Click HERE to view list of scheduled PLT Workshops 

PLT inspires the next generation of leaders through environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways by using trees and forests as windows on the world. Working with partner organizations across North America and internationally, they cultivate connections to nature, starting with the littlest of learners through young professionals. 

As one of the longest-running and most widely used programs in its field, PLT has almost 50 years of experience providing high-quality education resources and training for formal and nonformal educators, career counselors, families, natural resource professionals, and community leaders to nurture current and future generations. Each year, PLT reaches approximately 900 young professionals, trains over 15,000 educators, and impacts over 2.5 million students.

PLT's interdisciplinary curricula aligns with the High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) frameworks for outstanding supplemental materials.

In Arkansas, PLT activities help licensed educators meet requirements within their Professional Growth Plan (PGP).

Activities from the PLT PreK-8 Activity guide can be used during remote learning and social distancing. Click here for a list of activities that work well in these situations. (PDF)

Explore the National PLT web site at www.plt.org. 

PLT Professional Development

Below is a listing of upcoming PLT-related professional development events currently scheduled across the state. If you are interested in hosting a PD event in your area, please contact Rob Beadel via email or call (501) 374-2441 to find out how.

Can’t make it to an in-person PD event? National Project Learning Tree hosts online courses for several different curriculum guides.

Click here to see what PLT professional development topics/themes are available. (PDF)

PLT Calendar

PLT Extensions

National Education Frameworks

• Early Childhood Correlations 
• Common Core (ELA and Mathematics) 
• Next Generation Science Standards
  
  

• Non-Formal Programs such as 4-H, Scouts, Citizen Science, etc.
  
  

Benefits

Children learn how to think, but not what to think, about our complex environment, discover how subjects and skills taught in classroom relate to the world around them, develop skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation, and research, and have fun while learning. Teachers receive a ready-to-use PLT guide, resource materials, and a complimentary subscription to PLT's newsletter, the Branch, filled with teaching ideas and activities, discover over 175 activities that help teach science, mathematics, language, arts, social studies, humanities, and other subjects, and participate in a creative workshop that helps improve classroom skills.

Getting Involved

Join us for an interactive, fun and educational professional development that will provide you with instruction on how to incorporate environmental education activities into your classes, camps, and educational programs. These hands-on professional development workshops provide you with curriculum and resources and an opportunity to meet with foresters, resource professionals, and other educators. During a workshop you will:

• Participate in hands-on PLT activities, both indoors and out
• Learn more about trees and forest ecology
  
• Expand your knowledge and teaching skills
• Find out how PLT can enliven your curriculum
• Meet and share ideas, information, and resources with other professionals
• Earn PD credit from the Arkansas Department of Education and/or the Arkansas Professional Development Registry 

At the workshops, you will receive training in PLT activities and have the opportunity to plan ways in which the activities can be used in your classroom or education program. There is typically a fee to attend PLT workshops which varies dependent on the host/venue. Included in the fee, each participant will receive the PLT curriculum guide featured in the course at the conclusion of the training.

To find out when the next PLT PD Event will be held in your area, check the calendar listings above or contact Rob Beadel via email.