Classroom Resources
Kids and adults learn so much through experiences and hands-on activities. Virginia Department of Forestry provides a number of forestry and natural resources lesson plans for educators.
Learn more about activities and classroom resources available.
Find some fun and educational activities for kids and families.
Field Trips
If you’re interested in natural resource field trips or group field tours, contact your local DOF forester.
If you’re in the southwest part of the state, explore our Matthews State Forest Education Center.
Professional Development
A variety of professional development opportunities are available for educators.
Learn more about professional development for educators.
Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree is a national program offering many professional development opportunities and educator resources in forestry and natural resources.
Learn more about Project Learning Tree.
Self-Directed Learning
Virginia Department of Forestry offers many informational publications and educational resources on a variety of subjects for self-learning. Browse our Resource Library below.
View or get your own DOF Tree Identification book.
Additional Resources
Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A Tree for Me | Get to know details about a single tree. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form | 13.05 | Form is used to apply and nominate students for Camp Woods & Wildlife. | Form | View | public-information | form | |
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form | 13.05 | PDF format. Form is used to apply and nominate students for Camp Woods & Wildlife. | Form | View | public-information | form | |
Camp Woods and Wildlife Annual Report 2019 | Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | ||
Camp Woods and Wildlife Postcard Advertising Camp | Camp Woods and Wildlife is typically held each year, normally in June. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | ||
Common Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of Virginia: Identification Guide | P00027 | Identification book is a favorite of teachers, Scout leaders and outdoor enthusiasts. Book features descriptions, line drawings and an identification key to the most common native Virginia shrubs and woody vines. It also contains hints for effective plant identification, invasive species threats, and more. Printed copies available for sale. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Common Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of Virginia: Identification Guide (2-page-spread) | P00027 | Identification book is a favorite of teachers, Scout leaders and outdoor enthusiasts. Book features descriptions, line drawings and an identification key to the most common native Virginia shrubs and woody vines. It also contains hints for effective plant identification, invasive species threats, and more. Printed copies available for sale. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Could I Live Here? | Explore wildlife habitat requirements on the forest. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Enjoy Nature Near You in Fall | F00003 | Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including leaf art, find it, family tree, treasure box, and staying safe when out in nature during fall. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Enjoy Nature Near You in Spring | F00001 | Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including paint by nature, where does water go, family tree, bird nest building, and staying safe when out in nature during spring. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Enjoy Nature Near You in Summer | F00002 | Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including color walk, butterfly feeder, family tree, quiet time, and staying safe when out in nature during summer. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Enjoy Nature Near You in Winter | F00004 | Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including bird cookies, feeder watching, family tree, bark rubbings, and staying safe when out in nature during winter. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Forestry in Virginia | F00010 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrated overview of forestry in Virginia, what is forestry, how does forestry help Virginia, what are working forests and why do we need them, what does a forester do, why do we cut down trees, will we run out of trees, and what can I do to help save our forests. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Forestry in Virginia – Crossword Puzzle | F00010A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts Forestry in Virignia publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: How A Tree Grows | F00005 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of how a tree grows, including starting from a seed; how trees grow up, down and out; and tree rings. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: How A Tree Grows – Crossword Puzzle | F00005A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts How a Tree Grows publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Identifying Trees | F00008 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of the key methods for identifying tree species, what defines a tree, identifying features, leaf characteristics, bark characteristics, and other tips for identifying trees. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Identifying Trees – Crossword Puzzle | F00008A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts Identifying Trees publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Trees and Wildlife | F00012 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of the importance of trees to wildlife, how trees provide home sweet habitat, how to improve wildlife habitat at home, and how the wildlife changes as the forest changes through forest succession. Target audience: Youth – elementary age Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Trees and Wildlife – Crossword Puzzle | F00012A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts Trees and Wildlife publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Trees Protect Water | F00007 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of how trees help to protect our water, understand a tree’s relationship to the land and water, understanding watersheds, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, how trees protect watersheds, the riparian zone, and how you can help by planting trees. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Trees Protect Water – Crossword Puzzle | F00007A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts Trees Protect Water publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Virginia in the Fall | F00009 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of the science of leaves changing colors, the role of pigments, effects of the calendar and weather, why these changes occur, and fall leaf identification information. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Virginia in the Fall – Crossword Puzzle | F00009A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts Virginia in the Fall publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Virginia’s Alien Invaders | F00011 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrator explanation of non-native insects and plants, including how a definition of native or non-native, upsetting the balance, how they spread, how we can stop them, and Virginia’s least wanted species. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Virginia’s Alien Invaders Crossword Puzzle | F00011A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts Virginia’s Alien Invaders publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Why We Need Trees | F00006 | Forest facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of just why we need trees, trees are beautiful, provide wildlife habitat, clean the water, give us products, produce oxygen, clear the air, save energy and money, and the loss of trees that is occurring. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Facts: Why We Need Trees – Crossword Puzzle | F00006A | Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest facts Why We Need Trees publication. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Forest Sense | Use the senses to discover and describe the forest. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Forest Succession | Understand the process of plant succession in forests. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Forest Types Background | Descriptions and background information on forest types. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Forest Types Glossary | Supplemental glossary for forest types lessons | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Forest Types Map | Virginia map showing coverage of forest types | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Forest Types Photos | Photos of Virginia’s major forest types | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Forest Types Series Overview | See a list of lessons in the forest types series. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Going, Going, Gone | Research forest types that are now uncommon in Virginia. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2015 | Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | ||
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2016 | Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | ||
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2017 | Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | ||
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2018 | Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | ||
ID That Tree – Central Virginia | Identify trees of central Virginia. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
ID That Tree – Conway-Robinson & Whitney State Forests | Identify trees of northern Virginia. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
ID That Tree – Matthews State Forest | Identify trees of western Virginia. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
ID That Tree – Zoar State Forest | Identify trees of eastern Virginia. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Let’s Learn About Trees Coloring Book | P00215 | Coloring book teaches children about the value of trees while through the fun activity of coloring. Target audience: Youth – preschool and young elementary age. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | education public-information | publication | |
Measuring Up | Use several methods to measure tree height and diameter. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Pests Gone Wild | Learn about invasive species that impact forests and explore solutions. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Plots and Plans | Collect data about features of a forest plot. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Soils and Forests | Explore the role of soils in determining forest type. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Success(ion) Stories | Learn about plant succession in a typical Virginia forest. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
The Future Forest | Observe regeneration to predict the future makeup of a forest. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
The Hidden Forest | Learn about the value of urban forests. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Threats to Forests | Understand threats to Virginia’s forests. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Photo Cards | Photos of trees from the identification keys in this lesson series. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk – Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest | Forest information for Appomattox-Buckingham Tree Trunk | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk – Conway-Robinson State Forest | Forest information for Conway-Robinson Tree Trunk | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk – Cumberland State Forest | Forest Information for Cumberland Tree Trunk | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk – Matthews State Forest | Forest information for Matthews Tree Trunk | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk – Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest | Forest Information for Prince Edward-Gallion Tree Trunk | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk – Whitney State Forest | Forest Information for Whitney Tree Trunk | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk – Zoar State Forest | Forest Information for Zoar Tree Trunk | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Tree Trunk Activity Overview | List and brief descriptions of lesson plans in the State Forest Tree Trunks series | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Virginia Forest Cover Types – Poster | Poster maps the various forest types in Virginia and is 24 in. x 36 in. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | public-information | publication | ||
What Grows Where | Determine why forest types vary from place to place. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
What Would You Do? | Make decisions about forest management. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Wildlife in the Forest | Explore wildlife habitat requirements. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Wood Magic – A wood science curriculum for 14 to 18 year olds. | Wood science activities provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension for 14-18 year olds. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document | ||
Wood Magic – A wood science curriculum for 9 to 11 year olds. | Wood science activities provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension for 9-11 year olds. | Document | View | education lesson-plans public-information | document |
Contact Us
If you’re interested in a local group educational program, contact your local DOF forester.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.