Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators working with students in pre-K through grade 12. It uses the forest as a "window" into natural and built environments, helping people gain an awareness and knowledge of the world around them, as well as their place within it. Since its introduction in the early 1970s, PLT has been recognized as one of the premier environmental education programs in the world. Through hands-on, interdisciplinary activities, PLT provides students with opportunities to investigate environmental issues and encourages them to make informed, responsible decisions. For more information, go to www.plt.org. In Georgia, contact Carla Rapp at carla@gfagrow.org or 478-992-8110; or Deborah Breedlove at GFCconservation@GFC.STATE.GA.US or 478-751-3534; OR Kris Irwin at kirwin@uga.edu or 706-542-7412.

Project Learning Tree Is

Benefits of PLT

Curriculum
Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 8
Developmentally appropriate hands-on activities

Grades 9-12 (divided into modules)
Forest Ecology, Focus on Forests, Focus on Risk, Municipal Solid Waste, Places We Live, and Forests of the World.

Biodiversity ONLINE at www.plt.org.

For workshops being offered go to www.eeingeorgia.org.

Facilitators click here workshop forms and other information.

Project Learning Tree (PLT): Educating Georgia's Students about the Environment
by: Carla Rapp, Georgia PLT Co-coordinator

As I walked into Wendy Joiner's classroom I knew this was no ordinary classroom. Every wall had pictures of Albert Einstein as well as snakes, turtles and a host of others.  I had come to see Mrs. Joiner facilitate "Water Wonders", a PLT activity designed to teach the water cycle, with her students. As the students came into the classroom she instructed them to sit evenly amongst the tables marked CLOUD, GLACIER, OCEAN, STREAM, MOUNTAIN, ANIMAL and PLANT.

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PLT History

In 2006, National Project Learning Tree (PLT) celebrated its 30th Anniversary and Georgia celebrated 20 years of PLT Programming

In 2006, National Project Learning Tree celebrated 30 years in bringing forestry education to educators across the United States. PLT began in 1976 in 13 Western states and has since grown to all 50 states and 11 other countries. PLT was developed by two organizations: the Western Regional Environmental Education Council (now a national program called the Council for Environmental Education) and the American Forest Institute (now the American Forest Foundation). 

"PLT is unique because it represents the work of education and resource management professionals working together to do something important for kids," said the late Rudy Schafer, former environmental education staff specialist for the California Department of Education and one of PLT's creators.

He also emphasized the rigorous process through which materials were researched, written, and field-tested in classrooms. "We were able to say from the start that we had a quality program that would work at the 9 o'clock Monday morning level," he said, referring to PLT's easy usability in classrooms. "Working closely with on-the-job professionals helped us gain widespread interest in the program."

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