Community Calendar

Gathering Together to Share Resources

Join us for our next free community call on Friday, April 4 from 11:00 am – noon where we will be gathering together to share resources and ideas on how to navigate change during uncertain times. This will be the second community call this spring.

Register for this Community Call

About This Call

Times of uncertainty or rapid change can both be very challenging and serve as an opportunity to build community. This free virtual meeting is live-only and will not be recorded to allow for candid conversations.

REGISTER HERE

For questions, contact Sophia Stephenson at director@arkansasee.org.

April 17, 2025
9:00 am – noon
AGFC’s Fred Berry Nature Center on Crooked Creek, Yellville, AR
Qualifies for 3 hours of ADE-approved PD credit

Nature journaling is a fantastic way to get away from the everyday hustle, bustle, and rush; and practice patience, observational skills, and creative expression. It can be an opportunity to get out and experience the great outdoors. Keeping a nature journal is a great way to become acquainted, or get reacquainted, with our natural world.

Nature journaling can help:

• Improve your mood
• Gain mental clarity
• Unplug from technology
• Boost memory
• Reduce stress levels
• Practice presence
• Improve critical thinking and problem solving
• Deepen your appreciation for nature

Join us for this hands-on workshop to learn the basic skills of nature journaling and several Project Learning Tree activities that can be used in your journaling experiences. Participants will make their own field journal, use their senses to explore our environment, practice basic sketching techniques, and create a unique nature poem. No art skills needed! Materials, supplies, resources and door prizes will be provided.

Registration & Cost

Registration: email your name, contact info, along with the name/date/location of the workshop to rbeadel@arkforests.org.

Cost: $10, payable at the workshop.

Contact: Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.

May 17, 2025
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Fayetteville Public Library – Walker Community Room
401 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Explore our environment through children’s literature, for educators and parents.

There are so many children’s books out there that help kids experience nature and our natural world. This hands-on, interactive workshop will utilize Project Learning Tree K-8 activities and related book titles to show ways of inspiring children to be good stewards of the Earth and develop an appreciation for our natural world.

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. PLT is an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

SFI’s MISSION is to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.
SFI’s VISION is a world that values and benefits from sustainably managed forests.
PLT’s GOAL is to advance environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways using trees and forests as windows on the world.

About the presenter:
With over 29 years in the environmental field, Rob Beadel has been the Director of Forestry Education for the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation since 2008 and serves as the Project Learning Tree State Coordinator. Rob, a Certified Interpretive Guide, has served on several environmental education boards and workgroups at the state, national, and international levels. Rob was honored as the 2015 Conservation Educator of the Year by the Arkansas Wildlife Federation and received the 2021 PLT Gold Star Award for his contributions to PLT and Environmental Education at the National level. Rob is recognized by John Muir Laws as a certified Nature Journaling Instructor.eir own field journal, use their senses to explore our environment, practice basic sketching techniques, and create a unique nature poem. No art skills needed! Materials, supplies, resources and door prizes will be provided.

Registration & Cost

Registration: https://www.faylib.org/event/12844145

Cost: FREE

Contact: Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.

Prescribed Fire for Educators Workshop

June 12-13, 2025

TCT: Prescribed Fire for Educators Workshop

UA Livestock and Forestry Research Station

70 Experiment Station Drive

Batesville, AR 72501

Join us for this fun, interactive and educational 2-day workshop focusing on the Benefits of Prescribed Fire.

With recent wildfires ravaging portions of the West and the debate on forest management to control fuel loads – now is an opportune time to learn more about the benefits and uses of prescribed fire in Arkansas.

Participants will learn about forest management, fire weather, habitat restoration, creating a burn plan, tools of the trade, and visit prescribed burn and restoration sites.

Registration

Registration is limited to 25. Limited overnight single-occupancy hotel lodging is available on a first-come first-reserved basis.

Registration is $30 or $80 if lodging is provided. Registration fees are non-refundable. Participants will receive 12 hours of PD, lunch both days, overnight lodging on Thursday (if requested), a $25 Amazon or Walmart gift card, and resources and curriculum for the classroom and educational programs.

Visit https://www.arkforests.org/page/TCT for more information and links to register. Space is limited so register early to reserve your spot.

Contact

Questions, please contact Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.

The Forest is Our Classroom

June 19-20, 2025
UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
110 University Court
Monticello, AR 71655

From the field to the classroom – natural resources have been a valued part of Arkansas’ agriculture community for years and this workshop will focus on the all-important commodity of forestry.

Join us for this unique professional development workshop that will feature tours of the Arkansas Forestry and Wildlife Discovery Farm, UAM’s College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, infrared drone demonstrations, updates on 4-H/CDE Youth Forestry Contests, and much more. This hands-on, interactive workshop sets up to be an amazing opportunity to expand your knowledge of all things natural resources!

Registration

Registration is limited to 25. Limited overnight single-occupancy hotel lodging is available on a first-come first-reserved basis.

