O U T D O O R   C L A S S R O O M                                                            

Evaluating What You Have
A big step in building an outdoor classroom is developing a basic inventory of existing resources on the school grounds. A base map showing the location of school buildings, parking lots and key features should be part of the inventory. The inventory should include:

• vegetation (grasses, shrubs, trees, weeds, wildflowers, harmful plants, plants used by early settlers and possible plant succession sites),
• topography and geological features (rock outcrops, boulders, slopes, streams, ponds, bogs and swamps),
• animal habitats (dens, nesting sites, brush piles, food plants, old stumps, dead trees and fallen logs),
• soil profiles exposed on banks and slopes, potential soil erosion and soil study areas,
• historic remnants (stone fences and old orchards),
• sites that are appropriate for nature trails or study areas (ponds and marshes),
• sites suitable for a weather station,
• developed areas (buildings, parking lots and playgrounds),
• areas not regularly mowed (fence rows) that can be used as natural areas or plant succession areas.

This inventory can be made by students or volunteers.  Resource specialists can be involved as needed for technical evaluations.

Evaluating What You Have
Developing a Written Plan
Implementing the Plan
PLT Conceptual Framework