Winter Break Family Outdoor Advent-ure Calendar

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 SpyLittle girl looking through binoculars

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 GiftsWreaths

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-UpLittle boy cleaning up litter

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 WeatherPeople sledding

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 GazePeople stargazing

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!

New US Green Mentors and Mentees Needed

"Before the PLT Green Mentor program, I could describe my personal growth using only one word: stagnant. My mentor and I have discussed ways where, as she says, we can "cross-pollinate." Through collaboration and genuine discussions, we listen, learn, teach and guide each other through our mentorship progress. It's an overwhelming feeling of joy and motivation."

The future of environmental education, forestry and conservation, and other green careers is bright and enthusiastic—but its success will also come with the advice and support of those already in the sector.

Youth want to be part of conversations and decisions that will impact their careers and futures; similarly, employers need young people to continue the great and vast work in the sustainability sector.

 

Building a Diverse and Resilient Green Jobs Workforce Through Mentorship

20 PLT and World Forestry Congress mentees and mentors gather for a group selfie

In May 2023, I attended the XV World Forestry Congress (WFC) in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and represented the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) to host the first PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor program.

Over 100 mentorship participants from around the world were part of the PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor program, a six-month program that launched in January 2022. Over the course of the program, 51 mentorship pairs from 37 different countries connected every month, attended webinars and trainings, and worked on their professional and personal development.

We found that 88% of the PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor participants felt inspired to work or continue working in the forest and related sectors because of the program. In addition, 93% of mentees reported landing a job or advancing in their career because of their mentor!

This event was an opportunity to provide insights into how we are improving career development within the forest sector and to promote new perspectives within the sector. It was fantastic to share how our Green Mentor program positively impacted our mentees and mentors.

We’re bringing the same inspiration and impact to the United States with the My Green Mentor Program.

 

  • Application deadline: November 21, 2022
  • Time commitment: 2–3 hours per month from February 2023–July 2023
  • Benefits: Grow your network, gain new perspectives, develop soft skills, and more!
  • Mentor eligibility: 3+ years of professional experience within any operation in the forest and conservation sector
  • Cost: Free

 

Join the First PLT US Green Mentor Program Cohort

Fast forward a few months, and PLT is launching the Green Mentor Program in the United States.

The deadline to apply to join the first cohort in February 2023 is November 21, 2022.

The program connects young adults with forest and conservation professionals. Mentorship can inspire the next generation of leaders and help young people expand their green jobs knowledge, goals, and network.

Do you know an environmental educator or sustainability professional looking to give back and connect with others? Encourage them to become a mentee or mentor!

learn more apply now

Please note: The US mentorship form is hosted on PLT Canada’s website to take advantage of the industry-leading matching software.

 

 

Mentorship Supports a Lifetime of Learning at the 2022 SFI and PLT Annual Conference

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree recently convened a cohort of green mentors and mentees at the 2022 SFI/PLT Annual Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

The delegation of 19 students and young professionals were matched with forest and conservation sector professionals also attending the conference from June 14–17, 2022. They joined over 350 people from the SFI and PLT networks for a week filled with learning and discussion opportunities on the most pressing issues and challenges facing people and the planet, and how forests and environmental education can provide solutions.

After meeting in-person at the conference, the mentor-mentee pairs will continue building a mentoring relationship and developing skills over the next four months. And, six mentees are part of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) network as part of SFI’s partnership with MANRRS to ensure young Black Americans have greater opportunities for rewarding careers in the forest and conservation sector.

 

Mentees and mentors pose on stage for a group photo during the 2022 SFI/PLT Annual Conference

 

Green job resources for Black Americans

With support from Weyerhaeuser and the U.S. Forest Service, PLT is also working with MANRRS to create a career guide that tells the stories of Black Americans who have pursued green career pathways and who have advice and resources to share. Learn more about Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journey of Black Professionals in Green Careers here. The guide will be available for purchase and will be distributed through PLT State Coordinators as well. PLT is distinguished by the quality, commitment, and extent of its network of national and state partners and sponsoring organizations. Learn more about PLT’s network and partners.

 

Supporting a lifetime of learning through PLT’s network and resources

Project Learning Tree is investing in the next generation by growing three major skills and interests in youth from early childhood through young professionals: environmental education, forest literacy, and green career pathways. And considering there are PLT Coordinators with roots in all 50 states, Canada, and other countries–PLT’s reach and impact is greatly supported by the strength and diversity of our expansive network of educators, local leaders, parents, and natural resource professionals.

