Happy Autumnal Equinox! It is now officially Fall! 🍂

The Autumnal (or fall) equinox is the day of the year when day & night are about the same length (~ 12 hrs. each). Join PA State Park Educators as we celebrate all things FALL! Check out upcoming fall interpretive programming!

Since we've been so very busy facilitating intense staff trainings and events this month, we are wearing our very tardy pants 👖 as we present our Fall edition 🍂! Tune in next month (our favorite month of the year), as we bedazzle you for October when we're 'allowed' to talk all about bats 🦇 to our hearts content!

We shortened this fall edition because we know you've been very busy too! There is so much good stuff below, including lots of unique educator PD in Section 2. ⬇️

PA School Districts - It's time to Complete the Environmental Literacy Indicator Tool (ELIT) Questionnaire! 📋



ELIT is a federally-directed effort to collect info. from all public school districts in the Mid-Atlantic region every 2 years to monitor the status of environmental literacy efforts at a district level. The results help the Chesapeake Bay Program Education Workgroup to effectively support local efforts to implement strategies that support students’ environmental literacy. The workgroup supports the entire state of PA under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement (revised & signed in 2025). 

Only 1 person per district should complete the ELIT. The best respondent works at the district-level & is most familiar with environmental education (EE) activities across the district. If your district does not have a position similar to an EE coordinator, consider a Science Curriculum Coord. or similar role. Teachers or principals from just one school or grade-range would have difficulty. 

📋Complete & Submit the ELIT 2026 Questionnaire by November 20, 2026.

• The ELIT takes an average of ~60 mins. to complete (includes time to obtain data about district-wide activities).
• Pre-Review the questions ➡️ PDF of ELIT Questions
• If your district has previously completed the ELIT, look up & view past answers➡️ search for documents labeled “Response Summaries”: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/projects/environmental-literacy-indicator-tool-elit 
• Utilize the editable Workbook of ELIT Questions to gather your answers.

Questions? Contact Elise Trelegan, Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay Program Edu. Workgroup, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office at elise.trelegan@noaa.gov or 204.628.4507.

Please note - the ELIT should not be confused with the PA State Environmental Education Survey (PA SEES). The ELIT is a mid-atlantic survey to be completed at the district level across all Chesapeake Bay states. The PA SEES is a PA survey to be completed by ALL K-12 formal & nonformal educators across the Commonwealth.

PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents ⬇️

• Section 1: Fall 🍂 & More Teaching Ideas
• Section 2: Low Cost, In-Person Educator Professional Development (PD) Trainings
• Section 3: Webinars & Conferences for Educators
• Section 3: Explore the Outdoors! PA State Parks!
• Section 4: Striving Towards Inclusion
• Capstone: PA State Park Info. & Updates

Section 1:

Fall 🍁 & More Teaching Ideas

• Make a Fall Leaf 🍁Owl🦉 - from Little Pine Learners

• While the leaves🍃are still green, make Chlorophyll Leaf Prints in 5 Easy Steps! The art of leaf printing has been around for 100s of years, with the 1^st example discovered in 1,228 CE. From the 13^th - 19^th centuries, botanists, herbalists, & doctors used herbal prints for medical research & ID. Check out the step-by-step guide. - from MD DNR

• Use STEM to Determine How Leaves 🍁Change Color in the Fall - from Project Learning Tree (PLT) for Elementary students
• Why Do Leaves Change Color in the🍁Fall? Experiment for older students - from Let's Talk Science

Earth Science Week is October 11 - 17, 2026

Each year, the PA DCNR Bureau of Geological Survey receives a limited number of Earth Science Week (ESW) Kits from the American Geosciences Institute to distribute to educators. They invite you to celebrate Earth Science Week by requesting & incorporating these materials into your classroom. This year’s theme is “Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society.” Each kit contains activities, posters, & a calendar filled with hands-on lesson plans. Request your own FREE ESW Kit + FREE resources from Bureau of Geological Survey by contacting Stacey Daniels at stacdaniel@pa.gov or 717-546-3921. Quantities are limited!

