Project Learning Tree Marks 45 Years in Ohio – Litter Media

Project Learning Tree Celebrates 45 Years of Environmental Education in Ohio

Introduction

Project Learning Tree (PLT), a national environmental education program, commemorated its 45th anniversary in Ohio with a special event held at Dawes Arboretum near Newark. This milestone highlights PLT’s longstanding commitment to fostering environmental literacy and stewardship among students, educators, and natural resource professionals across the state.

Event Overview and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment

The anniversary celebration, themed “Learning Is in Our Nature,” brought together PLT educators, professional foresters, students, and natural resources advocates. Activities included storytelling sessions, panel discussions reflecting on PLT-Ohio’s history and future, wagon tours of the Arboretum, and an awards luncheon.

This event strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – by promoting environmental education and literacy.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – through fostering awareness of forest ecosystems and conservation.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – by encouraging sustainable forest management and biodiversity protection.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by creating pathways to green careers in natural resource management.

Awards Recognizing Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

During the luncheon, ten individuals were honored for their exceptional dedication to environmental education and stewardship. The awards and recipients were as follows:

1. John Hug Award
   • Dan Balser, ODNR Division of Forestry
   • Bill Schultz, retired ODNR Division of Forestry
   • Sue Wintering, retired ODNR Division of Forestry
2. Mighty Oak Award
   • Carolyn Watkins, retired Ohio EPA
   • Brenda Metcalf, Environmental Education Council of Ohio
   • Jen Dennison, ODNR Division of Wildlife
3. Branching Out Award
   • Stephanie Downs, ODNR Division of Forestry
4. Outstanding Facilitator Awards
   • Nancy Gregory, The Dawes Arboretum
   • Amanda Hurley, Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District
5. Outstanding Educator Award
   • Katie Mantel, Wildwood Environmental Academy

Future Initiatives and SDG Integration

PLT-Ohio State Coordinator Heather Sheets outlined plans to expand educator training, improve access to environmental education resources, and strengthen pathways to green careers for youth. These initiatives align with the SDGs by:

• Enhancing quality education (SDG 4) through expanded training programs.
• Promoting sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities in green sectors (SDG 8).
• Supporting climate action and conservation efforts (SDG 13 and SDG 15).

PLT aims to deepen partnerships with schools, workforce initiatives, and local conservation agencies to meet the growing demand for natural resource professionals in Ohio.

About Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree is a nonprofit initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative with outreach across all 50 U.S. states and several countries. In Ohio, PLT is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. The program plays a central role in advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and green career pathways.

Since its establishment in 1980, PLT-Ohio has trained thousands of educators and facilitators, earning national recognition for its leadership and impact in environmental education.

Contact and Additional Information

For more information about PLT-Ohio or to get involved, please contact plt@dnr.ohio.gov or visit the official website at ohiodnr.gov/plt.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights environmental education and training for educators and students, emphasizing lifelong learning and environmental literacy.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Through education about trees, forests, and natural resources, the article supports climate action by promoting sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The focus on forest literacy, conservation, and natural resource management directly relates to protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article mentions strengthening pathways to green careers for youth, supporting sustainable economic growth and employment in natural resource sectors.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including youth, by promoting sustainable economic growth and green jobs.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 4.7 Indicator
   • Proportion of schools implementing environmental education curricula or programs (implied by the training of thousands of educators and facilitators in environmental education).
2. SDG 13.3 Indicator
   • Number of people trained in climate change mitigation and adaptation (implied by educator training and environmental literacy programs).
3. SDG 15.1 and 15.2 Indicators
   • Area of forest under sustainable management (implied by the involvement of forestry divisions and conservation organizations).
   • Number of environmental education initiatives promoting forest conservation (implied by PLT activities and awards).
4. SDG 8.5 Indicator
   • Number of youth engaged in green career pathways (implied by the program’s focus on strengthening pathways to green careers).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: littermedia.com