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Environmental learning doesn't have to stop at the classroom door.
There are hundreds of public environmental education centers throughout
the country where you can both enjoy nature and learn how to protect
it. These centers are a great field trip for the entire family, and
will leave you and your children with a greater appreciation of the
world around you.
Follow the links below to learn more about the following Environmental
Education Centers:
Wildwood Lake Sanctuary
Shaver's
Creek Environmental Center
Ned
Smith Center for Nature and Art
Jennings
Environmental Education Center
To find other environmental education centers throughout Pennsylvania,
please visit the Environmental
Education Facilities Directory.
 Wildwood's
most striking feature is its setting. Nestled in an urban center between
both highways and railroads, the sanctuary plays a much-needed role
in providing wildlife with protected habitat and in giving city youth
a way to connect with nature.
Through a combination of pictures, articles, technology, and hands-on
exhibits, the sanctuary's environmental education center has something
for anyone's peculiar learning style. When added on top of the sanctuary's
trails and boardwalks, it's hard to come away from the place without
feeling a great sense of gratitude for the people and programs that
are working to protect our environment.
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Wildwood
Lake Sanctuary
Learn about upcoming events and activities at the sanctuary.
A
Trip to Wade Island
Explore the Wildwood's bird habitat in a special edition of Rough
Terrain.
Pennsylvania
Audubon Society
Find out about another group working to protect wildlife habitat,
based out of Wildwood.
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 Understanding
that kids make the best naturalists, Shaver's Creek works to encourage
their natural curiosity and fearlessness by giving them the chance
to experience wildlife firsthand. In addition to the plants and animals
found along the center's many trails, Shaver's Creek houses a Raptor
Center for the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey, providing
ample opportunity for young people to learn about nature up-close-and-personal.
It's the hope of environmental educators at Shaver's Creek that by
getting a chance to interact with wild animals, children will grow
to appreciate them. With an understanding on how we can protect wildlife
— which the center also provides — young people will be
empowered to make a difference for the environment.
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Shaver's
Creek
Learn all about the center and how you can support it.
The National
Wildlife Federation
Explore environmental education programs spearheaded by NWF.
Return
of the Raptor
Learn other ways that people are protecting wildlife.
How
to Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator
Discover licensed wildlife "rehabbers" in your area.
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 E.
Stanley "Ned" Smith was born in Millersburg, PA in 1919.
A self-taught naturalist and avid painter, he quickly became "dean
of Eastern wildlife artists." In addition to housing many of
his paintings and sketches, the center named in his honor is helping
to keep his tradition alive by teaching people the keen eye and sense
of wonder found among both artists and naturalists.
Taking the best advantage of its 500 acres, trails, artwork and educational
displays, the Ned Smith Center strives to teach children "outdoor
literacy." They learn to name the plants and animals they see,
as well as to creatively document the things they observe. Through
innovative programs mixing art and environmental education the center
helps young people learn to not just appreciate nature, but to communicate
why it's important to them.
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Ned Smith
Center
Learn more about the center's mission and resources.
Ned
Smith Tribute Days
Join in the celebration of one of Pennsylvania's greatest naturalists.
Art
and Environment Links Directory
Uncover resources on "art and the environment" from Learning
Stone.
Scott
Weidensaul
Study the work of another great Pennsylvania naturalist.
Back to the Top
 Jennings
is probably best known for the land and endangered species it is helping
to preserve. Initially founded to protect a beautiful flower known
as the blazing star, the park contains the only protected prairie
in Pennsylvania — crucial habitat for endangered species like
the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. But the center also serves another
critical function: educating Pennsylvania's teachers about the craft
of environmental education.
By bringing them up to speed on environmental education standards,
Jennings helps give teachers the confidence they need to inspire the
next generation of conservationists. The center also specializes in
a hands-on pedagogy that really gets children involved, and helps
make big picture concepts real to them on a level that they can understand.
Jennings is always working towards "the wow factor" —
that point where people really understand and appreciate the beauty
and intricacies of their own backyards.
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Jennings
Environmental Education Center
Learn about the center's history and services.
EPA's Office
of Environmental Education
Your virtual guide to "environmental education for beginners."
The Pennsylvania
Center for Environmental Education
Find resources from a group promoting "the environmental education
process."
EE-Link
Discover environmental education resources around the nation.
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