Elmwood School Forest Value Statement

The school forest is a unique educational facility providing opportunities to enhance and expand student and teacher learning. We believe that integrating environmental education (EE) into the curriculum is an effective method to improve student achievement. In addition, the school forest program plays an integral role in developing environmentally and socially literate citizens by:

• Developing a student’s ecological and social sense of place

• Providing knowledge and skills allowing students to make informed choices with life-styles contributing to a healthy society and environment

• Involving students in authentic, community-based efforts to improve the local human and natural community

• Actively engaging students with varied learning styles within the natural environment

Target Messages

1. Humans are part of the natural world.

2. Sustainability is an important goal to which our society should strive.

3. The natural world has inherent value.

4. Environmental health and human health are interrelated.

5. We have an obligation to contribute to the health of human and natural communities.