Resources to share
The Learning Landscapes Program Toolkit
Learning Landscapes pairs the traditional skills of a land trust—working with landowners to protect land—with place-based education in partnership with teachers, school districts, and communities. It’s become a national model for outdoor education and fostering a land stewardship ethic in the next generation.
We launched the program in 2004 and have mentored numerous land trusts and schools on their unique journey to connect kids to the land. The following are resources we frequently share.
Partnerships and process
FRLT’s Learning Landscapes offers a model for land trusts seeking to engage their local education community and grow the next generation of land stewards. If you are a land trust, landowner, or partner interested in creating or refining a K-12 place-based outdoor education program the following “start-up” resources may assist.
Specialized land protection
FRLT forges a unique landowner agreement for each outdoor classroom, from preserves we own to school district property, to ownership by private ranchers, public agencies, or companies. Is there a weedy lot, or a forested knoll by your school? Find out who owns it! They could be an place-based learning champion waiting the right opportunity.
Infrastructure to consider
We install trails, signs, and seating areas on campuses and nearby lands to create safe outdoor learning environments. Often these are amenities teachers ask for to make their outdoor class experience a success. When possible, students participate in land stewardship, trail building, and habitat restoration.
Our outdoor leaders
We believe that the key to empowering kids to become life-long learners and land stewards is to first begin with their teachers. Through thoughtful and strategic support we believe that every teacher can forge a connection to the land and become an outdoor education leader.
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