An Opportunity to Link Environmental Education

and Citizen Science in Eastern Pennsylvania

Diane HusicMoravian CollegeLehigh Gap Nature Center

Pennsylvania – Proposed 5-County Partnership

Project Concept

• A collaborative partnership amongst regional environmental educators, nature centers and parks

• A jointly offered educational program theme of phenology and citizen science for 2011 (“Wildlife Watchers Program”)

• Using the 5 county area (Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, and Pike)

What is Phenology?

What is Phenology?

“..the science that measures the timing of life cycle events in plants, animals, and microbes, and detects how the environment influences the timing of those events.”

The Phenology HandbookHaggerty, B.P. and Mazer, S.J.National Phenology Network

Why Phenology?

• A simple, low-cost and important way to teach biological monitoring for all ages AND collect important scientific data.

• Provides useful information about impacts of changing environmental conditions on the flora and fauna.

• Allows a study of resource availability and sheds light on interactions between species.

• Activities learned can subsequently also be done at home or in schoolyards and community gardens.

A partnership in this endeavor would allow

• A study of patterns across a broader geographical and temporal scale

• Community building throughout the region

• Networking and possible professional development opportunities for all of us

Potential Project Partners/Resources

Lehigh Gap Nature CenterTrexler Nature PreserveCarbon County Environ. Ed.

CenterWildlands ConservancyPocono Environ. Ed. CenterMonroe County Environ. Ed.

CenterEdge of the Woods Native Plant

Nursery

Schools in 4 county region including 9 colleges and universities

Other?

Jacobsburg State ParkDelaware and Lehigh Natl.

Heritage CorridorDelaware Water Gap Natl.

Recreation AreaCherry Valley Natl. Wildlife

RefugeNumerous city parks

Lehigh Valley Audubon and PA Audubon

PA Nature ConservancyPA Wild Resource Conservation

Program of the DCNR

National Phenology Network

PA Climate Change Adaptation Working Group on Natural Resources

-- Has identified the need for extensive baseline biological monitoring of a range of habitats and species

Who is going to do this?

Potential Benefits

• Pilot for the state:– Can such a partnership work?

(Environmentally Distributed Ecological Network)– Can citizen science work?

• Will get kids/families outdoors – with a purpose– Observing nature – Learning about their environment– Contributing to state and national research projects– Promotes science in a fun way!

Parallel Initiative

• Curricula development for K-12 students/schools

• Concepts align with state science standards

• With Moravian College Students and network of teachers that we have worked with

• Already have PDE approval for Act 48 continuing education hours through the college

Next Steps?

• Determine interest amongst potential partners

• Brainstorm ideas linked to your programming goals and priorities

• Consider Logistics– Calendars– Resources (people, time)– Which species to focus on? (NPN, PA reports)

• How can I leverage the TogetherGreen opportunity to help you?

Questions?