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Pennsylvania State Parks

Educator E-Blast

May 2026 Edition

Happy Memorial Day!

Teachers - are you end-of-the-year teacher tired? 😴 One of our teacher-friends recently posted on her socials about what happens when she is 'end-of-the-school year tired.' She completely forgot to brush her teeth! 😂 Others chimed in... "waved my ID badge in front of my car door handle multiple times & began to get frustrated when it wasn’t unlocking!" "Once went to school with my slippers on & my hair uncombed! "I sat at a stop sign impatiently waiting for the light to change!" Our PA State Park Environmental Educators are also spring school field experiences tired. No matter what type of educator you are, we know you can relate.

We're here to help! Look out for the yellow school bus 🚌 icon below to quickly find activities perfect those last days of school (& for day camp lesson planning)!

PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents ⬇️🚌

  • Section 1: Last Days of School & Summer Teaching Ideas + FREE Lessons!
  • Section 2: TONS of Fun, Free-Low Cost, In-Person & Virtual Educator Professional Development (PD) Trainings
  • Section 3: Webinars for Educators
  • Section 3: Explore the Outdoors! Fish for Free Days!
  • Section 4: Striving Towards Inclusion - Mental Health Awareness Month
  • Capstone: PA State Park Info. & Updates

Section 1: Last Days of School 🚌 &

Early Summer 🌞Teaching Ideas

🚌 Experiment with making Solar Oven S'mores! When the sun ☀️ comes back out again next week, & the temp rises to at least 75 degrees, try this out with your students. They can experiment with their designs, study the phenomena, & eat S'mores! 🍫

🚌 7 Nature Experiments to Spark Student Curiosity - Encourage your students to ask ?s about & explore the world around them with these hands-on lessons - make your own water filter, a water cycle♻️ in a bag, leaf 🥬 chromatography, & more. - from Edutopia

🚌 Fun Outdoor Science Games for Elem. & MS Students - from Project Learning Tree (PLT)

🚌 30 Mnemonic Devices to Help Learn Bird 🐦 Songs! Turning bird songs into mnemonics—such as the Barred Owl's 🦉"Who cooks for you?" or the Northern Yellow Warbler's "Sweet, sweet, isn't it sweet?" is a great way to learn them. Learn a few of our faves + short videos of each bird singing to help you lock it in. - from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

💡 While you're learning those birds, help protect them by participating in Lights Out for Birds during migration this spring! Simply turn off your outdoor lights 💡 at night.

Poster

Celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity - May 22nd by Celebrating Pollinators!

Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth. Pollinators keep our ecosystems going.

FREE!🆓Gardening for Birds Poster! Enjoy the beauty of bird-friendly plants across the U.S. & Canada, along with the birds & other pollinators that they support - from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Discover & Learn About Native Plant 🌿Species:

🚌 FREE!🆓Pollinator🦋Toolkit of Activities for Teachers contains everything needed to bring pollination to life for grades K–5. Including lessons on insects, bats, & other pollinators that build ecosystem biodiversity & support student inquiry. - from SubjectToClimate

🚌 23🆓Outdoor Scavenger Hunts for Kids! Get OUT There! - from Run Wild My Child

Utilize STEELS and Phenomena-Based Investigations!

  1. 🚌 Getting Started with Nature Journaling for Students - add wonder, questioning, & exploration to time in nature - from Run Wild My Child
  2. 🚌 Study Local Phenomena! Watch the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Falcon-Banding Live-Stream (via FacebookLive) from the Rachel Carson State Office Blbg. (RCSOB) on Thursday, May 28th from 10:00 AM till 11:30 AM via FacebookLIVE. Students will learn about Peregrine Falcons, urban wildlife, conservation efforts, & the banding process. 

Y'all! America's 250th Birthday is this July, and DCNR is celebrating!


It’s the perfect time to get outside and explore Pennsylvania’s natural & historical treasures. As you learned last month, DCNR has launched a brand‑new America250PA GeoTrail. The GeoTrail is just the beginning...

DCNR is offering 80+ 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”

Be a Part of DCNR's 2026 BIO BLITZ! June 1st - June 30th!

