Community
Connections: A Walk in the Forest
A Walk in the Forest is a national program coordinated by the Society of American Foresters and the American Forest Foundation, sponsor of Project Learning Tree and the American Tree Farm program. A Walk in the Forest offers a wonderful opportunity for today’s teachers to gain hands-on experience while learning about forests and forestry.
In New Hampshire—the second most forested state in the country—forests play a vital role in our state’s economic well-being and the quality of life enjoyed by all. We depend on our forests for many reasons, including clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, scenic beauty, and forest products. Forests have also shaped our state’s history. Today, we can still find clues in our forests that help to paint a picture of our past.
It is important to share the wonders of the outdoors with today’s youth, the decision-makers of tomorrow. Our forests offer a wide array of educational opportunities. Students aren’t just taking a walk in the woods. They are learning valuable skills that can be applied in everyday life. The outdoor activities use hands-on experiences to help students understand math, science, and social studies concepts, and provide endless opportunities for integrating reading and writing skills.
We know that teachers today have more than enough on their plates. It is not our intent to give you one more thing to cover in your classes. Rather, many teachers find that outdoor learning experiences serve as a hook to get kids excited about learning and to relate what they learn in the classroom to real life. And in a state like New Hampshire, where trees are everywhere, what better place is there than a backyard forest to learn about the world around us?
We hope that your experience as a participant in the Walk in the Forest teacher workshop will encourage you to take your students outdoors to explore and learn about the forests in your own backyards. This resource guide helps you prepare to take your students outdoors, and provides you with contact information for local Tree Farmers and professional foresters who are willing and able to assist you.
Goals of a Walk In The Forest
The New Hampshire Walk in the Forest program is guided by these three central goals.
1. To inform teachers and their students of the many benefits of trees and forests—aesthetic, recreational, ecological, environmental, and economic.
2. To increase awareness of the dynamic nature of the forest, the changing landscape, and how wildlife species, plant communities, and humans respond to changes.
3. To increase understanding that foresters are uniquely qualified professionals who understand trees, forests, and natural systems, and are committed to helping to maintain the integrity of forest environments.
Published by NH Project Learning Tree, 2005.