Join us at NatureWorksPark! As an environmental learning destination, we welcome you to attend any or all of the scheduled programs at NatureWorksPark. For inquiries about scheduling your group, contact Lisa Haas, our Conservation Education Specialist. Lisa would be happy to host your group at NatureWorksPark! Below are the programs offered at NatureWorksPark. For a full list of conservation education programs offered by the Blair County Conservation District, visit our website!

SCHOOL & YOUTH PROGRAMS

Annual Water Festival | April & May

What is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land that contains a common set of streams and rivers that drain into a single larger body of water. Such as a larger river, lake or ocean. We will learn about our local watershed and the impact it has on the Chesapeake Bay.

Importance of water quality: Water quality is important because it directly affects the health of the people, animals and plants that use the water. We will explore an enviroscape model to simulate the different types of pollution that can have a negative impact on our water quality.

Stream study: Learn how to easily check your local stream’s water quality. What is a macroinvertebrate? Macroinvertebrates are tiny insects that live in streams. They can be a quick and simple way to determine if your local stream is healthy. We will catch live stream macroinvertebrates and identify them using a dichotomous key to determine if the water is clean enough to sustain a healthy fish population.

What can we do? (Riparian buffers and rain gardens) Learn about the importance of riparian buffers, wetlands and rain gardens. A river lab will be used to demonstrate how riparian buffers can help prevent erosion, water pollution and flooding. We will also explore other methods to control water runoff using the “Rain to Drain” kit developed by Penn State Extension. Students will explore how a green roof, porous concrete, gravel roads, and rain gardens can prevent flooding, water pollution and increase our ground water.

BEES, BIRDS, AND BUTTERFLIES! | May & June

Learn about the importance of native plants for pollinators and local wildlife. Children will actively learn the process of pollination, and go through metamorphosis to become a beautiful monarch butterfly. At the end of the program they will make a seed-ball containing native plants to start their own pollinator garden.

Insects rely on native plant hosts and cannot eat exotic plants that are common in our yards and local nurseries. A decline in native insects means there will be a reduction in local bird species due to not enough food to feed their young. What we plant in our yards will determine the kind of wildlife that can live in Pennsylvania in the future!

IS YOUR STREAM CLEAN? | May & June

What is a macroinvertebrate? Macroinvertebrates are tiny insects that live in streams. They are a food source for many fish and other aquatic organisms. Children will get wet when they are introduced to aquatic macroinvertebrates, learn about the major segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) and differentiation between larval, nymph, and adult stages. They will catch live stream macroinvertebrates and identify them using a dichotomous key to determine if their local stream is clean enough to sustain a healthy fish population. Bring your water shoes for this fun adventure!

MY GARDEN | May & June

Learn how to start and care for your own garden full of food you love to eat! Children will learn about the different parts of a plant and why each one is important. They will learn proper technique to plant seeds and potted plants. We will explore the soil food web, an invisible world filled with life and death drama! Children will also learn how to improve our garden soil with compost.

TURTLE TALK! | July

Turtles are awesome reptiles. Children will learn the difference between turtles and tortoises with help from our non-native friend Franklin the tortoise. We will learn about and explore the habitat of different species of turtles in Pennsylvania, such as the Common Snapping Turtle, Eastern Box Turtle, and Wood Turtle to name a few. You can help the turtles that call Pennsylvania home by protecting their homes from habitat destruction, helping turtles cross the road safely, and when you see a turtle take a picture, don’t pick it up!