Opportunities to Join MN Forest and K-12 Public Education Initiatives
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There are many forest education resources in Minnesota. The following lists show a representative sampling of opportunities availabe to teachers and students to encounter forest ecosystems and ideas surrounding sustainable forest management. This is not a complete listing of centers, curriculums, schools, or programs. There are many additional initiatives that are nationally focused, but he following are all focused specifically on Minnesota forest education and management, either by curriculum content, location of learning, or both.

Environmental Learning Centers:

Residential Facilities in Minnesota (1-5 nights)

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center

Finland, Minnesota

www.wolf-ridge.org

. . . offers immersion programs which involve direct observation and participation in outdoor experiences and focus on ecology and science, human culture and history, personal growth, group building and outdoor recreation. The Center's mission is to:

Foster awareness, curiosity and sensitivity to the natural world.

Promote social understanding, respect and cooperation.

Model values, behaviors and technologies which promote a sustainable lifestyle.

Develop a citizenry that has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivation and commitment to act together for a quality environment.

Rekindle the concepts of conservation and stewardship.
Courses
Grade
Time
Trees and Keys 4-12 3 hrs
Ojibwe Heritage 4-12 3 hrs
History of the North Shore 4-12 50 mins
Forest Ecology 4-12 3 hrs
Logging Camp Life 4-12 50 mins

Notes:

  • Over 10,000 students visit Wolf Ridge each year
  • Online course decriptions list the MN education standards that correspond to course content, give suggestions for pre-vist and post-visit classroom activities, and journal prompts. This attempts to ease integration of the Wolf Ridge experience into a greater continuum of the student's education, and also saves the teacher time in trying to figure out what standards can be met by a trip to Wolf Ridge
  • Within the Forest Ecology course students are asked to make a simple forest management plan and choose ways to manage personal consumption in order to promote forest sustainability. Also they engage in field work such as planting and bud-capping.
  • Enrollment in Forest Ecology and Trees and Keys courses is not high compared to other courses.
  • Does not engage in extensive partnerships with MN DNR
  • Students do not engage in service projects
  • Has a staff member designated to forest management. They are not opposed to cutting down trees.

[information gathered from the Wolf Ridge website and personal correspondence]

Eagle Bluff Residential Environmental Learning Center

Lanesboro, Minnesota

www.eagle-bluff.org

The mission of Eagle Bluff is to foster awareness, enhance respect, and promote personal responsibility for the natural world. Numerous studies have demonstrated that an intensive, hands-on approach to learning produces the best retention and highest likelihood of permanent change in students. Experience has proven that many children retain information if they can participate in an educational experience that lasts longer than the typical classroom period.
Courses
Forest Ecology
Trees and Keys

Audubon Center of the Northwoods

Sandstone, Minnesota

www.audubon-center.org

 Our Mission:
To protect, improve and promote the enjoyment of the natural environment through formal and informal education programs and research; to assist and encourage environmental education programs, centers, and careers.

Laurentian Environmental Center

Britt, Minnesota

www.laurentiancenter.com

The mission of the Laurentian Environmental Center is to facilitate the learning of environmental ethics through an integrated educational, recreational, and leadership program.

Education Philosophy:

To reflect our belief that environmental education is a lifelong learning process

To demonstrate the interdependence of ecological systems through experiential learning in a natural, forested environment

To facilitate the understanding of responsible resource management

To foster an appreciation of the environment

To assist in the development of personal and social growth and leadership skills
Courses
Grade
Time
Boreal Forest 2.5 hrs
Map and Compass 2.5 hrs
Renewable Energy 9-12 2.5 hrs
Outdoor Survival 2.5 hrs
Wildlife Management 9-12 2.5 hrs
Forest Management 9-12 2.5 hrs

Notes:

  • About 6,000 people attend their programs each year
  • Their forest management course is taught to Alternative Learning Center students in the summer months. They collaborate with DNR foresters and local loggers to teach the course
  • The LEC is owned and operated by the Mounds View Public Schools, and maintains partnerships with the MN DNR and the University of Minnesota Physics Department.
  • Program content is aligned to Minnesota education standards

[information gathered from LEC's website and personal correspondence]

Day Use Nature Centers in Rice County

River Bend Nature Center

Faribault, Minnesota

www.rbnc.org

Helping people to discover, enjoy, understand, and preserve the incredible natural world that surrounds us.

Courses/Unit
Grade
Time
Homes and Habitats 1 class
Nature Pyramid 3 unit
Forest Biome Survey 4 unit

Terrestrial Ecosystems

5 unit

Notes:

  • Works with over 10,000 students a year
  • Owned and operated by the Faribault School District
  • Maintains a strong relationship with the MN DNR, who provides funding and resource information, the Nature Conservancy, and the MN Department of Agriculture
  • All Faribault K-6 visit RBNC at least twice a year
  • Typcially students do not engage in any service projects
  • Home to the endangered dwarf trout lily. Operates under a philosophy of preservation.

