For the past three years, the Institute has worked with a network of partners to design and evaluate a place-based education program to demonstrate and evaluate the strength of public land–community connections that can be created. “A Forest for Every Classroom: Learning to Make Choices for the Future” is a professional development program for educators built on place-based education principles. Participants commit to a year-long program and develop their own curricula integrating exploration of local natural and cultural heritage with hands-on service learning and civic engagement. At the heart of the program is the belief that educators and their students who are immersed in the interdisciplinary study of their home place are more eager to learn and be involved in the stewardship of their communities and public lands. For the sponsoring partners, each organization has built professional capacity by learning from each other, and enhanced their community relationships while providing a high quality program. Read more about education evaluation.