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Pennsylvania State Parks
Educator E-Blast
June 2026 Edition
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YOU MADE IT through your school year! Summer is Here! We are heading towards the Summer Solstice on June 21st (the official start of summer) when the sun ☀️ reaches its northernmost point & will be directly overhead which marks our shortest night & longest day of the year.
You may not want to be thinking about Act 48 hours or professional development right now, but our educator trainings fill fast. Plus, they're fun and super low cost.
See Section 2 below for upcoming educator PD.
Get OUT THERE this June! During this Great Outdoors Month, visit a PA State Park. Join our professional Environmental Educators on a guided paddle, check out a Storwalk trail, learn about fireflies, do Yoga 🧘♂️, try out archery 🎯, attend an amphitheater program, & so much more! Check out upcoming programming from today through July 6 at PA State Parks! Learn more in Section 3 below!🥾
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PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents ⬇️
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Section 1: Summer Teaching Ideas + FREE Lessons!
- Section 2: TONS of Fun, Free-Low Cost, In-Person & Virtual Educator Professional Development (PD) Trainings
- Section 3: Conferences for Educators
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Section 3: Explore the Outdoors! Outdoors for All Days!
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Section 4: Striving Towards Inclusion - PRIDE 🌈 Month! Juneteenth
- Capstone: PA State Park Info. & Updates
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Section 1:
Summer 🌞Teaching Ideas
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Find your inner artist this summer with the free Paint by Number series from the PA Parks & Forestry Foundation (PPFF).
Painting Credit: artist Melodie Schwarz-Higgins
Photo credit: Ready to Launch, Scott Hafer, Kettle Creek State Park
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Join the Nurdle Patrol! Free Kits for Teachers!
A nurdle is a plastic pellet which serves as raw material in the manufacturing of plastic products. Nurdles are washing up on our beaches, riverbanks, & lake shorelines by the millions. Find & map the source - conduct your own nurdle survey! Complete the Educator Resource Kit Request form! The “Nurdles Kit for Teachers” contains a study guide + all the necessary materials for teachers to explain the phenomena, the issues, & solutions clearly.
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Celebrate America's 250th Birthday with DCNR - PA State Parks!
It’s the perfect time to get outside and explore Pennsylvania’s natural & historical treasures. Celebrate the 250th at PA State Parks this summer…
DCNR is offering 240+ special events and programs leading up to July 4th, giving communities fun ways to learn, explore, & connect.
DCNR has partnered with America250PA to celebrate the role of Pennsylvania’s public outdoor spaces & their impact on the Commonwealth. Focusing on America250PA’s theme of “Educate, Preserve, Innovate, & Celebrate”
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June is National Rivers Month! How will you celebrate Pennsylvania's rivers?
Established in the US in 2005, National Rivers Month promotes conservation and restoration while celebrating the ecological, economic, & social importance of rivers & streams.
Pennsylvania is a water-rich state, blessed with 86,000+ miles of rivers and streams.
Find an event near you & to join the celebration - - from Penn State Extension
Teach About Rivers! 💦
💦FREE 🆓! Access Project WET's Blue Planet🌏lesson - Using a simple sampling method, students estimate how much of Earth’s surface is covered by water while building foundational skills in sampling, sample size, estimation, & data analysis.
💦Organize a Water Festival with Project WET's FREE 🆓 Water Festival Guide E-Book!
💦Learn about PA's Watersheds - DCNR's Watershed Education (WE) website.
💦Download DCNR's FREE 🆓 WE PA Water Basin Maps!
💦Register for an upcoming WE Educator PDs (see list below).
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Section 2: In-Person & Virtual Educator Professional Development (PD) Trainings
View ALL of the Upcoming Educator PD on the DCNR Calendar
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2-Day PD: From Forest🌳to Finished Product with Project Learning Tree
Wednesday, June 24, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM at Tiadaghton Resource Mgmt. Center AND -- Must attend BOTH days.
Thursday, June 25, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM - guided Manufacturing & Forest Product Tours
Tiadaghton State Forest RMC, 10 Lower Pine Bottom Rd, Waterville, PA 17776
Act 48: 15 hrs.