Registration is $30 or $80 if lodging is provided. Registration fees are non-refundable. Participants will receive 12 hours of PD, lunch both days, overnight lodging on Thursday (if requested), a $25 Amazon or Walmart gift card, and resources and curriculum for the classroom and educational programs.

Visit https://www.arkforests.org/page/TCT for more information and links to register. Space is limited so register early to reserve your spot.

Contact

Questions, please contact Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.

Arkansas Timber Industries and Forestry Careers

June 26-27, 2025
El Dorado, AR 71730

According to the Arkansas Center for Forest Business report “2023 U.S. Forestry Economic Contribution by State”, Arkansas’s economy has the second-highest dependence on the forestry industry in the nation and is #1 among Southern states. From genetically enhanced tree seedlings to engineered wood products; science and technology are quickly advancing within the forestry sector and Arkansas’s timber industries are leading the way

Join us for this interactive, educational 2-day STEM workshop focusing on some of Arkansas’ forest industries, Arkansas grown forest products, and forestry-related careers. Participants will tour production facilities to learn how Glulam beams and cross-laminated timbers are made, a seedling nursery to learn how genetics improves tree seedling growth, and possibly a facility tour of an oriented strand board (OSB) mill. Participants will also learn about various career opportunities that exist within the forestry sector.

Registration

Registration is limited to 25. Limited overnight single-occupancy hotel lodging is available on a first-come first-reserved basis.

Registration is $30 or $80 if lodging is provided. Registration fees are non-refundable. Participants will receive 12 hours of PD, lunch both days, overnight lodging on Thursday (if requested), a $25 Amazon or Walmart gift card, and resources and curriculum for the classroom and educational programs.

Visit https://www.arkforests.org/page/TCT for more information and links to register. Space is limited so register early to reserve your spot.

Contact

Questions, please contact Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.

July 8, 2025
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
AGFC Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
8300 Wells Lake Rd
Ft. Smith, AR 72916

What is a Green Job?

Green jobs represent one of the fastest growing and changing segments of our global economy. At the same time, today’s youth are seeking rewarding careers that help us move towards more sustainable lifestyles and greener economies. The next generation wants to work with purpose. They want to find a job they can be proud of; they want to feel like they are making a difference in the world.

This workshop will provide you with tools and resources to help youth discover careers in sustainable forestry and conservation!

Each participant will receive PLT’s Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers guide. This guide engages middle- and high-school youth in exploring natural resource careers and includes four hands-on, NGSS aligned, instructional activities to help youth research forestry and natural resource jobs, and practice managing and monitoring forest resources.

It is designed for educators, career and guidance counselors, Scout leaders, FFA advisors, 4-H 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. This workshop also features a private tour of International Paper’s Fort Smith Container Plant where educators will get a firsthand look at the process of how cardboard boxes and containers are manufactured.

Registration & Cost

Registration: Visit https://www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=547486 for more information.
Workshop qualifies for 6 hours of ADE-approved PD plus provides career readiness experiences for educators, career coaches, and guidance counselors. Questions? Contact Amber Cobb at amber.cobb@wscstarfish.com.

Cost: FREE

Contact: Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.

July 9, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
AGFC Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
8300 Wells Lake Rd
Ft. Smith, AR 72916

Three quarters of the world’s flowering plants and trees depend on pollinators to reproduce. Some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, beetles, and other insects.

Join us for this fun, interactive and educational professional development workshop focusing on Arkansas’s pollinators and pollinator habitat. Attendees will participate in Project Learning Tree activities related to the topic of pollinators and also gain background knowledge on Arkansas bees and butterflies and the habitats they need to survive and prosper.

Guest Presenter: Leslie Cooper, Arkansas Monarch and Pollinator Coordinator

Each participant will receive PLT’s Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide containing 50 interdisciplinary activities correlated to state and national education frameworks (retail value $35).

Workshop qualifies for 6 hours of ADE-approved PD.

Question? Contact Amber Cobb at amber.cobb@wscstarfish.com

Registration & Cost

Registration: Space is limited. Visit https://www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=548492 for more information.

Contact: Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.

July 31, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
AGFC Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
8300 Wells Lake Rd
Ft. Smith, AR 72916

It’s often assumed that we, as educators, possess all the answers. However, there are times when it’s beneficial to acknowledge our limitations and seek expertise from external sources. Project Learning Tree (PLT) offers exceptional, user-friendly lessons on a wide range of environmental subjects and concerns.

Join us for an interactive, hands-on professional development opportunity that will familiarize you with PLT activities from the Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with several local natural resource professionals who can furnish you with valuable content, resources, and ideas for future class field trips and
outreach.

Each participant will receive PLT’s Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide containing 50 interdisciplinary activities correlated to state and national education frameworks (retail value $35).

Workshop qualifies for 6 hours of ADE-approved PD plus provides career readiness experiences for educators & counselors.

Question? Contact Amber Cobb at amber.cobb@wscstarfish.com

Registration & Cost

Registration: Space is limited. Visit https://www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=551245 for more information.

Contact: Rob Beadel at rbeadel@arkforests.org.