EAGLE RIVER, Wis. — Trees For Tomorrow (TFT), an environmental education center, recently hosted its 60th annual Natural Resources Careers Exploration Week (NRCEW) for high school students. This milestone weeklong program equips students with the tools, real-world knowledge, and professional networks needed to confidently explore career paths in natural resources. At a time when young people are making critical decisions about their futures, NRCEW provides vital guidance through expert advice and highly engaging, hands-on activities.
As part of this career-readiness initiative, industry professionals from Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) volunteered their time to connect directly with participants. These experts shared their industry knowledge, giving students a firsthand look at how renewable energy resources, including solar and hydro systems, safely power local communities. Students engaged in meaningful dialogue with the energy professionals, gaining invaluable insights into day-to-day operations, safety protocols, and future career, job, and internship pathways.
“The experience of learning directly from practicing professionals adds an invaluable layer to presentations about careers in natural resources,” said Casey Sprotte, TFT NRCEW Coordinator, extending gratitude to all the speakers who volunteered their time. “This is a life-changing week, with everyone, from chaperones to students, being impacted by the event. It’s incredibly rewarding to see professionals explain their passion and form relationships with youth who share a love for nature during this week each year.”
This mentorship highlights a historical connection: the WPS Foundation is among Trees For Tomorrow’s longest-standing partner, with a relationship that spans nearly eight decades.
“We are pleased to continue nearly 80 years of support of Trees for Tomorrow by providing real-world environmental learning for children and young adults across Wisconsin,” said Beth Straka, president — WPS Foundation. “Trees for Tomorrow’s immersive work inspires students to better understand their impact on their environment and how they can help it thrive for years to come. This enduring partnership is another way we are committed to building a bright, sustainable future.”
While WPS professionals enrich high school experiences like NRCEW with their expert knowledge, the WPS Foundation provides vital annual funding that supports TFT’s core K-12 educational programming. Most notably, the foundation provides annual financial support to sponsor regional schools within WPS territory, allowing them to participate in TFT’s School Outdoor Learning Experiences (SOLE) journeys.
Each year, this funding directly benefits 7 to 8 regional schools and more than 200 students. Sponsoring these immersive outdoor experiences allows students from schools such as Three Lakes Middle School, St. Germain Elementary, Mosinee Middle School, Florence Middle School, John Dewey Academy, Lombardi Middle School, and STEM Academy to build a foundational connection to environmental science and sustainability.
The enduring collaboration between Trees For Tomorrow and the WPS Foundation continues to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards, combining expert professional mentorship with critical funding to ensure Wisconsin’s youth are prepared to lead a sustainable future.
About Trees For Tomorrow
Trees For Tomorrow’s campus, located in Eagle River, Wisconsin, includes National Forest property under permit from the USDA Forest Service. Private property owned by Trees For Tomorrow (TFT), the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and Tara Lila LLC are also utilized for education and outreach purposes. TFT is an accredited nonprofit environmental center specializing in overnight environmental education programs for K-12 school groups with facilities that include dormitories, a full-service dining hall, and classrooms. Trees for Tomorrow annually serves 14,000 youth and adults with the mission to promote sustainable management of our natural resources through transformative educational experiences.
