05/12/2008
	Nature Education TrailsOutside Learning The Nature Education Trail program is an intergovernmental, cooperative agreement between the Forest Preserve District of Will County and Will County schools. The program involves administrators, teachers and students in the development of an outdoor learning trail in a forest preserve area. As part of the agreement, the Forest Preserve District of Will County will form a partnership with the school and will provide support and assistance throughout the entire project. Partners will work cooperatively and will provide the following: Call the Environmental Learning Center at 708.749.2255 to work on establishing a Nature Education Trail near your school. 1. The Forest Preserve District of Will County will: Provide the resources to plan, clear and maintain the trail Provide technical assistance needed in planning and developing an interpretive trail and interpretive trail guide Provide ongoing support trainings for teachers on trail use, nature interpretation, environmental education, outdoor education, etc. 2. The Will County School or School District will: Develop a proposal which outlines how the school plans on incorporating the forest preserve area into their curriculum Provide input on trail location and development Develop an interpretive trail guide Develop an administration system for recording monthly attendance to the outdoor classroom Develop an administrative system that will allow other Will County schools to make reservations to use the outdoor classroom Currently Nature Education Trails exist at: Sauk Trail Preserve / Frankfort School District: 157c Laughton Preserve / Peotone School District: 207u Hammel Woods Preserve / Troy School District: 30c Hickory Creek Preserve / Lincoln-Way School District: 210 Hunters Woods Preserve / Summit Hill School District: 61 Call the Environmental Learning Center at 708.749.2255 to work on establishing a Nature Education Trail near your school.