It's here again! The crazy back-to-school time! Like you, we've been buried under to-do lists, trying to update curricula, and teacher PD planning. Hence, this edition of the PA State Parks e-blast is a combination of both August AND September.☺ It is filled with back-to-school, new school🚸year activities, lessons, tips, teacher PD, grants, and more.

We missed out on officially celebrating "National Relaxation🧘‍♂️ Day" on Monday, August 15, 2022, but it doesn't mean we still can't participate! Naps are considered relaxing😴! Try to carve out some YOU time.

We encourage one member of your school district's staff take the 2022 Status & Needs of Environmental Education in PA Survey (NOAA Environmental Literacy Indicator Tool or ELIT) by September 30, 2022. The Environmental Literacy Indicator Tool (ELIT) is a federally directed effort to collect information from all public school districts in the Mid-Atlantic region every 2 years to monitor the status of environmental literacy efforts at a district level. ELIT Survey FAQ.

E-Blast Contents:

• Section 1: Back-to-School, Phenomena-Based Teaching Ideas, Resources, & Lessons
• Section 2: Earn Act 48 hours - In-Person Educator Professional Development Workshops
• Section 3: Upcoming Courses & Grant for Educators
• Section 4: Explore the Outdoors!
• Section 5: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
• Capstone: PA State Park Updates

We found the perfect nature comic for Back-to-School time!

Credit: Bird & Moon Comics

It's official! The new Pennsylvania Academic Science Standards have been approved! Don't panic, the regulations provide a three-year window for implementation of the new standards & establish a July 1, 2025, effective date. 

Final-form amendments to 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4 (Academic Standards and Assessment) were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 16, 2022. They have now taken effect for Pennsylvania. 

These amendments establish three new sets of academic standards as follows:

• Science Standards (pa.gov)
• https://www.stateboard.education.pa.gov/Documents/About%20the%20Board/Board%20Actions/2022/ANNEXA.pdf (Preface)
• https://www.stateboard.education.pa.gov/Documents/About%20the%20Board/Board%20Actions/2022/AppendixB-1.pdf

Keep yourself updated on these new standards, by joining one or more of the PA Department of Education's SAS Learning Communities. Joining these communities allows you to receive updates from PDE on these topics.

1. Access PDE SAS by registering on the PA Department of Education’s (PDE) Standards Aligned System (SAS) web page.
2. Click on the My SAS Tools link  in the upper right-hand corner of the landing page (it may have your name + SAS Tools).
3. Click on your SAS Tools button (upper right-hand corner of the screen; your name should be 1^st) & select Communities.
4. This will open a listing of all the PDE SAS Communities. Scroll down the page (or search) and click on each of these Professional Learning Communities:
5.  Environment, Ecology, and Agriculture, 
6. Science, and 
7. Technology and Engineering  
8.  Just below the Community description, above the moderator’s message (on the left), there will be a link to Join this Community; click the link to join. 

 These new academic standards will replace the existing academic standards for Science and Technology and Environment and Ecology, and those existing standards will be sunset on June 30, 2024. The publication of final-form amendments to Chapter 4 is available electronically at the Pennsylvania Bulletin (pacodeandbulletin.gov).

Section 1:

Back-to-School, Phenomena-Based Teaching Ideas, Activities, Resources, & Lessons

• 21 Fun & Engaging Social Distance-Friendly and Virtual Icebreakers Students Will Enjoy - Ideas for virtual icebreakers & in-person getting-to-know-you activities to help build connection no matter your classroom.

• Start the new year with new practices - Try Journaling with your students!

• Get Outside & Foster Your K-8 Grade Students' Outdoor Observation Skills using this excellent guide with easy-to-use activities - from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA).  

• Bring science to life in your classroom with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's & Pennington Wild Birds free Feathered Friends lesson plans download. Perfect for elementary educators, these easy-to-use, fun activities will help you teach science content year-round through local birds. Ten monthly lessons introduce students to local birds, cover topics from habitat to migration, and include take home activities to keep the learning going!

• 15 FALL Videos for PreK & Elementary Students - Short, kid-friendly videos on Autumn, Pumpkins🎃, Why Leaves🍁Change Colors, Bats 🦇, and more!

