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. 

MAEOE Conference in Marquette Oct 3-5, 2025

Join for an inspiring conference focused on outdoor education!  PLT has some fun ideas to share with you.  Click here to learn more

K-12 Partnership Fall Workshop 2025: Nov 6th, Augusta MI
Seeds of Wellness: Restore and lead with Nature as the Classroom

This PLT/WET/WILD session is a part of a full day event.  Check registration for full event info.  

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!

Fees/Compensation: Free! Includes lunch, lodging, personal stipend OR sub-cost reimbursement 

More information and registration.

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. 

Michigan Science Teacher Association (MSTA) Conference
March 5-7, 2026 Kalamazoo, MI. 
Multiple PLT/WILD/WET sessions have been submitted to conference planners. 

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
Cost is $16 for the book: payable online
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 26, 202 

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

FAQ

• Who becomes facilitators?  A wide range!  We have facilitators from school districts, daycares, nature centers, independent education consultants, Conservation Districts, Pre-service Educators, 4H, scouts, state and federal government, and more! 

• Do I have to host the workshop by myself?  We encourage facilitators to pair up to plan and teach a workshop together.  Both the facilitators and the audience benefit from multiple learning styles.

• What if I don’t have a place to host workshops?  Some of our facilitators don’t have a home-base they teach at.  They partner with schools, libraries, nature centers or conferences.

• Does hosting workshops create a nice income stream for myself/my organization?  In addition to covering book/curriculum cost, facilitators can add on $10 per participant to the cost to cover their time or supplies.  We understand that this is a small amount, so we are seeking facilitators where training educators aligns with their existing mission or vision.  For some, this is a part of their job description, for others it’s an add-on outside the normal work.  For all of us, we are committed to the benefits of environmental education for our youth and communities. 

• Will you help me with planning/implementing workshops?  YES, the state coordinators and the facilitator network are available to help.  We provide planning guidance, example agendas, tips on workshops, and host 2 virtual meetings a year to share resources and support each other. 

• What if I only want to host workshops for one audience or one project?  That’s ok!  We have facilitators that specialize in early childhood, others that feel most comfortable hosting WET topics.  We want to support your needs!

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

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: