Project Learning Tree

10/11/2026

💜 50 Reasons to Love PLT - #16: Don’t dread Mondays, make it majestic instead by going outdoors! A few minutes of focused observation can spark curiosity, build science skills, strengthen descriptive language, and help students connect with the natural world right outside their door.

🌿 Try it tomorrow:
1️⃣ Head outdoors (or look out a window).
2️⃣ Ask students to find one thing they think is "majestic." ✨ No two answers will be the same, and that's part of the magic.
3️⃣ Listen to your students’ questions, pay attention to their observations, and feel free to point out those magical qualities of nature that YOU appreciate.

🌿 Learn how educator Nancy Blake, from Goose Bay Elementary School in Wasilla AK, uses Majestic Mondays to inspire students: https://www.plt.org/educator-tips/majestic-mondays-with-plt-teacher-feature-nancy-blake/

💌Know an educator who could use a joyful Monday routine? Share this post with them!

10/08/2026

💜 50 Reasons to Love PLT - #15 We know young children learn best when they're exploring, asking questions, and engaging with the world around them. With PLT's Trees & Me: Activities for Young Children educators, parents and childcare providers can lead experiences that support key developmental goals identified by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Head Start while fostering a lifelong love of nature.

🌿 Try it tomorrow:
📚 Choose a PLT activity using the standards crosswalk: https://www.plt.org/alignment-to-standards/early-childhood/
🎨 Invite children to document their learning through drawing, conversations, or storytelling
🏡 Continue the learning at home with the accompanying Friends & Family Page

💌Know an early childhood educator who would love this resource? Share this post with them.

10/05/2026

Who inspires us? Educators, that’s who! We know your job isn’t always easy, but we know you’ve got a ton of passion for what you do. You inspire. You engage. You nurture. 🌱

To celebrate World Teachers Day, all PLT digital products are 20% off to help you bring more hands-on and outdoor learning to your students. Use coupon code WTD26 (discount valid through October 31, 2026).

Thank you for being amazing and educating the next generation! 🎉

Shop resources today! https://shop.plt.org/

10/05/2026

💜 50 Reasons to Love PLT - #14: Participatory science helps students see themselves as scientists.

When students observe nature, ask questions, and contribute data to real research projects, they build valuable science skills while deepening their connection to the real world. Participatory science projects creates opportunities for learners to make discoveries and see how their observations can contribute to broader scientific understanding.

🌿 Get inspired: Learn how Jonathan Smith, education and outreach coordinator at Mississippi Forestry Association, used participatory science to become a better naturalist and inspire others:

🔗 Read the story: https://www.plt.org/news/people-of-plt-becoming-a-better- naturalist/

Know an educator looking for meaningful ways to connect students with nature and science? Share this post with them!

10/01/2026

💜 50 Reasons to Love PLT - #13: 🌲 Deepen your understanding of forests and feel more confident teaching about them with the Forest Literacy Online Course, developed by PLT and Texas A&M Forest Service to help you explore forest ecosystems, sustainability, forest management, and the many benefits forests provide.

🌿 Whether you're new to environmental education or looking to strengthen your forestry knowledge and communications, this self-paced learning opportunity can help bring real-world connections into your teaching: https://www.plt.org/forestliteracy

Know someone who would love to strengthen their forest knowledge? Tag them below!

09/28/2026

💜50 Reasons to Love PLT - #12: Young people want careers that make a difference and the forest sector offers far more possibilities than many realize. And you don’t have to be outdoorsy to build a career that sustain forests.

Use the Career Corner available in PLT's student pages to introduce young people to the many career possibilities in the forest sector.

🌿Explore activities by grade level at https://www.plt.org/resources/myk8guide, and find more forest careers in Appendix J of PLT’s Explore Your Environment guide.

Know an educator that wants to explore green careers with their students? Send this post their way!

09/28/2026

PLT is helping support a Michigan school through a big transition!

Kalkaska Public Schools had been struggling and decided to reinvent its model. Their superintendent reached out to our Michigan Delivery Partner, Andrea Stay, a few months ago, and they worked to connect the school with PLT resources and set up a workshop.

From the article: Rapid City Elementary School Dean of Students Kevin Malbouef says the new “stewardship campus,” as the model is called, teaches students to “understand they’re part of something bigger than themselves.” Core subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies are still taught but incorporated into an immersive, hands-on curriculum that emphasizes outdoor and community time as much as indoor classroom space. The curriculum, called Project Learning Tree, is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary environmental education program used in classrooms PreK-12 across the country.

Visit https://www.plt.org/schools to learn more about how to bring PLT to your school and district!

Read the full story here: https://www.northernexpress.com/news/feature/kalkaska-public-schools-then-now/

In March 1993, the Kalkaska school district made a decision stunning enough to attract national attention. Faced with a budget shortfall, the district dec…

09/26/2026

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.

09/24/2026

💜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!

09/22/2026

💜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!