What is Project Learning Tree?

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for and by educators working with students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The program uses the forest as a "window" on the natural world, helping to focus awareness and knowledge of all aspects of the environment, and our place within it. PLT helps prepare students to make informed decisions about conservation practices and natural resource use by practicing problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Curriculum Materials

PreK-8 Activity Guide
PLT's new and revised activity guide offers a comprehensive environmental curriculum, which encompasses land, air and water. It is local, national and global in scope.

• contains 96 lessons with variations and extensions
• organized into storylines within thematic chapters
• includes background material and directions for teachers
• contains suggestions for subject integration and assessment

Spanish Translation of the PreK-8 Student Pages
To meet the growing need for bilingual academic material, PLT has translated the student pages of the PreK-8 Activity Guide into Spanish. This provides ready-to-use materials for bilingual educators. Call 269-8481 for more information.

Secondary Topic Specific Modules (Grades 9-12)
PLT has materials available for secondary teachers. These materials are available in a series of topic specific modules. The following modules are currently available:

• Introductory Handbook to Secondary Modules
• Forest Ecology
• Exploring Environmental Issues:
  • Focus on Forests
  • Focus on Risk
  • Municipal Solid Waste

Correlation to State and National Education Standards

Project Learning Tree's materials have been correlated to Alaska's Content Standards as well as the National Science and Social Studies standards. The Alaska Correlations are available in hard copy or on our Correlations website. The National Correlations are available on PLT's national website.

How do I get PLT Materials?

You can obtain Project Learning Tree's PreK-8 Activity Guide or Secondary Modules by attending a training workshop. At the training workshop, you will learn how easy it is to incorporate PLT's action-oriented activities into your current lesson plans and curriculum. You will have the opportunity to meet other professionals in your area who are interested in environmental education.

PLT Alaska offers workshops statewide led by PLT-trained educators and resource professionals. Workshops can be scheduled for your building, school district or community. Workshops can be designed around a theme or local event and can be held on a weekday, weekend, or several evenings.

Project Learning Tree materials are also available online at http://www.pltalaska.org/. The PLT website allows you to browse the schedule of up-coming training opportunities for Fire in Alaska and Project Learning Tree, register online for training opportunities, review the list of materials and compare notes about workshops, including great ideas and interesting lesson adaptations with other PLT and Fire educators in the Educator Corner.

Types of Workshops Offered in Alaska

Educator's Workshop PreK - 8

• minimum of 6 hrs.
• introduction to PLT curriculum framework
• participate in hands-on activities indoors and out
• information about resources available locally and statewide
• preparation for using activities in own setting
• Materials fee: $15 per participant/$30 with Project Wild

Educator's Workshop Secondary Modules

• Similar workshop format as above, but focusing on one or more secondary modules
• Minimum of 4 hrs.
• Materials fee: $15 per participant

Credit Course: Graduate level credit courses can be arranged for both the elementary and secondary workshops.

• 1 graded graduate level credit
• Minimum: 15 hrs. contact time of instruction
• Required project and/or paper
• Materials fee: $15 per participant/$30 with Project Wild
• Credit fee: varies due to local arrangement through school district and university

Event Calendar

For a listing of upcoming PLT workshops in Alaska, visit the PLT website at http://www.pltalaska.org/calendar.htm or contact Matt Weaver, 907-269-8481.

PLT Sponsors

In Alaska, the Division of Forestry, Alaska Forest Association, and USDA Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Education Program funds Project Learning Tree. Other sponsors include the Alaska Cooperative Extension, Alaska Department of Education, Alaska Natural Resource and Outdoor Education Association, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation.

Contact Information

For more information or to schedule a workshop, contact:

Project Learning Tree Coordinator
Alaska Division of Forestry
550 West 7th Ave., Suite 1450
Anchorage, AK 99501-3566
Fax: (907) 269-8902

Matt Weaver, Conservation Education Coordinator
(907) 269-8481
email: email