Wildlife Tag
Outdoor Classroom Program Certification: Step 10
1 Collect Info | 2 Organize Committee | 3 Enroll | 4 Evaluate Campus | 5 Develop Master Plan | 6 Obtain Funding | 7 Construct OC | 8 Integrate Curriculum | 9 Establish Maintenance Plan | 10 Certify
Step 10: Certify your Outdoor Classroom (Click Here for PDF) 
Now that you have completed the development of your outdoor classroom and schoolyard wildlife habitat, and you are using it as an education tool with your students, it is time to certify your outdoor classroom! Your Outdoor Classroom (OC) Consultant will meet with you and your planning committee once you are ready to start the certification process, which typically takes about 4-6 weeks. Click the orange links below to learn more.
Certification Requirements (PDF)
Benefits of Certification (PDF)
When you are ready for certification, your Outdoor Classroom Consultant will meet with you and your planning committee to assist you with the certification process, which includes organizing a certification ceremony to receive your certification awards. If you prefer not to have a ceremony, we can present your certification awards at a faculty meeting instead.
Upon certification, your school will receive the following:
Questions? Contact April Waltz, Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program Coordinator, at aprilwaltz@alabamawildlife.org. Step 10: Certify your Outdoor Classroom (Click Here for PDF) Now that you have completed the development of your outdoor classroom and schoolyard wildlife habitat, and you are using it as an education tool with your students, it is time to certify your outdoor classroom! Your Outdoor Classroom (OC) Consultant will meet with you and your planning committee once you are ready to start the certification process, which typically takes about 4-6 weeks. Click the orange links below to learn more.
Certification Requirements (PDF)
There are no specific deadlines that your school must meet to apply for certification. Most schools take at least two to five years to develop their outdoor classroom to the point that they are ready for certification. 
To apply for certification, your school must meet with your Outdoor Classroom Consultant and complete the following requirements:
To apply for certification, your school must meet with your Outdoor Classroom Consultant and complete the following requirements: - On-site outdoor classroom evaluation meeting with your AWF Outdoor Classroom Consultant;
- A model outdoor classroom that you are ready to present to other schools across Alabama;
- An active planning committee that meets at least four times a year (twice in fall & twice in spring);
- ALL core outdoor learning stations including a sensory garden, butterfly garden, pollinator garden, frog & toad habitat, songbird sanctuary, log decomposition station, weather station, and cardinal directions sign;
- Educational learning station signs with QR Codes linked to AWF’s Ecosystem Investigation webpages for ALL core learning stations;
- Plant identification signs with QR Codes linked to AWF’s Dig Into Plants webpages;
- Teachers use hands-on, inquiry-based activities in conjunction with the outdoor learning stations;
- A year-round maintenance plan that includes weekly maintenance tasks, seasonal learning station adoption, and a summer maintenance schedule; and
- Up-to-date records in your school's online OC Records Hub accessible through the Alabama Wildlife Federation's website.
Benefits of Certification (PDF)
When you are ready for certification, your Outdoor Classroom Consultant will meet with you and your planning committee to assist you with the certification process, which includes organizing a certification ceremony to receive your certification awards. If you prefer not to have a ceremony, we can present your certification awards at a faculty meeting instead.
Upon certification, your school will receive the following:
- Upon certification, your school will receive the following:
- A certification ceremony (or presentation) with your faculty, students, parents, volunteers, sponsors, school board members, and other dignitaries to celebrate your accomplishments and recognize your school’s partners who helped you develop your outdoor classroom;
- An official Alabama Outdoor Classroom Certification Sign & Certificate;
- A customized Outdoor Classroom Activity Kit including educational materials and supplies that your school needs such as magnifying loupes, field ID guides, etc.;
- A full set of Discovering Alabama DVDs & teacher guides from Dr. Doug Phillips; and
- A National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitats® Certificate & Sign (optional).
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