As this e-blast lands in your inbox during the final day of February, we’ll be the first to admit we’ve been "in the weeds" this month! Winter definitely made its presence known this year, but there is light 💡 at the end of the tunnel. We're officially past the halfway point between the Winter ❄ Solstice & the Spring 🌞 Equinox! Huzzah!

Help yout transition out of hibernation & soothe your "spring fever" by joining our PA State Park Educators at an EE program at a park near you! Check out bird walks, Woodcock watches, maple syrup tours, full moon walks, & so much more. Get out there! 🥾 Book your school Field Experiences in parks now.

We have worked furiously to curate & provide you with the good, free stuff below! ⬇️ Swoop into World Migratory Bird 🐦 Day, Free Lessons, Free Wildlife Loaner Kits, celebrate Black History Month, & more! Check out the great variety of educator professional development (PD) scheduled in PA State Parks (both in-person & virtual). Get those Act 48 hours!

Join PA State Park Educators at the PA Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE) Annual Conference!

March 8-10, 2026 -- The Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel & Conf. Center

• Stop by our DCNR - PA State Parks Exhibit table at the Conference to meet & talk to us about all things EE, STEELS, & PA State Parks! Get free stuff!

Attend a field experience or a session with PA State Park Educators!

• Sunday, March 8, 11 AM-1 PM, "Maple Sugaring Field Experience" at Codorus State Park with Renae Weidner, EES
• Session: Monday, March 9, 9:30-10:15 AM "Teaching About Climate Change Utilizing a Wildlife Lens with Project WILD" with Carissa Longo, PA Project WILD Coordinator - All session attendees will the leave with their own copy of the new Project WILD Climate & Wildlife Activity Module!
• Session: Tuesday, March 10, 11-11:45 AM "3 Parks, 1 Girl: The Roving Naturalist" Join Steph Sherman, EES as she recounts her lessons learned from adapting field experiences as a traveling naturalist.

PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents ⬇️

• Section 1: Teaching Ideas + FREE Lessons & Loaner Kits!
• Section 2: Virtual & In-Person Educator Professional Development Trainings
• Section 3: Trainings & Webinars for Educators
• Section 3: Explore the Outdoors!
• Section 4: Striving Towards Inclusion - Black History Month
• Capstone: PA State Park Info. & Updates

Section 1: Teaching Ideas & Loaner Kits

💗 DIY Color Viewers! 🎨Take these DIY color viewers outdoors for a fun activity! Look through them & watch the snow, clouds, or moon (anything white!) magically change colors. - from Little Pine Learners

💗 STEM Activities with Leftover Valentine's Day Candy Hearts! Very few of us actually want to EAT those chalky, candy ❤! Use them for some fun & easy STEM & critical thinking activities instead!



💗 The PA Game Commission (PGC) offers 🆓 "Pennsylvania Wildlife 🦊 Resource Loaner Kits" for formal & informal educators. Each kit contains lesson plans, activities, & hands-on learning materials like pelts & skulls, curated by PGC's Wildlife Outreach staff.

How to borrow a kit - Kits are available to borrow for 2 weeks at a time. Educators must return kits to the same location from which they were borrowed.

2 ways to reserve a kit:

1. Contact PGC at pgceducation@pa.gov, fill out the Program Request Form, or call 1-833-PGC-WILD. OR
2. Contact your local County Conservation District - Each Conservation District is outfitted with a loaner kit. Find your local Conservation District. 

Utilize STEELS and Phenomena-Based Investigations!

• Learn Outdoors this Winter - Winter Curricula Connections & Activity Ideas - Journaling Prompts; Force, Weight, Friction, & Slope; Winter Scavenger Hunts, & so much more! - from InsideOutside
• Sounds of Your Park - Utilize this neat, free national repository of nature sounds 🔊 from national parks & other natural places worldwide to enhance phenomena & investigate your driving questions! #NatureForAll

World Migratory Bird 🐦 Days (WMBD)

May 9, 2026 & October 10, 2026

• This year’s theme is “Every Bird Counts – Your Observation Matters.” Check out their huge list of Community Science Apps for birds which ties directly to STEELS, & MWEEs!

