Pennsylvania environmental education centers offer programs for pre-schoolers through college students. Center staff also provide community programs on many subjects like natural and cultural history and outdoor recreation. The centers' environmental education program consists of a variety of quality programs including; student field learning experiences, DiscoverE-Outdoor Programs for Young People, conservation leadership schools, the Bureau’s Watershed Education program, and numerous in-service and pre-service teacher workshops. The centers' program staffs also offers community programs and supports ecological research.
Four environmental education centers offer year-round educational programming.
Jacobsburg
Jennings
Kings Gap
Nolde Forest
Student Field Learning Experiences: Outdoor environmental education programs for school groups, called field learning experiences, are available for preschool through grade 12 at four environmental education centers and 20 nine- to 12-month state park sites. Most field learning experiences follow the sequence and continuum outlined in the Activities For Environmental Learning, a supplemental curriculum developed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Using this conceptual-based environmental education activity continuum, these activities develop environmental awareness, environmental knowledge and environmental valuing and problem solving skills at the appropriate grade level.
Environmental Forum: Selected students from high schools investigate a local environmental issue through sessions at the state park site and local community sites. Student teams develop projects and take positive environmental action toward the issue in their school and/or community.
Environmental Problem Solving: Groups or classes of middle and high school students use environmental problem solving methods to investigate and take action concerning local environmental issues.
Watershed Education: Students and teachers assess water quality of a local stream on a quarterly basis and develop strategies to solve local water quality problems. Spring and fall Water Quality Seminars are hosted by the environmental education centers to share regional and statewide results and to provide additional water quality information.
Special Populations: The complete array of environmental education services offered is also available for special populations. Special programming is available for groups with physical and mental disabilities. Consultant services for teaching environmental education with special populations is also available at some sites.
In-Service and Pre-Service Workshops: The Bureau of State Parks regularly offers both credit and non-credit in-service courses through local intermediate units. Graduate credits in environmental education are offered through Penn State and Slippery Rock universities. We also provide workshops for individual schools and school districts. Workshops are designed to give educators the knowledge and skills necessary to implement environmental education with their students. Check out our current schedule of teacher workshops taking place in state parks and environmental education centers.
Curriculum Development: Assistance is available on an as staff is available basis to assist schools in developing environmental education curricula and programs.
Site Development: Assistance is available on an as staff is available basis to assist schools in planning and implementing school environmental education sites and environmental study areas. We can provide assistance in planning, layout, pre-inventory, design and utilizing and coordinating other resource agency personnel.
DiscoverE: This series of exciting outdoor programs for young people ages 4-17 makes every day an adventure, every state park a new, wondrous experience!
Pennsylvania’s natural resources and historic sites are discovered through exciting programs provided by trained educators and interpreters. By combining recreation and education, we hope to motivate children to learn more and return often, leading to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment and conservation leadership.
Explore DiscoverE
Community Programs: A wide range of free public programs are offered throughout the year at most sites. Program themes include environmental issues, cultural/historical, natural history and ecology field trips. Special family programs are planned for adults and elementary-aged children. Program brochures are available at most sites.
Interpretive Services: The Bureau of State Parks provides both day and night guided walks, campfire programs, historical programming, interpretive brochures, exhibits and other interpretive services. Explore the Calendar of Events for information on upcoming progams and events.
ECO Camp: Exploring Careers Outdoors – a week-long residential camp for a cross-section of high school youth from across Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Participate in action-packed, hands on activities and recreational adventures in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests that expose youth to conservation, recreation and careers in natural resources. Learn how people make a living working in the outdoors. A highlight of the week is an overnight camping trip in a nearby state park, and information on future employment opportunities will be available upon completion of the week’s programs. Key topics and recreational activities will surround the themes of water, land, forests, and wildlife. Youth participating in the camp may have opportunities for continued involvement with agency staff and programs, through potential options such as internships, mentoring programs, job shadowing or return as future camp leaders.
Spring Into Action
Celebrate a month full of activities for the environment with DCNR State Parks and State Forests
State parks and state forests throughout Pennsylvania have scheduled clean-up events and special programs during the month of April. Individuals, groups and schools should contact the state park or state forest near you to find out the dates and times of events or check out Earth Day on the Calendar of Events.
What is the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup? The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is joining DEP, Penn DOT and Keep America Beautiful in support of the Great Pennsylvania Clean Up. State parks and state forests throughout the Commonwealth will be participating. You can join your favorite state site or organize your own cleanup. www.greatpacleanup.org
What is Earth Day? On April 22, school children and communities throughout the United States participate in what many say is the third most important date on the school activities calendar. The first Earth Day was launched as an environmental awareness event in 1970, an event often credited with launching the modern American environmental movement. Click on “Earth Day” on the state parks web site for a calendar of events. www.earthday.org
What is Arbor Day? Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care. It was founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872. In Pennsylvania, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. The National Arbor Day Foundation is dedicated to helping people plant and care for trees and encourage the celebration of Arbor Day. www.arborday.org
What is National Environmental Education Week? This is a week of "educational preparation" for Earth Day. The Deparment of Conservation and Natural Resources has partnered with the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation and other organizations throughout the country to promote environmental education in classrooms throughout Pennsylvania. www.eeweek.org
What is Watershed Snapshot? Thousands of children and adults will test the waters of local streams and send the information to DEP. You are welcome to join the state parks participating in this event. Participants will input data directly into an on-line database. A summarry of the report is posted online at a later date. www.dep.state.pa.us
Make Earth Day your day to "spring into action."
