PA State Parks!

Spring is coming! You can see it in the days getting longer and smell it in the air. We have lots of nature-based activity ideas and PD to offer you (in-person & virtual). See below for all that is coming up. In our next e-blast, we'll help you to have the best Earth🌏Day ever!

Do you know a high school student (ages 15-18) looking for a conservation-related job for this summer? DCNR's PA Outdoor Corps is now hiring summer youth leaders & members. There are 17 youth crews throughout the state, each having 2 leaders and 6 members. Locations, information, and how to apply can be found on DCNR’s PA Outdoor Corps page.

TAKE A NATURE BREAK - PEENT!! 🔊

It's Timberdoodle Time! Everyone loves hilarious nature sounds, and our very own American Woodcock always delivers! March is Woodcock time.

🔊 Check out the male's infamous PEENT Call & fantastic Sky Dance!

🚘 How to search for Timberdoodles near you.

🎶 Stayin' Alive with the Timberdoodle! 😂

🧠 Learn more about the American Woodcock from the PGC.

St. Patrick's🍀Day Learning:

St. Patrick's🍀Day YouTube Videos:

Make Nature Crayon Shapes

Repurpose old crayons 🖍 by making these cute nature crayon shapes using silicon molds! They are chunky and easy for little hands to hold, but older children love them too. A great service project for older students to make for elementary, magical for day camps, and scout projects. 

Have a Children's Book 📚 Author or Illustrator Virtually Visit Your Classroom! - The Kutztown University Children's Literature Conference can grant your wish on April 20!

Register your class NOW. Questions? Contact Emily at childlitconfku@gmail.com.

Women's ♀ History Month

March is Women's History Month and March 8 is International Women's Day! Let's celebrate the major accomplishments made by women in American history.

BeastBox Game - 🎶Calls of the Wild

The BeastBox game explores how animals use sound to communicate within their ecosystems through beatboxing and music 🎶composition. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has teamed up with Ben Mirin to bring you BeastBox! Make your own music by mixing wild animal 🦊voices with beatbox loops and unlock Beast Mode by adding 5 animals from the same ecosystem. Make the most of the fun with the activity guide, Calls of the Wild, designed to engage middle school students in an exploration of animal communication, animal behavior, and ecosystems. The 19-page guide is a free download that includes 3 lessons, student readings, & more.

The book, All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, And Solutions for the Climate Crisis is a hopeful, artful, and accessible anthology of essays and poetry, curated by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson. The book inspired The All We Can Save Project which seeks to embed climate truth, courage, and just solutions in education.

Virtual via MS Teams from Presque Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula Dr., Erie, PA 16505

Presque Isle State Park is offering a free virtual professional development opportunity for formal and non-formal educators of students in preschool - 3^rd grade. Growing Up WILD (GUW) is an award-winning early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature 🐻 and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Educators will receive training on the Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children ages 3-7 curriculum. The GUW guide will be sent to participants. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Ray Bierbower, EES at edbierbowe@pa.gov or 814-833-7424.

MWEE (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience) Ambassador Teacher Workshop💦

In-Person at Nixon Park Nature Center, 5922 Nixon Dr., York, PA 17403

A Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) 💦is a strategy for incorporating inquiry, student voice, civic action, and environment/ecology learning into K-12 classrooms that is aligned with the 3-Dimensional science learning. This full day workshop is designed to help certified teachers prepare to launch a MWEE with their students. Workshop participants will engage in two learning phases:

Phase I: All participants must complete NOAA's MWEE 101 online course prior to March 24. This course is made up of three lessons: Why MWEEs, What Makes a MWEE, and Planning and Evaluating MWEEs. These lessons will introduce you to the MWEE, explore what MWEEs can look like, highlight the MWEE components, & introduce the tools that support the development and implementation of MWEEs.

Phase II: A one-day workshop that will model inquiry-based instruction in the MWEE framework to explore local watershed education topics. Engage in a field investigation that will include a water quality survey, a stream study, forest ecosystem investigation, & exploration of the human impact on the natural ecosystem. Workshop is presented by the Lincoln Intermediate Unit (IU12) and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Register NOW. Questions? Reach out to Abbey Lichtenberg, IU12 at allichtenberg@iu12.org. IU 12's registration & cancellation policy.