• While the leaves🍃are still green, make Chlorophyll Leaf Prints in 5 Easy Steps! The art of leaf printing has been around for hundreds of years, with the 1^st example discovered in the year 1,228 CE. From the 13^th to the 19^th century, botanists, herbalists, and doctors all over the world used herbal prints for medical research & ID. Check out the step-by-step guide!

• Start your school days off with some laughter with 10 Outdoor Activities to Bring Out the Laughter (scroll down the page for lots of hilarious 😂nature jokes for kids) - from Run Wild My Child

• Make simple Leaf🍂Lanterns with your students! 
• Light up those dark and chilly fall nights with these beautiful and incredibly easy to make Leaf Wax Paper Lanterns 🕯 . - from Little Pine Learners 

Project Learning Tree (PLT) recently launched a new theme-based, student-focused activity collection. 

To Learn more about how to purchase the downloads and their BOGO promotion click here!

Interested in attending a PLT Professional Development workshop? Visit the DCNR Calendar of Events to find upcoming PLT (and other) teacher PD workshops! 

12 hilarious children’s books that are sure to make your students laugh!

• Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett
• Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
• Giraffe Problems by Jory John
• Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown
• Snail and Worm: Three Stories About Two Friends by Tina Kügler
• “Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” by Patricia Thomas
• The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky
• The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach
• The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
• This Is a Taco! by Andrew Cangelose
• Underwear! by Jenn Harney
• Unstoppable by Adam Rex

Section 2: Earn Act 48 hours

In-Person Educator Professional

Development Workshops

Go to the DCNR Calendar for ALL Upcoming Educator Workshops

All COVID safety protocols will be followed for all in-person workshops.

Flying🐦WILD Educator Workshop

Saturday, September 17, 7:30 am - 2:30 pm

In-Person at Pymatuning State Park, 2660 Williamsfield Road, Jamestown, PA 16134

Act 48: 6.5 hrs.

Fee: $15.00 payable in advance; pre-registration is required

Join certified PA State Park Educators for an interactive, hands-on Flying WILD educator workshop at Pymatuning State Park! Flying WILD is designed for educators working with middle school students and provides fun and easy to use environmental education activities focused on celebrating birds 🐦. Activities address science standards and complement many concepts presented in Project WILD & Project WILD Aquatic curricula. Workshop highlights include taking part in a PA Game Commission duck banding field experience, a live birds of prey program presented by Tamarack Wildlife Center, and a Flying Wild Curriculum book. This workshop is open to both formal & non-formal educators. To register, contact Emily Borcz, EES at eborcz@pa.gov or 724-932-3142 ext. 106.

Applied Growing Up WILD: Take Me Outside Educator Training

Saturday, September 17, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm 

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

Act 48: 4 hrs. 

Fee: FREE! Pre-registration is required

Join Nolde Forest Education staff as they share techniques for teaching young children about the natural🌱world. Participants will learn outdoors through hands on instruction as facilitators model best practices for teaching outside while considering the safety of both students & living things. Lesson resources will be shared and each participant will receive the Growing Up WILD (GUW) Curriculum guide filled with integrated thematic units for students in grades PreK-2 that focus on teaching both inside and outside the classroom. All educators welcome – pre-service students, non-formal educators, and classroom teachers alike! Register NOW. Questions? Contact Sarah Presogna, EES Supervisor at spresogna@pa.gov.

PA Biodiversity Educator Workshop

Friday, September 23, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

In-Person, Outside at Codorus State Park, 2600 Smith Station Road, Hanover, PA 17331

Act 48: 3 hrs.

Fee: $15.00, payable in advance; make checks payable to: Commonwealth of PA

Find new ways to incorporate biodiversity into your classroom! This PA Biodiversity Educator Workshop provides 12 wildlife-based environmental education activities that are hands-on, easy to use, and fun! Upon completion of this 3-hour workshop, each participant will receive a PA Biodiversity Guide to keep, as well as goodies to take home! This curriculum is designed for grades 6-10. Explore the fundamentals of biodiversity by investigating Pennsylvania-specific flora and fauna in this fun filled educator workshop. This program will be held outdoors. To register, call (717) 637-2816 option #7 or email NRCodorusEEPrograms@pa.gov .

