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Pennsylvania State Parks
Educator E-Blast
💌 February 2025 Edition 💌
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With February comes growing daylight ☀, and we're officially past the halfway point between the Winter Solstice & the Spring Equinox. We made it!
We have so much GOOD STUFF for you! Free PLT guides shipped to you (see the "Striving for Inclusion" section), meet us at the PAEE Conference, lots of upcoming PD, winter lessons, & so much more!
Good news! In his proposed 2025-2026 budget, Governor Shapiro proposed adding a 125th PA State Park! If passed, this would become our 1st cave-focused 🦇 PA State Park! Learn more about Governor Shapiro’s budget at www.shapirobudget.pa.gov.
In the past, we've told you about the annual "Great Backyard Bird 🐦Count" (GBBC) which happened this year on February 14-17, 2025. So far, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology reports that there have been 911,000 submissions (via the Merlin App & eBird), 700,000+ people participated from around the world, & 8,004 bird species were identified (final data due by March 1st). Follow this guide to look-up your local results. Watch their short 2025 GBBC Thank You video.
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PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents -
- Section 1: Winter Teaching Ideas! + FREE STUFF!
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Section 2: In-Person Educator PD Workshops
- Section 3: Conferences & PD Webinars
- Section 4: Explore the Outdoors!
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Section 5: Striving Towards Inclusion - Black History Month + Free Stuff!
- Capstone: PA State Park Info. & Updates
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Section 1: Winter & More Teaching Ideas! | |
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STEM Opportunity: U.S. Stockholm Jr. Water Prize
The world's most prestigious award presented to a high school student for their water-research project.
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Open to all high school students (in grades 9-12) who have conducted a water-science 💦 research project.
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Dive into a Collection of Community Science Projects to engage your students in climate change observations. Join students & other community members around the world in monitoring & collecting climate change data. Think MWEE!
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Who can predict the weather? A phenomenon worth investigating!
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World Wetlands Day - February 2nd
- Wetlands provide the home for many endangered & threatened species + a multitude of endemic plants & animals can only survive in certain wetland habitats.
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By absorbing CO2 & storing it in their soil & biomass, wetlands also make the planet more resilient to climate change.
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What can we do to help these shrinking ecosystems & all the things that depend on them to survive? Wetlands Wisdom video by Into the Outdoors
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PA Songbirds🐦Educator Workshop
Tuesday, March 11, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In-Person at Wildwood Park, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Fee: $35.00 pre-payment required; includes refreshments & snacks
Songbirds have fascinated people for thousands of years, inspiring art, music, science, & even engineering! Join Naturalists at Wildwood Park for a Pennsylvania Songbird Workshop featuring the newly revised Pennsylvania Songbirds K-8 Guide. This hands-on workshop will explore topics from bird biology to migration to land use to biological design. A short hike is included to discover the many species of birds that can be seen at Wildwood Park.
This workshop is for any educator interested in birds & teaching through place-based education such as classroom teachers, non-formal educators, college students studying to be teachers (pre-service), school administrators, homeschoolers, & youth leaders. Pre-registration required. Register NOW!
Flowing into STEELS: Exploring Environmental Literacy, MWEEs, & Hydroponics🌿Educator Workshop
Wednesday, March 19, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
In-person at the Erie National Wildlife Refuge Visitors' Center, 11296 Wood Duck Lane, Guys Mills, PA 16327
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: FREE! Lunch provided + 😎 Free Stuff! Pre-registration required.
Don't miss this incredible dive into the new Environmental Literacy Standards, part of the new PA STEELS Standards, where you will explore the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) framework, the power of local EE partners, and receive the tools & materials to bring hands-on hydroponics learning experiences to life in your classroom. This program is for formal & non-formal educators. Completion of the MWEE 101online course offers an +8 Act 48 hours. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Judy Baker at 814-734-8389 or judy_baker@iu5.org.
Project WILD🐻Educator Workshop
Saturday, March 22, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
In-person at Moraine State Park, State Parks Region 2 Conference Room,
195 Park Road, Prospect PA 16052
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Fee: $20; pre-registration required
Project Wild is a hands-on, wildlife-focused conservation education curriculum designed for educators working with students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This workshop is open to all educators, from formal teachers to naturalists, scout leaders, & homeschoolers. Earn 5.5 Act 48 hours while experiencing hands-on activities near the shores of Lake Arthur. Participants will explore & receive the updated Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide which offers STEM activity extensions, field investigation activities, a WILD WORK career section, & more! Register NOW! Questions? Contact Natalie Simon, EES at morainesp@pa.gov or 724-368-8811.
Growing Up WILD🐇Educator Workshop
Thursday, March 27, 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
In-Person at Bald Eagle State Park, 149 Main Park Road, Howard, PA 16841
Act 48: 3 hrs.
Fee: $15.00 pre-payment & pre-registration required (via phone or in-person)
Connect young learners to nature with hands-on, engaging environmental experiences. Lessons offer exciting teaching ideas for incorporating nature-based exploration, art, math, & outdoor play into early childhood education programs. Participants will receive the Growing Up WILD Curriculum Guide with over 25 standards-aligned lessons. This workshop is geared toward early childhood educators, & it is open to formal classroom teachers & informal educators such as naturalists, scout leaders, etc. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Michelle White, EES at miawhit@pa.gov or 814-297-5317.
