Treetops-in-the-Forest, a non-profit organization founded in 1989 to provide environmental education for students of all ages, 
sits on 20 pine-covered acres in the Davy Crockett National Forest, near one of Texas’ oldest wildernesses, The Big Slough. A national hiking trail runs through the area.
The two story, Spanish-style lodge has six bedrooms, four baths, a great room, a native american room, a nature library, and indoor labs for independent study of birds, botany, butterflies, forestry, astronomy, wildflowers, insects, rocks and fossils, Texas history, and environmental leaders. Advanced resources for the study of environmental issues are available for students and teachers. TAAS and TAKS related materials are available by request.
The grounds include orienteering trails, a pond for fishing and water studies, sustainability projects, child-built shelters, and access to the national hiking trails. 
Upon arrival, students assume responsibility for management of the facility for the length of their stay. Agreements are made regarding environmental choices, such as: Compost or Critter Food? Plastic or Paper? How much water in showering? Students assist in meal preparation and service, maintenance, security,grounds work, and indoor roles.
There are opportunities for individual initiatives and artistic pursuits. Guest lecturers and environmental videos are shown and discussed during evening hours. Students create the daily schedule, which allows blocks of time for meals, practical life responsibilities, environmental studies, individual initiatives, artistic pursuits, and outdoor activities. Field trips may be planned to relevant sites, such as the Caddoan Indian Mounds, the Tejas Mission, The Old Stone Fort, El Camino Real, and trips to seasonal festivals, orchards, and nearby community concerts.
Students sleep four to six per room. With the visiting school’s staff, a ratio of one teacher per six to ten students is maintained. Whenever possible, a group size no greater than 18-24 students is recommended. Pre-visit conferences with school heads and teachers are welcomed so that the content may complement prior studies.
Generally, participants are transported to the campus by their sponsoring schools or by parent carpools. Most metropolitan - DFW, Austin, and Houston - are a three to four hour drive.
The People
Dr. Christine Kallstrom, the director, has a Ph.D in Early Childhood Education, a Master's in Special Ed, and undergraduate work in music and the creative arts. 
She holds six TEA teaching credentials, most recently completing a graduate environmental education course from UWSP. She has taught public and private school, including the University of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Wesleyan. Her published works include The Yellow Brick Road, a screening test for preschoolers, a Master's thesis on Propaedeutics for Preschoolers, and a doctoral study of Parental Involvement in Public Schools.
Recently, she has completed Master Composter, Tree Farmer, and PLT Facilitator training, and has visited global education sites in England, Switzerland, China, India, and Sweden. Her husband, James W. Kallstrom, co-founded the non-profit organization and served as a volunteer until his death in 1996. Their four children and six grandchildren continue as volunteers.
The Executive Committee
President Randall Meyer
Secretary Lisa Salyer
Treasurer Kathleen Meyer
At-Large Patty Smith
At-Large Diane Page
Ex-Officio Chris Kallstrom
Advisory Members
Frances and Hazel Abernathy
Ray and Sunny Davidson
Ryan Hoover
Shirley Kallstrom
Marjorie Keele , M.D.
Duane McCune
Mary Venegas
Hugh And Frances Wagner
Ann and Woodrow Wilson
Property Committee
Bill Kallstrom
Jeff Salyer
Bruce Sanders
Community Relations
Eliza Bishop
Bill Conner
Student Committee
Jonathan Meyer
Hayley Meyer
R.C. Salyer
T.C. Salyer
David Sanders
Webmaster / PR
Treetops-in-the-Forest was acquired in 1989 by Alternative Learning Environments, Inc., a non-profit 509 (a), tax-exempt organization chartered in Texas, under code section 501 (c).