We do this by offering a variety of materials and wrap-around services that encourage emotional growth, empathy, and collaboration. Our hands-on activities get kids outdoors, sparking curiosity and supporting critical thinking and language skills. The skills PLT imparts arms the next generation with the 21st-century skills necessary to tackle the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges–and connects them, at both a community and national-level, to a network of changemakers.

PLT teaches an easy-to-adapt, scalable skill set, to be used throughout a student’s life, in every facet. Starting in early childhood, through to young adulthood, PLT has products and programs to support success at every age, and every stage of life.  But it is the scale of the PLT and SFI network and connection to a larger community of like-minded people, that is unique to our approach.

PLT Coordinators and Facilitators, as well as mentors and mentees, are able to coalesce and mobilize in the face of emerging concerns, and capitalize on opportunities, supporting youth with the knowledge and local connections to make better choices and change the trajectory of their life and career path. To create and sustain vibrant and resilient green communities.

 

Join PLT Canada or PLT US’ Green Mentor Program

Do you know an environmental educator, conservationist, or sustainability professional looking to give back, discover new resources, and connect with others? Please encourage them to become a mentor!

PLT Canada, an initiative of the SFI, launched the Green Mentor Program to help young adults expand their forest and conservation knowledge, goals, and network. The program connects them with professionals working in green jobs using an industry-leading algorithm that creates successful mentorship matches based on personalities, goals, interests, and more.

PLT Canada is recruiting Canadian mentors and mentees for the next cohort set to launch in October 2022! Applications close Aug. 29, 2022.

Apply to be a mentee in Canada    |   Apply to be a mentor in Canada

And building on the success of PLT Canada’s half-decade of successful career pathways programming and support, we are bringing the Green Mentor program to the United States.

Sign up to be among the first to learn about the US PLT Green Mentor cohort at plt.org/mentorship!

 

Discover PLT near you

There are so many reasons to get to know your PLT Coordinator (and in some states, multiple Coordinators!)

 

Here are just a few examples of the ways your local PLT Coordinator can make connections to local resources and provide tailored assistance:

  • instructional resources tailored to your state’s standards and environment
  • ideas and tips specific to your setting for incorporating environmental education and outdoor learning into your instruction
  • connections to mentors and mentees, community members, and resource professionals
  • information about in-person, blended, and online professional development workshops in your area and continuing education credits
  • process for becoming a local PLT workshop facilitator

 

 

Reconnecting our community of practice in-person

It was wonderful for our PLT network to catch up in-person for a week filled of learning from our community of practice at the SFI/PLT 2022 Annual Conference.  After two years of virtual gathering, we were recharged hearing education and environmental leaders discuss some of the greatest challenges we face and how we can work together to create solutions.

A few of the sessions and topics discussed:

  • Advancing opportunities for diverse communities in the forest sector
  • Collaboration for communities and forests
  • How to grow forest literate citizens
  • Urban and community forests: collaborating for environmental and social health
  • Green career pathways in K-12 education
  • You can make that with trees?
  • Reaching schools and districts with PLT
  • Environmental justice and culturally responsive teaching
  • Trees & Me & you

Informative as-always, our speakers represented the PLT network and partners’ wide-spread geography and breadth of knowledge with entertaining and informative sessions. We also enjoyed a field trip to the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory and the Aldo Leopold Foundation, home of “the Shack”! But some of our most fond moments took place in the more quiet, less scheduled moments – in the dinners and exhibitors spaces, at the silent auction, chatting while waiting in line – in reconnecting after time apart and sharing space with new and old friends.

Another special event was our PLT Gold Star and Leadership in Education Awards ceremony!

Rachel Bayer, Environmental Education Specialist for USDA Forest Service and LeeAnn Mikkelson, Oregon PLT State Coordinator were both winners of the PLT Gold Star award for their leadership in delivering and partnering for PLT

 

Jackie Scott: Lab Science and Physical Science Teacher and Soccer Coach at Mann Magnet Middle School, Arkansas
In 2020, Scott was one of the recipients of an Arkansas School Garden Grant from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to build a garden space in her school courtyard. She, other teachers, and students built raised bed gardens and painted murals of native plants, animals, and nature scenes on them. And in 2021, she secured additional funding through DonorsChoose for her students to plant  raised beds and container gardens.. Scott is also the Formal Education Representative at the Arkansas PLT Steering Committee. Recent awards include: 2021 Arkansas Environmental Education Association Outstanding Formal Educator, 2021 ArkanSONO Grant recipient, 2021 Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division “Tree”-mendous Educator, 2020 LRSD Middle School Teacher of The Year, and 2020 Teacher of the Year at Mann Magnet.

