

Many of their stories were left untold and forgotten, including in our National Parks.

Betty Reid Soskin, civil rights activist, musician, businesswoman, and founder of one of the first Black-owned music stores, wanted to ensure that people could revisit the history and contributions of Black Americans as it was lived by those who lived it.

In the early 2000s, Betty noticed that the sites selected for the Rosie the Riveter World War II National Home Front Park in Richmond, California, which tells the history of people who worked in the defense industry and other home front jobs, were areas of racial segregation—sites that would not reflect the history of Black Americans.

Betty wanted to add the Black American voice to the home front story, so at the age of 80, Betty found her calling in the parks service. Betty led public programs and tours of the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park, shared her stories and personal experience from WWII, and brought to light the untold stories of Black Americans and other people of color who joined the civilian home front effort.

We encourage you to watch and share this 55-minute video of Ranger Betty Reid Soskin speaking at the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Education Center in Richmond, California, to learn more.

On March 31, 2022, Betty Reid Soskin, the NPS’s oldest active ranger at 100 years old, retired after a decade and a half of sharing her personal experiences and the efforts of women from diverse backgrounds.

Learn more about Betty Reid Soskin’s contributions.

Interested in learning more about the many Black Americans leading in forestry and conservation efforts? Read the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s recent post celebrating the contributions of Black Americans in conservation.

Black Americans have played and continue to play an important role in the establishment and management of our national parks. Though Black Americans represented more than 13 percent of the American population in 2018, a survey found that less than two percent of U.S. National Park visitors identified as Black.

This month and for the months to come, it’s important to learn about the many vital contributions of Black Americans working in and with the NPS, as well as acknowledge the need for increased diversity and representation amongst both park staff and visitors. National parks must be safe, welcoming, and enjoyable places for everyone.

Explore more great resources to support your learning journey:

- - Twenty & Odd: Exploring 400 years of the African American Experience: Watch this short NPS film to motivate and empower personal connections with national parks.
  - It Matters Who You See in Outdoor Media: Read Carolyn Finney’s article on how we can do better to represent and share the contributions of Americans of color who help shape our natural spaces.
  - 10 National Parks that Honor Black History: Check out the stories behind ten parks that honor the important history and contributions of Black Americans and make them a part of your next national park trip!
  - Bringing Black History to Life in the Great Outdoors: Explore the interactive stories of Black park rangers contributing to “the best idea America ever had.”

You can also help grow environmental literacy and expose young people to the great variety of experiences outdoors by encouraging students to read stories about nature that are centered around BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) protagonists. Encourage the children and young adults in your life to curl up with one or more of these riveting reads.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Park Ranger Shelton Johnson (@yosemite_shelton)

National Park Service and Green Jobs

PLT Canada defines a Green Job as one that supports nature-based solutions for a more sustainable planet. Green jobs are typically involved in, but not limited to, jobs in the forest sector, parks, conservation, natural resource management, environmental education, sustainable food systems, climate change, carbon sequestration, species maintenance and recovery, water quality and quantity, and more.

Explore SFI and PLT’s The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide, which seeks to ensure that young Black Americans see themselves reflected in green jobs and to inspire them to pursue rewarding careers in the forest and conservation sector.

The NPS employs over 20,000 staff members and engages 280,000 volunteers in various green jobs, including maintenance workers, gardeners, engineers, biological technicians, and park planners. The core workforce for the NPS is comprised of park rangers.

Park rangers are environmental educators and conservationists, specializing in historical interpretation, natural interpretation, resource management, or law enforcement. Park rangers typically work outdoors but may need to spend some time in the office.

Are you interested in helping your students learn about more green job opportunities with the National Park Service, Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and more?

- - Check out our Green Jobs and Careers in Conservation article exploring the many different green jobs available in public and private sectors.
  - Try out our online Green Jobs personality quiz! Educators can administer a youth version of this quiz to their students. By answering a few simple questions online, young people will receive recommendations for a few different green career paths that suit their personality.

Public Land and Park Planning

One of the NPS’s important roles is planning to ensure the long-term use of our parks for future generations. This process includes establishing guidelines for how a park may be used by the public, making decisions about sustainable resource management, and monitoring of management plans.

Park planning is no easy task, as planning collaborators include Indigenous Peoples and residents in nearby communities, including existing and future park users. But collaboration is imperative to allow all voices to be heard when discussing the approved use of land and water while ensuring the protection of the environment.

