Great Mountain Forest Launches Outdoor Learning Programs with Community Foundation Grant

Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is proud to announce the launch of a new series of outdoor learning programs, made possible through a generous grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation’s Carlton D. Fyler and Jenny R. Fyler Fund. This pivotal funding supports the development and implementation of hands-on, inquiry-based K–12 science modules aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These programs are specifically designed to provide equitable access to high-quality environmental education for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage in forestry-based learning. 

 "The grant has significantly accelerated our ability to offer these engaging, NGSS-aligned programs,” said Mike Zarfos, Ph.D., Executive Director of GMF. “Without this support, it would have taken much longer to bring this level of immersive science education to our region’s schools. Our goal is to foster a meaningful connection between students and the natural world, empowering them to become thoughtful, informed environmental stewards." 

 What sets these offerings apart is not only the content, but the setting. Using GMF’s diverse natural resources as a living classroom, the multi-age science education modules will help students build essential skills in ecology, conservation, and sustainability. These field-based programs emphasize practices such as Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) and include innovative offerings like "Sap to Syrup: The Sweet Science of Maple Magic!" and "Wildlife Explorers: Discovering Adaptations and Biodiversity in GMF!" Three additional modules will soon be available for selection by local schools in the Northwest Corner. 

This initiative not only supports science education but also promotes the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of students through outdoor engagement. With a longstanding commitment to sustainable forestry and deep ties to Yale University, GMF is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional environmental education experiences that inspire curiosity and conservation. 

 About Great Mountain Forest 

Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,200 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.