Forestry educational opportunity available to teachers

Indiana educators can now apply for the 2026 Natural Resources Teacher Institute (NRTI), which will be June 15-19 at the Forestry Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest.

Hosted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Forestry and Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, this week-long immersive professional development program will provide up to 18 educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively teach their students about forest ecology, research, and management in Indiana at no cost to them. Educational materials, meals, and housing are provided.

Participants must attend all days of the program and fully participate in all activities, which include exploring public and private forest sites, touring forest industry facilities, and engaging in hands-on educational activities that they can adapt for their classrooms.

All educators who attend will earn 30+ Professional Growth Points, as well as receive Project Learning Tree curriculum materials, a forestry tool kit, Indiana-specific field guides, and a stipend for developing and implementing a lesson plan.

Learn more at dnr.IN.gov/forestry/programs/education/nrti. To request an application, contact Lexi Eiler, forestry education specialist, at [email protected]or 463-253-8835.