Location: Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata

Sponsored By: California Society of American Foresters; UC Cooperative Extension; Cal Poly Humboldt; US Forest Service; Cal Fire; California Project WET and Learning Tree; and other partners.

Note: Registration will be limited to align with COVID-19 protocols.

Register: Click here to register!

Description: The Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) is a multi-day professional development experience designed to provide K-12 teachers with knowledge, skills and tools to effectively teach students about forest ecology and forest resource management practices.

The environment becomes the integrating context for learning in multiple subject areas, including language arts, math, environmental science, physical science, social science, biology, forestry and history.

The program brings together natural resource specialists and teachers from rural and urban settings for one week, working side by side to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate interrelationship of forest ecosystems and human use of natural resources. The $75 registration fee covers all meals, materials and lodging for the week.

Highlights of the institute include:

• Receiving an introduction to forest science concepts and challenges through presentations by practicing natural resource professionals;
• Experiencing high-quality, interdisciplinary activities by grade bands that promote conceptual learning, critical thinking and decision-making skills at the heart of current forest and watershed issues – as well as Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards;
• Gaining an increased understanding and appreciation of California’s forest ecosystems and the complex issues involved in managing the natural resources in public and private forests, while protecting wildlife, water and other benefits valued by society - including providing wood fiber, in all of its forms, for daily use;
• Field experiences to observe a variety of forest management styles and the process of processing wood from forest to mill and biomass energy plant;
• Participating in discussions on the varying perspectives regarding forestry issues with forest resource specialists, environmentalists and members of local communities;
• Working with fellow teachers and FIT education specialists to develop your own curriculum project about forests or forestry for use in your  classroom – and receiving $200 for implementing it in the school year;
• Receive Project Learning Tree and Project WET curriculum guides;
• An opportunity to receive up to 3 academic credits that may be used for salary schedule advancement.