Page 27 - Tree Line - North Carolina Forestry Association - Fourth Quarter 2023

NCFA EDUCATION
BY THE NUMBERS
SFTE
BEFORE ATTENDING THE 2023 SFTE:
• Only 3% of participants stated they had significant knowledge of forestry. After attending, 67% stated they had significant knowledge.
• Only 25% of participants stated they were very confident that the forest products’ industry in North Carolina operated responsibly. After attending, 61% were very confident.
[I] loved the tours and connections made with other
teachers. All [of] the resources gained are going to add to my ability to educate my students about sustainable forestry.” – SFTE Participant
Something I will share with friends, colleagues, and
students is there are so many careers without needing four-year college degrees! Everyone seems to LOVE what they do and BELIEVE in what they do.” – SFTE Participant
Check our website for additional education resources and programs offered by the NCFA.
PLT
93% of PLT workshop participants who completed the online survey in 2022 stated they felt more confident or much more confident in incorporating topics about the environment into their teaching after attending a PLT workshop, and 97% would recommend a PLT workshop to a colleague.
The [PLT] materials provided are wonderfully
applicable to my students. I feel so much more prepared to teach the forestry objectives in my curriculum.” – Piedmont SFTE participant
I have been using your materials [throughout] the year
and am very grateful for the resources you all provide!”
– K-5 outdoor educator at Eno Valley Elementary
Find activities, training and the
North Carolina PLT State Coordinator by scanning the QR code.
Project Learning Tree (PLT)
Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. PLT is a program of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. PLT is coordinated by North Carolina State University Extension Forestry, in collaboration with the NCFA and the North Carolina Forest Service. Since PLT came to North Carolina in 1986, more than 11,500 educators have participated in PLT professional development. In 2022, 383 educators were trained in North Carolina, and more than 300 were trained in 2023.
North Carolina’s PLT coordinator, Renee Strnad, leads an activity at A Time for Science Outdoor Classroom, teaching SFTE participants how to use a Biltmore stick.
The Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience (SFTE)
SFTE is a professional development workshop for North Carolina educators with opportunities to explore sustainable forestry
in our state. Educators tour forests and forestry facilities, learn about sustainable forestry practices in North Carolina, and gain knowledge and resources to bring back to their students. Each summer, the NCFA hosts a series of SFTE programs across North Carolina, providing exposure to the forest products industry
in our state. In 2023, 64 educators from across North Carolina participated in the program.
2023 SFTE participants visit Troy Lumber in Troy, NC.
ncforestry.org / FOURTH QUARTER 2023 25