19th Annual Life Science Field Training Institute
Dates: June 24 to June 27, 2025
Location: Pine Tree Education & Environmental Center, 110 Butterworth Bogs Rd, Tabernacle NJ 08088
Join us for four days of field training for educators interested in developing outdoor lessons focusing on place-based curricula and community science initiatives. The program is limited to 14 participants. We are proud to offer this annual training opportunity to educators. This year will be in a new location!
In March 2025, PPA acquired the Pine Tree Education & Environmental Center from the Boy Scouts of America. The Pine Tree Center is now the home of the Pinelands Research Institute and a center for nature-based recreation and environmental education. The Pine Tree Center consists of 162 acres of upland and wetlands forests, buildings for classes, gatherings and overnight accommodation, and campsites. The Center adjoins the 122,000-acre Wharton State Forest and connects to a network of several hundred thousand acres of preserved lands.
Activities & Program:
Four days of field training for educators interested in developing outdoor lessons focusing on place-based curricula and community science initiatives. This week is dedicated to developing skills and activities related to the ecology and conservation of the Pine Barrens. During the week, we will highlight themes and resources from the various units of the Curriculum Guide as we introduce sampling methods and outdoor study protocols to enhance the skills and confidence of educators and, in turn, the educational experiences of their students. Whether building new programs, establishing new lab activities or seeking to study a specific ecology theme, this week will offer the tools and practice to strengthen your educational initiatives.
Program Instructor: Ron Smith
Ron Smith is the environmental education coordinator and environmental science teacher at Episcopal Academy. Since 2000, he has developed field studies, community science projects, and interdisciplinary curricula for high school environmental programs. Ron is the author of Adventures in Community Science and Adventures in Backyard Gardening through Schiffer Publishing. These books are designed to inspire kids to get outside and explore nature, join community science projects, and investigate the ecology of their backyards. For 20 years, Ron has worked with the Pinelands Preservation Alliance on Pinelands education projects and since 2007 has led the Life Science Field Training Institute.
Registration:
The cost to participate is $50, and this program is limited to 14 participants. Each participant receives field equipment that they take home at the end of the program. This includes a Doyle Tree Scale stick, a soil thermometer, a hand lens, and a collection of books, including the Field Guide to the Pine Barrens and Adventures in Community Science. The total value of the supplies alone is over $130.
Questions?
Contact instructor Ron Smith with questions about the program and curriculum. Ron can be reached via email at ronaldvsmith2@gmail.com.
For questions about your registration contact Becky Free, Director of Development & Engagement at becky@pinelandsalliance.org.