Location: UC Blodgett Forest Research Station, Georgetown

Sponsored by: California Society of American Foresters; UC Cooperative Extension; U.S. Forest Service; CAL FIRE; the Water Education Foundation’s California Project WET; Project Learning Tree; and other partners.

Register: Click here to learn more and to register.

Description: Are you ready to take your teaching beyond the classroom? Step into the forest with Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) this summer. FIT offers immersive in-woods professional learning experiences designed for both formal and nonformal educators. At each week-long session FIT’s team of credentialed instructors and local experts weaves environmental education with unique field experiences to explore California’s forest and watershed resources while expanding your teaching practice!

Registration is all-inclusive, covering on-site accommodations, meals and materials - you just have to get there! Whether you’re looking to broaden your content knowledge, explore new environmental education strategies, or connect with like-minded educators, FIT provides the perfect setting — outdoors, in the forest, alongside other inquiring minds!

The El Dorado County session is hosted at the UC Blodgett Forest – a highly productive portion of the El Dorado National Forest characterized by towering ponderosa and sugar pines intermixed with a white fir, Douglas-fir, incense-cedar, and black oak understory.

Highlights of the institute include:

• An introduction to forest and watershed science concepts and management challenges from practicing natural resource professionals
• An increased understanding and appreciation of California’s forest and riparian ecosystems and the complex issues involved in managing natural resources on public and private lands
• Field experiences to observe a variety of forest management styles and the task of processing wood from forest to mill and biomass energy plant
• Networking and community building with resource professionals and educators from throughout the state
• A $200 stipend upon completion of a curriculum project post-program
• Project Learning Tree (PLT) and Project WET activity guides
• 50 hours of professional learning
• Eligibility to apply for 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)