Project WILD w/MWEE💦Flair Educator Workshop

In-Person at Millersville University, WETi at Creek Lodge, 198 Creek Dr, Millersville, PA 17551 

Project WILD 🐻 is an education program focused on wildlife and habitat that provides innovative, interdisciplinary, and ready-to-use activities for the classroom and outdoors! The program develops awareness, skills, and critical thinking concerning wildlife and the environment with activities that focus on Pennsylvania-specific wildlife and habitat. This workshop is open to college students (especially pre-service teachers), classroom teachers, and non-formal educators. All participants will receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. This workshop will examine wildlife utilizing the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)💦Framework. Space is limited. Register NOW. Funding for this workshop comes from a NOAA/B-WET Capacity Building Grant.

In-person at Washington Crossing State Park; actual workshop location - Historic Buckstone Farm, 1201 Taylorsville Rd., Washington Crossing, PA 18977

Join the Environmental Educators of Delaware Canal State Park and Washington Crossing Historic Park at the Buckstone Farm in Washington Crossing, PA, for a free Project Learning Tree (PLT) Educator workshop! Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education curriculum designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. This workshop is for formal and non-formal educators teaching grades K-2. During this one-day workshop, you will become trained in the nationwide curriculum, Project Learning Tree (PLT)! All participants will receive a copy of the PLT K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide. Register NOW by emailing, Gabrielle Lent, EES at glent@pa.gov.

In-Person at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, 3025 New Holland Road, Reading, PA 19607

You're invited to join Nolde Forest EE Center and Berks Intermediate Unit (Berks IU) staff for a day of on-site, hands-on learning where you'll dive into the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) Framework. MWEE💦 is a learner-centered framework that focuses on investigations into local environmental issues and leads to informed action. Hosted by the BCIU with partners at Nolde Forest EE Center (DCNR) and PA Department of Education (PDE), this highly engaging day will introduce the fundamentals of MWEE through field experiences, and participants will learn how to craft project-based MWEEs for use in their classrooms. Register NOW. Questions? Email Lynmarie Hilt at lynhil@berksiu.org.

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

This workshop is currently FULL. There is a Wait List.  If you would like to be added to the Wait List, please call 717-221-0292, ext.4 or email kharbert@hotmail.com.

The diversity of life is astounding and important to the health of people and the environment. Yet, biodiversity🌿 at all levels – genetic, species, and ecosystem – is a current issue poorly understood. In this workshop, participants will explore PA’s biodiversity, experience hands-on activities, and examine local and global issues relating to biodiversity. All participants will receive the PA Biodiversity guide. The activities modeled in this workshop are best suited to teachers of grades 5-10, however the specific background information about Pennsylvania species & ecosystems, and the hands-on exploration of forest🎍 and wetland environments are of value to teachers of all grade levels, K-12. Register NOW.

Saturday, April 2, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm 

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

Act 48: 5.5 hrs. 

Are you looking for ways to integrate outdoor, hands-on learning with the newly proposed PA State Science standards? Do you want to explore the outdoors with phenomena-based learning? Join Environmental Educators from across the region for this day-long workshop and learn how the Project WILD 🦊curriculum guide can help you craft lesson plans based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) model. Each participant will receive their own copy of the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Sarah Sato, Asst. Director of Parks & Rec at ssato@uprov-montco.org or call 610-933-9179.

In-Person at Parker Dam State Park, 28 Fairview Road, Penfield, PA 15849

Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education curriculum that focuses on wildlife🐇and habitat. The goal of Project WILD is to develop awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. In this hands-on workshop participants will be introduced to the curriculum, guided in its use, and shown the resources available to help implement it in their classrooms. Educators will also be given their own copy of the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. Register by calling the Park Office at (814) 765-0630. Deadline - April 4.

Project Learning Tree🌿Educator Workshop/Homeschool Day

In-Person at Sinnemahoning State Park, Wildlife Center Classroom, 4843 Park Road, Austin, PA 16720

Audience: This workshop/homeschool day is open to ALL homeschool educators & their students.

Homeschoolers! You are invited to Sinnemahoning State Park for a unique day of learning for both homeschool educators and students as we sample the lessons available in the Project Learning Tree (PLT) curriculum. PLT is an award-winning environmental education program designed for educators working with students from pre-K to 8^th grade. Students will participate in fun, hands-on activities, creative writing 🖋, a guided nature hike, and more while learning about trees, tree products, and wildlife🐇habitats. Parents will experience the same activities in a group with other adults and learn more about PLT & its resources. All activities will be led by professional environmental educators from PA State Parks and the PA Game Commission. All adult participants will receive a copy of the Project Learning Tree PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide, which contains 96 lessons and useful resources. Pre-registration is required by April 14. Register NOW. Questions or need assistance with online registration? Contact the park office at 814-647-8401 x 101 or email klott@pa.gov. Group size is limited.

Flying WILD w/MWEE💦Flair Educator Workshop

Flying WILD 🐦is an education program that offers a wide range of adaptable activities geared towards a middle school audience, focused specifically on birds! Flying WILD provides participants with innovative, interdisciplinary, and ready-to-use activities for the classroom and outdoors! The program develops awareness, skills, and critical thinking concerning bird biology, conservation, and natural history. This workshop is open to college students (especially pre-service teachers), classroom teachers, and non-formal educators. All participants will receive the Flying WILD Educators Guide to Celebrating Birds. This workshop will examine birds utilizing the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)💦Framework. Space is limited. Register NOW. Funding for this workshop comes from a NOAA/B-WET Capacity Building Grant.

Plant 🌿Camp for Teachers!

In-Person at Pymatuning State Park, 15573 Marina Dr., Jamestown, PA 16134

Join professional PA State Park Educators and other partners for a unique educator workshop based at Pymatuning State Park. This is a three-day, hands-on workshop will focus on educators (formal and non-formal) teaching high school students. The workshop will explore a variety of water💦resources in Northwestern Pennsylvania and participants will be immersed in aquatic ecology lab and field experiences. Participants will receive the PA Biodiversity Curriculum & Activity guide and many other resources. Cabin accommodations, transportation to all field trips, and all meals (except for one dinner) will be provided. Cost for the workshop is $75 for each teacher selected to attend. Submit your application to attend NOW. Pre-registration required by May 1, 2022! Participants must attend all three days. Questions? Contact Emily Borcz, EES at eborcz@pa.gov or 724-932-3142 ext. 106.

In-Person at Parker Dam State Park, 28 Fairview Road, Penfield, PA 15849 

Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children is an early childhood education activity guide (ages 2-7) that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature🐻and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills. In this hands-on workshop, including outdoor activities, participants will be introduced to the curriculum, guided in its use, and shown the resources available through Growing Up WILD, Project WILD, and the Bureau of State Parks to help them implement it in their classrooms. Please register and pay by contacting the Park Office at (814) 765-0630.

Project WET w/MWEE💦Flair Educator Workshop

In-Person at Millersville University, WETi at Creek Lodge, 198 Creek Dr, Millersville, PA 17551  

Project WET💦(Water Education for Today) is an award-winning, NSTA-recommended curriculum that offers cutting-edge water education. The program is correlated to NGSS & Common Core Standards and applicable to grades K-12! The activities provide educators and pre-service teachers with teaching methods, assessment strategies, and essential classroom tools needed to integrate water education into every school subject. This workshop is open to college students (especially pre-service teachers), classroom teachers, and non-formal educators. All participants will receive the Project WET K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. This workshop will utilize water as a lens within the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)💦Framework. Space is limited. Register NOW. Funding for this workshop comes from a NOAA/B-WET Capacity Building Grant.

Audience: This is an advanced MWEE application workshop so participants must have completed the MWEE 101 course or a previous MWEE Ambassador training! This online session is open to homeschool providers, classroom teachers, and non-formal educators.

Register NOW. Questions? Please email Tara Muenz at tmuenz@stroudcenter.org.

Learn more about MWEEs. Take the MWEE 101 online course.

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

Pollinating insects 🦋 are vital to our survival! Join educators from DCNR - PA State Parks and Wildwood Park for a fun, interactive and educational workshop on pollinators🐝. Discover the many species of pollinating insects and their crucial role in the food chain for both wildlife 🦇 and people. Explore why we should be concerned about the threats to pollinators and how we can help. Participants will engage in hands-on activities from the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide, all participants will receive the guide, and more resources. Register NOW.

Local Issues, Local Solutions: Empowering Students to Address Local Environmental Issues Through Research and Stewardship Teacher Workshop💦

In-Person at Gifford Pinchot State Park, 2200 Rosstown Rd., Lewisberry, PA 17339

Fee: FREE! Course costs covered by a NOAA/B-WET 💦grant

Act 48: Successful completion of the course and final project will qualify participants for 27 Act 48 hours. Certified Pennsylvania classroom teachers working in IU13 and IU15 are also eligible for a participation stipend and reimbursement for funds connected to a student action project through a NOAA/B-WET grant.

Do you want to expand your student-centered learning projects to include stewardship and action in your local community? Do you want to learn outside? Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and DCNR- PA State Parks for this three-day course that focuses on the management of action projects, from issue identification to project implementation. This course will walk participants through the essential MWEE💦elements and how to connect local resources to their content to create rich learning opportunities outside of their classroom walls while incorporating student voice and managing the process. Portions of the workshop will include stream/lake water investigations and a paddling experience. Participants are asked to complete NOAA's MWEE 101 online course prior to the start of the in-person course. Register NOW. CBF's COVID POLICY: Current policy requires that all participants of summer Chesapeake Classroom courses be vaccinated for COVID-19.

In-Person at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, 500 Kings Gap Rd., Carlisle, PA 17015

Act 48: Successful completion of the course and final project will qualify participants for 27 Act 48 hours. 

Are you interested in motivating your learners to think outside the box, take risks, and demonstrate their learning through real-world, hands-on, project-based learning that happens within their community? By blending hands-on investigations modeled on professional research methodologies, educators will participate in data collection💦and analysis, community networking and partnerships, stewardship, and service-learning activities—all skills that can be transferred back to the school setting. Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and DCNR- PA State Parks for this three-day institute. Register NOW. CBF's COVID POLICY: Current policy requires that all participants of summer Chesapeake Classroom courses be vaccinated for COVID-19.

March 21 - 22, 2022, Virtual on Zoom

The PAEE Annual Conference is an opportunity to celebrate and grow in the ​fantastic environmental education field in Pennsylvania! This year's Keynote Speaker is author Rosemary Mosco. Some of you may know her from Bird and Moon nature comics! She makes books and cartoons that connect people with the natural world. Questions? Contact PAEE Administrative Coordinator Stacey Widenhofer at stacey@paee.net.

Saturday, April 23, 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, in-person at Kutztown University 

Fee: $70.00 for Educators & Pre-Service Teachers (non-Kutztown students) & $5.00 for Kutztown students with ID.

The Children's Literature Conference is a collaborative initiative involving Kutztown University's faculty and staff to provide current and future educators the opportunity to experience the work of award-winning authors and illustrators. The conference strives to challenge attendees to be active and creative in the learning process. There will be an opportunity to purchase books by each of the visiting speakers as well as have the book autographed as you meet that author/illustrator. Four published authors will be in attendance - Stacy Mcanulty, Jonah Winter, Anna Raff, and Elizabeth Zunon. Both Anna and Elizabeth have been awarded the NSTA Outstanding Trade Science book for Children. Register NOW. Question? Contact childlitconfku@gmail.com or call 610-683-4627.

The Federal Junior Duck 🦆 Stamp Art Contest invites Pennsylvania K-12 students to create a 2-D work of art depicting a native duck, goose, or swan, while learning about the importance of conservation. Entries are judged at the state level (culminating in an awards ceremony with prizes!) with the Best in Show from each state advancing to the national contest.

Contest is FREE to enter! Entries are due by March 15, 2022. Entry forms, drawing paper, and curriculum guides are available for educators! Contact Kelly at Kelly_Quain@fws.gov. Learn more about the federal Jr. Duck Stamp Contest.

Trekking Polls are Your Friends 😉

As spring weather approaches and opportunities to get out for more enjoyable walks, consider bringing along a pair of trekking polls. They offer numerous health benefits.

Anyone else getting excited for spring? We are! As we navigate through the ups and downs of March weather in Pennsylvania, here's a great resource from Massachusetts Audubon to keep us going. Download the March Outdoor Almanac

Before heading out to recreate at a PA State Park in the early spring, check winter conditions (especially ice thickness) using the State Parks Winter❄Report

The Winter Report is updated weekly (at a minimum) by PA State Parks. The report is searchable by park and by winter outdoor recreation activity. It lists lake ice ❄ thickness and what ice ⛸🎿 activities are available at each park.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) is proud to present:

We're always on the lookout for great resources to share. Check out this amazing list of 10 Diverse Nature Books from Run Wild My Child.

Outside Business Journal Article 🩳

Alisa Otto, founder of Ottomatic Threads, is on a mission to bring size inclusivity to the outdoor industry

Too many uncomfortable experiences wearing men’s clothing when out on trails prompted Otto to redesign women’s outdoor apparel.

Book your virtual, in-person programs, and field experiences with PA State Park Education staff now! 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.

Do you take photos📸in Pennsylvania's State Parks & Forests? Consider submitting your photo(s) to the PA Parks & Forests Foundation's 2022 Photo Contest! In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Clean Water💦Act and in recognition of the importance of forests for water quality, the theme of this year’s photo contest is Clean Water and Forested Ecosystems. The submission deadline is September 30, 2022.

Carissa Longo, Environmental Education Program Coordinator

Christine Ticehurst, Recreation and Interpretation Coordinator

Visit the DCNR Events Calendar- Teacher Workshops to find additional training opportunities! Click the arrows to see upcoming months.