Celebrate National Park Week With Your Learners

PLT’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Guide contains many activities to help Kindergarten through Grade 8 students celebrate National Park Week, including:

Decisions, Decisions

Many stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process when managing a national park. Have your students develop plans to address stakeholder land-use issues with this activity and exercise in collaboration.

Improve Your Place

Part of park planning for national parks includes assessing natural resources and making management decisions to improve the sustainability of those resources. This activity is also an excellent way to engage your students in thinking about what changes they can make in their community to improve the environment.

Our Federal Forests

Students learn how forests can be managed to meet a variety of human and environmental needs and examine national parks to identify challenges that forest managers face meeting different needs.

Purchase a print guide or download an e-book directly from PLT’s Shop and find out about professional development workshops offered around the country through PLT’s local state network. From April 1-May 18, 2024, use coupon code EARTHDAY24 to get 20% off the Explore Your Environment e-book!

Introduce Your Young Learners to National Parks

PLT’s Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children Guide contains many activities to help young children between one and six-years-old to celebrate National Park Week, including:

Activity 2: Sounds Around

Many sounds can be observed by living and nonliving things in national parks. This activity helps children explore the sounds of nature and incorporate the knowledge they learn into their everyday world.

Activity 3: Tree Textures

Park rangers lead hikes and field trips and teach visitors what makes each national park special and what we can do to care for parks. Have children lead their own field trip by engaging them with various textures found in national parks and by learning to handle natural objects.

More Ways to Celebrate

Here are some more ways students can explore national parks while learning about sustainable forest management, land use, and public planning:

Explore National Parks in Your Area and Beyond

With over 400 national park sites in the United States, there is plenty to explore during National Park Week. The National Park Service Website has developed a “Plan Your Visit” tool that you can use to locate local national parks nearby.

Try out PLT’s adapted Get in Touch With Trees family activity to explore trees with your sense of touch. You can also pair this activity with PLT’s adapted Sounds Around activity to teach children about their sense of sound and explore the sounds national parks provide, from birds singing to trees rustling in the wind.

Can’t make it to a park?

Take a look at the virtual tours created by Google Arts & Culture and explore Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park, and Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park.

Take Part in the Every Kid Outdoors Program

The Every Kid Outdoors program gives fourth-grade students and their families free access to hundreds of National Parks, lands, and waters for an entire year. Fourth-grade educators can also download an activity and print paper passes for each of their students.

Learn About Forests in National Parks and Nearby

Teaching with i-Tree:
Many of the national parks in the United States include forested areas that provide many important ecosystem services. Have your students discover the many benefits trees and forests provide using PLT’s Teaching with i-Tree unit. Middle and high school students can use the i-Tree Design Software to calculate, for example, the monetary value of trees based on the benefits they provide.

Learn About Forests Toolkit:
PLT’s free Learn About Forests activities are the perfect tools to bring with you to national parks (or even a city park or nearby playground) to help middle-school-aged kids learn about trees and forests. There are 12 free, hands-on activities for ages 10 to 16.

Green Career Resources for Young Black Americans – new resource!

Becoming a park ranger is just one of many potential green career pathways!

Hear about the many diverse journeys of Black Americans who have pursued careers in forestry and conservation, and who have advice and resources to share.

Discover new resources to inspire young Black Americans to pursue forest and conservation careers with the SFI-PLT-MANRRS Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide.

The guide highlights 22 Black Americans who share their personal stories about finding their passions and overcoming challenges, and offer advice to the next generation about exploring their own careers in the forest and conservation sector.

Download or buy an individual copy, purchase a box of guides, or donate a box of Journeys guides to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) or Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter.

Seeds in Outer Space! Moon Trees LIVE – April 2023

Posted on March 13, 2023May 30, 2023 by Megan Annis

At Project Learning Tree, we’re pretty big fans of trees, so when we found out about #MoonTrees, we thought, Seeds + Outer Space = the perfect STEM pairing.

One of the original #MoonTrees planted at the Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley, CA.

Did you know that NASA and the USDA Forest Service partnered up over 50 years ago to send seeds to orbit the Moon on Apollo 14?

Well, in December 2022, they did it again!

