Forest organizations across the United States provide a wide array of free science education resources, materials, and program opportunities for children, families, and educators. These offerings, provided by government agencies and nonprofit partners, focus on environmental education, forestry, conservation, and STEM learning. The programs are designed to make forest science accessible to learners of all ages, from elementary school students to adults, without requiring any purchase or fee. Many resources are available for direct download or can be requested for delivery to homes and classrooms.
USDA Forest Service Educational Programs
The USDA Forest Service Conservation Education program offers diverse educational resources and programs for individuals of all ages to learn about the environment and the nation’s forests and grasslands. These hands-on, interactive learning opportunities allow students, educators, and parents to explore how to become responsible stewards of natural resources. The program provides a variety of resources for teachers and parents to engage youth in environmental education and for exploring careers in conservation.
Natural Inquirer Journals and Materials
The Natural Inquirer Journals, produced in collaboration with FIND Outdoors, provide free science education resources for K-12 audiences and educators. These resources are available in both print and online formats and are based upon studies from USDA Forest Service scientists. The Natural Inquirer focuses on scientists, their research, and introducing students to scientific journals.
In addition to journals, the Natural Inquirer creates science educational programs for Pre-K through High School, designing programs in cooperation with organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association (CFAIA).
Career Exploration Resources
Natural Inquirer Scientist and Engineer Cards highlight over 240 Forest Service careers in science and engineering, inspiring career exploration in youth. These cards serve as a tool to introduce students to the wide range of professional opportunities available within federal conservation and scientific work.
Every Kid Outdoors Program
Every Kid Outdoors provides a free pass for every 4th grader and their family to access most federal public lands. Through this program, 4th graders throughout the U.S. can receive a free pass to over 2,000 federal lands and waters to discover wildlife, resources, and history. The program creates connections to public lands and inspires future stewards of our national forests and other public lands. The pass is available to U.S. 4th graders, including home-schooled and virtual school 4th graders, and their accompanying adults.
Junior Programs
The Junior Forest and Junior Snow Ranger programs use Forest Service science and practices to encourage children ages 7 through 13 to enjoy and appreciate nature. Booklets for these programs are available to guide children through activities and learning modules related to forest ecosystems and winter environments.
Educational Publications and Contest
The Forest Service offers publications that teach children about the many benefits trees provide, including in urban locations, and the importance of forest management and the essential products we get from trees. One such publication is titled "Why Would Anyone Cut a Tree Down?"
Additionally, each year all 1st through 5th grade students are invited to demonstrate, through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl, their understanding of fire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles. The Grand Prize National Poster Contest Winner wins a free trip to Washington DC, including round trip airfare and accommodations for four, to attend the Recognition Ceremony. A $50 check, sponsored by the National Garden Clubs, Inc., is awarded to each of the first-place national winners.
Citizen Science and Online Learning
The Forest Service provides opportunities for public participation in citizen science. One specific project mentioned is Celebrating Wildflowers, which has information and materials for forest visitors and educators about wildflowers, including excellent teacher guides and citizen science projects for the monarch butterfly.
FSNatureLive brings nature learning through a series of webcasts, webinars, and online education resources. The live and pre-recorded programs bring exciting, on-site learning about bats, butterflies, climate change, wetlands, and more!
Artemis Moon Tree Program
In November 2022, NASA and the Forest Service flew 1,000 tree seeds aboard the Artemis I rocket in commemoration of the 50-year legacy of Apollo Moon Trees. Tree seeds from five species - loblolly pine, American sycamore, sweetgum, coast redwood, and Douglas-fir - circled the moon aboard Artemis I. This project provides important educational opportunities for people of all ages to learn about space exploration and botany, and the opportunity to ask real life scientific questions. In 2023, education and community organizations had the opportunity to submit proposals to receive a sapling and become an Artemis Moon Tree steward. Details on future distribution opportunities are typically announced on official channels.
Partnerships and Grant Programs
The Forest Service collaborates with various organizations to expand the reach of conservation education.
Professional Development for Educators
eeINSPIRE: Forest Service Conservation Education partners with the North American Association for Environmental Education to deliver a monthly professional development series for environmental educators who want to build skills and stay current on the latest trends and issues in the field of environmental education. Past webinars have explored a variety of topics, including climate change education and environmental justice.
Greening STEM Grants
In partnership with the National Environmental Education Foundation, the Greening STEM Grants program provides grants to programs working with middle and high school students that provide meaningful STEM experiences while advancing the Forest Service mission. These grants support organizations in delivering hands-on conservation science education.
Science Olympiad Partnership
From 2022 to 2024, Forest Service Conservation Education and Science Olympiad partnered to offer a Science Olympiad event focused specifically on forestry. Together, they supported enhanced knowledge of forestry and natural resources for K-12 students and educators through conservation and environmental education and access to Forest Service materials. Science Olympiad is the premier team STEM competition in the nation, providing standards-based challenges to 5,500 teams at 400 tournaments in all 50 states.
Health and Nature Initiative
Through a partnership with the National Environmental Education Foundation, Forest Service is shining a light on the health benefits of nature and the role of nature in psychological and physical well-being.
Forest Literacy Framework
Project Learning Tree’s Forest Literacy Framework, developed in collaboration with the Forest Service, explores forests and sustainability for K-12 students and their teachers. This comprehensive guide presents a conceptual structure to increase people’s understanding of forests and how to take action to conserve our nation’s forests.
Online Forestry Education Resources
For those looking for at-home learning opportunities, various organizations provide curated online forestry education resources suitable for every age group.
National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is dedicated to lifelong environmental learning. NEEF has a variety of resources available for kids, teens, and adults to learn about their connection to the environment. These resources include toolkits, activity guides, and lessons about topics such as water quality, tree identification, and backyard pollinators.
Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a conservation and education nonprofit focused on the importance of trees and their roles in global issues. They provide fun and educational games and activity sheets designed to teach kids about different aspects of trees like leaf identification, photosynthesis, and tree life cycles.
PLUM Landing
PLUM Landing is a USFS partnership with WGBH, the primary provider of PBS Kids programming for Public Television. PLUM provides science activities designed for children ages 6-9 (and their families), and most are available in both English and Spanish. There are apps and videos, and activities for families, after school programs, clubs, and summer camps.
List of Forest Conservation Partners
The Forest Service collaborates with a network of organizations to deliver conservation education. These partners include: * Corazon Latino * Envirothon * Find Outdoors/ Natural Inquirer * National Environmental Education Foundation * Nature Forward * North American Association for Environmental Education * Science Olympiad * Sustainable Forestry Initiative/ Project Learning Tree
Conclusion
The USDA Forest Service and its network of nonprofit partners provide a substantial collection of free educational resources and program opportunities focused on forestry and environmental science. These offerings range from print journals and activity booklets to digital webcasts, grant funding, and citizen science projects. Families, educators, and students can access these materials to learn about forest ecosystems, conservation careers, and the relationship between nature and human health. Most resources are available directly through partner websites or via specific program sign-up pages, requiring no purchase or membership fees.