What’s a school forest?
A school forest is an outdoor classroom where teachers and students explore the natural world to teach core subjects such as math, science, reading, writing, geography, physical education, the arts, and others. The site can be used year-round by schools and community organizations. School forests in Minnesota range in size from one to 300 acres of land. The land is typically managed by the school under the direction of the School Forest Committee. School forests are special pieces of land that are used for a variety of educational activities.
Schools in the program range from rural to urban, preschool to university-level, and public and private. Some schools can access their land simply by walking out of the school building; others may need to bus students. All schools work toward the same goal... connecting students to the natural world while building each student’s self-esteem, sense of community, skill level, and knowledge base. The DNR helps by ensuring that school forests stay well-used and healthy long-term.
What is the School Forest Program?
The Minnesota School Forest Program is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota schools established by Minnesota Statute 89.41.
The School Forest Program serves to:
- Increase outdoor education activities at schools. The DNR works with schools to designate a nearby forest or portion of a schoolyard as an “outdoor classroom.” We also offer professional development to help teachers use their school forest to teach math, language arts, social studies, science, art, music, and physical education.
- Improve forest stewardship in schools and communities. The DNR offers site management assistance to ensure every school forest is used long-term. DNR cooperative and urban foresters guide school forests in important decisions surrounding the establishment, forest health, habitat restoration, harvesting, and planting. School forest sites are often highly visible examples of healthy forests used for education and community recreation.
School Forests 101
This 15-minute YouTube video is recommended for anyone new to the Minnesota School Forest Program
Questions? Contact the School Forest Program staff.
History of the School Forest Program
Dr. C.V. Hobson, a former Bemidji State University geography professor and state legislator, is credited with creating the school forest concept. He actively campaigned for the passage of the School Forest Law (MN Statutes, Section 89.41), which authorizes public education institutions to establish and maintain school forests. The Minnesota Legislature passed the law in 1949. One year later, the Blackduck School Forest was designated, marking the first of many schools to enroll in the program.
Since 1949 the program has adapted to meet the needs of Minnesota's schools. Currently there are more than 145 School Forests ranging in size from less than one acre to 300 acres of land, totaling more than 8,000 acres. School forests across the state include sites in rural, suburban, and urban areas; at public and private schools; and reach preschool through university students. No matter the school, all school forests work toward the same goal of connecting students to the natural world while building student confidence, sense of community, skill level, and knowledge base.
Over time, several partners have come to support the School Forest Program by offering lessons, funding, volunteer help, and technical expertise.
Research supporting school forest use
