Project Learning Tree (PLT) stands as a beacon in environmental education, dedicated to fostering forest literacy, promoting green career pathways, and utilizing trees and forests as engaging educational tools to understand the wider world. Through award-winning resources designed for learners from early childhood to adulthood, PLT empowers a diverse network, offering professional development for educators and inspiring young individuals to explore the rich potential of forests and green careers.
At its core, Project Learning Tree is nurturing the next generation of leaders in forestry and conservation. As an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, a renowned non-profit charitable organization, PLT is deeply rooted in advancing sustainability through collaborative, forest-focused initiatives. Our mission and goals reflect a commitment to a greener, more environmentally conscious future.
A group of diverse young people and adults engaged in an outdoor learning activity in a forest setting, highlighting hands-on environmental education
How Project Learning Tree Works: A Triad of Educational Excellence
The effectiveness of the Project Learning Tree program is built upon three equally vital pillars:
- High-Quality Instructional Materials: PLT provides comprehensive and engaging educational resources tailored for PreK-12 students.
- Carefully Designed Professional Development: PLT offers robust training programs for educators, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to effectively use PLT materials.
- Extensive Distribution and Support Network: PLT boasts a wide-reaching network that ensures resources and support are accessible across diverse communities.
PLT’s instructional materials are versatile, designed for use in both formal school environments and informal youth programs. The hands-on activities transform teaching and learning into an enjoyable experience. By connecting children with nature, PLT activities actively engage students, enhance academic performance, and cultivate essential 21st-century skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
These valuable materials are integrated with professional development opportunities through interactive in-person workshops and accessible online courses. Every year, over 20,000 educators participate in PLT workshops, expanding their expertise in environmental education. A selection of materials is also available for direct purchase through shop.plt.org.
Instructional Resources: Engaging and Comprehensive
Project Learning Tree’s exceptional units and lesson plans are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing school curricula and enrich educational programs in non-formal settings. These adaptable activities can be incorporated into lesson plans across all grade levels and diverse subject areas, with a particular emphasis on STEM, reading, writing, and social studies. The topics covered are wide-ranging, spanning from forests, wildlife, and water systems to community planning, waste management, and energy solutions.
What sets PLT activities apart is their practical, hands-on nature, making learning both engaging and enjoyable. They are meticulously aligned with state and national academic standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards, College, Career, and Civic Life Framework, Head Start, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children standards. Furthermore, PLT’s reach extends to nonformal education programs, with activities fulfilling requirements for Girl Scout Badges and Journeys, among others. Learn more about standards alignment.
The development of PLT’s instructional materials is a rigorous process involving hundreds of teachers, nonformal educators, and resource professionals. This collaborative effort encompasses research, surveys, writing workshops, pilot and field testing for revisions, and independent evaluations to assess the impact on student learning. Independent evaluations consistently demonstrate that PLT activities significantly enhance students’ knowledge, reasoning abilities, and academic skills. Explore the research and evaluation behind PLT materials.
Professional Growth for Educators: Empowering Environmental Literacy
PLT’s professional development programs are instrumental in helping educators confidently integrate environmental education into their teaching practices. These programs foster comfort in outdoor teaching environments, whether urban, suburban, or rural. Through workshops and online courses, educators learn the most effective methods for using PLT’s instructional materials with their students in diverse settings. They also gain valuable skills in engaging with their communities to explore and address local environmental issues. Continuing education credits are available in most states for participating educators.
In-person training opportunities are diverse, ranging from focused one-day workshops and in-service days to semester-long courses, week-long intensive institutes, and other sustained engagement models. These events are expertly planned and led by certified facilitators, ensuring customization for specific grade levels, topics, and teaching contexts. Discover examples of PLT trainings.
For educators seeking flexible learning options, PLT offers online courses that can be completed at their own pace, from any location. Courses tailored for early childhood, K-8, and GreenSchools certification feature demonstration videos, interactive simulations, planning exercises, and state-specific resources. Learn more about online professional development.
A Broad Network: Local Reach, Global Impact
Project Learning Tree’s influence spans all 50 states and extends to several countries, powered by a large and diverse network of dedicated partners. These partners include non-profit organizations, state education agencies, natural resource departments, and higher education institutions. Explore the network of PLT partners.
Because PLT programs are implemented and directed locally, educators benefit from state-specific supplements to PLT’s core educational materials. These localized resources address unique environmental contexts and ensure professional development aligns with school districts’ and educators’ individual needs. Furthermore, educators gain access to valuable community connections, local resources, and collaborative support networks. Find your state’s Project Learning Tree program.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
Project Learning Tree plays a crucial role in fostering students’ environmental awareness, knowledge, and appreciation. It equips them with the skills to make informed decisions and encourages a sense of personal responsibility for environmental sustainability and the quality of life it underpins. Through community action components integrated into many PLT activities, as well as service-learning programs like GreenSchools and GreenWorks!, PLT empowers students to actively improve their schools, homes, and neighborhoods based on their classroom learning.
By emphasizing critical thinking about complex environmental issues, rather than prescribing specific viewpoints, Project Learning Tree empowers young people with the problem-solving skills essential for making informed environmental choices. PLT is also instrumental in preparing a 21st-century workforce ready to tackle increasingly complex environmental challenges, such as climate change and energy sustainability.
