Become an Ironwood Tree Experience  Keystone Educator  through Professional Development workshops that provide advanced training in Sonoran Desert ecology and science, culture and history! ITE Keystone Educators are able to preregister for Field Studies for Schools classroom field trips, as well as receive & advance information about future programs and internships, like Youth for Blue Skies, for your students!

When/What/Where:  October 18 & 19, 2025 from 8am-4pm– Down to Earth is a 2-day professional development workshop that takes teachers through explorations of the Wild and Urban landscape in a way that is unique and inspiring.

Day one: Travel into the Santa Rita sky island mountains for a connection with nature through an ecological lens of diverse interactions with rocks, plants and animals that lead back to the classroom and your students.

Day two: Explore urban alleyways and arroyos to investigate, identify and intermingle with the natural, cultural and historical elements on the landscape. Then create a lesson plan that gets you and your students into the field!

Who: Limited Space! This workshop is open to high school educators (administrators, coordinators, classroom teachers, mentors, etc.), though preference will be given to High School teachers who work with teenagers.

Transportation: You can carpool, meet us at the specific locations, or we will provide a free shuttle van from ITE (Historic Y, 738 N. 5th Ave).

Compensation: All educators who attend the full 2-day professional development workshop will receive a stipend of $200.

Questions? Email miranda@ironwoodtreeexperience.org