Planting the Seeds of Environmental Learning: A Workshop for K–5 Educators

Join us for a Project Learning Tree (PLT) workshop at the New Jersey School of Conservation, designed specifically for educators working with students in grades K-5. Set within a beautiful forested campus, this hands-on professional learning experience brings environmental education to life while modeling best practices for outdoor and inquiry-based instruction.

Participants will explore and practice activities from the Environmental Education Activity Guide for NJ Teachers, gaining practical tools to integrate tree-based and environmental concepts across science, literacy, math, and social studies. Through guided outdoor investigations, collaborative lesson planning, and reflective discussions, educators will learn how to foster curiosity, stewardship, and critical thinking in young learners.

The optional overnight format allows for deeper engagement with the natural environment, including evening activities, and community-building experiences. Educators will leave with increased confidence in teaching outdoors, ready-to-use classroom activities aligned with New Jersey Student Learning and Climate Change Standards, and a renewed connection to nature.

This workshop is ideal for classroom teachers, nonformal educators, and early childhood professionals seeking meaningful, developmentally appropriate ways to introduce environmental education in K–5 settings.

Tentative Schedule (Rain or shine)

FRIDAY (Optional early arrival to alleviate the stress of morning travel)

• 4:00 – 5:00pm – Arrive and settle in to cabins
• 6:00 – 7:00pm – Dinner – please bring your own
• 7:00 – 7:45pm – Sunset walk around Lake Wapalanne
• 8:00pm – Campfire + Storytelling

SATURDAY

• 7:00 – 8:00am – Morning walk (optional)
• 8:00 – 8:45am – Breakfast for Overnighters (provided by NJSOC)
• 8:30 – 9:00am – Arrival for single day participants
• 9:00 – 9:15am – Icebreaker
• 9:15 – 9:45am – Welcome and Introductions
• 9:45 – 10:00am – Exploring PLT Resources
• 10:00am-10:15am- Break
• 10:15-11:30- Activity 1- Get Outside!
• 11:45 – 12:45pm – Lunch (provided by NJSOC)
• 1:00 – 2:15pm – Activity 2- Bursting Buds
• 2:30 – 3:45pm – Activity 3- Tree Factory
• 3:45 – 4:00pm –Workshop Summation & Gratitudes
• 4:00pm – Departure

Workshop Details:

Workshops are presented through a collaboration of the NJSOC and the NJ Forest Service.

Registration fee for overnighters includes breakfast and lunch, overnight accommodations in cabin-style housing and all workshop materials, including the PLT Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide (valued at $45) . The fee for a single day includes lunch and all workshop materials.

Please contact Tanya Sulikowski, NJSOC Director of Education, with any questions. tsulikowski@njsoc.org

Refund Policy:

Your event fee, minus Eventbrite Fees, is fully refundable if canceled 7 or more days before the event. While we appreciate being notified if you are unable to attend an event, refunds are not given for cancellations within 7 days of the event.

If we must cancel an event, your registration fee, including Eventbrite fees, will be refunded.