Questions? Contact Renae Weidner, EES at Reweidner@pa.gov or 717.637.3454.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Educator Workshop

Friday, September 23, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

In-Person at Little Pine State Park, Environmental Learning Center, 4205 Little Pine Creek Road, Waterville, PA 17776

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: FREE, Pre-registration is required

This workshop will introduce teachers PreK - 8 to the Project Learning Tree (PLT) PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide. PLT is an international program promoting the study and understanding of environment and ecology with a focus on forests. Materials and PLT PreK-8 curriculum guide are being provided by DCNR. Registration is required by September 16, 2022. Register NOW! For questions, please contact Ian Loewen, EES at 570-753-6005.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Educator Workshop

Saturday, September 24, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

In-Person at Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Center, 170 Route 259 Highway, Penn Run, PA 15765

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $20.00 Pre-registration required

Join experienced facilitators for a Project Learning Tree educator workshop at Yellow Creek State Park! Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for educators working with students from K to 8^th grade. Enjoy fun, hands-on activities inside and outside, so dress for the weather! This workshop is open to all educators, from (formal) teachers to (non-formal) educators such as scout leaders, youth leaders, early childhood, etc. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Lisa Meadows, EES at limeadows@pa.gov.

PA Biodiversity Educator Workshop

Sunday, Sept. 25, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

In-Person at Little Buffalo State Park, 1579 State Park Road, Newport PA 17047

Act 48: 4.5 hrs.

Fee: $10.00 payable in advance; pre-registration is required

PA Biodiversity is an environmental education curriculum designed for grades 6-10 but is enjoyed by all ages. This workshop is open to any educator, not just teachers! It will be mainly geared towards educators teaching 4^th- 10^th grades, but many of the activities can be tailored to all ages. Snacks and books will be provided. Lunch is on your own. To register, call the park office at 717-567-9255 with payment information. Questions? Contact Mindy Marker, EES at mmarker@pa.gov. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.

WILD About Elk🦌Educator Workshop

Wednesday, September 28, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm

In-Person at Presque Isle State Park, Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC), 301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 1, Erie, PA 16505

Act 48: 4.5 hrs.

Fee: $15.00, payable in advance

If you are a teacher or educator who has a love of the outdoors and is interested in learning more about Pennsylvania’s Elk🦌herd, this is the workshop for you! Learn with park naturalists and educators from the PA Game Commission as they explore Project WILD’s “WILD About Elk” curriculum. Participants will learn about the life history, ecology, behavior, and management of Pennsylvania Elk utilizing fun, standards-based ways to teach about elk.

All participants will receive the award-winning WILD About Elk Curriculum Guide and other classroom materials! This workshop is for formal & non-formal educators. Register NOW. After registration, call the park office to pay at 814-833-7424. Registration deadline: 9/23/2022. No live Elk will be seen.

GO Teach: Hiking 101 Educator Workshop 🥾

Saturday, October 1, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

In-Person, at Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 State Route 18, Hookstown, PA 15050

Act 48: 5.5 hrs.

Fee: $20, Registration required

Hiking can open the door to many educational opportunities. Join us and explore the possibilities of using hiking to modernize your curriculum and remake learning in your classroom. This workshop is for teachers & environmental educators who teach science, geography, or physical education. Lessons focus on health, fitness, trip planning, map and compass, finding local trails, forest ecology, and nature journaling. Registration is required by clicking the "Buy Ticket" button. For questions, please contact Patrick Adams at 724-899-3611 ext 2 or paadams@pa.gov Cost $20.

WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands Educator Workshop💦 

Friday, October 14, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

In-Person, Outside at Codorus State Park, 2600 Smith Station Road, Hanover, PA 17331

Act 48: 3 hrs.

Fee: $15.00, payable in advance; make checks payable to: Commonwealth of PA

Wetlands are diverse habitats that are great tools for teaching about

Pennsylvania’s aquatic spaces. This workshop will introduce environmental education activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun!

Participants will gain resources through the WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands

curriculum, which is designed for formal and informal educators teaching grades K-12, that will help define wetlands, their functions, and how people are active in them. Participants will receive the WOW curriculum along with knowledge and skills to teach about wetlands and conservation. This program will be held outdoors. To register, call (717) 637-2816 option #7 or email NRCodorusEEPrograms@pa.gov. Questions? Contact Renae Weidner, EES at Reweidner@pa.gov or 717.637.3454.

