Outdoors

Portrait of children doing homework at the park

Poet-Tree

Writing and sharing poems gives students an opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in creative and artistic ways. You can do this activity in combination with Adopt a Tree, to allow students to explore their adopted tree.

Front view of caucasian teacher and multi ethnic students reading book while sitting on brick wall at corridor in school

Get Outside!

Regular time outdoors is beneficial for emotional, mental, and physical health, as well as for creativity, learning, and child development. In this activity, students will examine the physical and emotional effects of a task done outdoors.

Low section of boy walking on fallen tree in forest.

Fallen Log

It’s amazing how many things live in and on rotting logs. In this activity, your students will become familiar with some of those organisms by observing fallen logs or other decomposing pieces of wood.

A lot of small funny birds sparrows sitting on a branch on the panoramic picture

Trees as Habitats

From their leafy branches to their tangled roots, trees provide habitat for a host of plants and animals. Students will inventory the plants and animals that live in, on, and around trees and discover how plants and animals depend on them.

blossoming young green leaves in drops of a spring rain on branches of a plum tree

Bursting Buds

In early spring, many trees sprout bright green leaves. Where do the leaves come from? How do they form? Students investigate these questions by observing tree buds throughout the year.

Willow ptarmigan are masters of winter camouflage.

Birds and Bugs

Camouflage is an essential survival strategy in the natural world. Students discover the value of protective coloration as they pretend to be birds in search of colored bugs.

Elementary age boy uses magnifying glass to discover nature. This curious, student explorer excitedly investigates a butterfly, which has landed on a plant. They child is of Asian or Latin descent. Science, education themes.

Backyard Naturalist

Every organism needs food, water, shelter, and space. A place that meets all these needs is called a habitat. Students will explore a nearby habitat—their backyard, schoolyard, or other outdoor setting—to look for signs of animals living there.

Oak tree branch acorn nut as beautiful autumn season background, selective focus

A Tree’s Life

Students discover that trees have life stages that are similar to those of other living things. They discuss a tree’s role in the ecosystem at each stage of its life.

Close up on a coniferous tree branch

Learn About Forests: Every Tree for Itself

This Learn About Forest activity is perfect for forest sector professionals leading outreach events, career days, or field visits with youth. Learners model how trees compete with each other for nutrients, sunlight, space, and water.

firefighters helped battle a wildfire

Learn About Forests: Living with Fire

This Learn About Forest activity is perfect for forest sector professionals leading outreach events, career days, or field visits with youth. Learners explore the role of fire in ecosystems and conduct a wildfire safety inspection of the site.