This time around, Artemis I carried seeds from five different tree species – loblolly pine, Douglas fir, American sycamore, coast redwood, and sweetgum.

After returning from a six-week mission orbiting the moon, the seeds will be germinated back here on Earth, and seedlings will be planted in various locations throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Bring Moon Trees into Your Classroom

Did you know that many of the original Moon Trees from the 1971 Apollo 14 mission still stand today and are thriving? Some have even produced a second generation and may be planted closer to home than you think!

Check out the list of moon tree locations around the United States — and if you take a visit to see one in person, pair the trip with PLT’s “How Big Is Your Tree” STEM Strategies exploring science, technology, engineering, and math-related aspects of these interstellar trees. A simplified, free, family-friendly version of this activity is also available in English and Español.

Here are a few more steps you can take to engage your students in learning more about Moon Trees:

Step 1:

During the month of April, join experts from the Forest Service and NASA for a four-part video series that looks into the splashdown of Orion, seed viability, germination, and more.

Tune in throughout the month of April to Natural Inquirer’s Youtube channel!

Tune in every Friday in April for Moon Trees LIVE 2!

Episode 1 – Splashdown: Return to Earth (April 7)
Episode 2 – Viability: Testing Survival (April 14)
Episode 3 – Germination: To Sprout or Not to Sprout (April 21)
Episode 4 – Live Stream: Expert Q&A with the Audience (April 28)

Step 2:

Continue the conversation about trees and space. Check out the Forest Service and Natural Inquirer’s learning module, Countdown to Moon Trees, which incorporates several fun and engaging PLT activities to help your students explore trees, what they need, and how they’ve gone to space. The module contains seven units that can be used throughout the year (or compressed to a few weeks).

Step 3:

Want to go one step further? The Forest Service is seeking 4th and 5th grade classrooms to help evaluate this program. If your class is interested, please reach out to Rachel Bayer at rachel.bayer@usda.gov.

Be the Next Home to a Moon Tree

Apply for your school or organization to be the future home of an Artemis I Moon Tree! The Forest Service and NASA will choose Moon Tree recipients through a competitive application process.

Inspire the next generation of nature explorers. Who knows, maybe one of your students will be the next person to take tree seeds into space!

This Woman’s Place is in the Forest

Posted on March 13, 2023April 10, 2023 by Brenda Haskill

The author, Brenda Haskill, is a Forester with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Every March, we celebrate two special days – International Women’s Day and International Day of Forests. We’re excited to highlight Brenda Haskill, who has shared her story of being a woman working for the woods.

I’m lucky to have developed an early love for the forest.

I was raised in a logging family, and my mom started driving the logging truck for our business when I went to kindergarten. Every time I smell fresh-cut wood, see sawdust and hear a diesel engine while out on a harvest site in the forest, I am transported back to those early years.

It never occurred to me as a child that there were perceptions about what women could not or should not do as a career. Reality set in during college. When I attended Michigan Technological University in the late 1980s to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry, there were five women and around 35 men in the program.

Unfortunately, diversity has not expanded much in the past 30 years of my career, and the percentage of women and minorities in forestry is still sadly low. As of 2019, women represented just 16% of forestry and conservation professionals in the United States, according to the Society of American Foresters.

When people find out I’m a forester, I often get asked if I’m a “ranger.” In most of North America, a ranger is a person we meet at our parks and campgrounds who helps care for the facilities and assures we all enjoy our time spent at them.

Since I’m not a ranger, the next question is, “So, what’s a forester?”

Foresters care for and manage forests and trees to suit desired outcomes.

We are urban foresters, consulting foresters, state government foresters, and more. We have a deep love for trees and the forested landscape.

Traditional foresters manage tracts of land with specific goals. Sometimes, that’s to provide a haven for wildlife. Other times, it’s for timber production to create income opportunities. On other occasions, it’s to help the forest be as healthy as possible. We also often manage for a mixture of all those outcomes, depending on who owns the land.

Just like other professions, there are various branches (pun intended) of forestry.

When my career began, if you studied forest management, you were a forester. Foresters can now study ecology, ecosystems, environment, hydrology, engineering, and many more specific courses of study.

Working as a woman in forestry has difficult days. Even now, I am occasionally mistaken for a secretary and asked if male colleagues could better talk about the issues at hand.

