Background
The Need
LEAF, the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program, was created to help promote forestry education in Wisconsin. In 2001, Wisconsin K-12 forestry education stakeholders met to discuss the current status of and the needs for Wisconsin-based K-12 forestry education. Although a variety of programs existed, voids were identified in delivery and dissemination of educational materials and services. To present a more unified effort, stakeholders supported the development of a comprehensive program that would cooperate with existing efforts.
During the spring of 2001, legislation was written to establish the LEAF Program as a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Division of Forestry and the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Funding for the program is provided through a surcharge on the sale of seedlings from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry nurseries.
LEAF Mission
The mission of the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program is to initiate and facilitate the development, dissemination, implementation, and evaluation of forestry education within Wisconsin Schools.
LEAF Goals
- To increase the use of Wisconsin-based forestry education materials by K-12 educators.
- To increase the use of Wisconsin's school forests.
- To build support for K-12 forestry education.
- To develop partnerships with forestry education stakeholders to educate Wisconsin's K-12 students.
- To determine the LEAF Program's contribution to the education of K-12 students.
The LEAF Program operates under a set of guiding principles:
- Wisconsin's forests can be managed sustainably for economic, ecologic, and social benefits.
- By becoming informed and active participants in decision making processes, citizens can sustain forests.
- To develop informed and active citizens, forestry education should be infused in Wisconsin's K-12 schools.