Apply for a 🆓WMBD "Happy Kit" by completing the submission form. HURRY! Deadline: February 28^th!

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

Making the Dead Come Alive Educator PD ☠️

Thursday, March 5, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

In-person at Carbon Co. EE Center, E. White Bear Dr., Summit Hill, PA 18

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓Attendees will receive $200 worth of take-home supplies

Join Susan Gallagher, CCEEC, Carissa Longo, DCNR - Bureau of State Parks, & Tom Wampler, Dept. of Agriculture - PA Vet Lab (retired) for a one-of-kind training for special teachers & educators.

You'll have a chance to -

• Make your own Study Skin! Learn about specimen preparation
• Taxidermy & study skin care and storage
• Discuss safety, permits, & regulations
• Learn how to utilize real specimens to bring phenomena & the PA STEELS to life
• Gain access to post-workshop resources & training

This grant-supported workshop is designed to reach classroom teachers who are new to utilizing animal parts in education. It is primarily open to teachers from underrepresented schools, those working at Title 1 schools, & educators who are teaching in Environmental Justice areas. Space is limited, contact Susan Gallagher to Register at carbchief@ptd.net. Financial & other support has been provided by the Department of Environmental Protection’s EE Grants Program.

Growing Up🦊WILD Educator PD

Tuesday, March 17, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

In-person at Wildwood Park, Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Act 48: 2 hrs.

Fee: $16.30; pre-registration required

Discover the diversity of Pennsylvania’s plants, animals, & habitats while using Growing UP WILD (GUW). GUW is an award-winning early childhood education program that offers a wide range of activities & experiences that foster lifelong social & academic skills while exploring the natural world. The GUW guide features 27 hands-on activities that integrate environmental & biological concepts with art, music & movement, math, reading, & outdoor exploration. Each activity also includes a “healthy me” & “home connection” extension & is correlated to Head Start Outcomes, NAEYC Accreditation Criteria, & PA Early Childhood Standards. This PD is for all formal & non-formal educators, & scout/program/camp leaders who work with children ages 3-7. All participants will receive the Growing Up WILD Activity Guide. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Theresa Alberici at talberici@daupincounty.gov or 717-221-0292 x 3.

PLT MWEE: Meaningful Woodland Educational Experiences PD with

Project Learning Tree🌲

Friday, March 20, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

In-person at Prince Gallitzin State Park, 966 Marina Road, Patton, PA 16666

Act 48: 7.5 hrs.

Fee: $15.00; pre-registration required

Join Environmental Educators from both the Bureau of State Parks & Forestry for a day of inquiry-based forest exploration. Participants will receive a copy of Project Learning Tree’s flagship curriculum Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide. This PLT resource includes 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities to connect children to nature & increase their awareness & knowledge about their environment. Activities & on-site explorations using PLT's Focus on Forest Module will demonstrate inquiry-focused investigations to support current classroom studies & MWEE development. Register Now! Questions, contact Suzann Rensel at slenhartre@pa.gov or 814-674-1000 x105

Aquatic Project WILD🦆Educator PD

Friday, March 20, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person at Bald Eagle State Park, 149 Main Park Rd., Howard, PA 16841

Act 48: 4.5 hrs.

Fee: $15.00 payable in advance; pre-registration required

Dive into the award-winning Aquatic WILD curricula while experiencing hands-on activities related to water quality & aquatic wildlife that help develop awareness, investigative skills, curiosity, & knowledge. Participants will receive the updated Aquatic WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide which features 40+ lessons that relate aquatic natural resources to STEM & field investigations. This PD is open to all educators: schoolteachers, naturalists, homeschool parents, scout leaders, & others!

Attendees will go on an explorative trip to Bald Eagle State Park’s Frog Pond to get firsthand experience with catching & IDing aquatic organisms like tadpoles, insects, & crustaceans! Register NOW by 3/16/26. Payment due to in-person at the office or via phone before workshop. Questions? Contact Michelle White, EES at miawhit@pa.gov or 814-297-5317.

