Professional Development
Project Learning Tree provides high quality professional development to formal and non-formal educators throughout the state. Workshops are eligible for SCECH's but it is the facilitator's responsibility to obtain approval to award credits prior to the event.
Nov 18, 2024 Farmington Hills Nature Center - PLT Trees and Me Early Childhood
Nov 18, 2024 Farmington Hills Nature Center - PLT Trees and Me Early Childhood
Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children includes 12 activities and more than 250 learning experiences for families and teachers to connect children ages 1–6 to nature, with a focus on trees. Through fun, indoor and outdoor activities, toddlers and preschoolers explore nature through their senses, experience trees throughout the seasons, and connect with their community.
Date: Monday, November 18th
Time: 5-8:30pm
Location: Farmington Hills Nature Center (24915 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336)
January 27, 2025 - Lansing Growing Up WILD and Trees and Me
Join us as we explore the Growing Up WILD and Trees and Me guides and go home with over 400 pages of activities, games, lessons and resources! These guides, aimed at ages 1-7, are excellent resources for bring environmental education to our younger learners!
Growing Up WILD is the early childhood offering from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Project WILD line of resources. Geared at ages 3-7, this guide provides lesson plans and resources for helping young learners explore nature and learn about the world around them.
Trees and Me is the early childhood guide for the Project Learning Tree program from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. This manual is designed for learners ages 1-6 and provides lots of fun games, activities, and lessons for engaging littles in exploring nature, with an emphasis on forests.
Registration is $60 and includes both manuals. SCECHs will be available, so make sure you bring your PIC! If you have any questions, please feel free to email Rebecca Morningstar at rmorningstar@ingham.org.
Agenda at-a-glance (Full Agenda available):
8:00-11:00 Growing up WILD, Tips and Tricks
11:00-12:00 Lunch on your own
12:00-3:30 Trees and Me, Sample Activities
Interested? Register here: potterparkzoo.org/education/pd/
June 5th, 2025 - Grand Traverse Conservation District
Project Learning Tree & Project WILD certification workshop
Participants will learn about national environmental education curricula gaining hands-on experience with the comprehensive guides and activities. This training typically lasts 5-6 hours and includes hiking, activity modeling, peer teaching and more. Participants walk away from this training with two certificates, two guides, and a network to connect with for future EE needs.
July 13-18, 2025 - Academy of Natural Resources Classic
WEE Ones Track includes PLT Trees and Me
The Academy of Natural Resources offers educators the opportunity to learn about Michigan's diverse natural resources, discover current trends in their management and experience activities that bring knowledge to the classroom. Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center near Roscommon, Michigan. The RAM Center is a beautiful setting on the north shore of Higgins Lake, just minutes from either I-75 or U.S. 127.
Tracks include:
Forests, Fields, and Fins
NatureQuest
Wee Ones
Climate Counts
More information at Academy of Natural Resources
WEBINARS ON DEMAND
9/2024-2/2025 Schoolyard Forest Design Lecture Series (webinar)
This lecture series, hosted by Green Schoolyards America, will provide technical, design-focused guidance for creating and stewarding high-quality green schoolyards and schoolyard forests. Schoolyard Forest Design Lecture Series — Green Schoolyards America
Great Lakes States School Forests Webinar Recording
Learn about:
-School Forest Programs in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
-Engaging activities using Project Learning Tree to utilize your outdoor spaces!
-Connect with other people from your state to share challenges and successes
Webinar recording available for a short time at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLux7DtfHNKEvuzNAMLce9BxSBb_bE3nWj
Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Leading Outdoor Learning Experiences
(Even When It’s Cold)
https://youtu.be/9n1ZDiG2RX0 (Recording available for a limited time!)
Description: Nature provides year-round learning opportunities for kids—even when it’s cold! Join Project Learning Tree in a webinar exploring strategies that make the most of winters outdoors and discover fun, hands-on nature activities.
Looking to plan a workshop for your staff? Please contact Andrea Stay at staya@michigan.gov. A workshop needs a minimum of 10 people.
Project WILD is currently offering grant-funded virtual
Michigan Aquatic WILD Professional Development courses.
To be added to our educators list and receive notifications when workshops are scheduled: