Connecting the Classroom to Nature

The Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s work with teachers and schools is an important part of our mission to protect Connecticut’s forests, parks, open spaces, and trails through education. We aim to provide educators with the resources that they need to develop the next environmentally literate generation.

Our goal is to provide a fun and safe outdoor learning atmosphere where students can engage in high-quality interdisciplinary learning and become environmental stewards. Our curriculum focuses on developing environmental literacy through experiential learning, with an emphasis on hands-on activities that encourage students to explore their natural surroundings.

Community Partnerships

Our community-based partnerships support the educational goals of teachers and non-formal educators including nature centers, museums, and homeschool communities to enhance student learning by using Connecticut’s outdoor classrooms!

Community Partnerships can include:

  • Professional Development opportunities with Project Learning Tree and other resources
  • Guided learning experiences at your school or in a Connecticut forest or park
  • Year-round collaboration with teachers and administration

“Our students were enjoying, engaging, and listening during every activity. There are outdoor places within their community that students can explore every day for free – to discover those places is a big thing. The students enjoyed it and they are excited to come back!”

8th-grade math teacher

Connecting with Underserved Communities

The Connecticut Forest & Parks Association actively pursues partnerships with underserved communities. Through educational resources like Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core Learning Standards, as well as Project Learning Tree’s Forest Literacy Plan and Connecticut’s Environmental Literacy Plan, we seek to provide educational resources to get students engaged with the outdoors while tailoring to the needs of your students, school, and community.

Plan a Program! 

Plan an educational program with us. Each program is tailored to the needs of your students and school to provide a fun and engaging outdoor learning experience.

Program Form

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Upcoming Events

Education opportunities for all ages. All interests. All year-round.

Join one of our educational events and discover something new!