Fee: FREE! 🆓 pre-registration required, lunch provided
Follow the journey of native oak trees from forest to finished product. This STEELS-aligned PD will show how oak management in Tiadaghton State Forest connects directly to careers in the wood products industry. Educators will see how forestry, milling, & manufacturing interconnect & will learn how to use Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers curriculum to introduce students to career pathways. Participants will meet professionals working at each stage of the oak supply chain & leave with simple, ready-to-use activities that help students explore sustainable forestry & wood products careers. Open to formal & non-formal educators of all backgrounds. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Curtis Sherwood, EES at cusherwood@pa.gov or 570.753.5409 x132.
Project WILD About Black Bears🐻Educator PD
Thursday, June 25, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
In-person at PGC Southwest Region Office, 4820 Rt. 711, Bolivar, PA 15923
Act 48: 6.5 hrs.
Fee: FREE! 🆓 Pre-registration required & lunch provided
Join Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) & PA State Park educators & biologists for a dynamic PD focused on black bear ecology, management, & research in PA. Open to K-12 formal & nonformal educators, this hands-on PD blends authentic field science with classroom-ready resources. Participants will engage in interactive, inquiry-based lessons & outdoor activities that model student-centered learning & can be adapted for a variety of grade levels & learning environments. Although not guaranteed, efforts will be made to have a live black bear on site to demonstrate real-world research techniques such as data collection & tagging. Each participant will receive the award-winning Project WILD K–12 Curriculum & Activity Guide & more. To register, contact Chloe Kalp at ckalp@pa.gov or 1-833-742-4868 X20229.
Project WILD About Black Bears🐻Educator PD
Thursday, June 25, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
In-person at Elk Country Visitor Center, 950 Winslow Hill Rd., Benezette, PA 15821
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: $10.00; pre-registration required.
Join the PA Game Commission (PGC) & the Keystone Elk Country Alliance for an immersive Project WILD PD opportunity! Open to formal & non-formal educators, participants will receive the award-winning Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide, featuring wildlife & conservation lessons. Although not guaranteed, we will attempt to have a LIVE bear on site to demonstrate the evaluation & tagging process. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Jake Smith at smjaco@pa.gov.
Project WILD About Black Bears🐻Educator PD
Tuesday, June 30, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
In-person at PGC Northwest Training Center, 657 Polk Cutoff, Franklin, PA
Act 48: 6.5 hrs.
Fee: FREE! 🆓 Pre-registration required & lunch provided
Join Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) educators & biologists for a dynamic PD focused on black bear ecology, management, & research in PA. Open to K-12 formal & nonformal educators, this hands-on PD blends authentic field science with classroom-ready resources. Participants will engage in interactive, inquiry-based lessons & outdoor activities that model student-centered learning & can be adapted for a variety of grade levels & learning environments. Although not guaranteed, efforts will be made to have a live black bear on site to demonstrate real-world research techniques such as data collection & tagging. Each participant will receive the award-winning Project WILD K–12 Curriculum & Activity Guide, as well as practical strategies for integrating wildlife science into their teaching. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Heather Flick, EES at hflick@pa.gov.
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Project WILD - Virtual Climate & Wildlife Educator PD
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Virtual on Zoom
Act 48: 2 hrs.
Fee: FREE! 🆓Pre-registration is required.
Teaching about climate change is complex & often abstract, it expands across academic subject areas, & it is emotionally charged. This PD will provide training on Project WILD’s Climate & Wildlife: An Activity Module for Grades 6-12, & it seeks to increase comfort with teaching about climate change utilizing this module & integrating climate change into the ELS of STEELS. This virtual PD will be interactive, & attendees will get a chance to virtually participate in activities. It is open to all educators who work with students in grades 6-12, from formal teachers & pre-service teachers to naturalists, scout leaders, & more! Project WILD curated this module to better equip educators in their efforts to build students' understanding, critical thinking, & ability to make well-informed decisions regarding impacts of & adaptations to climate change. With wildlife as a focal point to build student interest and relevancy, the 8 activities in this module will help students examine ecological phenomena relating to a changing climate. The module will be shipped to participants in advance of the training. All activities correlated to NGSS standards. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Carissa Longo, PA Project WILD Coordinator at calongo@pa.gov or 717-772-1807.