 

Janet Schnauss: Elementary Science Specialist at Duval County Public Schools, Florida

Schnauss has been a PLT facilitator since 2015, and from 2019-2021, she facilitated seven PLT  professional development events for 133 educators in Florida. In Schnauss’s role as a K-5 Science Specialist with Duval County Public Schools, she supports classroom teachers, including providing PLT professional development opportunities and mentoring teachers in incorporating PLT into their curriculum. For example, this year she provided ongoing support to an English-language learner (ELL) teacher and PLT educator in implementing “PLT Fridays” at his school. She is a member of the Florida PLT Steering Committee, the Florida Association of Science Teachers (FAST) and the FAST Region 4 Director, the Florida Association of Science Supervisors, the National Science Teachers Association, and the League of Environmental Educators of Florida. Schnauss also won the 2020 Florida PLT Educator of the Year Award.

 

Traci Knight Ingleright, District Enrichment Specialist for Hoover City Schools, Alabama

Knight Ingleright’s mother was a teacher and her father was a forester, so she recognizes both the need to help others understand more about forestry and natural resources and to teach children about resource conservation. She has served on her community’s Arbor Day planning committee and celebrated Arbor Day with students at Gwin Elementary and now the Hoover City Schools district with tree plantings, essay contests, and more. In 1994, she created Kids, Camps, and Critters—a school event that uses PLT and Project WILD activities to engage students and teachers in learning about the world around them. Knight Ingleright has also facilitated a PLT workshop for preservice educators from the University of Alabama College of Education Multiple Abilities program since 1994. And four years ago, she created a Girls Engaged in Math and Sciences (GEMS) club at her school. Knight Ingleright was also the 2020 Alabama Outstanding PLT Educator of the Year.

 

Check out more photos from the 2022 SFI/PLT Annual Conference on our Facebook page and stay tuned for news of when we’ll meet again next March in Skamania, Washington!

 

The PLT Green Mentor program is supporting PLT’s growing work in career pathways and connecting young people to opportunities in the forest and conservation sector.

For more information about green careers visit www.plt.org/workingforforests.

 

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

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.

Broadening Horizons and Advancing Green Jobs: My Experience with MANRRS

I hadn’t heard about Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) until the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) formed a partnership with them in 2021.

I’ve worked in the forest and conservation sector for seven years, most recently as SFI and PLT’s Education Programs Coordinator, where I take care of customer inquiries, manage PLT’s product inventory, and help maintain our shop and e-commerce sites. I completed a Bachelor of Arts in urban sustainability at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), and I am enrolled in a graduate program in water resources management at UDC. But I didn’t know I was missing out on this awesome organization and the resources they offer!

When SFI and MANRRS announced their new partnership aimed at ensuring young Black Americans have greater opportunities for rewarding careers in the forest and conservation sector, I started looking into MANRRS right away. I learned that their mission is to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. And I saw that they had a chapter on my UDC campus, so I reached out to previous chapter officers.

I quickly realized that I wanted to get involved, so I joined the UDC chapter of MANRRS, and was elected as the Graduate Student Advisor this spring! As the UDC MANRRS Graduate Student Advisor, I answer student’s questions, plan events for upcoming semesters, support recruitment efforts, and schedule skills trainings so students can be successful on the job.

 

Broadening horizons and changing the narrative: MANRRS36

I recently had the opportunity to participate in MANRRS’s 36th national conference in Jacksonville, FL. This year’s theme was broadening horizons and changing the narrative; a theme focused on highlighting the diverse people supporting conservation and their interest in the natural resources sector.

I was so excited to participate in an in-person event and connect with like-minded students, professionals, and universities, especially after the last couple years of remote connections. I particularly enjoyed the Graduate Student Business Meeting—it was the first and only time at the conference that all the graduate students were together. My program at UDC was supposed to be very hands-on, but because of COVID-19, I haven’t been able to do much in-person, so I really enjoyed being able to meet and share with people who were going through similar experience.

I listened to inspirational speakers and visited the Career Expo and Fair, where 50+ organizations and recruiters provided onsite interviews and promoted internship and fellowship opportunities. I participated in workshops, like the Talent Development Pipeline for Farms of the Future session run by AgLaunch. And there were lots of fun networking opportunities, like the Closing Gala, where we all got dressed up and found out about what scholarships were awarded, who won the research and speech contests, and the newly elected MANRRS national officers.

