Location: U.C. Blodgett Forest Research Station, Georgetown

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

Register: Please click here to learn more and to register.

Description: The Forestry Institute for Teachers brings together K-12 educators and natural resource specialists from throughout California to work side by side for one week to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate interrelationship of forest ecosystems and how they influence our everyday lives.

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.

Participants will experience with high-quality, interdisciplinary activities focused by grade bands on content, practices and skills at the heart of current forest and watershed issues – as well as Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

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 science concepts and management challenges from practicing natural resource professionals;
• 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 forestlands;
• Field experiences to observe a variety of forest management styles and the process of processing wood from forest to mill and biomass energy plant;
• Networking and building community with resource professionals and educators from throughout the state;
• Receiving a $300 stipend upon completion of a curriculum project post-program;
• Receiving Project Learning Tree (PLT) and Project WET;
• Earn 50 hours of professional learning;
• Eligibility to apply for 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from UC Davis or Cal Poly Humboldt.