Aquaponics Educator PD🌱🐟 💦
Wednesday, July 15, 1:00 - 6:00 PM and Thursday, July 16, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
In-Person at Presque Isle State Park, Tom Ridge Envi. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA 16505
Act 48: 13 hrs.
Fee: FREE! 🆓Pre-registration required. Breakfast & lunch 🥗 provided on 7/16.
All educators who attend will receive a $250 stipend! Must Attend Both Days!
Aquaponics is a powerful teaching tool for Pre-K-12 learners. From engineering to chemistry, business to food health to global food security, aquaponics addresses many topics and applies placed-based learning methods. This 2 day PD will cover the basics of aquaculture & aquaponics and includes:
- Local facilities tour of Presque Isle State Park's Aquaculture system
- Make and take aquaponics system
- This PD is for Pre-K-12 formal & nonformal educators.
Register NOW. Questions? Contact Zach Nemec at zmn5053@psu.edu.
Hosted by PA Sea Grant & Michigan Sea Grant through the Youth Education in Aquaculture initiative. Funded by the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative & Center for Great Lakes Literacy.
Pennsylvania Songbirds🐦Educator PD
Friday, July 17, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In-person at Sinnemahoning State Park, Wildlife Center, 4843 Park Rd Austin, PA 16720
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: $20.00 payable in advance; pre-registration required
Pennsylvania Songbirds is a curriculum for traditional & nontraditional educators alike, that combines science, math, art, & English into an exciting package that is sure to engage students. PA Songbirds uses activities that focus on the birds that we encounter every day at home, at school, or in a state park. This PD will preview selected activities from the PA Songbirds Curriculum Guide. Topics to be explored include bird ID, bird habitat, migration, the Christmas Bird Count, & food webs. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the PA Songbirds Curriculum Guide & more. Register Now. Questions? Contact Bob Edkin, EES at 814-647-8401 or email redkin@pa.gov.
Watershed Education💧PD for Educators (2 days in-person + 1 virtual mtg.)
Tuesday, July 21, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, Virtual via TEAMS and
Tuesday, July 28, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM & Wednesday July 29, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In-person at White Clay Creek Preserve, 405 Sharpless Rd, Landenberg, PA 19350
Fee: $20.00 pre-registration & pre-payment required; scholarships available
An interactive & engaging training that will provide educators with new ways to address PA Environmental Literacy & Sustainability standards using inquiry-based lessons & student-driven investigations into local environmental issues & solutions. This training is designed for classroom teachers & non-formal educators working with students in grades 6-12 and will include stream habitat evaluation, biological/chemical investigations, & freshwater snorkeling (all equipment provided). Participants will receive a copy of the Bureau of State Parks Watershed Education Educator Guide, teaching charts, watershed maps, & additional resources. Register NOW. To pay with credit card call the Ridley Creek park office at 610-892-3900. Questions? Contact Sarah Sato, EES at ssato@pa.gov or 610-274-2900. Must Attend Virtual + both Days! Act 48 hrs. available.
Project Learning Tree🌲Educator PD
Wednesday, July 22, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
In-person at Carbon County EE Center, 151 E White Near Drive, Summit Hill, PA 18250
Act 48: 5 hrs.
Fee: $20.00; pre-registration required.
This workshop is a collaboration of Hickory Run State Park & Carbon County Environmental Education 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 Drive, Summit Hill, PA 18250 or call 570-645-8597 for other options. Questions? Contact CCEEC at 570-645-8597 or cceec@ptd.net.
Teaching Environmental Literacy with Project WET💧PD for Educators
Thursday, July 23, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
In-person at Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Act 48 hrs: 6.5
Fee: $15.00 pre-registration required.
A fun and engaging training that will provide educators with science-based activities that help students learn about water & the environment, using lessons from the new Foundations of Water Education. Designed to complement existing curricula rather than displace or add more concepts, this new guide from Project WET is filled with hands-on, interdisciplinary lessons that address PA academic standards, including Common Core & PA STEELS. This training is designed for both classroom teachers & non-formal educators working with students in grades K-12. Participants will receive a copy of the guide & more. Register NOW by 7/20/26. To pay with credit card call the Ohiopyle park office at 724-329-8591. Questions? Contact Rob Zombek, EES at rzombek@pa.gov.