Project🐰WILD Educator Workshop

Saturday, October 15, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

In-Person at PA State Parks Region 2 Office, 195 Park Road, Prospect PA 16052

Act 48: 7.5 hrs. (includes 2 hrs. pre-workshop activities)

Fee: $20.00 payable in advance. Registration is required.

Project Wild is a hands-on, wildlife-focused conservation education curriculum designed for educators working with students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade. This workshop is open to all educators, from formal teachers to naturalists, scout leaders, and others! Earn 7.5 Act 48 hours with 2-hours of at-home activities before the workshop and 5.5-hours of in classroom instruction while experiencing hands-on activities near the shores of Lake Arthur. Participants will explore and receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. Prepare to be outside for a portion of the workshop.  For more information or to register, contact Mike Shaffer, EES at mishaffer@pa.gov or call 724-368-8811.

Flying WLD About Ducks🦆Educator Workshop

Saturday, October 22, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

In Person at Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Center, 170 Route 259 Highway, Penn Run, PA 15765

Act 48: 4 hrs.

Fee: $15.00, registration required & payable in advance

Curious about ducks🦆? Have you experienced the beauty of migrating ducks and waterfowl at Yellow Creek State Park? Flying Wild is a hands-on, interdisciplinary, K-12 teachers’ resource and activity guide about Pennsylvania ducks that utilizes STEM-based activities. We will also go out on the lake to observe migrating waterfowl. All activities are aligned with PA academic standards at the appropriate grade levels. K-12 teachers, informal educators, & scout leaders are invited to attend. Participants will receive a Flying Wild Educator's Guide, other bird-related teaching materials, and refreshments. Please bring a lunch, water, snacks, and dress to be indoors and outdoors. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Lisa Meadows, EES at LiMeadows@pa.gov or (724) 357-7913.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Educator Workshop 🌲

Thursday, October 27, 2022, 9:00 am-2:00 pm

In-person at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064

Act 48: 4.5 hrs.

Fee: $25, Registration required

Are you a college student, pre-service teacher, classroom teacher, environmental educator, or homeschool provider seeking lessons and skill-building to engage students (pre-k through 8th grade) in nature? Dive into environmental education activities, receive a Project Learning Tree activity guide with 96 field-tested lessons, experience a sampling of activities from the guide, and learn tips and tricks for working with students outdoors. This workshop will be co-led by professional educators. Bring a lunch and dress for outdoor fun! Register NOW.

Project WILD🦊Educator Workshop

Saturday, November 5, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm

In-Person at Bald Eagle State Park, 149 Main Park Rd. Howard, PA 16841

Act 48: 4.5 hrs.

Fee: $10.00 payable in advance; pre-registration is required. 

Project WILD is an interdisciplinary environmental education curriculum which focuses on wildlife. This workshop is open to all educators who work with students from grades K-12, from formal teachers to naturalists, scout leaders, and others! Earn 4.5 Act 48 hours while experiencing hands-on activities related to wildlife that help develop awareness, skills, and knowledge resulting in informed decisions and responsible behavior regarding wildlife and the environment. Participants will receive the updated Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide which now offers STEM activity extensions, field investigation activities, a WILD WORK career section, and more. Register NOW. Registration for this workshop is limited and is required by Saturday, October 15, 2022. Questions? Contact Michelle Smithbauer, EES at msmithbaue@pa.gov or call 814-625-9369 for more information.

WILD About Turkeys🦃Educator Workshop

Saturday, November 5, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

In-Person at Presque Isle State Park, Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC), 301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 1, Erie, PA 16505

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $20.00, payable in advance

Presque Isle State Park is offering a professional development course for traditional and non-traditional educators. The Project WILD curriculum offers objective, experimental, science-based nature education that addresses academic standards. Activities focused on wildlife can be utilized in classrooms, scout clubs, museums, zoos, parks and more. We will focus on the wild turkey 🦃. Indoor and outdoor activities are planned. Lessons are geared towards a middle school level, however all grade level educators are welcome to attend. Course includes the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide and other materials. Register NOW!

