a hero’s journey starts with learning
Our mission is to connect kids to nature, plants, and forest ecosystems where they live, study, and play, regardless of their cultural, religious, or socioeconomic background. Our current focus is on emphasizing the importance of plants and green spaces – how they nourish us and how we, in turn, can care for them. We hope to spark curiosity and empower young learners to become agents of positive environmental change.
Our program provides hands-on, nature-based learning materials for educators and parents to engage children in topics of plants, ecosystems, forest health, and more. To increase access, our materials are available in three languages: English, Spanish, and simplified Chinese.
We also spotlight the amazing work our public gardens do in protecting the plants and ecosystems we all depend on through our website content and printed materials.
The Plant Heroes program is supported by the US Forest Service.
VISIT THE PLANT HEROES WEBSITE
Our website houses a resources library filled with free, downloadable educational lessons, journal pages, conservation comics, field guides, activity books, and more for grades K-5. When you visit, check out our educational blog to discover fresh ideas and resources to incorporate into your next lesson plan.
Association Members: Order Free Printed Resources
You can order professionally printed copies of Plant Heroes materials as well as interpretive signage in the Plant Protection Program Store. We’ll print and mail these materials for free at the request of any American Public Gardens Association member.
