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Pennsylvania State Parks
🦃 Educator E-Blast 🦃
November 2025 Edition
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Happy Thanksgiving and Welcome to November!
The internet has informed us that November is... "the month of poets, artists, thinkers, and wanderers." We agree! Please check out the lessons and resources below. We hope to inspire you this month!
Try to find a quiet moment. Check out the PA Parks & Forests Foundation's (PPFF) new video - The Role of Quiet 11:16 min.
We're taking a short educator PD break through the end of 2025, but we have some great trainings in the works for 2026! Check out ALL of the upcoming Educator Workshops on the DCNR Calendar with more to come!
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PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents ⬇️ -
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Section 1: November & Thanksgiving Teaching Ideas + FREE Lessons!
- Section 2: Trainings, Grants, & Webinars for Educators
- Section 3: Explore the Outdoors!
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Section 4: Striving Towards Inclusion - Hispanic Heritage Month
- Capstone: PA State Park Info. & Updates
| | Section 1: Fall & Thanksgiving Activity Ideas | | |
Bring the Season into your Classroom! Try these quick, hands-on science lessons & activities that celebrate everything we love about fall. 🍂
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The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) has partnered with local artist Melodie Schwarz-Higgins to offer monthly paint-by-number sheets. Visit PPFF's website to download these beautiful FREE designs. Tag PPFF on social media to share your completed paintings 📷
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Celestron offers this grant to support classrooms by providing sets of binoculars to educators implementing participatory science or nature-based investigations into their teaching. Whether you're monitoring bird feeders or exploring your local area for wildlife, apply & describe what you could accomplish with a set of high-quality binoculars. Apply NOW! Due by: 12/5/2025.
| | Section 2: Trainings, Webinars, & Grants for Educators | | |
Culturally Centered Nature-Based Programs for Kids Webinar
Wednesday, November 12, 2-3 PM EST
FREE, pre-registration required. Suggested donation: $15
Though our experiences in nature may be different, our shared history includes the stories & roles of Indigenous, Black, & other people of the global majority. In this webinar, Ashley Brailsford, Ph.D., early childhood educator & founder of Unearthing Joy, will share strategies for culturally-centered, inclusive nature-based programming including nature & literacy connection using multicultural children’s books, family & land stories, community culture bearers, & more. From the Children & Nature Network
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Walking Softer Education Program: Empower Youth, Activate Change Webinar
Monday, November 17, 6:00 PM EST
Free for PAEE Members, $5 for nonmembers
Walking Softer Education teaches high school-aged youth about environmental solutions & empowers them to implement community-based environmental projects, providing up to $2,000 in funding. Educators who take their students through the program will receive a $1,000 teacher stipend, and participating juniors & seniors can apply for a scholarship of up to $20,000 to support further education. This webinar will cover everything -- signing up, participating in the program, & supporting your students on their sustainability journey. Register NOW!
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PA DEP Environmental Education (EE) Grants
Calling 📣 educators, small businesses, universities, conservation districts, & community leaders! Need funding for a project?
Small, medium, or large -- apply for a DEP EE Grant.
Applications Due: Nov. 14, 2025 → dep.pa.gov/eegrants
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MWEE Practitioner Webinar Series - a series of pre-recorded webinars to help guide schools in planning and implementing Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences.
Webinars Include:
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The PA Sea💦Grant Aquaculture Challenge is a science competition open to teams of 8th-12th grade students in the Great Lakes Sea Grant states, including Pennsylvania.
Competition includes: $150 stipends, a virtual coach training, a team liaison, & resources.
Teams work from January-April to design & engineer table-top aquaponics 🌱systems. They monitor & automate their systems, craft a business plan, & create a seafood outreach project. The competition ends in late April. Registration is now Open -- Enter by 1/14/2026!
Challenge is offered by the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative, a program of the Great Lakes Sea Grant.
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Section 3:
Explore the Outdoors!
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"Today’s young people are the leaders, innovators, & thinkers who will shape the next 250 years —
America’s Field Trip is a nationwide contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of our nation’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the chance to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic & cultural landmarks.
Students submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest prompt: “What does America mean to you?" Contest ends on 3/30/26. Learn more - https://america250.org/fieldtrip/
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National Take A Hike Day - Monday, November 17
Yes, the days are getting shorter & cooler. Getting outside isn't always easy during the week, but it is rewarding. On National Take a Hike Day, the American Hiking Society (AHS) reminds folks hiking can be simple—no heavy pack or rugged mountain required. You can enjoy the mental & physical health benefits of hiking right in your neighborhood. Grab a few essentials & head outside. A short stroll is a great way to celebrate National Take a Hike Day. Happy Hiking! 🚶🏼♀️➡️🚶🏽➡️
🍂 Fall Hiking with PA State Parks - state parks throughout the commonwealth offer a variety of hiking opportunities. Search the DCNR calendar of events for a guided hike near you.
♿ Looking for ways to get outside with limited mobility? Celebrating Stillness: Low Mobility Wildlife Appreciation Options - from Maryland DNR
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The Fall Foliage Isn't Over Yet🍂!
Explore DCNR's weekly Fall Foliage Reports to find the best spots to see nature’s show.
This Week's Fall Foliage Report 🍁
National Go for a Ride Day - Saturday, November 22 Get up & get out! Do you ever feel like you’re tied to your screens? We’ve become a pretty sedentary bunch — a far cry from the people who discovered countries, oceans, & animals.
Make today a day to set your spirit free & enjoy your wanderlust on whatever mode of transportation suits you best. Bike, boat, car, skateboard, sleigh—it doesn’t matter what you choose! Pick a location you’ve always wanted to visit & make today the day you go.
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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, 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.
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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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🥧🦃 Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🥧
Carissa Longo, Natural Resource Program Specialist
(Coordinating Project WILD & Pennsylvania Songbirds Curricula for all of PA)
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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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