Growing Up WILD🦊Virtual Educator PD

Saturday, March 21, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Virtual on Teams with Presque Isle State Park

Act 48: 2.5 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓pre-registration required

Virtual professional development opportunity for formal & non-formal educators of students in Preschool-3^rd grade. Growing Up WILD is an award-winning early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature & invites them to explore wildlife & the world around them. Register NOW. Register by 3/5/26. Questions? Contact Ray Bierbower, EES at edbierbowe@pa.gov or 814-833-0793.

Supporting the ELS of STEELS with Project WILD🐻PD for Educators

Wednesday, March 25, 10 AM - 3 PM

In-Person at Intermediate Unit #1, 1 Intermediate Unit Drive, Coal Center, PA 15423

Act 48: 5 hrs.

Fee: FREE! pre-registration required; lunch provided. 🆓

K-12 educators, join Julie Travaglini from the Allegheny Land Trust, for a Project WILD PD workshop. Participants will be immersed in wildlife-based conservation & environmental education lessons that foster responsible actions towards wildlife. Participants will receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide, aligned with NGSS & PA STEELS Standards, & more. Training is open to all educators. Register NOW! Questions? Contact IU1registration@iu1.org.

PLT's Together for Birds🐦PD Training for Educators

Thursday, April 2, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

In-person at PGC Northcentral Region Office, 1566 Rt 44 Hwy, Jersey Shore, PA 17740

Act 48: 2 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓pre-registration required

Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) & the DCNR Bureau of Forestry for a Project Learning Tree (PLT) Together for Birds PD. Together for Birds is designed for educators to use with students in grades K-2, with variations for grades 3-5. Educators of any age group can take away valuable knowledge & strategies that support EE. The collection is filled with enhanced bird-specific content such as new enrichment experiences, recommended reading, forest facts, accompanying posters, & charts. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Jake Smith at smjaco@pa.gov.

Project WILD About Raptors🦅 Educator PD 

Thursday April 2, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

In-Person at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mtn. Rd. Kempton, PA 19529

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $15:00 pre-registration required

Join Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) & Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (HMS) educators for an in-depth, educational experience with Pennsylvania birds of prey. You will receive your own copy of the award-winning Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide as well as lessons & activities to integrate raptor lessons into your teaching. You'll learn about raptor biology, adaptations, research & monitoring practices, & have time outside to practice ID skills. This workshop is open to both formal & non-formal educators (targeted towards grades 3-12). Register NOW. Questions? Contact Jordan Sanford, Wildlife Outreach Coord. at jorsanford@pa.gov or 717-787-4250 ext. 73337. Register by 3/30/26. 

Watershed Education💧PD Workshop (2-day)

Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday April 8, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, each day

In-person at Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470

Act 48: 15 hrs.

Fee: $15:00 pre-registration required

Watershed Education (WE) is an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary curriculum for students in grades 6 -12. Developed by the DCNR - Bureau of State Parks, WE helps educators utilize local natural resources as a valuable teaching tool. By blending hands-on classroom & field investigations modeled on professional research methodologies, students participate in data collection & analysis, community networking & partnerships, stewardship & service learning activities. WE promotes in-depth, multi-modal learning & understanding of water resources while encouraging students to examine their watershed holistically. Educators attending this workshop will receive the Bureau of State Parks Watershed Education Curriculum & additional resources. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Barbara Wallace, EES at bawallace@pa.gov or 724-329-0986.

MWEE Ambassador PD Training for Teachers

Tuesday, April 7, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

In-Person at Memorial Lake State Park, 18 Boundary Rd, Grantville, PA 17028

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓pre-registration required

Audience: any PA K-12 Science Teachers & Instructional Coaches

Join staff from IU13 for this hands-on training will equip educators with the tools and knowledge to implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in their classrooms. Participants will engage in outdoor field experiences, water quality testing, & discussions on local watershed issues, connecting environmental science to real-world learning. The workshop will provide practical strategies for integrating MWEEs into instruction, aligning PA STEELS standards, & fostering student inquiry. Educators will leave with resources, funding ideas, & action project guidance to enhance environmental literacy & student engagement. Register NOW. Questions? Contact keira_london@iu13.org. Training cost covered by funds from STEMinPA.