Section 3:

Upcoming Courses & Grants for Educators

~EXTENDED PD & WEBINARS~

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology🐦offers FREE, monthly webinars that are open to all educators. These fun & interactive webinars provide background content, highlight new and relevant educational resources, and facilitate discussion. Each webinar is ~1 hour. Teachers can also receive letters of completion or Continuing Education Units. These webinars are scheduled once per month through May 2023. The fall themes & dates are below. Registration is required.

• Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 7:00 pm - Feeding Our Feathered Friends
• Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 7:00 pm - Nurtured by Nature: Social Emotional Learning in Science

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program is pleased to announce educator professional development program opportunities: 

Blending MWEE and GIS for Educators: Expanding Meaningful Environmental and Watershed Literacy with Geospatial Technology Tools and Practices 

September 27 - November 15, 2022 – Seven weekly classes (held over an eight-week period) via Zoom on the Tuesday of each week from 4:30 pm - 6:30p.m. 

Act 48: up to 30.0 hrs. 

Fee: FREE, plus a stipend will be paid to educators who complete program requirements  

Have you been searching for the missing link that helps bridge the gap between environmental content and environmental literacy development? Are you hoping to help your students understand their connections to their local environment but are limited by established curriculum sequences? Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial technologies to explore complex interdisciplinary phenomena, such as environmental issues, has been demonstrated as a highly effective method for teachers and students to better understand connections within the natural world at all grade levels. We are seeking K-12 educators in Pennsylvania to participate in an innovative professional development series designed to enhance educators’ watershed inquiry and environmental literacy classroom practices. 

Register NOW. Registration for this workshop is limited and is required by Monday, September 12, 2022. 

For questions or more information, contact: Tamara Peffer at tpeffer@pa.gov, 717-772-0842. On the registration form, you will find an option to register for a school year-long program (September 20, 2022 - May 17, 2023) that builds upon this 7-week course but with an added focus on Great Lakes Literacy. For questions or more information about this option, contact Michelle Niedermeier at mxn14@psu.edu, 814-898-6888. 

The Pennsylvania DEP EE Grants are significantly changed for the 2023 grant round. 

The 2023 DEP EE Grant round is NOW OPEN (earlier than ever)!

Funding levels have been increased!

The impact of the pandemic has resulted in a significant amount of funding available for this round. Therefore, changes have been made with the intent of increasing the number of applicants and funded projects. Water, Climate Change, and engaging people living and or working within Environmental Justice areas are the DEP EE Grant Program priorities.

Learn more during the DEP EE Grants Program Webinar

• September 27, 2022 , 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
• Fee: Free!
• Registration is required. The session will be recorded and posted

Funding modifications for the 2023 EE Grant round:

I.   Increased Funding Levels

• Mini-Grants awarded up to $5,000 (prior years $3,000)
• General Grants Level I awarded up to $30,000 (prior years $20,000)

II. Expanded Eligible Expenses (DEP EE Grant manual pgs. 9-10)

1. People Costs: Now up to 50% of grant funds (35% in prior years)
2. Travel Costs: Lodging is now an eligible expense
3. Resource Costs: General Grants I & II: No more than 30% (formerly 10%) of the total grant funds requested may be used to purchase program-specific technology
4. Other Costs: Boat, kayak, canoe, and paddle boat rentals are now eligible expenses. (purchases are not an eligible expense)

Information about the 2023 EE Grants Program is available on the EE Grants Home page. 

• EE Grants Program Fact Sheet (PDF)
• 2023 Environmental Education Grants Program Manual (PDF)
• Questions? Please contact: RA-epEEgrants@pa.gov

Celestron Binocular Grants!🦅👀  

Does your classroom participate in citizen science or nature-based inquiry projects? The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is partnering with Celestron to provide 10 classrooms with FREE high-quality binoculars! Whether you’re watching a bird feeder, going out on regular bird walks, or participating in a bio blitz, share how your students are practicing their science skills, & what you could accomplish with a classroom set of 10 Celestron 👀 binoculars. Learn more & apply by October 16^th for your chance to win!

National Public Lands Day - September 24, 2022 👷‍♀️

NEEF's National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the 4^th Saturday in September, this celebration brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. 