Join us for the month of June to discover the diversity in our State Parks & Forests! Visit any one of our participating parks in June & document as many different species as you can. All species included, from trees 🌳 & flowers 🌼to fungi 🍄& insects 🦋, to birds 🐦, fish 🐟, & mammals 🐻! 

Participate from 6/1 - 6/30 in one of two ways: 

1. iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/ -

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) & open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park. For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" If iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, & location. That's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos 📷-

If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park. 

List of participating PA State Parks/State Forests:

  • Moraine State Park | McConnell's Mills State Park | Cowan's Gap State Park | Little Buffalo State Park
  • Black Moshannon State Park | Evansburg State Park | Ryerson Station State Park |
  • Hickory Run State Park | Nescopeck State Park | Forbes State Forest | Jennings EE Center
  • Volsburg Neck State Park | Fort Washington State Park | Oil Creek State Park | Pine Grove Furnace State Park

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

View ALL of the Upcoming Educator PD on the DCNR Calendar

STEELS in Action at Pymatuning: Field Investigations & Eco Career Explorations Educator PD

Friday, May 29, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

In-Person at Pymatuning State Park, 2547 Marina Drive, Jamestown, PA 16314 

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓

Join us for a full day, hands-on workshop at Pymatuning State Park designed to help K–12 formal and non-formal educators strengthen their STEELS instruction & plan & facilitate Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). Participants will explore local environmental issues through place based investigations, including macroinvertebrate sampling, data collection, & activities led by local environmental experts & green career professionals. Educators will learn strategies aligned to the PA STEELS Standards & the PA Career Ready Benchmarks, & they will generate ideas for student led environmental action projects that respond to authentic community needs. Those who complete the optional MWEE 101 online module will also earn certification as PA MWEE Ambassadors. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Wendy Carson at 814-734-8483 or wendy_carson@iu5.org.

First Investigation of Stream💦Health Educator PD

Friday, June 5, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

In-Person at Penn State Altoona-Science Bldg., 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601

Act 48: 3.5 hrs.

FREE! 🆓 More info. & registration

PA has the 2nd 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 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.


Project WET: Foundations of Water Education PD

Saturday, June 6, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

In-Person at Pymatuning State Park, 2547 Marina Drive, Jamestown, PA 16314 

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $20.00 payable in advance

Join professional State Park educators to learn about local watersheds, the Pymatuning Reservoir, the gatehouse, & local water resources while learning ways to address the Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (ELS) standards using Project WET's new educator guide, Foundations of Water Education. * This workshop includes both inside & outside activities, plus kayaking the reservoir (weather dependent). Participants will receive their own copy of Project WET's Foundations of Water Education Curriculum Guide. Project WET activities address PA STEELS & national education standards. Learn more about Project WET. This PD is for K-12 formal & non-formal educators. Register NOW by 5/31. Questions? Contact, Stacey Marendt, EES at Smarendt@pa.gov.


WILD About Elk 🫎 Educator PD

Monday, June 8, 1:00 PM - 7:30 PM (optional calf capture afterwards)

In-Person at Elk Country Visitor Center, 950 Winslow Hill Rd., Benezette, PA 15821

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $15.00, snacks & drinks included, dinner on your own; pre-registration required

This hands-on PD will explore the natural history & habitat needs of Pennsylvania elk, historical & current management strategies, & research techniques including an attempted elk calf research activity with the Game Commission (PGC). Education staff from the PGC, Keystone Elk Country Alliance, & PA State Parks will guide educators in grades K-12 through standards-aligned, hands-on lessons which can easily be integrated into STEELS, ELA, math, art, & social studies curricula. All attendees will receive the award-winning Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide & The Project WILD About Elk Module. Optional calf capture requires off-trail hiking (i.e., hiking up & down steep hills, uneven surfaces, through fields w/limited ground visibility, & through forests). For more info. or to register, call 814-787-5173 or ConEdSp@KECAUS.com. Register by 6/4/26.


