Red Feather Lakes Elementary Becomes first PLT School in Colorado

In recent years, Red Feather Lakes Elementary School, like other mountain schools in the Poudre School District, has faced the possibility of closing because of budget concerns .  This would have forced the students to be bused to the nearest elementary school, 25 miles away.  Parents, educators, and community leaders voiced their concerns about the possible closure and presented reasons the school should stay open, including a way to make their small school stand out. They contacted the Project Learning Tree Coordinator and asked to become our first PLT School! In November 2010, 16 participants, including all of the schools administrators, faculty, staff, and a few community volunteers,  attended an all day workshop, putting them on the path to becoming a PLT-certified school.  By meeting several requirements, which include having at least half of all teachers trained in using PLT materials, maintaining an annual commitment to PLT, and performing community outreach programs related to trees, forests, or related environmental topics and local issues, Red Feather Lakes became the first Project Learning Tree certified school in Colorado!  They will be presented with a special bench made for Colorado Blue Stained Pine Wood, commemorating this achievement.  And so far, the school has escaped closure!  Trees Rock!