NPLD is also a “Fee-Free Day”—one of only 5 days a year when entrance fees are waived at National Parks and other public lands.

Are you looking for a way to give back to your favorite park? If so, consider volunteering at one of the scheduled National Public Lands Day events in PA State Parks.

Help us celebrate Pennsylvania’s public lands even more with Healthy Lands Week! This year’s impactful event runs from National Public Lands Day on September 24 through A Walk in Penn’s Woods Day on October 2. Healthy Lands Week is a statewide initiative to strengthen volunteer activities and raise awareness of stewardship of public lands. Through clean-up and beautification events, invasive species removal and maintenance projects, volunteer recognitions, and other initiatives, it is an annual “rallying cry” for public stewardship of public lands, parks, and open spaces in Pennsylvania. 

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is Seeking High School Students for Young Ambassadors Program

for 22-23 School Year

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), invites PA 10^th -12^th grade students to help keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program. The program was recommended in the commonwealth’s litter action plan, announced by Governor Wolf in November 2021. Students will be chosen through a competitive application process.

The goals of the Young Ambassadors Program are to:

• Build community stewardship by inspiring, engaging, and empowering young Pennsylvanians to keep their communities clean & beautiful
• Develop civic leaders to champion and advocate for clean & beautiful communities across PA.

Over the 9-month program, Young Ambassadors of PA will be guided through a six-step process to implement change in their communities. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will provide education and training to program participants on such topics related to the impact of litter on roadways, litter prevention, waste management and recycling, civic engagement and related public policy, volunteer management, and social media marketing. The program will provide networking opportunities to not only build a sense of community within the program but also to promote professional development of the individual students.

For more information, visit Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania or contact Kylie McCutcheon at 724-836-4121 x114 or kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org.

Applications are open! Deadline to apply is September 15.  APPLY NOW

National Hunting & Fishing Day 🦌

September 24, 2022

On the 4^th Saturday of every September, NHF Day recognizes generations of sportsmen and women for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage and natural resources.

One of the main goals of National Hunting and Fishing Day is to recruit new hunters and anglers by encouraging participation and increasing public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation.

Through self-imposed fees and excise taxes, sportsmen and women have raised more than $57 billion--that’s more than $100,000 every 30 minutes being raised for conservation! Now on its 50^th year, NHF Day is the largest, most effective grassroots movement ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation.

If you are interested in trying out a new recreation, visit the DCNR Calendar of Events to find a Pennsylvania State Park hosting a National Hunting & Fishing Day event and consider heading out for some fun! Governor Wolf's Hunting and Fishing Day Proclamation 

September 2023 Mass Audubon Outdoor Almanac 🦉🔍🍂

Discover the magical world of nature this September. Head outside and experience the seasonal changes through the use of the Mass Audubon September Almanac. Have fun exploring!  

Section 5:

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

- Learn more about DCNR's DEI efforts-

Include DEI in Back-to-School🚸! 

• Start with 10 Diverse Nature Books for Kids

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.

DCNR facilities and Programs are OPEN with social distancing encouraged:

• Many Environmental Education programs require pre-registration. Explore the DCNR events calendar for details and to register.
• Plan your outing before you leave. Learn about facilities, download a park map, and review regulations here: Find park pages here
• Take care of & respect the resource. Park, hike, picnic, launch your kayak, hunt, & more only in designated areas.
• Check the weather before you depart, wear proper footwear, and bring water with you.
• Wear orange if hiking in designated hunting areas.
• Download before you leave or carry a park map with you!
• Please do not litter 🚮.
• Alcohol is not allowed in PA State Parks.
• Make a reservation at a PA State Park Campground, Camping Cottage, Cabin, or Yurt. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.

You can help keep state parks safe for all by following these practices:

• Use the restroom before you leave your house 🏡
• Bring a bag and either carry out your trash or dispose of it properly
• Stay on marked trails
• Clean up after pets 🐕

• Continue to practice social distancing (stay >6' apart)
• Take hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly
•  Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose
• If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, stay home

Back to School Already🏫!

Carissa Longo, Environmental Education Program Coordinator

&

Christine Ticehurst, Recreation and Interpretation Coordinator