1. Wisconsin School Forests: Opportunities for Student Monitoring Jeremy Solin Wis. School Forest Education Specialist August 20, 2004

2. Wisconsin School Forest Program Statewide School Forest Program Example Programs Discussion

3. LEAF - the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Forestry www.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf

4. School Forest History School & Community Forest Law - 1927 1 st School Forests at Laona, Wabeno and Crandon Goals Reforestation Income

5. School Forests Opportunities Meet state education standards Integrate environmental education Demonstrate sustainable natural resources management Strengthen school/community relationships Provide income for schools/school forests

6. School Forests Statistics ~ 325 School Forests 190 different public school districts (45%) 66 of 72 counties Range of sizes (>24,000 acres in total)

7. School Forest Education Specialist Public relations – build awareness Communication networks – website, email In-service/training programs School forest funding "How to Grow a School Forest" handbook

8. Opportunities for Monitoring Access to land Statewide distribution Established program ripe for networking Continuity Dedicated teachers Exotic species Deer browse Tree growth Ephemeral ponds Plant diversity Birds

9. Example Programs: Tri-County SF Environmental counselors: researchers/educators Forest, wetland, and prairie monitoring Bluebird nest monitoring – Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin

10. Example Programs: West Salem SF Partnership with Fort McCoy Blandings Turtle monitoring Real data, real success Sandhill Wildlife Internships

11. Example Programs: Portage SF/River Crossing Charter School School forest restoration – prairie/oak savannah Partnership with Wis. Waterfowl Assoc.

12. Summary School forests are incredible educational and scientific resources Huge potential for student monitoring www.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf/schforest.htm