The Development of a Berlin School Forest K-12 Environmental Education Program

Abstract

This research project involved development and initial implementation of a plan for a Berlin School Forest K-12 Environmental Education (EE) program. The EE program plan addressed an EE committee, facilities, finances, curriculum, and teacher training/inservice. The facilities portion involved such factors as long term building goals, natural resource management, and educational site development. Financing options involved the approval of the Berlin Area School District Administration and School Board as well as fundraising methods. A volunteer Berlin School Forest EE Committee was established and assumed responsibility for curriculum format and student evaluation after investigation of five other Wisconsin school forest programs. Curriculum development led to the formation of a resource library of environmental lessons which teachers can reference for school forest activities of their preference. District teachers were inserviced in three phases consisting of EE goals, methods, and issues investigation; introduction to the school forest facilities; and how to use the school forest facilities (infusion of curriculum and facilities) for successful EE.