02/05/2024
NHPLT Has Hired a New Coordinator! Meet Jenn Scarinza.
The New Hampshire Project Learning Tree program (NHPLT), run by the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association (NHTOA), and co-sponsored by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the N.H. Division of Forest and Lands is pleased to announce the hiring of Jennifer “Jenn” Scarinza as the new part-time coordinator. As the New Hampshire coordinator, Jenn will deliver the Project Learning Tree (PLT) curriculum, one of the most widely used preK-12 environmental education programs in the United States and abroad, to schools throughout the state. PLT’s award-winning environmental education program is designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth. Specifically, PLT is committed to advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and green career pathways, using trees and forests as windows on the natural world.
Working closely with the NHTOA staff and with partner organizations, Jenn will be responsible for the planning and delivering the PLT curriculum to New Hampshire educators and school administrators. She will also oversee and manage PLT-related educational programs (e.g., Schoolyard Habitat/Outdoor Classroom Program).
“Jenn’s background and professional experience makes her the ideal person for this job” said Wendy Weisiger, chair of the NHPLT board.
Jenn grew up in Loudon, N.H., training oxen and exploring the woods. She earned an A.A. degree from Sterling College in Rural Resource Management, with a concentration on Education and Leadership, and a B.S. from UNH in Adult and Occupational Education. She taught high school students for 21.5 years in a variety of forestry, natural resource, agriculture, and outdoor recreation courses. A lifelong sugarmaker, she enjoyed making syrup and managing about 75 acres of fields and forests with her (late) husband, John. Jenn and their 2.5-year-old son, Ethan, live in Randolph, N.H.
“In mid-January the board laid out an aggressive six-month work plan aimed at raising awareness and the profile of the Project Learning Tree curriculum with New Hampshire’s education and forestry community and we are excited to have Jenn taking on this challenge.” Weisiger said.
For more information on Project Learning Tree go to, www.plt.org and to learn more about the NHPLT program and its upcoming plans and programs go to www.nhplt.org. To contact Jenn directly or discuss how you can incorporate this curriculum in your classroom or volunteer as a facilitator email her at [email protected]