But as I walk into meetings with a hard hat and 30 years in my profession, I enjoy watching the faces of sawmill owners and loggers as I share my experience and discuss industry specifics like lumber thickness, logging site complications, and trucking issues.

Their surprise at my expertise turns to curiosity and then to acceptance as they enjoy discussing the finer points of the forest industry with me.

Gender diversity is slowly growing in the sector, due in part to the efforts of groups like the Women’s Forest Congress and Women Owning Woodlands (a former Sustainable Forestry Initiative [SFI] grant recipient), both formed during the last several years.

The ownership of North American forests is shifting to include more women. Agencies and landowners are searching for women foresters to connect with and learn from as they own and manage their own forestland. The need for women foresters is growing every year.

We all have those days that make us question our career paths, but it’s easier to turn those days around when you’re spending time in the relaxing, deep cool green of a forest – and you get paid to do it.

We hear a great deal lately about forest bathing and how good it is for us to spend time outside, immersed in any part of nature. Just 15 minutes a day at your local park spent sitting under a tree, looking at a pond, or listening intently to birdsong provides numerous short and long-term mental and physical health benefits.

A career in natural resources can be the most rewarding path chosen because, as John Muir once wrote, “Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”

A day in the forest can quiet the mental noise in our brains and enrich our souls with all that surrounds us.

Learn more about green careers in forestry and conservation

Read more stories from Michigan Department of Natural Resources employees and partners like Brenda at Michigan.gov/DNRStories.
Discover green jobs best suited to your personality with Project Learning Tree’s free trial of the Green Jobs Quiz at plt.org/GreenJobsQuiz.
The Green Jobs guide is the perfect tool to help young people ages 12-25 learn about green jobs in forestry and natural resource management in settings ranging from community youth programs and school classrooms to college and career prep, as well as field trips and forest tours.
Explore types of green jobs and their many individual and collective benefits, browse free resources, and assess your STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills at org/WorkingForForests
Check out SFI’s Chief Sustainability and Diversity Officer, Bettina Ring’s video celebrating the many contributions of women in forestry and natural resources conservation for International Women’s Day.
The forest sector continues to struggle with workforce diversity, with a recent U.S. Census Survey finding that less than 3% of foresters and conservation scientists identify as African American. Help young Black Americans discover opportunities for rewarding careers in forestry and conservation with the Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide.
Mentorship creates opportunities to share tips and resources, transfer skills, and boost the confidence of mentees and mentors alike! It’s important to support increasing mentorship opportunities for natural resource professionals and environmental educators, especially for women and young people from underrepresented communities. Learn more about how the PLT Green Mentor program connects young people ages 18-30 with green professionals across Canada and the United States to support the next generation’s efforts to build their forest and conservation knowledge and career goals—and gain new perspectives while you network!

Editor’s note: A version of this story originally appeared in the October 2022 weekly story series Michigan.gov/DNRStories published by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

New Publication Helps Young Black Americans Explore Career Paths in the Forest and Conservation Sector

Posted on February 7, 2023June 13, 2023 by Megan Annis

A new first-of-its-kind resource, Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers, has just been released by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Project Learning Tree (PLT), and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). The SFI-PLT-MANRRS Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide highlights 22 Black Americans who share their personal stories about finding their passions and overcoming challenges, and offer advice to the next generation about exploring their own careers in the forest and conservation sector. The project was overseen by an SFI-MANRRS Advisory Committee, and Black-owned businesses were hired as consultants, designers, content writers, and photographers.

“For me, it is important to leave an impact on everything that I am engaged in. Being the Co-Chair of the SFI-MANRRS Advisory Committee that produced The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide was such an intentional and authentic process. Representation matters: Every person that took part in the project identified as an African American, from the advisory committee to the photographer,” said Dr. Antomia “Mia” Farrell, Co-Chair of the SFI-MANRRS Advisory Committee, Assistant Dean and Director for Diversity, University of Kentucky, and former National MANRRS President. “It is my hope that we can continue to uplift the voices of African Americans in this space, bring awareness to green careers, and ignite young people to know that there are a plethora of career options within the sector.”

The name “Black Faces in Green Spaces” pays homage to Dr. Carolyn Finney, who authored the book Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors. The guide is intentional in showcasing a diversity of experiences and careers to show that there is a place for everyone to find a career in the forest and conservation sector—whether it be indoors, outdoors, an apprenticeship, or with a Ph.D. The guide showcases a small portion of the interdisciplinary careers that fall within the sector. It includes a forester, a biologist, a hydrologist, a GIS specialist, a DEI specialist, an environmental educator, an urban forester, and more.

