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A Little Background on LEAF . . .

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.

The following is excerpted from LEAF Program Strategic Direction 2010/2011 (pdf)

VISION

LEAF envisions inspired and informed citizens actively engaged in sustaining healthy forests and communities.

MISSION

LEAF’s mission is to integrate learning in and about Wisconsin's forests into K-12 schools to provide the knowledge, skills and ways of thinking necessary to sustain our forests and communities.

VALUES

These are the core values that directly underlie the LEAF Program. They provide guidance in delivering program services and products, and directions we pursue as a program. We desire to build a sense of shared values with our audiences as they interact with the LEAF Program.

We believe:
  • Humans are dependent upon and connected to earth's systems;
  • Forests are life support systems for life on earth;
  • WI forests can be managed sustainably for economic, ecologic and social benefits;
  • Forestry education is integral to K-12 learning, across all grades and subjects areas;
  • Healthy communities are dependent upon informed and engaged citizens.

OUTCOMES

Outcomes are the long-term impacts that we want to have on LEAF’s audiences. We believe that accomplishing these outcomes will help to achieve our vision.

Through the services and resources of the LEAF program, we strive to accomplish the following outcomes with our audiences:

  1. Instill a strong sense of place and connection to human and natural communities;
  2. Inspire a sense of appreciation, awe and respect for forests and other ecosystems;
  3. Increase teachers' and students' forest literacy;
  4. Develop an understanding of forest management decisions, principles, issues and opportunities;
  5. Encourage individual and community action in sustaining forests.