This week, Bernheim was thrilled to host a field trip day for the Project Learning Tree International Coordinators’ Conference. Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an organization who works with educators, parents, and community leaders to use the environment to engage children in learning- both outside and indoors. Learning in the environment is Bernheim’s specialty!
As a member of the planning committee for this year’s international conference, which was held in Louisville, we were able to arrange a field trip day to Bernheim, where Bernheim was able to interact with educators from across the globe about what we do best – connect people with nature. The 100 field trip participants came from near and far – all 50 states were represented, as were Japan and Mexico.
The day included a delicious lunch at Isaac’s Café where we were able to show off the harvest of our Edible Garden, tours with members of Bernheim’s staff and Volunteer Naturalists, and even the dedication of our new Little Free Library, which was graciously funded by PLT and the Albert I. Pierce Foundation. You can now find our collection of nature books just outside the Visitor Center (a special thank you to John Beckner, whose woodworking skills were put to fabulous use in constructing the library).
Participants learned from Bernheim’s staff and Naturalists’ wide variety of areas of expertise, from discovering the plant collections to conservation and land management practices, to exploring the benefits of free play in nature. Conference goers broke out into sessions of their choosing, where they were able to see the pristine forest that Bernheim protects and uses for educational purposes from a variety angles.
We’re thrilled that Bernheim was able to show off all we do in our region, and look forward to seeing how these wonderful environmental educators take what they learned back to their corners of the world.