Many Black young adults are unaware of job opportunities in the forest and conservation sector, and unfortunately this stems from many reasons. Young adults don’t always have someone they know that they can look up to or seek advice from about forest and conservation topics, but we also know that communities of color are disproportionally affected by pollution and climate change. More than 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas and research shows that access to trees and their associated benefits is often lower in neighborhoods of color and lower income neighborhoods. As we gain a growing understanding of the importance of urban forests, there will be growing career opportunities in this space.

“This partnership between SFI and MANRRS reflects the USDA Forest Service’s mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating a diverse workforce as we seek to grow the next generation of conservation stewards that reflect our society,” said Beattra Wilson, Assistant Director for Urban and Community Forestry, USDA Forest Service.

Urban forests and trees are vital for community well-being, health, resiliency, and sustainability. The USDA Forest Service and SFI are making urban forestry a priority and recognizing it as an opportunity to raise quality of place and quality of life with initiatives such as the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. Community trees and forests provide many social, environmental, and economic benefits including improved health and well-being, social cohesion and accessibility, outdoor learning environments, climate change solutions, reduced air pollution, and improved urban design. Urban forests and trees and their associated benefits should be accessible and available to everyone.

“With less than 3% Black American representation in forest and conservation careers, these Black hidden figures are iconic to empowering our next generation of forest and conservation professionals,” said Dr. Marcus Bernard, National President of MANRRS. “When students see Black professionals in the forest and conservation sector, they see themselves! They also see a career path they never knew existed. This resource highlights the long-standing contribution of Black forest and conservation professionals working in what we now call environmental sustainability.”

“By elevating the voices of Black Americans, by providing role models, by celebrating innovations and contributions, and by sharing their advice with others, we can inspire, encourage, and engage both this and the next generation of Black Americans to become forest and conservation leaders,” said Kathy Abusow, Co-Chair of the SFI-MANRRS Advisory Committee and President and CEO of SFI. “We also believe it is critical that we engage the forest and conservation sector to ensure they create welcoming places of employment where a diverse workforce can not only be recruited, but can be retained and advanced to leadership positions.”

How to obtain copies and support young adults in your community

To ensure the guide is shared with as many young adults, educators, and guidance counselors as possible, the digital version of SFI-PLT-MANRRS’s Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers guide is available for free.

Individual printed copies are also available for $39.99. Bulk orders for organizations that want to distribute printed copies to employees, students, networks, and partners are welcome ($800/box of 25 copies).

Please consider buying or donating a box that can be given to schools, colleges, and universities across the United States, such as Title I schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). If you are an employer, this is a wonderful companion piece to hand out at recruitment events. To purchase or download the book, visit: plt.org/journeys.

Additional resources

Download the accompanying Educator Toolkit, designed to help upper elementary, middle- and high-school educators, as well as college-level career advisors, use the guide with their students. The toolkit may also be helpful for school guidance and career counselors, homeschooling parents, youth group leaders, or informal educators looking to enhance their students’ career explorations.

To enhance the use of this guide in schools and other settings, PLT offers a set of digital posters spotlighting the professionals profiled.

To learn more about supporting resources for this guide, please visit www.plt.org/journeys.

New Year, New PLT Resources

Posted on January 17, 2023February 9, 2023 by Megan Annis

As we ring in the New Year and look forward to all the great things to come in 2023 (hello, The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers Guide and PLT U.S. Green Mentor cohort!), it’s also a perfect time to reflect on and celebrate the past year. From launching new PLT materials like Trees & Me and our activity collections, Connecting for Health and Planet and Trillions of Trees, to the continued success of PLT state coordinators and facilitators training over 6,000 educators—we made big impacts in 2022.

Below are the top PLT resources, activities, and environmental education ideas shared over the last year.

Check out some of our newest resources and a few familiar ones that you’ll want to bookmark!

A Lifetime of Learning

There is no greater gift than introducing a child, no matter what age, to nature. From early childhood to young adulthood, PLT offers a lifetime of learning opportunities to introduce people to nature.