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Project WILD🐻Educator Workshop
Friday, April 11, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PA
In-Person at Prince Gallitzin State Park, 966 Marina Road, Patton, PA 16668
Act 48: 7.5 hrs.
Fee: $10.00 payable in advance or day of; pre-registration required
A PD for K-12 Educators, this teacher workshop centers around the national, award-winning curriculum, Project WILD. Project WILD connects youth to the living systems around them. Educators will engage with the Project WILD content by participating in activities & investigate Prince Gallitzin State Park's bat, bird, rodent, & insect populations to create a Meaningful Wildlife Educational Experience (MWEE) to use with their students. Register NOW! Questions? Contact, Suzann Rensel, EES at slenhartre@pa.gov or 814-674-1000 ext 105.
PA Songbirds🐦Educator Workshop
Saturday, April 12, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
In-Person at French Creek State Park, 843 Park Road, Elverson, PA 19520
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: $15.00; pre-registration required
Formal & non-formal educators are invited to a PA Songbirds Curriculum Workshop! Participants will receive the Pennsylvania Songbirds K-8 Teacher’s Guide, experience a sampling of activities from the guide, & learn tips and tricks for teaching students outdoors. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Jared Brandt, EES at jabrandt@pa.gov or 610-582-9691.
Project WET💧Educator Workshop
Saturday, April 12, 8:45 AM - 2:45 PM
In-Person at Little Pine State Park, 4205 Little Pine Creek Rd., Waterville, PA 17776
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Fee: $15; pre-registration required
Project WET - Water Education Today is a national curriculum that strives to educate, empower, & activate students in grades K-12. This PD, designed for classroom teachers & non-formal educators alike, will help you teach about water resources through hands-on, investigative, & easy-to-use activities. All participants will receive the Project WET 2.0 Educator Guide & access to Project WET's online resources. Registration & pre-payment by 4/5/2025. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Ian Loewen, EES at LittlePineSP@pa.gov or 570-753-6000.
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Section 3:
Conferences & Trainings for Educators
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Join PA Fish 🎣 & Boat 🛶 Commission biologists for free “lunch-n-learn” webinars to learn more about the core of their mission to protect, conserve, & enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources. Learn More & Register NOW! Each session is 12:00 - 12:30 PM.
- PA Wild Trout Waters: A Reason to Celebrate! Webinar | March 3, 2025 |
- Amphibian 🐸 & Reptile Conservation Webinar | March 10, 2025 |
- What are Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)? Webinar | March 17, 2025 |
- Stream Habitat Projects & Fishing Benefits Webinar | March 24, 2025 |
- Lake Habitat Projects & Fishing 🐡 Benefits Webinar | March 31, 2025 |
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Committed to Climate & Energy Education's (CLEAN) Discovering, Exploring, & Sharing Climate Resources Webinar Series!
This all-star series of FREE interactive webinars is designed to increase knowledge of climate literacy & support the open sharing of resources & the adaptations that educators make for their students. Hosted by CLEAN & ISKME, this series will connect K-12 educators with top climate experts, hands-on teaching resources you can use immediately, & a supportive community. Register NOW!
Webinar schedule - all webinars are from 6:00-7:30 PM ET:
Questions? Contact Joanna at joanna@iskme.org.
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2025 PAEE Annual Conference: Waves of Connection | Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA | March 10-12, 2025
The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE) Annual Conference is an opportunity to celebrate and grow in the fantastic environmental education field in Pennsylvania! Register NOW - Registration DEADLINE: Friday, February 28, 2025
Conference Schedule-at-a-Glance - Full Schedule
• Monday, March 10 – Separate Pre Conference workshop - The Tides are Changing: Project WET Update & Training, 1:00-4:00 PM, Cost - $50.00
Also on on Monday - Registration, Dinner, Annual Board Meeting & Awards Ceremony
• Tuesday, March 11 – Breakfast, Conference Sessions, Lunch, Keynote Speaker, Dinner, & more
• Wednesday, March 12 – Breakfast, Conference Sessions, Silent Auction Winners, & Post-Conference Field Trips
Visit PA State Park's educational Exhibit Table & meet us at the PAEE Conference! If you’re attending the conference, stop by & see us in the Exhibit Area to learn more about our Professional Development Trainings, School Field Experience Offerings, & more! Free Stuff too!
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FREE! Virtual PD - PECO STEM Teaching Fellows Program
April 3, 2025 - May 15, 2025; weekly sessions on Thursdays, 3:45-5:45 PM
Fee: FREE! Includes a $300 stipend! + Act 48 hours!
The McKinney Center for STEM Education invites K-8 teachers to participate in this intensive virtual educator professional development workshop series designed to grow & deepen awareness, comfort, & understanding of the PA STEELS standards. Workshops will cover the fundamental 3-D concepts showcasing how to align to student literacy, equitable access, & student voice. Fellows will produce & present a STEM lesson plan Capstone Project to implement in their classrooms. Apply NOW! Applications due: Friday, March 7th. Questions? Contact David Garbe, Director of the McKinney Center for STEM Education at dgarbe@philaedfund.org.
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Section 4:
Explore the Outdoors!
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Looking to Head Outdoors this Winter? ❄ 🥾
Consider reviewing this well thought out winter hiking guide developed by Melanin Base Camp. These tips are sure to keep you warm, dry, & comfortable even on the coldest winter day. Get outdoors & have fun!
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The 2025 Winter Challenge is back from February 24th - March 7th!
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Join the Challenge!
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Participate & Go Outside! This is the most important step! Try to spend as much time outside as much as possible with your students between Feb 24th – March 7th.
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Need ideas? Start at the resource section.
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Try this fun tracker sheet to color in each day you spend outside.
- While outside, participate in the Winter Art Challenge! (Age categories: 6 & under, 7-12, & 13+)
There are PRIZES 🏆 for ALL of the Challenges!
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"There is no American history without African American history"
-Sara Clarke Kaplan, Executive Director of the Antiracist Research & Policy Center
Learn the Origins of Black History Month
Celebrate the Achievements of 4 Remarkable Black Nature Conservationists
Throughout history, many cultures have embraced the importance of living in balance with nature, recognizing it as essential for life itself. Despite systemic barriers, Black environmentalists have made profound & lasting contributions to sustainability & conservation. Learn about 4 pioneering figures from George Washington Carver to present-day trailblazers like Rue Mapp, & how they shaped & enriched the conservation movement. - from Outdoor Afro.
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We LOVE 💟this series! Sign-up to receive free emails on Black History - one trailblazer is highlighted in each email, every day of February!
The theme for Black History Month 2025 is African Americans and Labor - highlighting incredible organizers, activists, entrepreneurs, & influencers who shaped Black liberation through work. Each email includes Discussion Questions for students and Action Steps to carry their work forward. To see all of the February emails (we're a bit tardy this month), check out their website.
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To learn more about Project Learning Tree in Pennsylvania, contact Colleen Campion, DCNR - Bureau of Forestry or Christine Ticehurst, Bureau of State Parks.
Find contact information - plt.org/network/Pennsylvania
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Free Educational Guides from Project Learning Tree (PLT) for PA Educators!
PLT's Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers “With less than 3% Black American representation in forest & conservation careers, these 20 Black hidden figures are iconic to empowering our next generation of forest & conservation professionals,” says Dr. Marcus Bernard, Immediate Past President of MANRRS.
“When students see Black professionals in the forest & conservation sector, they see themselves! They also see a career path they never knew existed. The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers highlights the long-standing contribution of Black forest & conservation professionals working in environmental sustainability.
"PLT's Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers Guide" includes 4 hands-on, NGSS-aligned activities to help students, ages 12–25 research forestry jobs and practice managing & monitoring forest resources. It is designed for educators, career counselors, youth group leaders, foresters, & more.
These resources are available to be shipped to you, free of charge, because of collaborative efforts between multiple state agencies & forestry-related organizations.
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Taking Nature Black Hybrid Conference
Virtual: March 5th & 6th/ In-Person: March 7th & 8th in Silver Spring, MD
Fee: $65 for the full conference, $40 for virtual attendees; discounts for students
This 6th annual conference, hosted by Nature Forward brings together leading voices on the local, regional, & national stage who advocate for equity, empowerment, & environmental justice. What makes this event so powerful is the opportunity to learn, connect, & build community. At this challenging time, anyone who attends will come away rededicated to reclamation & resilience. Register NOW!
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PA State Parks are YOURS!
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Know Before You Go! Check the State Parks' Winter ❄ Report
Learn snow ❄ & ice ⛸ conditions in state parks via the PA State Parks Winter Report. The Report is updated at least weekly. It lists lake ice/trail snow thickness & what ice/snow activities are available at parks. It is searchable by park & winter recreation activity.
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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.
DCNR facilities and Programs are OPEN to ALL👐
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Many Environmental Education programs require pre-registration. Explore the DCNR events calendar for details & to register.
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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.
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Check the weather & the State Parks Winter Report before you depart, dress in layers, wear proper footwear, and bring water/hot beverages. Wear orange if hiking in designated hunting areas. Please clean up after pets 🐕.
- Do not litter 🚮.
- Alcohol is not allowed in PA State Parks.
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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 🏡
- Bring a bag and either carry out your trash or dispose of it properly
- Continue to practice social distancing, take hand sanitizer with you & use it
- If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, stay home
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💟 Happy Belated Galentine's & Valentine's Day!! 💟
Carissa Longo, Natural Resource Program Specialist
(Coordinating Project WILD & Pennsylvania Songbirds Curricula for all of PA)
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Christine Ticehurst, Natural Resource Program Specialist
(Coordinating PLT & DCNR's GO Teach Curricula for PA State Parks)
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Kim Lott, Natural Resource Program Specialist
(Coordinating DCNR's Watershed Education, PA Land Choices, & Project WET Curricula for PA State Parks)
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