Project Learning Tree

Did you know America's federal forests provide clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and renewable resources?

🌳 In honor of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept 26, Project Learning Tree and National Environmental Education Foundation - NEEF invite you to engage students in hands-on exploration and learn how national lands are managed to meet a variety of human and environmental needs.

📚 Access the activity through the link in bio.

💜50 Reasons to Love PLT - #11: PLT’s Topic Index makes it easy to find activities that connect trees and forests to the subjects and issues your learners care about.

🌿 Check out hands-on ways to teach climate, biodiversity, water, renewable energy, recycling and 130+ other topics: https://www.plt.org/sample-lesson-plans or find PLT near you to get started at https://www.plt.org/yourstate!

Know an educator that wants to find more ways to teach through hands-on lessons? Send this post their way!

💜50 Reasons to Love PLT - #10: PLT instructional materials, professional development, and organizational principles support UN Sustainable Development () Goal 4: Quality Education and connect with several other SDGs that intersect with education.

🌿Help students see how learning connects to a more sustainable future: https://www.plt.org/alignment-to-standards/nonformal/united-nations-sustainable-development-goals/)

Know an educator that wants to find more ways to connect learning with global sustainability? Send this post their way!

💜50 Reasons to Love PLT - #9: “Finding time to teach a science lesson can be challenging, given the amount of time devoted to literacy and math in the elementary curriculum. But PLT activities are a great way to incorporate teaching science with math and language arts.” – Ed.D., Professor, Metropolitan State University, CO

Each of the 50 activities in PLT’s Explore Your Environment K-8 Guide includes connections to other subject areas, helping educators make the most of their instructional time.

🌿Explore the connections:https://www.plt.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/PLT_K-8_Common_Core_Toolkit.pdf

Know an educator who wants to find more ways to incorporate science in their classroom? Send this post their way!

This World Ozone Day, have students explore and analyze trends in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide through The Global Climate / El Clima Global activity from Project Learning Tree’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide (available in English & Spanish).

Check out these other helpful resources to teach learners about changes in our climate: https://www.plt.org/educator-tips/what-is-causing-changes-in-our-climate/

💜 50 Reasons to Love PLT - #8: PLT partnered with Discover the Forest and North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE to bring nature into children's everyday lives through practical ideas and ready-to-use activities. No matter where you live, there are opportunities to wonder, explore, and learn outside!

🌿 Explore the free resources: bit.ly/EEforEveryday

Know a family member, caregiver, or early childhood educator that could use inspiration for outdoor learning? Share this post with them!

From cooling neighborhoods to reducing stormwater impacts to creating healthier places to live, urban forests provide important climate and community benefits.

That's why PLT partnered with the Plants and Climate Change Education (PLACCE) peer learning group and the American Public Gardens Association's (APGA) Education Community to explore how educators can use trees to bring climate change education to life. PLACCE, a partnership between the U.S. Botanic Garden and APGA, unites botanic garden and arboretum education professionals to explore the connections between plants and climate change education. Through hands-on lessons, forest literacy resources, and green career exploration, PLT is helping educators inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

Every tree in our communities tells a story, do you have a favorite in your neighborhood? Tell us in the comments about why it's special to you! 👇

Check out the recorded webinar and learn more about how collaboration, education, and urban forestry are helping communities become more resilient—one tree at a time.

🌲 https://www.plt.org/urban-forestry-as-climate-action/

💜50 Reasons to Love PLT - #7: Educators don’t have to start from scratch. PLT has 20+ units of instruction free for educators to download and adapt to their classrooms.

🌿Designed for grades K-8, the units can help you turn individual lessons into connected learning experiences while saving valuable planning time.

Explore the free units of instruction: https://www.plt.org/resources/my-k-8-guide/units-of-instruction/

“This was the best professional development course I’ve had as a teacher. The instructor was well-prepared, had a plethora of materials for students to peruse, and developed a sequence that helped us understand science standards, various resources, the PLT curriculum and lessons, techniques, and so much more. I feel much more prepared for the start of the school year.” – Becky King, Alaska PLT Workshop Participant

Know an educator who could use a springboard to get their instructional units off the ground? Send this post their way!

Do you enjoy watching trees change color in the fall? 🍂 Did you know you can help NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration collect data on this seasonal change?

Through the The GLOBE Program North American Phenology Campaign, participants can use the Green-down protocol to observe four leaves on a tree as they go from “green” to “down” throughout the fall. The protocol is easy to follow and can be completed using the GLOBE Observer app.

Pair the experience with Project Learning Tree’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide free student pages on Signs of Fall, available in both English and Spanish. Students can look for signs of autumn, investigate why deciduous trees change color, and contribute observations to a long-running database collected by educators, youth, and citizen scientists around the world.

Ready to get observing? Learn more about the campaign and how to contribute at https://www.globe.gov/napc.
Check out PLT's free student pages: https://www.plt.org/activity-resources/grades-3-5-activity-signs-of-fall/

💜50 Reasons to Love PLT – #6: PLT’s US-wide and international network is a reliable source of hands-on professional development, state-specific resources, and assistance for incorporating EE and outdoor learning into your classroom or program.

🌿 Consider this a personal invitation to reach out and get connected today! https://www.plt.org/your-state-project-learning-tree-program/

“Through the networking with other people in the state from PLT I have been able to get innovative ideas to teach students in different ways. I have a renewed excitement to teach science this year and in the next several years. I learned of many resources for teachers and have taken over the Kansas Green Schools project in our school.” – Elementary School Teacher, KS

Know an educator that can use assistance in bringing EE and outdoor learning into their classroom or program? Send this post their way!