DCNR's Bureau of Geological Survey offers lots of FREE educational resources - including geologic maps, booklets, coloring sheets (in English & Spanish), your very own ROCK BOX, & more. Anyone can order a DCNR Rock Box! Order an individual box of 12 of PA rock samples for $15 or a classroom kit for $30. Fill out the order form & include a check made out to the “Field Conference of PA Geologists.”

Caring for Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Best Practices for Educators

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are living animals that have evolved in cool, flowing, oxygen-rich streams. By re-creating these natural conditions as closely as possible, you can minimize stress during classroom investigations & help ensure they remain healthy until they are returned to their stream. Download the New Free 🆓Guide from Stroud Water Research Center.

Teach Others to be BearWise 🐻 this Fall!

At this time of year, our PA Black Bears can eat up to 20,000 calories PER DAY! Bears typically avoid people, but easy access to garbage, pet food, birdseed, & other food sources can attract bears.  

What should you do if you discover a bear close to your home or school? Scaring the bear can temporarily stop unwanted behavior & provide time to remove or secure attractants. Learn how to safely Scare the Bear away in this free Fact Sheet. Keep people safe & bears 🐻 wild.

• Be BearWise at Home Checklist
• Subscribe to BearWise emails Courtesy of BearWise® | BearWise.org

Section 2: In-Person Educator Professional Development (PD) Trainings

View ALL of the Upcoming Educator PD on the DCNR Calendar

Dive Into Your Watershed💧Project WET Educator PD

Friday, October 2, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 

In-Person at Raymond B. Winter State Park, 17215 Buffalo Rd., Mifflinburg, PA 17844

Act 48: 5.5 hrs. 

Fee: $15.00 pre-registration required 

Explore the connections between land, water, & your community at this Project WET PD! Learn how to educate & inspire water literacy through science-based activities while collaborating with fellow educators. Lessons will focus on how to help your students connect and care about their local waterways. All participants will receive a copy of the new Foundations of Water Education curriculum, containing 12 popular Project WET activities addressing PA’s academic standards. This PD is for K-12 classroom teachers & nonformal-educators. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Rebecca Harner, EES at rebharner@pa.gov or 570-966-1455. 

Aquatic WILD Educator PD 🦆

October 3, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

In-Person at Norristown Farm Park, 2500 Upper Farm Rd, Norristown, PA 19403

Act 48: 5 hrs. 

Fee: $15.00 pre-registration required 

The award-winning Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide utilizes a simple, science-based format to cover concepts, principles, & issues related to aquatic wildlife, aquatic habitats & ecosystems, & actions for them. Each activity contains all the info. needed - from objectives to extended learning. The Aquatic WILD activities are interdisciplinary covering Science, ELA, Math, Social Studies, & more. The guide includes Field Investigations, In Step with STEM activity extensions, WILD Work careers, & a focus on learning outdoors. This PD is for any educator who is interested in teaching about aquatic wildlife & ecology such as classroom teachers, non-formal educators, school administrators, youth leaders, homeschoolers, & more. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Rebecca at rebecca.blacketter@montgomerycountypa.gov or 610-270-0215 ext. 5. 

Project WET Foundations of Water Education PD 💦

Friday, October 9, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person at Codorus State Park, Visitor Center, 2600 Smith Station Rd, Hanover, PA 17331

Act 48: 5.5 hrs.

Fee: $20.00 pre-registration required

A fun and engaging training that will provide both classroom teachers & non-formal educators working with students in grades K-12 with science-based activities to help students learn about water & the environment using lessons from the new Project WET (Water Education Today) guide - Foundations of Water Education. Designed to complement existing curricula, this guide is filled with hands-on, interdisciplinary lessons that address PA academic standards, including Common Core & STEELS. Participants will receive a copy of the NEW guide & access to Project WET's online resources. To register, call (717) 637-2816, ext. 7. Questions? Call 717-637-3454 or email NrCodorusEEprograms@pa.gov.

Pennsylvania Songbirds 🐦 Educator PD

Monday, October 12, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person at Presque Isle State Park, TREC, 301 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA 16505

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $20.00 pre-registration required

PA Songbirds is a hands-on activity guide designed for K-8 classroom teachers, homeschool educators, scout leaders, & any adult who wishes to engage children in hands-on science & environmental learning through the world of birds. This newly revised, curriculum includes 40+ activities. Participants will receive the 475 pg. PA Songbirds: A K-8 Teachers Guide. Register NOW. Questions? Contact the Park Office at 814-833-7424 or presqueislesp@pa.gov.