Whether taking learning outdoors, growing forest literacy, or connecting future green leaders with mentors and career pathway opportunities, PLT helps create the next generation of forest and conservation stewards with proven educational resources that have touched the lives of millions of students for nearly 50 years. As we begin this new year, we’re excited to expand our programming to offer career pathways resources for young adults.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to support and nurture the next generation of green leaders!

Check out this inspiring new video that shows the meaningful impacts of nature on a young person’s life and career pathway.

Educator Resources to Advance Indigenous Rights and Relationships

Did you know that Project Learning Tree Canada developed a series of nine Indigenous Rights and Relationship Building online courses in collaboration with Sault College?

These online courses promote respectful relationship building and greater understanding, recognition, and respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, traditional knowledge, representative institutions, and distinctive relationships with the forest. We’ve created a special 4-hour bundle for environmental educators who want to enhance their ability to build meaningful forest-focused relationships with Indigenous communities and respectfully co-develop environmental education programs and resources alongside Indigenous communities, educators, and knowledge holders.

Online Game Encourages Youth to Explore Forests & Green Careers

Take your students on a journey with Project Learning Tree Canada’s newest educational and career resource, Forest Quest!

This free interactive online experience guides youth ages 14+ through the forest, helping them understand why forests matter, the benefits of sustainable forest management, and the impact of forests on people’s lives. Along the way, they’ll meet various professionals who provide insights into green career paths.

Whether you are an environmental educator, high school or university faculty, career/guidance counselor, or a mentor, this valuable tool can help students understand the value and benefits of forests and trees. It’s also a great way to expose young adults to various green jobs and inspire them to take action on behalf of forests.

Check out the Forest Quest trailer to learn more and have your students get started on their journey today!

Top 2022 Resources & Tips for Educators

You better be-leaf it! We compiled a list of some of our most-read Educator Tips from The Branch newsletter in 2022.

Bookmark the following activity ideas and let us know what you think in the comments and on social media!

Bird Feeder Projects Featuring Natural and Recycled Materials: Engage kids in outdoor learning with a variety of fun, hands-on bird feeder projects featuring recycled and natural materials.
How Trees Survive Cold Winters: When temperatures drop and days get shorter, trees start to prepare for the cold of the winter. How do different kinds of trees adapt to the cold? Take a closer look at trees and get children to investigate the seasonal changes!
Expand Your Classroom with Nature-Based Sensory Activities: Explore the world outside or bring the outdoors in with nature-based sensory activities that meet the needs of all students, including those with diverse or special needs.
How to Introduce Students to Urban Birdwatching: Introduce kids to urban birdwatching and help them enjoy their immediate environments! Check out how to get started with urban birdwatching at your school, daycare, summer camp, or home, along with bird-themed activities that you can adapt for your classroom.
Celebrate Earth Day with Community Science Projects: Want to do something for the environment to honor Earth Day, Earth Month, or anytime at all? Make an impact as a citizen scientist and contribute to real-life data while helping conserve ecosystems.

Green Schools Conference & Expo 2023

Posted on January 17, 2023March 3, 2023 by Annie Perkins

The spaces where we work, learn, and live have a profound effect on our emotional and physical well-being.

Ask any parent or teacher who’s experienced the last few years of isolating to slow the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic: getting outside to play and learn in nature – and, where possible, bringing the outdoors inside with biophilic design and environmental education – makes for happier kids and creates healthier, more engaging, and effective learning environments.

By using trees as windows to the world, communities and kids can benefit from place-based learning that teaches how to think about the actions we can take for a more sustainable future. That’s why I’m excited to attend and represent Project Learning Tree (PLT) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)’s commitment to environmental education, forest literacy, and sustainable buildings and join fellow green professionals in New Orleans at this year’s Green Schools Conference & Expo (GSCE)!

The GSCE brings together hundreds of leaders and advocates to create measurable and lasting progress toward improving our environmental impact, health impact, and environmental and sustainability literacy. This year, the GSCE will be held in New Orleans from February 27-March 1, 2023.

As PLT and SFI’s Senior Director of Green Building and Supply Chain, I’m excited to be back in person at this year’s conference, ready to learn about the newest trends, case studies, and innovations in providing healthy, sustainable learning environments and sustainability education for schools and communities.

Download PLT’s free student investigations to green your school site at greenschools.org.

