Full Press Release
Augusta, Maine – Recognizing the strong future for employment in Maine tied to its forests, the Maine Timber Research and Environmental Education Foundation (Maine TREE) is announcing a virtual workshop on an exciting new tool to help middle and high school age students explore how their skills and interests apply to careers in the woods. The program, Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers, was developed by Project Learning Tree, an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). It is designed for educators, career and guidance counselors, Scouts, 4-H, and FFA leaders, and job training advisors to use with learners aged 12–25 in settings ranging from community youth programs and school classrooms, to college and career prep.
Green jobs, defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as jobs that produce goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources, or jobs that use more environmentally friendly processes or fewer natural resources, represent one of the fastest growing and changing segments of the global economy. And with young people today stating that they desire work with purpose and more sustainable lifestyles, Maine is well positioned to highlight career pathways in sustainable forestry and conservation.
As developed by Project Learning Tree, the Green Jobs unit includes four hands-on activities that are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and engage young people in researching forestry jobs and to practice managing and monitoring forest resources. The virtual workshop, scheduled for Wednesday December 9th from 3 PM to 4:30 PM, will introduce the unit, provide for breakout demonstrations of activities and discussions on use, and offer an open forum for input to inform future Maine TREE programming in support of youth forest-based career exploration.
With grant funding from SFI, Maine TREE is able to offer this workshop at no-charge to participants, though pre-registration is required. All participants will receive a print copy of the activities guide following participation in the workshop.
Join Maine TREE and its award-winning Project Learning Tree program in this introductory workshop for educators, guidance counselors, and school leaders to explore the newest curriculum module Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers.
When: December 9, 2020 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM.
Where: Zoom Virtual Workshop
Cost: Free, and all participants get a copy of the activity book.
The Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers unit includes four hands-on, NGSS aligned, instructional activities to help youth research forestry jobs, and practice managing and monitoring forest resources.
It is designed for educators, career and guidance counselors, Scouts, 4-H, and FFA leaders, foresters, and job training advisors to use with learners aged 12–25 in settings ranging from community youth programs and school classrooms, to college and career prep.
The workshop will explore the module and its activities as well as provide a forum for educators on how Maine TREE can be a resource for them in the future.