Impact through Inquiry: STEELS & MWEE💦Educator PD

Tuesday, June 9, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

In-Person at Asbury Woods, Brown's Farm Barn, 5774 Sterrettania Rd. Fairview, PA 16415

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓+ $100 stipend!

PA Sea Grant, in partnership with Asbury Woods, IU5, & Stroud Water Research Center, is pleased to provide this PD which will be held outdoors on the scenic trails, forests, & wetlands of Asbury Woods. The hands-on PD is designed to help K–12 formal & non-formal educators plan a learner-centered Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) to spark curiosity & investigate real environmental issues in the local community. Educators will spend the day learning in & from nature as they explore field tested strategies, collecting & analyzing data, & planning authentic environmental action projects - all aligned to the PA STEELS standards. Participants will leave with a ready to use MWEE plan & resources ($100 stipend!). Registrants must complete the free 8-hour self-paced online MWEE 101 (8 Act 48 hours) & will be certified as a PA MWEE Ambassador upon completion of both MWEE 101 & the workshop. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Wendy Carson at 814-734-8483 or wendy_carson@iu5.org.


Educator PD - Facilitating Inquiry in the Outdoors

Tuesday, June 16, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

In-Person at Jacobsburg Envi. Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064

Act 48: 4 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓

Teachers & non-formal educators are invited to learn how to facilitate scientific inquiry outdoors. We'll spend time outside learning science routines, practicing investigations, & engaging in collaborative scientific discussions. This PD draws from The Lawrence Hall of Science's Better Environmental Education Teaching, Learning, & Expertise Sharing (BEETLES) Program. This STEELS-aligned training is best for educators who teach students in grades 3-8. Register by contacting Lauren Forster, EESS at laforster@pa.gov or 610-746-2801.


First Investigation of Stream💦Health Educator PD

Friday, June 5, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

In-Person at Penn State Berks-Luerssen Science Bldg. Rm. 22, Stout Rd. Reading, PA 19610

Act 48: 3.5 hrs.

FREE! 🆓 More info. & registration

PA has the 2nd 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 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.


Impact through Inquiry: STEELS & MWEE💦Educator PD

Tuesday, June 16, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

In-Person at Presque Isle State Park, Picnic Shelter #2 - Waterworks Area, Erie, PA

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: FREE! 🆓+ $100 stipend!

PA Sea Grant, in partnership with Asbury Woods, IU5, Stroud Water Research Center, & DCNR - PA State Parks, is pleased to provide this PD that will bring local environmental issues to life - on the beach at Presque Isle State Park! This hands-on & immersive PD is designed to help K–12 formal & non-formal educators plan Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) that spark curiosity & empower K-12 learners to investigate real environmental issues in their own communities. Spend the day on the beach exploring field tested strategies, collecting & analyzing environmental data from Lake Erie’s ecosystems, & planning authentic, learner-centered action projects - aligned to PA STEELS standards. Participants will leave with a ready to use MWEE plan & resources ($100 stipend!). Registrants must complete the free 8-hr self-paced online MWEE 101 (8 Act 48 hrs) & will be certified as a PA MWEE Ambassador upon completion of both MWEE 101 & PD. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Wendy Carson at 814-734-8483 or wendy_carson@iu5.org.


Aquatic🐟WILD Educator PD

Wednesday, June 17, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

In-Person at Glen Foerd Estate, 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114

Act 48: 6 hrs. 

Fee: $5-$15 sliding scale! Pre-registration is required.  

Join Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) & Glen Foerd Estate educators for an in-person PD. You will receive your own copy of the award-winning Project Aquatic WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide as well as lessons & activities to integrate wildlife education into your teaching. Learn about fish biology, urban waterways, watersheds in PA, & more! This PD is suitable for both formal & non-formal educators & is targeted for grade levels 3-12. Register NOW by 6/12/26. Questions? Contact Jordan Sanford, Wildlife Outreach Coord. at jorsanford@pa.gov or 717-787-4250 x 73337.


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 by 6/15/26. Questions? Contact Heather Flick, EES at hflick@pa.gov

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 workshop 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 1.5 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!


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

Fee: $15.00 pre-registration required.