MWEE Ambassador PD Training for Teachers

Thursday, April 9, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

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

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓pre-registration required

Audience: any PA K-12 Science Teachers & Instructional Coaches

Join staff from IU13 for this hands-on training will equip educators with the tools and knowledge to implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in their classrooms. Participants will engage in outdoor field experiences, water quality testing, & discussions on local watershed issues, connecting environmental science to real-world learning. The workshop will provide practical strategies for integrating MWEEs into instruction, aligning with PA STEELS standards and fostering student inquiry. Educators will leave with resources, funding ideas, & action project guidance to enhance environmental literacy & student engagement. Register NOW. Questions? Contact keira_london@iu13.org. Training cost covered by funds from STEMinPA.

Growing Up 🦊WILD | Getting Little Feet WET💦Educator PD

Friday, April 10, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

In-Person at Hickory Run State Park, 3 Family Camp Rd., White Haven, PA 18661

Act 48: 4.5 hrs.

Fee: $20.00; online pre-registration required

This PD is designed for early childhood formal & non-formal educators alike, with activities best suited for 3-7 year old learners. While Growing Up WILD focuses on encouraging a sense of wonder about nature, wildlife, and the world around your students, Getting Little Feet WET explores the different aspects of water; all through hands-on, investigative, & easy-to-use activities correlated to a variety of educational standards. Upon completion, all participants will receive the Growing Up WILD & Getting Little Feet WET curricula. Register NOW by 4/3/2026. Questions? Contact Alexis Weber, EES at alweber@pa.gov or by calling (272) 808-6192.

Wonders of Wetlands💧PD Workshop

Saturday, April 11, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

In-person at Parker Dam State Park, 28 Fairview Rd., Penfield, PA 15849

Act 48: 4.5 hrs.

Fee: $15 pre-registration required

Experience hands-on educational activities related to wetlands and water that develop student awareness, investigative skills, curiosity, & environmental knowledge. Open to all educators – classroom teachers, naturalists, homeschoolers, scout leaders, & more – this PD also includes a guided bog walk for participants to observe local wetland phenomena firsthand. All participants will receive the Project WET Wonders of Wetlands K-12 educator’s Guide which features over 40 lesson plans + 64 pgs. of extensive background info. about the history, science, & importance of wetland habitats. Fee $15.00; payment instructions provided in the confirmation email. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Michelle White, EES, at miawhite@pa.gov or call Parker Dam State Park at 814-765-0630.

PA Biodiversity Basics PD Training for Educators

Thursday, April 30, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

In-person at James V. Brown Library, 19 E 4^th Street, Williamsport, PA 17701

Act 48: 2 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓pre-registration required

Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for Windows on the WILD: Biodiversity Basics, an engaging evening workshop for formal/informal educators, homeschool parents, scout leaders, & school administrators. This event builds a foundational understanding of biodiversity, how to teach it, & how it can align with PA’s STEELS Standards. The Biodiversity Basics curriculum was created in Pennsylvania, and it is PA-specific focusing on flora & fauna found in our state. It is geared towards grades 6-10, but educators of any age group can take away valuable knowledge & strategies that support EE. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Jake Smith at smjaco@pa.gov.

PLT Educator Workshop: Thinking Outside the Box about Green Jobs📦

Thursday, April 30, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

In-person at Buckeye Corrugated, Inc., 3975 Continental Dr., Columbia, PA17512

Act 48: 3.5 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓Lunch provided, pre-registration required by 3/15.

Calling all classroom teachers, school counselors, career coaches, youth group leaders, & other formal /nonformal educators! Get ready for a fun & interactive PD event to help you engage learners in exploring sustainability, from forest products to green careers. You'll leave the training with the following PLT resources - Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers, Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers, & the newest activity collection created in partnership with ICPF, Thinking Outside the Box: Exploring Careers in Corrugated Packaging. Register NOW. Questions? Contact PA PLT State Coordinator, Colleen Campion at cocampion@pa.gov.

Section 3: Trainings & Webinars for Educators

First Investigation of Stream💦Health Educator Workshops

• March 18 – Buffalo Creek Nature Center, Sarver, PA, 10 AM – 2 PM

• March 31 – Lower Allen Twp. Municipal Building, Camp Hill, PA, 10 AM – 2 PM

Act 48: 3.5 hrs.

