Forest Practices

Conservation Education


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.

PLT Event Calendar

PLT Contact Information

The Division of Forestry has entered into an agreement with the UAF Cooperative Extension Service to administer the Project Learning Tree Program. For information please contact:

Meg Burgett
Natural Resource Program Assistant
UAF-Cooperative Extension Service
533 E. Fireweed
Palmer, AK 99645
907-376-0580
Fax: 907-746-2677
asburgett@alaska.edu

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.

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

PLT Sponsors

In Alaska, the Division of Forestry and the Alaska Cooperative Extension fund Project Learning Tree. Other sponsors include Alaska Department of Education, Alaska Natural Resource and Outdoor Education Association, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation.

Fire In Alaska

The exciting, interdisciplinary FIRE in Alaska K-12 curriculum is designed to engage and inspire students to learn about all aspects of fire, including fire ecology, fire behavior, and how to live safely in the wildland-urban interface. This intensive workshop includes content, lesson modeling, interactive activities and laboratory simulations. Participants gain their own copies of the curriculum, which is being used all over Alaska. Fire in Alaska workshops are available for continuing education credit through UAA.

The Division of Forestry has entered in an agreement with the Alaska Natural Resources and Outdoor Education Association to administer the FIRE in Alaska program.

Event Calendar

Class locations provided upon registration

April 19-20, 2013 - Southwestern Regional School District
April 26-27, 2013 - Tok
October and November, 2013 -- Palmer and Anchorage
Spring 2014 -- Kenai Peninsula and Fairbanks

Fire in Alaska Contact Information

To learn more, sign up for a FIRE in Alaska workshop, or to request a FIRE in Alaska workshop in your area, please contact:

Lilly Goodman-Allwright
Alaskainsights@mtaonline.net

Project Wild Contact Information

For information on Project Wild in Alaska, please contact:

Brenda Duty
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
907-267-2216
email: Brenda Duty

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=educators.main.