Act 48 hrs: 6.5

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 & additional resources. Register NOW by 7/20/26To pay with credit card call the Ohiopyle park office at 724-329-8591. Questions? Contact Rob Zombek, EES at rzombek@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 one of the workshop 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 and discover new ways to bring their story to life! Register NOW by 7/13/26. Questions? Contact Heather Flick, EES at hflick@pa.gov. 

Section 3: Webinars for Educators

The Outdoor Learning School has a bunch of great online PD planned! View their full list of upcoming learning opportunities.

  1. May 12: Accessibility in Outdoor Learning Virtual Wksp. FREE! 🆓 This was recorded.

June PD:

  1. June 3 - 24: The Benefits of Forest Schools in your Teaching Practice Online Course
  2. June 9: Indigenous Perspectives on Land-Based Education Virtual Wksp. FREE! 🆓
  3. June 11: Indigenous Learning Presentation with David A. Robertson
  4. June 16: The Birds of Anishinaabe Aki Online Session
  5. June 29: Connecting Children to Nature through Indigenous Teachings Online Course

Section 4:

Explore the Outdoors!

We invite conservation and recreation partners to join us in engaging visitors, sharing resources, & helping more people discover meaningful ways to enjoy the outdoors.

If your organization is interested in tabling or providing an interactive exhibit or activity (on land or water!), register here - Outdoors for All Event Partner Registration Form. Please register by 5/31/26.

Fish-for-Free Days 🎣- Sunday, May 24, 2026 and Saturday, July 4, 2026


Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone (PA resident or non-resident) ​to legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways on the designated days with NO FISHING LICENSE REQUIRED (Trout/Salmon & Lake Erie permits also NOT required). All other fishing regulations still apply.​

Fish-for-Free Days are great ways for families to “catch” the fun of fishing! To find summer fishing programs, visit the DCNR Calendar of Events & PA Fish & Boat Commission Calendar of Events.

Leave No Trace (LNT) and Protect the Next 250 Years of Public Lands America's 250 Booklets!

LNT has developed free, fun, & educational America's 250 related booklets for both youth & adults.

Download them - 🚌 https://lnt.org/america-250/#youth_250 .

Section 5: Striving for Inclusion

- Learn more about DCNR's DEIB efforts-

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

In a world that can feel overwhelming or uncertain, many factors affecting our health are beyond our control. While we can’t change everything, paying attention to what we can influence can make a difference.

Focus on you & your students mental health -

  • 🚌Journal ✍🏽 prompt ideas for More Good Days
  • If having good days feels hard, know that help is available & you are not alone. Check on your mental health with a free, quick, anonymous test at mhascreening.org. - from Mental Health America (MHA) https://mhanational.org/
  • 🚌Kahoot! is offering a huge array of Mental Health Kahoots for educators to help your students reinforce key knowledge & skills for building healthier mindsets.
  • Check out WIDE OPEN SPACES (ISBN: 9798989858842), written by licensed therapist Robyn McGrath & illustrated by Polina Gortman, a lyrical & humorous picture book for kids ages 4-7 that turns a cramped family road trip into a mindful adventure. Download a FREE digital copy

This book is perfect for:  - from BLUE DOT KIDS PRESS

• Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) discussions about mindfulness & managing frustration

• Classroom conversations about perspective & regulating emotions

• STEAM connections exploring animals, habitats, & the natural world

• Encouraging observation, imagination, & curiosity about nature

Black Birders Week

Black Birders🐦Week is Sunday, May 24 - Saturday, May 30, 2026. Black Birders Week (BBW) is organized by The Black AF In STEM Collective – a collective that “seeks to support, uplift, and amplify Black Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics professionals in natural resources & the environment through professional development, career connection, & community engagement.”

This year’s theme is Flyways & Freedom: Advocacy, Action, and the Future. "This theme is about the journey toward liberation, the advocacy required to protect our shared environment, & the decisive action needed to build a future where everyone belongs." BBW was founded in 2020 by a passionate group of Black-identifying birders, Black AF in STEM.

DCNR Parks Logo

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 acalongo@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 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 Memorial 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- Educator PD to find additional training opportunities!