Happy Holidays!

As you wrap up the fall semester, we wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude to all the K-12 teachers who continue to go above and beyond, igniting curiosity, and inspiring students. We appreciate your commitment to education, including forestry education, and celebrate the incredible impact you make every day.

Keep shining bright in 2025!

Deadline Reminders

Wheels to Woods grants for spring and summer trips are due Dec. 31!

These grants are up to $350 per classroom to cover transportation costs to and from a forest or forestry industry field tour. This program is open to any Wisconsin K-12 school teacher to apply; however, underrepresented student populations will receive priority funding.

Learn More

School Forest Awards nominations are due January 24!

Each year, LEAF recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to school forest programs. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have provided leadership and made significant contributions over a period of years to a local school forest registered through Wisconsin’s School Forest Program.

Learn More

How to be a successful Forestry team at the FFA CDE

LEAF staff member and FFA Forestry CDE Superintendent Steve Schmidt received an inquiry from a high school student looking for advice on how to be successful in this event. We wanted to share a summary of Steve’s thoughts for a wider audience to read.

In education, we often develop lessons with the end goal in mind. Once a CDE team is formed, I recommend determining the team's goal. Is it to win Nationals, go to State, be competitive, learn as much about forestry as possible, learn how to identify ten trees? These are all valid goals. My goal designing the contest is to make it educational while following the guidelines for nationals as closely as makes sense for Wisconsin. For instance, last year's official tree list for the state competition only included Wisconsin trees because though only one team gets to go to nationals, all participants should learn some Wisconsin tree ID!

Consider having a discussion and a vote to determine what your team’s goal is. Once you know your goal, read through the national and state handbooks. Take the sample test to get an idea of the variety of questions. Keep in mind that specific questions are generally not repeated, and that the emphasis of the test can change from year to year.

Determine what areas you need to study more and use the study resources provided on the CDE website. Remember that the LEAF Program sponsors the CDE by providing the Superintendent, so you can bet the test will draw heavily from the LEAF content linked in the study resources.

Since all team members complete the written test individually, each person should determine what to prioritize in their preparation. If I had to pick one thing to prioritize it would be tree ID, since it will help on that part of the test and may also play into the field test. I'd spend time learning general characteristics of trees, such as growing conditions, products they provide, etc. Then I'd prioritize measurement and timber cruising, including the tools used to measure diameter and merchantable height, methods to choose which trees are in or out of a sample, and calculating basal area.

A CDE perspective

from Jordan Donnerbauer, Agricultural Educator at Stanley-Boyd High School

1. Be sure to look at the State CDE Forestry Handbook and prep your teams for all aspects of the contest. Prioritize what to study from the Handbook starting with tree ID, then tool ID, then forest measurement and compass and pacing.

2. Start preparing early and often. I would suggest meeting at least weekly to practice and study as a team.

Hear more from Jordan about CDEs in the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educator's “Cultivating Classrooms: Insights from Ag Educators” podcast.

Listen Now!

One last piece of advice is to spend time preparing for the field test at your school forest. Consider inviting your local DNR forester to come out to give tips or teach a concept to the team. Foresters are busy, but would welcome the opportunity, if time permits.

Practicing Tree ID when there are no leaves

Did you know? LEAF’s Winter Tree Key was created in response to a request from Ag educators who wanted tree ID practice for their FFA CDE teams.

But how do you learn to identify trees in the middle of a Wisconsin winter, when most of the leaves are on the ground?

LEAF's Winter Tree Key follows the dichotomous process of our regular tree key, but uses detailed illustrations of buds, twigs, and other features for identification instead of leaves.

Our key also includes an illustrated glossary to help students learn the specific vocabulary involved in this process . Winter tree identification can be a bit more demanding. We recommend this skill be introduced to high school students, or middle school students looking for a challenge.

You can find LEAF’s printable Winter Tree key, along with instructions for correct printing, on our tree ID tools page.

LEAF Tree ID Tools

Professional Development

In-Person Trainings

School Forest Foundational Planning | Feb. 11 | Stevens Point

On-Demand Trainings Note: New registrations between 12/20/2024 and 1/1/2025 will not receive training access info until 01/2/2025.

LEAF On-Demand, Online Offerings

Project Learning Tree On-Demand, Online Offerings

School Forest Foundational Planning

Bring a team and join us for a day of foundational planning where we look at the steps needed to integrate the forest into your district’s learning objectives, gain resources, and network with other school forest educators who are looking to develop, use, and sustain their school forest programming.

Cost: FREE

Date & Time: 9:30 a .m. - 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Location: Schmeeckle Reservice Visitor Center, Stevens Point, WI

Order Now! School Forest Seedlings Available!

One benefit of being a registered school forest is access to free seedlings from the DNR Nursery to plant in the school forest. Popular species of trees go fast. If you desire to plant a certain type of tree, get your order in early. Once they are gone, they are gone! Follow these steps to place your school forest seedling order:

Attention 4th grade teachers!

The DNR is also now accepting Arbor Day free tree orders.

Request Form

Do your research first.

Landscapes for planting are very diverse. Consult your school forest management plan and DNR forester to find out which tree species are most suitable for your property. Available seedling types and descriptions can be found in the Nursery Seedling Catalog and DNR's tree and shrub inventory. The catalog does a great job explaining the growing requirements and provides pictures and a distribution map of each species.

Once you have decided which species to plant,

Fill out either the online form or the paper form. In the "Free Order" section, choose "Registered School Forest or Community Forest". Note: school forests do not need to order the bulk number of trees. You may order less than the minimum requirements listed; however, there is a maximum of 5,000 trees and 3,000 shrubs school forests can receive. If you have questions, contact Carey Skerven at Carey.Skerven@wisconsin.gov or 715-424-3700, or contact your local DNR forester.

Have questions or need additional resources? Contact us at leaf@uwsp.edu. We are here to support educators and students with forestry opportunities.

Workshops

Kits

Curriculum

Published for December 2024