Aquatic WILD Educator PD 🦆

Monday, October 12, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person at Presque Isle State Park, Rotary Pavilion, 301 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA 16505

Act 48: 5.5 hrs. 

Fee: $15.00 pre-registration required 

The award-winning Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide utilizes a simple, science-based format to cover concepts, principles, & issues related to aquatic wildlife, aquatic habitats & ecosystems, & actions for sustaining aquatic species & habitats. Each activity contains all the info. needed - from objectives to extended learning. The Aquatic WILD activities are interdisciplinary covering Science, ELA, Math, Social Studies, & more. Participants will explore aquatic ecosystems and gain practical lesson plans, fieldwork experience, & strategies aligned with PA STEELS standards. This PD is for any educator who is interested in teaching about aquatic wildlife & ecology such as classroom teachers, non-formal educators, school administrators, youth leaders, homeschoolers, & more. Register NOW. Questions? Contact the Presque Isle State Park Office at 814-833-7424 or presqueislesp@pa.gov.

Project Flying WILD Educator PD 🐦

Tuesday, October 20, 1:00 PM – 6:30 PM

In-Person at Camp Lavigne, 35 Camp Lavigne Rd, Benton, PA, 17814

Act 48: 5 hrs. 

Fee: FREE! 🆓 pre-registration required 

Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission for a Project Flying WILD Workshop with a focus on birds! Discover fun, hands-on ways to bring bird conservation into your lessons! Explore engaging, standards-aligned activities focused on bird biology, migration, habitat, & conservation that you can take directly back to your students. All attendees will receive a copy of the Flying WILD: An Educator's Guide to Celebrating Birds Guide. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Jake Smith, PGC EES at smjaco@pa.gov or 717-676-3086.

Project Learning Tree 🌳 Explore Your Environment Educator PD

Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

In-Person at Camp Lavigne, 35 Camp Lavigne Rd, Benton, PA, 17814

Act 48: 4.5 hrs. 

Fee: FREE! 🆓 pre-registration required; lunch is included

Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) & the DCNR Bureau of Forestry for a Project Learning Tree (PLT) Explore Your Environment PD. Explore Your Environment is designed for students in grades K-8, but educators of all grade levels are encouraged to attend. The collection is filled with enhanced habitat & forest-specific content such as new enrichment experiences, recommended reading, forest facts, accompanying posters, & charts. This free workshop is open to formal & nonformal educators working with learners of all ages. Register NOW. For more info. about lodging, contact Amy Murphy at adb8@psu.edu. Questions? Contact Jake Smith at smjaco@pa.gov.

Project Learning Tree🌲Explore Your Environment Educator PD 

Saturday, October 24, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

In-person at Carbon County EE Center, 151 E White Bear Drive, Summit Hill, PA 18250

Act 48: 5 hrs.

Fee: $20.00; pre-registration required

This PD is a collaboration of Hickory Run State Park & Carbon County EE Center (CCEEC). Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is an award-winning, EE program committed to advancing forest literacy & green career pathways, using trees & forests as windows on the world. During this workshop for formal & non-formal educators, learn about forests & their resources through hands-on activities that can be shared with students. Participants will receive the PLT Explore Your Environment: K-8 Project Learning Tree Curricula Guide & other supporting materials. Register NOW & then mail $20 check made out to CCEEC, 151 E White Bear Dr., Summit Hill, PA 18250 or call 570-645-8597. Questions? Contact CCEEC at 570-645-8597 or cceec@ptd.net.

Project WILD Aquatic Educator PD 🦆

Thursday, October 29, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person at Susquehannock State Park, 1880 Park Dr., Drumore PA 17518

Act 48: 5.5 hrs.

Fee: $15.00; pre-registration required

The award-winning Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide utilizes a simple, science-based format to cover concepts, principles, & issues relating to aquatic wildlife, aquatic habitats & ecosystems, & actions for sustaining aquatic species & habitats. Each activity contains all the info. needed - from objectives to extended learning. This PD will align Aquatic Wild activities with STEELS standards & focus on local water quality issues. It is for any educator who is interested in teaching about aquatic wildlife & ecology such as classroom teachers, non-formal educators, college students studying to be teachers (pre-service), school administrators, youth leaders, homeschoolers, & more. Aquatic WILD K–12 Curriculum & Activity Guide will be provided to all attendees. Register NOW. Kelly Ford, EES at Kelford@pa.gov or 717-252-1134.

