Empowering educators with confidence and hands-on tools to unlock the academic and wellness benefits of outdoor learning.

When: May 9th | 8:30AM – 4:30 PM

Where: Colorado Springs Utilities Conservation & Environmental Center
2855 Mesa Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 8090

Cost: $20 (Fully refunded to attendees)

Are you looking to take your students outside but aren’t sure where to start? Transform outdoor teaching from a source of stress into an energizing and purposeful part of your students’ learning. Whether you teach K-8, navigate high school, or lead non-formal programs, you will leave this workshop with the tools and confidence to take your learners outside.

Using award-winning Project Learning Tree (PLT) resources, this hands-on workshop strips away the intimidation factor of outdoor education. We won’t just talk about the benefits of nature-based learning; we’ll experience them. You’ll walk away with tested strategies to manage groups outside, curriculum-aligned activities that meet your standards, and the confidence to turn any green space into an impactful learning environment.

Registration includes a complimentary lunch and your own PLT Activity Guide ($30+ value).

Navigate the Transition: Master simple routines and strategies to move students from the classroom to the outdoors smoothly and safely.

Adapt with Ease: Identify how to bridge indoor curriculum goals with outdoor environments using flexible Project Learning Tree activities.

Boost Student Impact: Utilize the outdoors to enhance student focus, reduce stress, and improve academic retention across subjects.

Manage the “Wild”: Apply practical tips for outdoor classroom management to keep students engaged and on-task in a natural setting

Earn Continuing Education Credit: Participants are eligible for 0.5 hours of credit through CSU Pueblo for a separate fee of $27.50. To receive more information, please indicate your interest on the registration form.

*Thanks to our partners at Colorado Springs Utilities, ee360+, and Project Learning Tree for supporting this event

End of the School Year Celebration & Early Career Launch!

• Who: Preservice & early-career teachers (years 1–3)
• When: Tuesday, May 19 | 4:00 – 4:45 PM
• Where: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
• Cost: Free thanks to funding from ee360+

Calling all preservice and early-career teachers (years 1–3)! PLT wants to celebrate your hard work and support you in your teaching journey. Join us for a virtual meetup to connect with fellow educators, share your wins from this year, and discuss your hopes for the next.

Why Join?

• Free Resources: All participants will receive a free access code for a digital PLT resource of their choice.
• Door Prizes: We’re giving away $50 Amazon gift cards to help you stock up on supplies for your classroom.
• Early Educator Cohort: Get exclusive access to our new support network, including:
  • Timely Insights: Emails featuring mini-lessons and career highlights tied to environmental milestones like Fire Prevention Week, Arbor Day, and Earth Day.
  • Ready-to-Use Materials: Print-and-go activities, student pages, and presentation decks—complete with standards correlations—sent exactly when you need them (post-Thanksgiving, before Winter Break, and during spring testing).
  • Community Support: A follow-up virtual meetup in February to share stories and stay connected.
  • Classroom Resource Perks: Ongoing opportunities to receive  additional PLT materials and tools for your classroom.

Engaging Learners in Forest Health with a Changing Climate

• Who: Natural Resource Professionals and Environmental Educators
• When: Wednesday, May 27th | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Where: Eldorado Canyon State Park
• Cost: $0-$40

Join us for an interactive professional development experience designed to help you connect your audiences with important forest health topics in a meaningful way. As our climate changes, understanding the dynamics of drought, fire mitigation, pine beetle impacts, and overall forest resilience is more important than ever.

This workshop serves as Project Learning Tree 2.0, offering a focused dive into the PLT Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide. While no prior PLT training is required, returning participants will find this session particularly valuable for gaining a deeper application of these tools. Together, we will explore the core guiding question- How does forest management ensure that forests provide benefits for humans, ecosystems, and wildlife well into the future?

Scholarships available- contact Danielle Ardrey danielle.ardrey@colostate.edu 970-732-0569

Access our professional development anytime and anywhere through our engaging online workshops. These self-paced courses require a time commitment of 1 – 6 hours to complete. Each course is designed using best practices in online learning and teacher professional development, ensuring you receive a high-quality learning experience. The modules prepare you to confidently integrate PLT materials into your instruction. With only an internet connection, you can access your course whenever and wherever you are, giving you the ultimate flexibility to fit professional growth into your schedule.

With sessions available in Spring, Summer, and Fall, each of these asynchronous courses require 8–15 hours to complete. They include a variety of tasks and assignments that are thoughtfully designed to engage you in active learning experiences. Each course is moderated by field professionals who guide your learning, answer questions, and provide feedback.

Green Schools and You

This course provides educators and community leaders with the knowledge, process, and proven tips needed to understand, launch, and successfully lead a Green School program in their community.

Early Childhood Education

This course is designed to empower formal and non-formal educators with the knowledge, skills, and a practical integration plan to establish or enhance a high-quality, nature-focused early childhood environmental education program.