During the conference, I met countless professionals in the conservation, agriculture, and environmental science sectors. I enjoyed hearing about the similar events that both professionals and students experience in academia and the forestry and natural resources sector. We talked about being the only student in a program who is not white and our concerns about joining the workforce. Everyone was supportive and shared their experience and advice—plus, industry professionals came to the conference to talk about how they’re trying to change their hiring and retention objectives and what they’re doing to increase diversity in their organizations.

 

MANRRS, SFI, and PLT

My experience at MANRRS36 reaffirmed my commitment and desire to work to advance access to green careers for everyone. It made me glad to know that resources like PLT’s Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers guide and online personality quiz are out there to help inspire the next generation of forest and conservation leaders and spread the word about all the cool jobs that are available.

SFI and MANRRS are exploring the full spectrum of needs across a green career pathway—including recruitment, awareness, mentorship, and career opportunities—collectively designed to help the forest and conservation sector recruit, retain, and advance a diverse and resilient workforce.

Through the partnership, we will tailor career pathways and skill-building resources to highlight the journeys of Black American professionals working in conservation, and develop a mentorship program in the USA for young Black Americans that is based on the success of PLT Canada’s industry-leading mentorship program.

SFI, PLT, and MANRRS are already working to create one of these resources 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.

Create an account and download or buy an individual copypurchase 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.

 

Join the 2022 SFI/PLT Annual Conference

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree (PLT) will host their first ever joint annual conference from June 14-16, in Madison, Wisconsin. With a theme of Collaborating for Communities and Forests, the event will be a week filled with learning and opportunities to discuss the most-pressing issues and challenges facing the people and the planet, including how sustainable forest management and environmental education provide effective solutions.

Conference participants will come away from the event with:

  • Best practices on climate-smart forestry and fire resiliency.
  • Knowledge and tools to meet and report on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets.
  • Key initiatives to be forest sector leaders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
  • Pathways to grow the next generation of forest sector leaders through Project Learning Tree (PLT).
  • Opportunities to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.
  • And much more!

 

red button with learn more

 

 

Preview the full schedule at forests.org/conference-schedule-2022

 

photo of buddy huffaker president of the Aldo Leopold FoundationKeynote Speaker: Buddy Huffaker

Don’t miss keynote speaker Buddy Huffaker, Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation!

For more than 20 years, Huffaker has been instrumental in leading the Foundation’s efforts to advance a land ethic.

These efforts have included stewarding the Leopold Shack and Farm National Historic Landmark and advocating for a conservation ethic. Learn how the Foundation balances ecological, economic, and cultural values in managing its own property—and engaging neighboring landowners—and how it benefits from greater collaboration, innovation, and community connections. This session will leave participants further inspired to address this convergence for positive change—real-world change that benefits all stakeholders.

 

Session highlights:

  • Growing Forest-Literate Citizens: By gaining forest literacy, people acquire the tools and knowledge they need to keep our forests sustainable over the long term while continuing to benefit from them. This session explores the role of the private and public sectors in supporting a forest-literate society and available tools to advance that goal. You can also read our Forest Literacy Framework—a free guide that translates the language of forests and sustainable forest management into 100 concepts for grades K–12.

 

  • Advancing Opportunities for Diverse Communities in the Forest Sector: Transformative solutions are needed to create more inclusive, sustainable communities. Learn about efforts by SFI and partners to support career awareness, recruitment, mentorship, and other opportunities that will help the forest and conservation sector advance a diverse and resilient workforce. Explore our Green Jobs quiz, curriculum, and training to introduce young people to green jobs and encourage young Black students and professionals to explore our partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and resources for rewarding careers in the forest and conservation center at PLT.org/journeys.

 

  • Urban and Community Forests—Collaborating for Environmental and Social Health: Urban and community forests deliver crucial social, environmental, and economic benefits. Explore how urban and community forests provide opportunities to engage new audiences through management practices and education tools. Our Discover Your Urban Forest Activity Collection is the perfect complement for urban educators seeking to strengthen middle school student connections to urban forests and invites learners to explore their environment and investigate environmental issues that affect their community.

 

REGISTER NOW


Students can access virtual registration to the conference for free!

Email events@forests.org with subject line “Student registration for the SFI/PLT Annual Conference” to receive the code.