MWEE in Your Schoolyard Teacher PD

Thursday, November 5, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

In-person at Carbon County EE Center, 151 E. White Bear Drive, Summit Hill, PA 18250

Act 48: up to 15 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓 pre-registration required

Are you a Pennsylvania K-12 teacher or non-formal educator who is passionate about bringing local environmental education (EE) into your classroom or schoolyard? Learn how to implement the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) Framework to address the Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (ELS) standards while increasing student achievement! MWEEs are learner-centered experiences in which students investigate local environmental issues & complete informed, place-based action projects. It’s an awesome way to connect with the new PA STEELS & get outside!

Experience field work & network with potential EE providers in your region while advancing your MWEE Certifications. To earn your MWEE Ambassador Certification & 8 additional Act 48 hours, the asynchronous MWEE 101 course must also be completed. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Monica Pangaio, IU #21 STEELS Facilitator at pangaiom@cliu.org or 610-769-4111. This PD training is a partnership between Carbon-Leigh IU (IU #21), DCNR - PA State Parks, & Carbon County EE Center.

Project WET Climate, Water & Resilience Educator PD 💧

Saturday, November 7, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

In-person at Lackawanna State Park, 1839 Abington Rd., N. Abington Township, PA 18414

Act 48: 5 hrs.

Fee: $15.00; pre-registration required

Project WET's Climate, Water, & Resilience Module provides the tools for educators to teach middle & high school students about climate, climate change, & sustainability utilizing interactive, objective, science-based activities that are student-centered.​ This PD training is open to all educators who work with students in grades 6-12.​ All participants will receive Project WET's Climate, Water & Resilience Educator Module, plus other take-home materials. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Tony DeSantis, EES at antdesanti@pa.gov or (570) 945-7110

Aquatic Academy: Water💦Treatment Learning Lab for Educators

Friday, November 20, 9:30AM — 3:30PM ET

In-Person at the PgH20 Water Treatment Plant, 900 Freeport Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Act 48: 5.5 hrs.

Fee: $10.00; pre-registration required; lunch provided

Back by popular demand! Join Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) & Pittsburgh Water for this dynamic one-day educator PD hosted at Pittsburgh Water’s treatment facility. This immersive experience will equip teachers with valuable insights into water quality, treatment processes, & how we protect our vital water resources. Explore current & future trends related to the STEELS standards, climate change, & water education through hands-on learning. The day includes expert presentations + resources & guidance on introducing students to careers in the water industry, emphasizing the importance of workforce development. This PD includes, lunch, curricula guides, + $100 worth of materials! This is the 1^st in the 6-part PD series. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Julie Travaglini at julie@alleghenylandtrust.org or 412-783-0757. Generously funded by a DEP EE grant.

Section 3: Webinars & Conferences for Educators

A Deeper Dive into the Great Lakes: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Educator Training Webinar

• Thursday, October 1, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM EST
• FREE! 🆓on Zoom; for formal & nonformal educators of 4^th-12^th grades

This free, 90-minute session will include an overview of AIS, a guest lecture from Casey Bradshaw-Wilson, Ph.D., an intro. to Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs), and discussion time for resource sharing & tips for incorporating the topic with your learners. Complete the prerequisite asynchronous Aquatic Invasive Species GLLee | Google Classroom Module - Center for Great Lakes Literacy learning module prior to the session's start to be eligible for this program. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Education Lead Michelle Niedermeier.

Who's really talking about Climate Change Webinar? with Katharine Hayhoe & The Talking Climate Collaborative (TCC)

Thursday, October 1, 3:00 pm ET

virtual; free; pre-registration required Register NOW

Climate concern is everywhere. Climate conversations are almost nowhere. That’s why the Talking Climate Collaborative is bringing together new research & practical action. Explore findings from the largest landscape assessment of climate communicators across the U.S. & Canada—and learn how TCC is equipping trusted messengers to talk climate with confidence. Climate communicators are all around us: scientists & sustainability officers, health professionals & teachers, athletes, journalists, & more. But many are working alone.

