Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

    Apply for the Think Outside State Park and Forest Land Educational Experiences Program

    Colleges can use the Commonwealth's 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forests for hands-on, place-based education through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (DCNR) Think Outside Program.

    Complete the DCNR Research Application

    Overview

    Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests make great classrooms to teach, learn, and explore, greatly enhancing college students’ educational experiences.

    The Think Outside program is designed to expand the learning landscape by inviting colleges and universities to provide opportunities for place-based, hands-on educational experiences in the commonwealth’s 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forests.

    Students and professors are invited to visit state parks and forests for any learning experience, whether it be a single student, a group of students, or an entire class.

    How to Apply for the Think Outside Program

    Interested students and professors should apply at DCNR’s Research Database Application.

    DCNR staff will review applications for approval. Research projects may need up to 4 to 6 weeks for approval.

    DCNR will work with applicants on obtaining additional approvals.

    Think Outside Program

    DCNR teamed up with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation and the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium to develop the Think Outside Program.

    Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests offer many ways to connect with coursework, including:

    • Performing multi-semester analyses of soil, water, air, flora, or fauna.

    • Writing, painting, or photographing outdoor experiences.

    • Conducting research projects.

    • Researching and developing proposals for energy efficiency and sustainability.

    Students and professors are encouraged to share their work with DCNR. This includes:

    • Projects
    • Activities
    • Research
    • Proposals

    Project proposals will be considered for application/implementation, and students may be invited to meet with agency staff to discuss their work in greater detail.

    Contact us

    With questions or comments about the program, contact DCNR.