Nature Resources for Educators, Parents, and Youth

Environment and Ecology Series

The Environment and Ecology Series is a curriculum resource for 3^rd – 4^th graders. This series consists of educational flyers, lesson plans, and quizzes for youth; it covers the topics specified in Pennsylvania’s Environment and Ecology Educational Standards. This curriculum was reviewed by educators and field-tested with children. It is useful in both formal and non-formal educational settings. These colorful flyers are downloadable as Adobe PDF files on the Penn State Extension website. Optional materials, including lesson plans and quizzes for each flyer are also available on the Penn State College of Agricultural Science Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Teacher Resources and Youth Publications page. 

• Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
• Ecosystems
• Watersheds and Wetlands
• Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct

From the Woods Series

From the Woods is a publication series for Pennsylvania middle and high school aged youth about natural resources including forests, wildlife, and water. The publications provide a solid basis for natural resources education. These colorful flyers are downloadable as Adobe PDF files on the Penn State Extension website. Optional materials, including lesson plans and quizzes for each flyer are also available on the Penn State College of Agricultural Science Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Teacher Resources and Youth Publications page. 

• Sustainable Forestry
• Forest Stewardship
• American Chestnut
• Paper!
• Maple Syrup, A Taste of Nature
• Hardwood Veneer
• Incredible Wood
• Community Forests
• Harvesting Trees
• Hardwood Lumber
• Watersheds
• Ten Important Hardwoods
• White-Tailed Deer
• Wildfire
• Amphibians

The Future Forest Steward Program

The Future Forest Steward Program (FFSP) offers youth (ages 8-12 years old) an opportunity to learn about the forests of Pennsylvania and the important concept of forest stewardship. Pennsylvania youth often know little about the forests and natural areas that cover the state and this educational initiative can get kids excited about and interested in Penn's Woods. Penn State and The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry teamed up to offer the FFSP. Participation in the program is free and relies on cooperating adults (such as teachers, youth group leaders, 4-H volunteers, scout leaders, and other adults working with children) to help facilitate learning. Adults do not need to be naturalists or forestry experts to carry out the FFSP, only an interest and willingness to learn right along with children are required. The program works in both formal and non-formal educational settings. Contact rnrext@psu.edu for more information about the FFSP.

To participate in more expanded programs focused on forestry, wildlife, and the environment please consider joining your local 4-H. For more information please visit the 4-H membership page.

Ordering hardcopies

Printed hard copies of the From the Woods and Environment and Ecology series are available by calling(toll-free): 1-877-345-0691 to get pricing for printing fees and shipping and handling charges. Ask for a publication by using the code noted in parentheses by the publication name. Payment by credit card is necessary if ordered via telephone.