This collaborative mission is shared by PLT and reflected in resources like the PLT GreenSchools program, printed and downloadable student-led investigations to improve school sustainability, the Connecting for Health and Planet Activity Collection, and the SFI Community Grants Program (currently accepting project proposals until March 17, 2023).

I will be joining school administrators, educators, architects, and others – all attending to learn how we can collaboratively create “equitable, efficient, and resilient” learning spaces. Collaboration is key, as it will take representatives from the education, community, and green building space to envision greener and more beneficial spaces for students.

sfi's annie perkins screenshot of university of idaho video — Take a quick tour of the University of Idaho’s new mass timber sports arena with me.

Learn About Sustainability Education, Green Design, and Health in Schools

The GSCE is the only national event that brings together people who lead, operate, build, and teach in U.S. green schools.

Teachers, parents, students, school and district staff, educational leaders, building industry professionals, non-profit partners, and others passionate about making green, healthy schools a reality are invited to attend.

Three fun and engaging days of programming include a lineup of inspiring speakers (including this year’s keynote from author Charles Eisenstein), informative workshops and breakout education sessions, and the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the country.

Join me and learn about sustainability education for all ages of students, energy efficiency, social equity, developing green leaders, improving health in schools, and more.

What’s new in 2023?

Peer-to-Peer Learning Cohorts – New this year, the first two days will be focused on industry sector specific programming for four tracks:
- Educator & School Leaders
- Green School Advocates, Government, & Community Partners
- School Design & Construction Professionals
- School District Capital and Facilities Staff

Peer Cohort Dine Arounds – On February 28, you’ll have an opportunity to connect with your peers at an evening dining and networking event.

photo of classroom featuring sfi certified wood — Explore spaces featuring sustainable wood products at forests.org/better-building-solutions

This year’s program will include:

Education Sessions

Enjoy dedicated time to learn alongside your peers – discussing challenges and sharing best practices related to environmental impact, health and well-being, sustainability literacy, equity, and more.

Networking

Hear from leading experts on priority topics facing the green school community—such as incorporating sustainability into everyday curriculum or designing for social equity—and join peer breakout groups to discuss your experiences and ideas.

Award Ceremony

Celebrate winners of the Best of Green Schools Awards.

Interdisciplinary Programming

On day three, hear from inspiring keynote speaker Charles Eisenstein and participate in various breakout sessions ranging in topics from student driven decarbonization to environmental literacy capacity building.

Register for the Green Schools Conference & Expo 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.

Will you be there?

I can’t wait to meet and talk more about how sustainably managed forests can benefit communities and kids!

GSCE is presented by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), in partnership with the Green Schools National Network (GSNN). Project Learning Tree (PLT) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) are proud to be Green Schools Conference & Expo (GSCE) 2023 National Partners.

Visit greenschoolsconference.org for more information and explore the full schedule online.

Winter Break Family Outdoor Advent-ure Calendar

Posted on December 14, 2022January 17, 2023 by Megan Annis

With winter break just around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of two weeks’ worth of fun outdoor activities that will keep everyone entertained. Let nature inspire you, enjoy the beauty of winter, and spend time outside. Every day, a new adventure for the family awaits!

If you live in polar and temperate zones, before venturing outdoors, monitor weather conditions and ensure children dress appropriately before heading out.

1. Play I Spy

Get outside and use your nature-spotting eyes! Play a game of I Spy with your kiddos, encourage them to look for the big and little parts of nature, and then ask questions about what they’ve spied. “I spy something green” could turn into a conversation about the type of tree your child sees. Unsure what type of tree it is? Check out our Name That Tree activity and download a free mobile app to make identifying trees fun and easy.

2. Take a Walk

Yep, it’s that easy! If everyone’s getting a little antsy being cooped up inside, grab jackets and sweaters, put on comfy shoes, and head out for a family walk. Whether you go for a loop around the neighborhood or a two-mile nature hike, getting outside has its health benefits – both mental and physical. It lets you release whatever energy is built up, plus you enjoy the beauty of nature and get some fresh air and vitamin D.

3. Urban Birdwatching

Just look up! Birds are everywhere around us. Urban birdwatching is an easy activity to open kids’ eyes to the natural environment around them and how incredible birds are at making homes wherever they land.

4. Make Nature-Based Gifts

The best gifts are those that come from the heart. Encourage your kids to make gifts for family and friends by using materials they can find in nature or by reusing materials from something else. Create a cool art piece using recycled cardboard and glue on leaves or rocks you find on your walk. Draw or take a picture of whatever you see around you and frame it for a family member. Be creative and get inspired by nature (and our Pinterest page that’s full of fun arts and craft activities)!

5. Visit a Park

Make a plan to get outside and play in nature! Maybe it’s spending the afternoon at a neighborhood park, or if you live close to a regional, state, or national park, these are beautiful locations that can truly take your breath away. Be sure to check out the visitor center where you can chat with park rangers, learn more about trees, plants, animals and geology, and access maps for hiking trails. Don’t live close to a park? Check out local nature preserves, outdoor museums, or botanical gardens.

6. Enjoy Nature’s Symphony

Have you ever noticed how the stillness of winter amplifies the sounds around you? Step out into your backyard, have everyone close their eyes, and just listen. What do you hear? Are there birds chirping? Can you hear the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze? What does the snow crunching beneath your feet sound like? Check out our Sounds Around activity.

7. Park/River/Beach Clean-Up

Don’t be a litterbug…be a clean-up bug! A great way to teach your kids about the importance of caring for our planet is to pick up litter. There are lots of benefits, including that it helps to improve water quality and critters don’t mistake trash for food. All you need are some gloves to keep your hands clean and a trash bag. Start small – clean up litter in your neighborhood or favorite park. If you live near water, help clear trash from the beach. If there’s an organized event happening near you, that’s another great way to get involved and meet others in your community!

8. Adopt a Tree

Find a tree in your yard, neighborhood or a nearby park that intrigues your family. Invite your kids to “adopt” their favorite tree and use their senses of sight, touch, hearing, and smell to describe the tree. Check out our free family activity and download the Adopt a Tree Journal so your family can revisit this tree throughout the seasons.

9. Start a Nature Collection

One of the things my own kiddos love to do is collect items from nature when we’re out hiking or walking on the many trails in our town. From finding a tiny pebble and an acorn to leaves that have fallen off trees and bird feathers found on the ground, this is a fun way for kids to learn about different types of trees, plants, rocks, and animals. Be mindful of where you’re taking items from – check with rules and regulations for where you visit.

10. Make the Most of Winter Weather

If you live somewhere it snows, take advantage of playing in the snow! From skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice-skating to building a snowman or snow castle, get outside to enjoy the wonders of winter weather. Rain in the forecast? Have everyone put on raincoats and shoes, and channel your inner child by jumping in puddles or digging in the mud and dirt! It’s ok to get dirty; in fact, it’s a great way for kids to learn about nature. There are all sorts of stories that soil can tell us!

11. Have a Picnic

Who says picnics are only for spring and summer? If there’s some good weather in your winter break forecast, pack a snack or meal (and weather appropriate clothing!) and head outdoors with your family. Use this opportunity to enjoy some bird watching or talk with children about what they see and hear around them, whether you’re in your backyard or at a park.

12. Follow the Animal Tracks

If it’s recently snowed or rained, take a walk and see if you can find animal tracks. Put on your detective hat and look for clues. Is it a deer, squirrel, or bird? Is there scat nearby? A feather? Some fur? Was the animal heading to a creek to drink water or to a tree to scratch its back? Whatever the wild animal, always use caution and leave plenty of space if you come upon one! Remember, we’re visitors in their home.

13. Star Gaze

Bundle up and head outside on a clear night to gaze up at the skies. It’s a great way to introduce children to astronomy, plus looking at stars sparkling in the night sky helps us realize just how small we are in comparison to our planet. It’s pretty awe-inspiring!

14. Nature Journaling

On your next outdoor adventure, encourage everyone to grab a piece of paper or journal and a pencil. Our activity, The Closer You Look, helps children understand the structure of a tree through observation and art. Nature journaling is a fun, creative outlet for kids and adults – and you don’t have to be the next Claude Monet! Maybe you prefer writing poet-tree and your child loves drawing. There are no rules when it comes to creating a nature journal, other than find what inspires you and let your pencil do the rest!

Looking for more ways to explore nature with your family or great gifts to give this holiday season?

Check out Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children, Pocket Guide: Seeds to Trees, and Nature Activities for Families. You can find these books and more on the PLT Shop!