Home About Us Mission, Vision, Goals, Values Governing Committees Policy Issues Partners & Supporters Strategic Plan Staff & Careers Annual Report (4 MB) AFF's Structure AFF Research Grants News Press Releases Forest Facts Policy Issues Publications Events Carbon Sequestration AFF Research Grants donate now Donate Online Annual Fund Planned Giving Ways to Give Shop Policy Issues e-Newsletter Sign Up   Operating Committee Partnerships for Southern Forests Conservation Incentives Market-Based Conservation Incentives Workshop Prescribed Fire Invasive Species Publications Forests for Watersheds & Wildlife Forest-Climate Working Group Environmental Education PreK-12 PLT for Grades PreK-8 PLT for Grades 9-12 Recognizing Excellence Training & Professional Development Professional Development Workshops for Educators Issues Education for Adult Audiences Communities in Action GreenWorks!Service-Learning Grants GreenSchools!Program Connecting Children to Nature Forest Radio Series American Tree Farm System® AFF Standards of Sustainability Global Certification Family Forests Forest Facts Recognizing Excellence Future Sustainability New Markets Partners & Resources Center for Environmental Learning In 2008, AFF’s Center for Environmental Learning (CEL) will continue developing and implementing programs to increase awareness and understanding of the role forests and the environment play in our lives, while building the skills and commitment needed to conserve and sustain them. CEL will undertake both formal and non-formal education programs for youth and families, as well as information and outreach activities aimed at other influential audiences, such as lawmakers, land use planners, community leaders, and journalists. CEL will develop national and state-based education initiatives, new workshop protocols, curricula, and community action programs for preK through college and adult audiences; expand outdoor learning initiatives for children, and expand environmental-action, service-learning grants programs. Environmental Education for Grades PreK-12 The world-renowned and award winning Project Learning Tree® (PLT) education program produces high quality environmental education materials and provides training and professional development opportunities throughout the world. Learn more about PLT for grades PreK-8, PLT for grades 9-12, and PLT’s award program for recognizing excellence in outstanding PLT educators. Training and Professional Development CEL provides professional development workshops for educators, where formal and non-formal educators receive Project Learning Tree curriculum materials. In addition, CEL is currently developing issues education for adult audiences, such as local legislators, land use planners, and community leaders. Communities in Action GreenWorks!, CEL’s service-learning, community action grant program, is growing, with $150,000 distributed per year to schools and youth organizations for environmental projects. CEL will also soon launch a flagship program, the GreenSchools! initiative, to increase student awareness of environmental issues through classroom studies and to transfer this knowledge into positive environmental action in schools and communities.  Connecting Children to Nature For 30 years Project Learning Tree has been taking kids outside to learn and CEL has launched the national education initiative Every Student Learns Outside™ in response to the growing interest to get children outside.