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The Alabama Outdoor Classroom program provides free, on-site, technical assistance for schools who wish to create a sustainable outdoor classroom site to be used as an effective educational tool for hands-on, outdoor learning opportunities.

Follow these 5 Steps to participate in the Outdoor Classroom (OC) Program:

  1. Submit an Enrollment Application.
  2. Sign up for AWF’s Conservation Education eNewsletter to learn about grants, workshops, and resources that can help you with your outdoor classroom.
  3. Follow the OC Guidelines to develop your outdoor classroom site.
  4. Certify your school’s site through the OC program once it is completed!
  5. Use your outdoor classroom as a fun, exciting classroom for hands-on, conservation education activities.

To receive a free introductory information packet for the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program, please call the AWF at 1-800-822-9453. You can also learn more by watching our free Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program Powerpoint.

Over 100 schools across Alabama are developing outdoor classroom sites through the OC Program. Click on the dots on the map of Alabama to learn more about these schools. New schools are encouraged to contact and/or visit schools already enrolled in the program for advice and outdoor classroom project ideas. The schools with a blue dot are enrolled in the OC Program, and those with a red dot have been certified as official “Outdoor Classroom Schools” that provide a model for other schools across the state that would like to develop effective, sustainable outdoor classroom sites and incorporate conservation education into their curriculum.

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Check out these Helpful Tools to assist with your outdoor classroom project:

 
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DOWNLOAD FREE ACTIVITIES NOW!!!!
Outdoor Classroom SEED ACTIVITIES:
Download activities that you can use in your outdoor classroom site.  We currently have activities related to birds and butterflies, and additional activities will be added soon! Learn More...
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PONDS FOR KIDS:
Through a new partnership with the North American Water Gardening Society’s (NAWGS) Ponds for Kids program and Lee Vought with Vought Water Gardens, schools enrolled in the OC program are eligible to receive free technical assistance to help them develop and install their water garden, and they are able to purchase the supplies for their water garden at a discounted rate.
The most popular Ponds for Kids water garden, which includes a waterfall, 10-foot stream, and 180-square-foot pond, will provide an aquatic studies area in their outdoor classroom site for hands-on learning opportunities about aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.  Learn More…
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OUTDOOR CLASSROOM PLANNING GUIDE
The Outdoor Classroom Planning Guide includes valuable information about how to organize and develop an effective, sustainable outdoor classroom site including helpful tips for forming your planning committee, evaluating your campus, creating a master plan, providing habitat for wildlife, and much, much more.

To purchase a copy of our Outdoor Classroom Planning Guide for $10, call the AWF or visit our on-line store.

 
Schools enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program will receive 6 complimentary copies of the planning guide.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & INFORMATIVE ARTICLES:
To learn more about the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program and how it can benefit your school, read the FAQs and Articles below:
Outdoor Classroom Planning Materials:
To help your planning committee stay organized and on task, view and/or download the documents (pdfs) below:

Habitat Team - Example planning committee positions and responsibilities.
Planning Committee Checklist - Important questions for your planning committee to review.
Faculty Survey - An example survey for your faculty to gauge their needs and interests regarding an outdoor classroom site. (click here for a word document that can be edited for your school)
Site Evaluation Form - Important questions to consider as you survey your campus for outdoor classroom project sites.
Master Plan Worksheet - A written plan to help your planning committee put their ideas on paper, stay focused, organized, and achieve your goals for a sustainable outdoor classroom. (click here for a word document that can be edited for your school) NEW 2008 Worksheet!



Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

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CERTIFY YOUR OUTDOOR CLASSROOM!

You are ready to be certified if your school has accomplished the following:

If you are already enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program and you are ready for your on-site visit to have your Outdoor Classroom certified, please fill out the on-line questionnaire or print the questionnaire and submit it to:

Alabama Wildlife Federation
Attn: Outdoor Classroom Program
P.O. Box 1339
Millbrook, AL 36054

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Sign up for the Alabama Wildlife Federation eNewsletter!
Email:

Alabama Wildlife Federation
3050 Lanark Road
Millbrook, AL 36054
1-800-822-9453
awf@alabamawildlife.org