AFF Responds to USFS on Community Forest Program
In addition, AFF recommended a specific emphasis on elementary and secondary education to build and shape interest in forestry and natural resource careers early on. An effective way to incorporate early environmental learning into schools is through the use of community forests as classrooms.
These forests expose students to key concepts and issues facing forest managers, provide opportunities to see biology and ecology in action, and imbed an appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Project Learning Tree (PLT), AFF’s award-winning environmental education curriculum, has many resources that can assist CFP grantees with connecting to local students.
AFF therefore encouraged the Forest Service and other grantees to use Project Learning Tree’s new Exploring Environmental Issues: Forest Ecology module, which will be published in June 2011. This hands-on module allows students to explore a range of forest topics: environmental, social, and economic.
The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is a great opportunity for the Forest Service to encourage the incorporation of environmental education into community institution s. In support of this great program, AFF recommended further enrichment through the adoption of various PLT modules.