4 Ways to Support Forests With Family

4 ways to support forests with family text overlaid on photo of older woman walking with children through a forestMay, June, and July are notable months for the transition from spring to summer, the anticipation of breaking from school, and a few of our favorite family-focused holidays: Mother’s Day (May 8), Father’s Day (June 19), Parents’ Day (July 24).

We also want to acknowledge the great diversity of families that exist by both blood and bond, as well as how difficult these holidays can be for families who have lost a loved one.

Strong family memories are made outside. And all children should have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the outdoors with the grownups who love them. This summer, dedicate yourself to finding time to spend time in nature with your family—we promise it’s time well-spent.

Plus, despite what you may think, you don’t need to drive far away and buy fancy shoes or expensive accessories to visit a forest! We encourage you to make a plan and recreate responsibly, but forests may be closer than you think, even in busy urban areas!

Drop what you’re doing, grab the rest of the family, and hit up a forest! Sustainably managed forests are good for you and good for the planet.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

 

 

1.) Take a Hike or Walk Together

More than 350 million acres (142 million hectares) of forestland throughout the United States and Canada is certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Forest Management Standard, and a 96% of this vast area is open to the public for recreation. With all those certified acres, it’s likely there’s a great opportunity for a hike or leisurely nature walk with smaller children in a National Park or forest near you.

  • Birdwatch! Bird watching with children can build respect and compassion for nature and all living things. Birding can also help kids refine their skills in concentration and observation. Head out as a family on a nature walk to a local park, forest, or nearby area and observe birds. Watch Maya the Science Kid for some helpful tips on getting started and some essentials you’ll want to have on your excursion, or read Audubon’s tips and games to encourage children to try birding.

 

 

  • Listen to birdsong and check out these STEM-focused ideas for elementary, middle, and high school students inspired by the Sounds Around activity found in Project Learning Tree’s PreK-8 Guide. A simplified version of this activity is downloadable as a free family activity (in English and Español) and watch PLT Colorado‘s Danielle Ardrey demonstrate how families can try the activity out in their own backyard to grow their STEM skills and environmental literacy.

 

  • For younger children ages 1-6, trees are the perfect early childhood introduction to nature! Make the most of the trees and forests near you (in any setting!) by exploring nature through the five senses and four seasons. Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature With Young Children includes indoor and outdoor activities and downloadable music to accompany.

National park service logo

  • Head to a national park! Getting kids outside has many benefits beyond physical health. When spending time outdoors, kids develop respect and understanding of the natural world. With over 400 national parks and monuments to explore, national parks are a great way to inspire a love of nature in kids. Check out PLT’s Celebrating National Parks to explore the history of national parks, activities to try with children, and how to incorporate PLT curriculum to enhance learning. Plus, the Every Kid Outdoors pass allows any fourth grader (and a car full of family and friends) to enter National Parks, Forests, and many other national lands and waters for free!

 

  • Connect children to nature through sensory experiences on your visit with the handy Seeds to Trees Pocket Guide. Designed for families with children ages 3–6, it includes four hands-on experiences to do with children with tips for leading outdoor activities and embracing play and exploration. Plus, at just 4 by 6 inches, the guide is small enough to fit into a pocket or backpack!

 

  • Scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to get kids outside and learning about nature! Make a list of the items you hope to find on a walk or in the garden. Split up into pairs or play individually, then have children search for items on the list. Print this Bingo sheet created by Michigan PLT or create your own grid suited to a particular level or topic.

 

 

2.) Get Artsy and Inspired by Nature

Mix up your family time outside by looking for natural elements and discarded materials to turn into eco-friendly art projects. Here are a few ideas bring outdoor experiences and lessons back into your home, celebrate someone special, and make new memories.

 

  • Nature Cards are a great gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Parent’s Day, or any day of the year to celebrate someone special! This activity is simple and easy to prepare, and kids will have a great time enhancing their creative skills. Head outside to collect various natural elements such as fallen leaves, branches, grass, acorns, and whatever else they can find, then have them decorate their card with the items they found. Check out this Father’s Day nature card for some inspiration to get started!

 

  • A nature scrapbook (all ages) is also an excellent way for you to remember those special days. Take photos on your walk and let children collect flowers, leaves, seed cases, twigs, and other nature finds to decorate scrapbook pages. Collecting and arranging materials is a fun approach for children to practice fine motor skills without having to write complex sentences.

 

  • Have young learners take a closer look at the leaves and objects you find by searching for shapes and colors with Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) The Shape of Things family activity (in English and Español) and investigate shapes and colors found in both natural and built environments. This free family activity ideal for ages 5-9 is a simplified version of Early Childhood Guide: Activity 1—The Shape of Things. Follow along as Maine PLT facilitator, Joanne Alex, reads aloud a story about shapes in the human world then uses a simple, paper “shape necklace” to hunt for shapes in nature. She shows us how to make different shapes out of twigs and then give us a challenge. 

 

  • There are so many creative ways young learners can put their studies into action with a three-dimensional forest diorama. Experiment with moss and other natural objects, paint, cardboard boxes, animal figurines kids find or make, and more. For a few ideas, check out our “Tree Art Projects” Pinterest board full of ideas to supplement lessons from PLT’s Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children.

seven different art project tiles using leaves and recycled objects

 

 

3. Cook and Relax by the Deck or Garden

If your Mother’s, Father’s, or other Parents’ Day tradition is firmly founded in spending time grilling or relaxing on your deck or porch, you can still support forests from the comfort of your chef’s hat and lawn chair! Look for paper supplies like cups and plates with the SFI label. The label means the fiber used to make the supplies was sourced responsibly, meeting SFI Standards for water quality, biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and more. Products certified to SFI Standards are sold in more than 120 countries. You’ll find on a wide range of both everyday items and once-a-year items like Father’s Day cards.

children stand in front of three tall bat boxes made with sfi-certified cedar

  • It may have been a while since your family last built something, but you can make an easy bird or bat house with SFI-certified wood together. Bats and birds have a close relationship with forests, providing insect eating and seed spreading ecosystem services that create healthy habitat for other animals, so consider giving back with a project that supports the birds, bats, and forests nearest you.

 

  • Families with younger children can take learning about the bats, birds, and other animals that call trees home a step further with PLT’s Trees as Habitats family activity (in English and Español). Encourage kids to observe the different stages of tree growth and the relationships between animals that live in a forest. Be sure to check out the full activity (and 49 others!) in Project Learning Tree’s PreK-8 Guide.

 

  • Set up a bird feeder to birdwatch from home. When children take responsibility for a bird feeder it can help educate them about the wildlife in their community and foster an early appreciation for nature. Get tips and ideas for creating your own bird feeders made of recycled and natural materials and learn about why we should be careful with them. If you are going to set up a bird feeder, be aware that collisions with nearby glass windows are very dangerous to birds, causing up to 1 billion bird deaths each year in the U.S. alone. Whether you use tape, paint, or film, research and install a few inexpensive and easy solutions to reduce bird-window collisions near any feeders.students-gather-around-school-pollinator-garden

 

  • Start a garden bed this summer! Untreated SFI-certified wood makes an excellent border for your backyard vegetable garden beds and gardening is a terrific way to spend time with kids in nature. Children won’t even know they’re learning while the discover the delights of seeing seedlings sprout and taste things they’ve grown (while learning new skills and building confidence.)

 

  • Perfect for ages 5-12, PLT’s free family activity Have Seeds, Will Travel (in English and Español) encourages kids to observe, collect, and classify plant seeds. Have children examine their seed collection and invent a system for sorting or classifying them. Explain that plants have developed many different methods of seed dispersal to ensure the success of their species. This activity is a simplified version of PLT’s PreK-8 Guide: Activity 43—Have Seeds, Will Travel.

 

 

4. Encourage Passion to Become a Profession

Do your children love spending time outdoors? Are they enthusiastic about sustainability and learning and sharing about the environment? Help inspire ages 13+ to follow their dreams and find a green career pathway that matches their personality with PLT’s free trial of the Green Jobs Quiz

The forest and conservation sector offers many rewarding, diverse jobs—some you may have never known existed!

 

  • For young adults ages 18+, mentorship programs can help determine their goals and consider the many green jobs available. PLT Canada’s Green Mentor program is a chance to network with other professionals to learn more about their experiences starting a green career pathway. The next cohort is starting in October 2022—but you can sign up and read a few first-person stories from program participants today!

 

  • Are you planning to attend the SFI/PLT 2022 Annual Conference in Madison, Wisconsin from June 14–16? The SFI Conference Green Mentor Program is currently recruiting mentors! Anyone attending the conference with over three years of professional experience can sign up (it includes a four-month commitment to meet with mentee 2–3 hours per month virtually and at the conference).

 

  • If the young people in your life already know they’re interested in a forest or forest product-related profession, encourage them to check out the annual Thru The Trees Video Contest. You can also support their interests by exploring the Forest Literacy Framework, tailored to American and Canadian audiences, to learn the forest, tree, and sustainable forest management concepts that everyone should know by the time they’re 18. 

 

Looking for more ideas and resources to support your family learning about forests and encouraging green career pathways?

Be sure to sign up for SFI’s, Project Learning Tree, and PLT Canada’s Newsletters and check out “11 Tips for Parents to Connect Kids to the Outdoors”.

 

 

PLT Releases New Activities For Exploring Nature With Young Children Ages 1-6

image of a tree on a white background surrounded by a yellow illustrated sun blue illustrated clouds orange illustrated bird and a purple illustrated squirrel sitting on top of the title trees and me

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) released a new resource today for families and teachers to connect children ages 1–6 to nature, with a focus on trees. Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children offers hundreds of ideas for fun, indoor and outdoor, learning experiences for toddlers and preschoolers to explore nature through their senses, experience trees throughout the seasons, and connect with their community.

The hands-on activities are designed for families and caregivers, childcare providers, and early childhood or PreK-Grade 1 educators to use in a range of settings, including preschools, childcare and nature centers, and at home. Special instructions tailor many experiences for children under 3 years of age.

white arrow pointing downward with the number 3 inside a purple circle
This icon suggests activities for children ages three and under

Get your copy of Trees & Me from PLT’s Shop, from Amazon and other places where books are sold, or by attending a local PLT workshop conducted by PLT’s 50-state network of 75 coordinators and 1,000 facilitators across the country. 

Trees & Me combines the fascination that young children have for trees with research-based findings about the lifelong benefits of early exposure to nature,” says Jaclyn Stallard, PLT’s Director of Curriculum. “The learning experiences improve children’s emotional and physical well-being, enhance literacy, math, and critical thinking skills, promote positive social behavior, and make kids more likely to care about their environment throughout their lives.”

 

Easy-to-Do, Hands-On Activities, Loaded with Fun Features

QR code to track 11 of Trees and Me Yippee, Hooray! by Billy B.
Try it for yourself! Track 11: Yippee, Hooray! by Billy B.

Caregivers can easily adapt the 12 hands-on activities to meet each child’s unique needs, the different environments where they live, and the materials available.

“I love seeing so many options in the PLT Trees & Me guide that make it really easy to use, like the QR codes that grant access to songs for the Music and Movement activities,” said Tia R. Prostko, Early Childhood Well-Being Coach at South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care in Easley, South Carolina, one of hundreds of educators and childcare providers who field-tested the activities with children.

 

“It’s also a wonderful resource for teachers who aren’t quite as comfortable yet with teaching outdoors or using nature for learning,” she added. “Each activity includes specific suggestions with the “Take It Outside!” box, and there’s enough information in the “Background for Adults” sections for answering the questions of “why?” that are basically guaranteed in a preschool environment!”

Within each Background section there are Forest Facts, designed for adults, that connect an activity’s theme to forests.

 

 

A Plethora of Learning Tools

White outline of a lightbulb in a green circle

The ideas for learning featured in the Group Experiences and Free Exploration sections empower children to work independently and in groups.

Art is integrated throughout the guide and children practice STEM through ten essential skills, integrating science, technology, engineering, and math. They also explore careers through dramatic play and skill practice that plant ideas for a child’s future.

 

Early Learning Standards

The activities connect with early learning standards in science, English language arts, math, and social studies—as well as programs like the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Head Start, and established nature-based preschool practices—so children learn concepts they need to succeed in school.

Example from Activity 11: Community Explorers — Connections to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Math, and C3 for Social Studies

 

“Including the career connections of relevant community helpers, such as farmers, park rangers, foresters, and scientists, is an easy foray into the “what do you want to be when you grow up?” conversation,” said Jessica Kratz, Coordinator at Greenbelt Nature Center in Staten Island, New York. “Kids are conditioned to want to be the types of “helpers” they hear about, and this is a perfect way to begin.”

 

Learning in Preschool, Reinforced with Learning at Home

Trees & Me includes many supporting resources, such as tested techniques for engaging early learners, tips for outdoor learning, and bringing nature inside.

It also suggests ways to connect parents as partners in their child’s education. 

Family & Friends pages reinforce a child’s learning at school with learning experiences at home, including ways to help out in the community.

Other unique and distinguishing features include Traditional Knowledge and a Gratitude Walk, and Woodworking with real tools.

Trees & Me offers something for everyone and anyone who cares for the future of a young child,” said Linda Kinney, Education Specialist and Manager Playful Pedagogy at North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro.