The Talking Climate Collaborative is a new home for climate communicators, built to make climate conversations move from info. to action. Hear from TCC co-founders Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Bernadette Woods Placky, & lead researcher Dr. Dana R. Fisher, as they share what the assessment reveals about who’s communicating, who they’re reaching, where connections exist, which voices are missing, and what TCC is building to address the gaps. The webinar will include ~40 mins. of presentation followed by 20 mins. of live Q&A. Nearly every communicator we surveyed—97%—said they could do more with the right support.

Submit Your Session Proposal for the 2027 Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Education (PAEE) Conference -

The theme of this year’s conference – Golden Year, Greener Future commemorates their 50^th anniversary & honors the joy & dedication that educators in EE have demonstrated throughout PAEE's history.

Submit a session to highlight experiences & initiatives from community events, school/nonformal programs, advocacy efforts, & PD.  Get more conference info. & submit your session proposal here! DEADLINE: OCTOBER 16^th!

Section 4:

Explore the Outdoors!

Get Out There for PA Trails Month! 🥾 Celebrate by joining a guided hike with PA State Park Educators! Pennsylvania's State Parks are ALWAYS FREE!

Keep Celebrating Your Public Lands beyond National Public Lands Day (NPLD)! Sign-up to Volunteer at a PA State Park! Since 1994, NPLD has been the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort.

Did you Celebrate National Hunting & Fishing Day? 🎣

September 26, 2026 http://www.nhfday.org/

National Hunting & Fishing Day (NHF) recognizes generations of sportspeople for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage & natural resources. Commit to share the outdoors with someone new.

Section 5: Striving for Inclusion

- Learn more about DCNR's DEIB efforts-

Hispanic Heritage Month - Sept. 15 – Oct. 15

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the richness and cultural impact of Hispanic & Latino communities across the US. It invites us to honor the histories, traditions, & contributions of Hispanic-Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central & South America. This year's theme - Unidos, Somos Más or Together, We Are More celebrates the strength, resilience, & experiences that unite Hispanic cultures. https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

PA State Parks are YOURS!

Book your virtual, in-person programs, and field experiences with PA State Park Educators! Find a PA State Park. Need help connecting to a PA State Park with an Educator on staff? Reach out to Carissa Longo at calongo@pa.gov.

Check out the latest episode of The Discovery Channel’s RV There Yet show – this episode focuses on Bald Eagle State Park, State College, & PA State Park's amazing educators & their programs! 📺 Exploring Howard PA's Most Amazing Hidden Treasures

DCNR facilities and Programs are OPEN to ALL👐

• Many Environmental Education programs require pre-registration. Explore the DCNR events calendar for details & to register.
• Plan your outing before you leave. Learn about facilities, download a park map on your phone or print it, & review regulations here: Find A Park
• Take care of & respect the resource. Park, hike, hunt, explore, & more only in designated areas.
• Check the weather before you depart wear proper footwear, & bring water 💦. Wear orange if hiking in designated hunting areas. Please clean up after pets 🐕.
• Do not litter 🚮.
• Alcohol is not allowed in PA State Parks.
• Make a Reservation (up to 11-months in advance) at a PA State Park Campground, Camping Cottage, Cabin, Yurt, or Pavilion.

You can help keep state parks safe for all by following these practices:

• Use the restroom before you leave your house 🏡 Take hand sanitizer with you & use it
• LNT! Bring a bag & either carry out your trash or dispose of it properly
• If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, stay home

🍂 Happy Fall! Y'All! 🍂



Carissa Longo, Natural Resource Program Specialist

(Coordinating Project WILD & Pennsylvania Songbirds Curricula for all of PA)

&

New Staff Coming Soon 🔜, Natural Resource Program Specialist

Congratulations to Christine Ticehurst on her promotion. We miss her so.

(Coordinating PLT & DCNR's GO Teach Curricula for PA State Parks)

&

Kim Lott, Natural Resource Program Specialist

(Coordinating DCNR's Watershed Education, PA Land Choices, & Project WET curricula for PA State Parks)

Visit the DCNR Events Calendar- Educator PD to find additional training opportunities!