[information gathered from website and personal correspondence]

Nerstrand-Big Wood State Park

Nerstrand, Minnesota

MN DNR website

 State Parks Mission: We will work with the people of Minnesota to provide a state park system which preserves and manages Minnesota's natural, scenic and cultural resources for present and future generations while providing appropriate recreational and educational opportunities.

 

Classroom Curriculums focusing on Minnesota Forests:

A Teacher's Guide to Arbor Month

Minnesota Arbor Month Partnership
Find Curriculum Here
 
  • Curriculums are specifically focused on Minnesota forests and trees
  • Grade 5-8 curriculums explore many different use values of Minnesota forests -- beauty, recreation, economic resource, ecological services, trees in urban settings. Natural and cultural histories of forest are included.
  • Curriculums span a months time
  • The Minnesota Arbor Month Partnership is comprised of government agencies, organizations, and individuals with the mission to educate about the importance of trees, community forestry, and the environment.
  • Encourages using "trees" across discipline curriculums
Firewise Communities: Reducing the Risk of Wildfire
 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Find Curriculum Here
 
  • The MN DNR has adopted and retrofitted this nationally developed program
  • Geared towards high school students
  • Students have the opportunity to use GPS/GIS technology
  • The U.S. Forest Service helps in funding activities and projects
  • Works with the Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education, an organization that helps to train teachers to implement the curriculum
  • Asserts itself as "a standards-based, authentic learning experience integrating spatial analysis, technology, and community service"
Smokey the Bear and Wildlife Prevention
 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Find Curriculum Here
The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology
Project Learning Tree
Find Curriculum Here
 
  • This curriculum is geared towards 6-8 graders
  • Teaches the interdependencies of forest ecosystems and explores factors that shape the development of forests
  • Topics of succession and fire management are covered
  • Curriculum is endorsed by MN DNR
Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests
Project Learning Tree
Find Curriculum Here
  • This curriculum is geared towards 9-12 graders
  • Uses forest related examples to illustrate the complex nature of environmental issues
  • Students are asked to collect data and participate in decision-making activities in addition to traditional lecture learning. Materials include "what's a forest to you?", a case-study of an old-growth forest, "who owns American forests?", and "balancing American forests.
  • Curriculum is endorsed by MN DNR

Charter Schools:

Are "public" schools giving allotted state money per student, but they must have a sponsoring organization who provides extra funding and support for programming.

Minnesota Charter Schools www.mncharterschools.org
Grades
Enrollment
Sponsoring Organization
-- in Rice County
Discovery Public School of Faribault www.isd4081.org
7-12
n/a
Northwoods Children's Services
Nerstrand Elementary School www.nerstrand.charter.k12.mn.us
K-5
154
Faribault School District
ARTech www.artech.k12.mn.us
6-12
105
Northfield School District
Prairie Creek Community School www.prairiecreek.org
K-5
112
Northfield School District
Village School of Northfield www.villageschool.charter.k12.mn.us
K-12
40
Northfield School District
-- sponsored by an environmlental learning centers
North Shore Community School www.northshorecommunityschool.org
PreK-6
253
Wolf Ridge
Great Expectations School www.greatexpectationsschool.com
K-8
n/a
Audobon
Riverway Learning Community www.rwlc.org
PreK-12
72
Audobon
Swan River Montessori School www.swanrivermontesorri.org
K-6
n/a
Audobon
Voyageurs Expeditionary School www.vehs.org
9-12
74
Audobon

 

Collaborative Programs and Initiatives:

Minnesota DNR School Forest Program www.dnr.state.mn.us/schoolforests/index.html

  • starting in 1949, tax-forfieted, purchased, or donated land between 1 and 360 acres could be turned in a DNR School Forest
  • school forests are managed by a chair and committe members from the school, local colleges, the community, DNR, nature centers, etc.
  • at least one educational activity related to the forest must be held each year
  • the forest chair must submit an annual report to the DNR regarding the status and activities related to the forest
  • schools are asked to write up a stewardship plan for the forest with their area DNR forester
  • schools recieve educational resources related to forest ecosystems and forestry, greater access to DNR forestry personnel and other divisions, encouragement and help with grant writing, curriculum development, legal advice, etc.; and access to MN Conservation Corps workers.

State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER) www.seer.org

  • Environment as an Integrating Context (EIC) educational model

Sharing Environmental Education Knowledge (SEEK) www.seek.state.mn.us

  • Minnesota's interactive directory of environmental education resources
  • looking through the links, there are many school programs surrounding water and air quality - none about forest stewardship

Education Evolving www.educationevolving.org

  • A joint venture of the Center for Policy Studies and Hamiline University

Minnesota Association for Environemental Education (MAEE) http://naaee.org/maee