FREE! 🆓 More info. & registration 

PA has the 2^nd-highest number of stream miles in the US, yet the health of these waterways often goes unnoticed. Take a closer look at how watershed landscapes & human activity influence stream health through changes in water flow, habitat, & pollution. Designed for formal & non-formal educators, the training explores common physical, biological, & chemical indicators of stream condition & intros. the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) protocol. Participants will receive the First Investigation of Stream Health Educator Guidebook, aligned with PA STEELS Standards + an educator kit with materials needed to lead stream assessment activities. Questions? Contact Danielle Rhea, PS Ext. Educator at drs5277@psu.edu or 877-345-0691.

Ethical Birding and Data Collection: Best Practices for Community Science Webinar for WMBD

Thursday, March 19, 2:00 PM EST on Zoom

FREE! 🆓 Register Now.

How can birders can contribute meaningful data while putting bird welfare first. This webinar highlights responsible observation, ethical photography, & thoughtful data practices on & off digital platforms. Conservation photographer & writer Melissa Groo will share guidance on ethical bird photography & storytelling, while Ana Amable, founder of Peru Women Birders, will discuss building inclusive, community-centered birding practices.

Section 4:

Explore the Outdoors!

Volunteer Opportunities 🎣!

Want to lend a hand and be part of one of Pennsylvania’s coolest fishing traditions? The PA Fish & Boat Commission is looking for volunteers to help stock 3.2 million hatchery-raised trout in streams & lakes across the state—including in our beautiful state parks & forests!

Stocking starts soon! Full stocking schedule: https://fbweb.pa.gov/TroutStocking Schedule is listed by county, with stocking dates, meeting spots, & trout species info. FYI —fishing on stocked waters is off-limits until trout season opens April 4!

Looking to increase your confidence in outdoor leadership?

Consider attending this FREE webinar offered by Outdoor Learning on March 3, 2026. Learn more about this webinar & register.

Section 5: Striving for Inclusion

- Learn more about DCNR's DEIB efforts-

This February and beyond...

Discover and celebrate the history and origins of Black History Month. Visit the Association for the Study of African Life & History website to learn more & share with your students --https://asalh.org/about-us/about-black-history-month/

• Learn the Origins of Black History Month
• 120 Inspiring Quotes for Black History Month

We LOVE 💟this series! Sign-up to receive free emails on Black History - one trailblazer is highlighted in each email, every day of February! 

And...since we're tardy pants 👖 this year, you can read ALL of the 2026 daily posts in their archive.

Discover the connection between nature and the journeys of freedom-seekers through the immersive film series - Rooted Wisdom: Nature's Role in the Underground Railroad by filmmaker Anthony Cohen. The film highlights stories of resilience, connection, & untold stories. 

• For Educators - Utilize the guided experience which is organized into 5 chapters with supplemental info. & resources on social studies, science, English, & art.
• Try this STEELS Driving Question Driving Question: “How has this landscape shaped who we are? How will we shape the future?”
• The 25-min. film is available for school & community screenings. Want to bring Rooted Wisdom to your community? Learn more about hosting a screening.

Recognizing Roots in New Growth: Ralph Brock's Impact - Present and Future



Learn more about DCNR’s latest Untold Stories effort, a StoryMap featuring a tour of Ralph Brock's life - https://arcg.is/1Dv4PP1.

Check out the impact he had as a young Pennsylvania forester & as a forerunner to urban forestry, showing how much Brock’s story could mean to younger generations seeking a space to see themselves in our forests. Learn more.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Resources -



Celebrating Black History Month & the Environment Through Literature - Project Learning Tree

Thanks to our friends at Project Learning Tree, here's a fantastic free resource full of wonderful nature-based books celebrating black authors and illustrators. ✍🏾👩🏾‍🎨

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.

Learn more - https://www.plt.org/journeys

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.

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, dress in layers, 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 Galentine's & Valentine's Day! 💞



Carissa Longo, Natural Resource Program Specialist

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

&

Christine Ticehurst, Natural Resource Program Specialist

(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- Teacher Workshops to find additional training opportunities!