Growing Up WILD Educator PD
Thursday, July 23, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In-Person at Blue Knob State Park, Burnt House Picnic Area Rt. 869, 124 Imler Rd, Imler, PA 16655
Act 48: 3 hrs.
Fee: FREE! 🆓Pre-registration is required.
This is a professional development opportunity for current & future early childhood educators, both formal & non-formal, looking for innovative ways to engage young learners (ages 3-7) with nature. Growing Up WILD focuses on encouraging a sense of wonder about nature, wildlife, & the world around your student. Participants will receive a copy of the guide & additional resources. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Jessie Kohan, EES at 814-608-3039 or jkohan@pa.gov.
Project WILD About Bats🦇Two-Day Educator PD
Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM AND Thursday, July 30, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Must Attend Both Days!
In-person at PGC Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area Admin Bldg., 9552 Hartstown Rd, Hartstown, PA
Act 48: 11.5 hrs.
Fee: FREE!; Pre-registration required & dinner/lunch provided
Discover the fascinating world of bats 🦇 with the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) & PA State Parks during an immersive 2-day PD focused on bat ecology, management, & research in PA. Designed for K-12 formal & nonformal educators, this hands-on experience blends authentic field science with classroom-ready resources. Participants will explore interactive, inquiry-based lessons & outdoor activities that can be adapted for a wide range of grade levels & learning environments. Day 1 culminates in an exciting evening field session, where participants will join PGC biologists to mist net bats 🦇 & learn firsthand about the research & conservation efforts happening across the state. Each participant will receive the award-winning Project WILD K–12 Curriculum & Activity Guide along with practical strategies for bringing wildlife science into their teaching. Step into the nighttime world of bats & discover new ways to bring their story to life! Register NOW by 7/13/26. Questions? Contact Heather Flick, EES at hflick@pa.gov.
Watershed Education PD Training for Educators 💦
1 virtual session + homework + 1 in-person field day
Friday, July 31, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM virtual via Microsoft Teams +
Friday, August 7, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM in-person at Little Buffalo State Park, 1579 State Park Rd, Newport, PA 17047
Fee: $15.00, pre-registration & pre-payment required, scholarships available!
This training is designed for classroom teachers and non-formal educators working with students in grades 6-12 and will include both indoor & outdoor activities such as habitat evaluation, stream velocity & volume investigations + an opportunity to learn about the history of water use at Little Buffalo with a live demonstration of the mill operation. Participants will receive a copy of the Bureau of State Parks Watershed Education Educator Guide, teaching charts, watershed maps, & additional resources. This is an interactive & engaging training that will provide educators with new ways to address PA Environmental Literacy & Sustainability standards using inquiry-based lessons & student-driven investigations into local environmental issues & solutions. Questions? Contact Mindy Wilt, EES at mewilt@pa.gov or call the park office at 717-567-9255.
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Teaching About Water💦 & Wildlife🦊 PD for Early Childhood Educators
Thursday, August 6, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
In-Person at Kinzua Bridge State Park, 296 Viaduct Road, Kane, PA 16735
Act 48: 3 hrs.
Fee: $15.00; online pre-registration required
This is a professional development opportunity for current & future early childhood educators, both formal & non-formal, looking for innovative ways to engage young learners (ages 3-7) with nature. The Growing Up WILD Activity Guide focuses on encouraging a sense of wonder about nature, wildlife, & the world around your students, & the Getting Little Feet WET Activity Guide explores the different aspects of water; all through hands-on, investigative, & easy-to-use activities correlated to standards. Upon completion, all participants will receive the Growing Up WILD & Getting Little Feet WET curricula. Register NOW. Questions? Contact kinzuabridgesp@pa.gov or (814) 778-5467.
Aquatic🦆WILD Educator PD
Friday, August 14, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In-person at Susquehannock State Park, 1088 Park Drive, Drumore, PA 17518
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Fee: $15.00; online pre-registration required
The award-winning Aquatic WILD 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 lesson contains all info. needed - from objectives to extended learning. They are interdisciplinary covering Science, ELA, Math, Social Studies, & the ELS of STEELS. 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, college students studying to be teachers (pre-service), school administrators, youth leaders, homeschoolers, & more. The Aquatic WILD K–12 Curriculum & Activity Guide will be provided to all attendees. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Kelly Ford, EES at kelford@pa.gov or 717-252-1134.
WILD About Bears🐻Educator PD
Saturday, August 15, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
In-Person at Lackawanna State Park,1839 Abington Rd., N. Abington Township, PA 18414
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: $15.00 payable in advance; pre-registration is required.
Join PA State Park and Game Commission Educators for a Professional Development workshop focused on bears 🐻! This hands-on PD will introduce you to black bear biology, research trapping efforts, & management practices, as well as resources though Project WILD for your classroom to address the PA STEELS standards. This PD is open to classroom teachers & non-formal educators such as pre-service teachers, homeschool parents, naturalists, & scout leaders. Register NOW by 8/7/26. Questions? Contact Tony DeSantis, EES at antdesanti@pa.gov or 570-945-7110.
| Section 3: Webinars for Educators | | |
Jun 30, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM EDT on Zoom
Fee: $15.00 - $30.00 Register NOW
Join the 7th annual MACCEC. Formal & non-formal educators are invited to join the virtual event and learn about the latest science and trends in climate education & action.
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Section 4:
Explore the Outdoors!
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June is Great Outdoors Month! 🥾
In 1998, June was designated as "Great Outdoors Month" as a way to encourage the country to enjoy nature and discover natural sites that aren't visited often.
🥾 Pledge to Spend a Green Hour outside!
🥾 Use this Nature Notebook page to engage with nature.
🥾 Quick lessons! (choose Summer) - look under a log, study bees 🐝, make a campfire 🔥 meal, & more. Activities can be completed in 15-30 min.
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Great American Campout - June 27, 2026 ⛺
"Camp Out, Camp In, Camp On!"
The National Wildlife Federation's Great American Campout is a celebration of exploring the wild outdoors through camping.
Take the Pledge to camp—in a park, a backyard, or even your living room & be a part of the summer-long celebration of the outdoors.
⛺Want to camp at a PA State Park? Learn about RV & Tent Camping in PA State Parks.
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July is Outdoors for All Month in Pennsylvania!
The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) is offering several FREE 🆓 Outdoors for All events to celebrate the welcoming, inclusive access to nature found across Pennsylvania for all residents and visitors. Celebrate the outdoors and enjoy nature in your community with interactive, family-friendly outdoor activities, environmental education, games, music, food, & more!
Pre-registration is encouraged.
💚 Saturday, June 27th, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in Philadelphia at BLJ Community Rowing, 2200 Kelly Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19129 Pre-Register
💚 Saturday, July 18th, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM in Harrisburg--Italian Lake Park, 2960 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA 17110 Pre-Register
💚 Saturday, July 25th, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM in Lancaster--Reservoir Park, 832 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602 Pre-Register
💚 Saturday, August 15th, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM in Pittsburgh--Allegheny Commons Park, W. Ohio St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Pre-Register
ASL & Spanish language interpretation available.
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It's PRIDE Month! Since 1970, June has been recognized as Pride Month, an international celebration of the LGBTQ+ Community. In Pennsylvania, Governor Shapp signed an executive order in 1975 to end discrimination of LGBTQ+ employees in state government. Pennsylvania was the first state in the nation to issue such protections for LGBTQ+ people.
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JUNETEENTH
Each year, June 19th marks the anniversary of "American's 2nd Independence Day", known as "Juneteenth". The date commemorates the arrival of 2,000 Union troops to Galveston Bay, Texas in 1863 to announce that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free by executive decree. This was over 5 months after the Emancipation Proclamation (Visit PA)! Today, it is recognized as a celebration of freedom, resilience, & African American history & culture.
💠Why All Americans Should Honor Juneteenth video 7:12 min. - from Vox
💠Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth with your students - This NMAAHC Resource for Teachers includes a curated children's book list, lessons, & more.
💠Learn the significance of the color red and Juneteenth.
Sourced from the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) - https://nmaahc.si.edu/
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PA State Parks are YOURS!
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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 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.
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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 🏡 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
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🏖️ Summer, Summer, Summertime! 🏖️
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)
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