A Network of Partners promoting comprehensive forestry education and awareness for all users and all uses Since 2004

FEAP Forestry Forestry is the art, science, and appreciation of the balancing of ecologic, economic and social aspects of the forest

FEAP Values We value the diverse use of forests that include a balanced system of social, economic and environmental components for the joint benefit of all citizens locally and beyond.

FEAP Priorities  Forest management for multiple uses  Sustainability  Environment, economy, education  Ecosystems and ecology (the inter- relatedness of lakes, wildlife, diversity, etc)  Renewable resources  Appreciation of the forest  Recreation  Partnerships

FEAP Progression  Began 2004  Invited and brought public, private, Native American, governmental, and non-profit forest stakeholders together to determine “key messages”  K-12 educators and students, team teaching  Residents, landowners, community, and visitors

Connects FEAP Network Partners with Students and the Community “Partner Engagement”

FEAP Network Partners  ATV Association  Blandin Foundation: Vital Forests/Vital Communities  Blandin Paper Company  Forest History Center  Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce  Itasca County Land Department  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  Minnesota Forest Industries  Pittack Logging  The Nature Conservancy  University of Minnesota Extension  United States Forest Service  Plus…………

Partnering Makes it happen

K-12 Educators from…..  ISD #316 Greenway  ISD #317 Deer River  ISD #318 Grand Rapids/Bigfork  ISD #319 Nashwauk/Keewatin  Private area schools AND BEYOND….. (through the Applied Learning Institute)  Hill City Schools  Floodwood

TEAM Teaching Pairing FEAP Network Partner’s knowledge of the forest, with FEAP Educators knowledge of teaching core subject areas (math, science, reading, communications, social studies) to bring FEAP key messages alive for students.

FEAP Components  Basic Forestry Concepts  Economics, Business & Forest Management  Environment, Wildlife & Conservation  Social & Recreation  Practical Forestry Applications

FEAP’s Learning Tool

Students & Youth Impact To gain a deeper understanding of the area’s culture which inherently involves the forest, students utilize tools such as:  Courses/curriculum  School forests  Forest tours  Books, websites, video’s  Teaching in context: educators teach using examples which include the forest  Plus……(unlimited)

FEAP in ACTion: ISD #316 Vandyke Elementary weaves FEAP key messages and concepts into the fabric of the K-3 school

in ACTion……………

ISD #316 Vandyke Elementary honors FEAP Partners with the planting of a White Pine Spring 2008

FEAP in ACTion: ISD #316

ISD #317 Deer River High School implements FEAP based “Intro to Forestry” course supported by FEAP Network Partners through… Grant for design of course Arrangement of forest tours Guest speakers in the classroom Team teaching with educators

FEAP in ACTion: ISD #317

ISD #318 “Approximately 50% of students who take high school natural resource courses come from one elementary school within the Grand Rapids school system” Shawn Linder, GRHS Natural Resources Educator (January 2008)

FEAP in ACTion: ISD #318

FEAP in ACTion: ISD #319  Nashwauk Day

Itasca Community College  FEAP Educators assist with articulation from high school forest-related courses to Itasca Community College.  Itasca Community College signs articulation agreement with University of Minnesota

FEAP is about Learning…Together

FEAP is about Partnering & Outreach, making Itasca County a model for Minnesota

FEAP Outreach  Mayor’s Forum, 2008  Regional Economic Development (RED) Group, 2008  Bemidji Area Forestry Affairs Council, 2008  MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, 2008

Community & Visitors FEAP Focus 2009

Special Acknowledgements  Staff Liaison: Garrett Ous, Itasca County Land Department  Funding: Itasca County Board of Commissioners  Itasca County’s K-12 Educators & Students  FEAP Network Partners  Program management by

For More Information…. Contact: Garrett Ous, Itasca County Land Commissioner

A Network of Partners promoting comprehensive forestry education and awareness for all users and all uses Since 2004