New Hampshire Project Learning Tree

A Forest for Every Classroom

A Forest for Every Classroom (FFEC) is a year-long professional development series for middle and high school educators, aimed at providing the inspiration, knowledge and skills required to transform classroom teaching into effective and exciting place-based education. Teachers develop their own units to increase student literacy skills and foster student understanding of—and appreciation for—the forested lands in their communities. These units integrate hands-on study of the natural and cultural resources of the local community, addressing concepts in ecology, sense of place, civics, and forest land management and stewardship.

At the heart of FFEC is the belief that students who are immersed in the study of their own “place” are more eager to learn about and be involved in the stewardship of their communities and public lands. Place-based education is the process of using the local community and environment as a starting point to teach concepts in science, mathematics, social studies and other subjects across the curriculum. This approach is proven to increase academic achievement while helping students develop stronger ties to their community, build appreciation for the natural world and a heightened commitment to becoming active citizens.

The FFEC program provides 11 days of professional development over the course of four seasons, including a five-day residential summer session.  Most sessions are based at the world-class Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in central NH.

FFEC is cosponsored by NH Project Learning Tree, the Forest Service's State and Private Forestry, Northeastern Area, Northern Research Station, and the White Mountain National Forest.

For more information on the next FFEC session, please contact us.