 

Explore the Guide

Learn more about the Trees & Me activity guide and its supporting resources at www.plt.org/treesandme.

Watch this 4-minute video to explore some of the guide’s features:

Purchase the 176-page guide now from Shop.PLT.org or get it through your PLT state program by attending an in-person or virtual professional development workshop. Find contact information for your state at www.plt.org/yourstate.

The guide comes with a self-guided, online interactive tutorial to help you get the most out of Trees & Me based on how you interact with young children. Choose your path as a childcare provider, Pre-K-Grade 1 educator, or as a parent, caregiver, or nonformal educator. 

PLT Outdoor Classroom Kit Giveaway for Educators

Are you a parent who has been amazed by how your child’s teacher went above and beyond during the pandemic?

Are you a school administrator or teacher whose colleagues struggle and still manage to inspire despite being in one of the most difficult periods of their careers?

Have you attended a PLT workshop recently and want to thank your PLT facilitator for an amazing experience?

About the Giveaway

PLT wants to help you green your community and show a little love to outstanding educators in the U.S. and Canada!

7 children standing or kneeling in a semi circle planting a tree

We’re giving away an Outdoor Classroom Kit to celebrate and uplift educators who go above and beyond for their students, and encourage those working with children to take students outside to learn.

Spending time in nature has been linked to benefits for both emotional and physical well-being in children and adults. That’s why we want to give one lucky educator a prize that encourages them and their students to get outside and enjoy their environment while learning about the natural world.

Each educator nominated will be entered into a draw to win the PLT Outdoor Classroom Kit—and many will be highlighted on PLT’s website, social media, and in PLT’s monthly newsletter, The Branch.

If you want to nominate an educator, submit a nomination form before the March 14, 2022 deadline!

If you would like to share pictures, videos, or other materials along with your nomination, complete the nomination form and note that you are submitting more materials. Then, send us an email with the subject line “Outdoor Classroom Kit Giveaway” and include your name, the name of the educator you’re nominating, and the name of their school or organization.

To get more information about the PLT Outdoor Classroom Kit Giveaway, visit the FAQ Toolkit or giveaway page.

Purple square website button with white text with the words nominate now

 

Giveaway Prizes and Recognitions

One educator will receive a PLT Outdoor Classroom Kit, which includes the following items valued at more than $1,000 USD:

 

All giveaway participants will receive a one-time 50% off PLT shop promo code good for one digital purchase.

 

Why Nominate an Educator?

As we all know, this has been an extremely difficult time for educators. It’s important that we recognize educators’ dedication and perseverance in providing students with the best educational experiences possible, despite all of the barriers that have arisen to make their work more difficult than it has ever been.

Here are a few reasons to take a moment to nominate an educator:

  • Thank an educator who has madeAn educator surrounded by tall trees holding a leaf teaching 5 middle school students a difference in the lives of you, your child, and your community.
  • Recognize and celebrate the contributions of other educators in your network.
  • Appreciate educators who think of new ways to engage students and do everything they can to help children learn.
  • Make an educator’s day.

 

Want to feel inspired? Take a look at a few of PLT’s Teacher Stories to learn new ways to engage kids in outdoor learning and see examples of educators doing great work!

Changes to Your PLT Account

Your online PLT Account has a new look!

We’re excited to have launched a new account dashboard, where you can find your PLT content and manage your profile all in one place.

Go to plt.org/login and check it out!

 

What’s New?

The single dashboard offers quick and easy access to your PLT materials, as well as a more streamlined experience for managing your profile.

It combines the free supporting resources for PLT activities (including PLT’s downloadable student pages) with the PLT products you have in your account (for example your e-books and online courses from PLT’s Shop).

From your PLT Account Home page, click on the:

  • My Resources tab to find the student pages and more for PLT activities
  • My Materials to access your e-books, online courses, and other PLT digital products that you have access to.

 

Please review your profile and records of workshop participation, and update your professional information, including your setting, the subjects you teach, and the grade levels/ages of children you work with. This will help us provide relevant materials and resource suggestions to meet your needs. We also use this information to guide us when creating new resources!

 

Orientation to Your New Account

Take a look at this three-minute-long video overview and one-pager to orient yourself to your new account dashboard.

 

 

 

Out with the old, in with the new! 

Your new Account Home now looks like this:

 

It used to look like this:

 

We hope you find your new PLT Account Home page easy to use!

Check it out at plt.org/login.

Questions? Contact us at PLT@forests.org.