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. 

2026 Nature Center Summit

January 30, 9-4pm, DNR RAM Center

Project Learning Tree will be leading a breakout session about wildfire prevention and providing kits to attendees.  More information available here. 

Feb 2nd, 2026 PLT K-8 Workshop, Ishpeming

Join us for an educator workshop on Project Learning Tree's K-8 guide.  During this workshop, we will talk about best practices for outdoor learning, model several activities and develop a plan for incorporating the lessons into your classroom goals.
Feb 2, 2026 from 5-8:30pm.
Location:  Birchview Elementary School 663 Poplar Street Ishpeming, MI 49849
Be prepared to go outside for a short portion of the workshop. Most will be held indoors. 
Participants will receive a curriculum book in addition to resources.  Educators should bring their PIC # for the 3 SCECHs. This workshop is being offered at the discounted price fo $15 due to grant support.  Please email staya@michigan.gov with any accommodation requirements at least 24 hours prior to the workshop. Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4DA8AB2FA7FF2-61711248-project 

Michigan Science Teacher Association (MSTA) Conference
March 5-7, 2026 Kalamazoo, MI. 

 Seeds of Wellness Workshop: This session is specially designed to bring forward wellness themed activities across the popular curricular resources from Project Learning Tree, Project WILD and Project WET. Whether you are new to the Projects or have had the books on your shelf - join us to get (re)invigorated through a wellness lens!
This session will take place from 9-12 on friday March 6th as part of the MSTA Conference registration.  

Trees and Me - Early Childhood Workshop.
Saturday, March 7 from 9am-noon  as part of the MSTA conference. Trees & Me contains hundreds of ideas for fun, easy-to-do, hands-on experiences to connect young children to nature, with a focus on trees and forests. Through both outdoor and indoor activities, children explore nature through their senses, experience trees throughout all four seasons, and connect with their community. This is a great curriculum for early elementary teachers! The guide includes hands-on science activities, songs, crafts, snacks and much more. Through this workshop you will become a certified Trees & Me educator!
Register at https://www.msta-mich.org/Annual-Conference
This session can be signed up for individually, separate from the MSTA conference.  Cost is $16 for the book: payable online. EXTENDED - Registration Deadline: Feb 13, 2026

2026 PLT/WET/WILD Facilitator Training
March 11-12, 2026 at the DNR RAM center.  

Facilitators must have attended a PLT/WILD workshop prior to being trained as a facilitator.  Following completion of facilitator training, attendees will be able to plan and host PLT/WET/WILD educator workshops in their community.   Register Here

Save the Date! Project Learning Tree K-8 and Project WILD K-12 Combo workshop
March 14, 2026 at DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit

Where: DNR Outdoor Adventure Center
1801 Atwater St, Detroit 48207
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Interested? Contact:  Natalie Cypher - CypherN@michigan.gov, or Sabrina Deschamps at Sabrina.Deschamps@metroparks.com

March 28th - Project Learning Tree & Leave No Trace Workshop
Farmington Hills Nature Center 

Educator workshop for K-8 (ages 6-14)
March 28, 2026 from 9-4pm
Farmington Hills Nature Center
24915 Farmington Rd,
Farmington Hills, 48336

Become a PLT Educator AND a LNT educator.
Engage in a hands-on workshop designed for both formal and non-formal educators. 
*SCECH's available upon request.
Investigate environmental topics with indoor and outdoor activities.
Receive PLT's Explore your Environment K-8 Guide AND Teaching Leave No Trave Activity Guide.  

Fee $45 and includes Lunch and 2 curriculum books.  Questions, Email naturecenter@fhgov.com
Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/26fhncpltlnt

April 25-26, 2026 at Camp Newaygo
4H and Project WILD

Are you looking for new ways to get involved in your community as an outdoor educator? Have you ever considered volunteering with 4-H? Michigan 4-H offers volunteer-led programs for youth in nearly every county in the state. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you can work with your local county 4-H staff to develop programs in a variety of formats. Maybe there is some in-school programming that could use an extra hand, or perhaps you’d like to start your very own 4-H Club. There could even be an environmental and outdoor education program already happening in your area that would warmly welcome you. The opportunities are endless! And if you’re interested, there’s an upcoming opportunity for you to learn more:

April 25th and 26th at beautiful Camp Newaygo, join 4-H staff and volunteers for a weekend of outdoor camaraderie and skill-building. We will offer two main training options, with opportunities to learn from each other throughout the weekend. The course options include:

• Head, Heart, Hands, Health and...HABITATS! – Become a certified Project Wild Educator and learn how you can incorporate this classic curriculum into 4-H clubs, camps, and more!

• Teaching the Basics of the Backcountry – Sharpen your skills in map and compass reading, fire-building, shelter building, outdoor cooking and more! Learn trips and tricks for teaching these skills to youth while respecting the land through Leave No Trace principles.

If you are already a 4-H Volunteer Register Today!

If you are not a 4-H Volunteer, but are interested in attending and learning more, contact Joe Kreider at kreider4@msu.edu or 231-258-3320 ext. 4 before registering.

Registration includes lodging, meals, and all course materials.

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 

Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers - Michigan Speaker Panel

Learn more about how each of these professionals got to where they are in their careers!  Recorded at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit in March 2024.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chqv-pjQ0VY 

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.  PLT Workshops can be combined with Project WILD and Project WET curriculum for additional time and cost.  SCECHs available upon request.  

To be added to our educators list and receive notifications when workshops are scheduled: