Spring is Here!? 😂 We've now passed the Vernal Equinox (March 20^th) which is technically the 1^st day of Spring! 🌸 You can feel it via the smells in the air, the flowers (slowly) popping up, and seeing Red-Winged Blackbirds & more. 

It was so lovely to see 'old' colleagues and meet new educators at the 2026 PAEE Conference! Thank you for stopping by our PA State Parks exhibit table to say "Hello 👋!"

At our nation’s lowest point during the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This program provided work for unemployed men while developing many of our parks & replanting our forests. CCC boys completed a wide variety of projects, including building roads, cabins, & dams. Their work and accomplishments also built camaraderie & self-worth, along with a hope for a better future. Pennsylvania had 151 camps, which was the 2^nd largest number of CCC camps in the nation! Celebrate on CCC Recognition Day on April 5^th! Learn more about the CCC in PA via DCNR - PA State Parks CCC webpage & through these upcoming PA State Park programs -

• 3/27/26 - Virtual Tour CCC of Lycoming County from 11-11:30 AM - This program will look into some of the history of these CCC Camps. Pre-registration required.
• 4/29/26 - CCC Site Visit Tour at Pymatuning State Park from 1-3 PM
• 8/8/2026 - Learn more & have fun celebrating the legacy of the CCC at Promised Land State Park's annual "CCC Day!" 10 AM - 2 PM

Take a moment to refresh this spring with all of the good, free stuff below! ⬇️

Take the 2026 Pennsylvania Statewide Environmental Education Survey!

Who should complete this survey? ✍

• PA pre-K-12 classroom teachers, administrators, & curriculum designers.
• Non-formal environmental education (EE) providers
• Submit only ONE RESPONSE from each non-formal organization
• Classroom teachers are encouraged to respond individually.

Time to complete survey: ~15 minutes. Providing estimates for answers is fine; in-depth research by you or your organization or school is not necessary.

Due by: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 

Why should you complete this survey?

This survey helps the PA Environmental Literacy (E-Lit) Network assess the current status & needs of EE across PA. It provides a snapshot of how educators based in schools, state agencies, & nonformal organizations engage in environmental teaching & learning. The results help monitor progress & guide the design of PD to address high-need areas.

PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents ⬇️

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

Section 1: Spring Teaching Ideas

With Easter 🐣 right around the corner, it's time to share some fun & easy easter crafts & activities! 

🐰Find Your Own Easter Egg🥚Pictures in Nature! Head outdoors & search for different colors & designs in nature!

🐰How to Make Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs 🥚

🐦 A Free Visual Guide to a World of Bird 🐦 Nest Shapes - From simple, subtle scrape nests that camouflage in their surroundings to elaborately woven pendulous orbs, bird nests are so varied! Discover all 10 nest categories in a fun blueprint style with this free, downloadable poster. - from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

🐦 Gardening for Birds? The 1^st step to creating a garden is often the hardest. Use these videos, quick-start guides, & more to help make a native garden plan - Dig into Garden for Birds. - from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

🐦 Learn about camouflage & adaptations using the Hide-n-Seek Wildlife Slideshow. Students try to find the camouflaged animals on each slide. Check your answers on next slide. Created by the VA Dept. Game & Inland Fisheries.

🍀St. Patrick's Day may have passed, but there's always time to go on a 4-Leaf Clover Hunt!

Books About Spring🌷

☘ Gorgeous Spring Books for Kids - from Little Pine Learners

☘ 20+ Books to Enhance Your Spring Lesson Plans - from Scholastic Teaching Tools

Books 📚for World Water 💦 Day!

💧 Books for World Water Day (HS & adult) - by Penguin Random House

💧10 Children’s Books That Celebrate World Water Day - Lee & LowW

💧Why Should I Save Water? by Jen Green, digital copy free on Internet Archive

💧The Water Warrior by Ervina Hasibuan - digital copy free on BookSmart

💧Boondi's Story: Water by Anuska Kalro - digital copy free on BookSmart

💧To Clean a Creek by Olivia Wood - digital copy free on BookSmart

💧We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, read aloud by Ring Around Ronina

World Water💦Day - March 22 (& beyond) is a great opportunity to spark conversations about water access, equity, and the value of this essential resource.

💧Where Water Flows, Equality Grows! This year’s World Water Day theme focuses on Water & Gender, recognizing that access to water affects people in very different ways. In many parts of the world, women & girls are responsible for collecting water—often walking long distances each day—which impacts education, health, & opportunities.

💧Download your own free copy of "Our Drinking Water: Get Informed, Get Tested, & Get Treatment - Public, Community, & Private Water Systems.” - from KnowYourH2O Team & B.F. Environmental Consultants

Project WET has gathered a few easy activities you can bring into the classroom right away:

💧The Long Haul - Students explore how access to water shapes daily life. The lesson connects students’ own experiences with water to the realities faced by others around the world.

💧Incredible Journey - Students become water molecules traveling through the water cycle ♻️ in this active, role-playing game that brings water systems to life.

💧Blue Planet - A fast-paced activity that helps students visualize how little of Earth’s water is actually available for people to use.

Utilize STEELS and Phenomena-Based Investigations!

• Try The Right Question Institute - an excellent FREE resource to help students think of & develop questions & questioning skills. Resources include student sheets, PPTs, teacher guides, & ideas to use their technique in science, civics, ELA, & more classes. You'll need to create a free account to access the resources.
• Easter & St. Patrick's Day STEM Activities - have your students drive these easy experiments - from a homemade Lava 🔥 Lamp to growing sprouts 🌱 on a sponge to making 'Naked' Rainbow Eggs to your own layered Rainbow 🌈 Jar & more! - from Run Wild My Child

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

View ALL of the Upcoming Educator PD on the DCNR Calendar

PLT's Together for Birds🐦PD Training for Educators

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

In-person at PGC Northcentral Reg. 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, EES at smjaco@pa.gov.

Watershed Education💧Teacher PD (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 which will equip educators with the tools & 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. This PD will provide practical strategies for integrating MWEEs into instruction, aligning PA STEELS, & 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 which will equip educators with the tools & 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. This PD will provide practical strategies for integrating MWEEs into instruction, aligning with PA STEELS & 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, 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 (272) 808-6192.

Watershed Education💧Teacher PD

Saturday, April 11, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

In-person at Little Pine State Park, 4205 Little Pine Creek Rd., Waterville, PA 17776

Act 48: 11.5 hrs. (includes 3 hrs. pre-workshop assignment)

Fee: $20 pay in advance; 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 award-winning Watershed Education curriculum & additional resources. Pay $20 fee in advance via credit card - call the park office at 570-753-6000. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Ian Loewen, EES at iloewen@pa.gov or 570-753-6000.

Wonders of Wetlands (WOW)💧Educator PD

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, & it focuses 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, EES at smjaco@pa.gov.

PLT Educator PD Training: 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 Sarah Sato, EES at ssato@pa.gov or 610-675-0069.

Dive Even Deeper: Trees, Watersheds, & Streams💦Educator PD

Wednesday, May 27 to Thursday, May 28, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

In-person at White Clay Creek Preserve, London Tract Meeting House, 405 Sharpless Rd., Landenberg, PA 19350

Act 48: 12 hrs., + 8.0 Act 48 hrs. available for completing MWEE 101 online course

Fee: $30, lunch included, pre-registration required by 5/20.

This 2-day professional learning workshop offers a deeper, structured ambassador training pathway & immersive, hands-on instruction on tree species ID, site selection, planting protocols, & stream health assessment. Participants will work directly with field-tested tools, including a practical planning checklist to support successful school & community tree planting projects. The PD emphasizes inquiry-driven learning, place-based environmental literacy, & clear project design strategies that educators can bring back to their classrooms & local watersheds. 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 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, this PD explores physical, biological, & chemical indicators of stream condition & intros. the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) protocol. Participants will receive the 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.

Online PD for High School Biology & Middle School Life Science Teachers

Saturday, April 25, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM

Act 48: 3 hrs.

FREE! 🆓 on Zoom

The University of Pennsylvania Biology Department is sponsoring this PD that includes:

• How Some Wild Animals Protect Human Health
• Food & Climate Change – How can we feed the growing world population without increasing global warming?
• Coral Reef Ecosystems in a Changing Climate, with Dr. Katie Barrott, Assoc. Professor of Biology, Univ. of Pennsylvania

Register NOW (by 4/23/26). Questions? Contact Dr. Ingrid Waldron at iwaldron@upenn.edu.

Section 4:

Explore the Outdoors!

Section 5: Striving for Inclusion

- Learn more about DCNR's DEIB efforts-

March is Women's ♀️History Month!

♀️ Why Do We Celebrate Women's History Month? Video - 2:25 minutes

There are so many ways to acknowledge and celebrate strong, brave, & amazing women in your life & in history. Check out these great sources for inspiration & ideas provided by Run Wild My Child -

♀️ 6 fun activities to celebrate Women's History Month with your kids

♀️ 50 children's books about mighty children & women around the world 

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 Spring & belated St. Patrick'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!