Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

iBb: inside Berks business

August 9, 2016

Joel Kleinspehn

Schuylkill Valley Elementary

iBb Program Overview• Five Day Internship with a local business

• Educator gains insight about the business and identifies ways to teach students about required skills and career opportunities

• The educator will help prepare students for career opportunities in the business world

Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

• Contains more than 665 acres of forest, trails, and streams

• Offers recreational opportunities free to the public: Hiking, dog walking, seasonal community programs

• Offers “hands-on, problem solving” environmental learning experiences and programs to: school districts homeschool, Scouts, organizations, and self guided groups

Nolde Forest: A Brief History

• Was started by environmentalist Jacob Nolde who made his fortune in the hosiery industry

• He was inspired to create a forest that resembled his native Westphalia, Germany by observing a single white pine tree.

• Nolde wanted to provide a destination that his family and textile workers could visit to experience and enjoy.

• Nolde Forest Education Center was the first to be owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Pa Bureau of State Parks Department of Conversation and Natural Resources

• Our VisionAs Pennsylvania’s leader and chief advocate for conservation and outdoor recreation, we will inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices, and experience the outdoors.

• Our MissionWe conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment.

Nolde Forest Greatest Asset

• Rolling hills of white pine, Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, ponderosa pine, Japanese larch, red pine, oak, tulip poplar, red maple, cherry, beech, black birch, and yellow birch trees.

• Terrestrial and aquatic habitats including man-made ponds, streams, miles of trails.

• Dedicated and knowledgeable staff that provide environmental awareness and knowledge, environmental problem solving and decision-making skills, and appreciation of the outdoors.

Nolde Forest and State Park Employment

• Job titles and salaries are based on education and experience.

• Types of work include: semi-skilled labor/maintenance, Ranger, clerks, Environmental Education Specialist, Park Manager Trainee, DCNR (Law Enforcement) Rangers, lifeguards.

• Most jobs are seasonal (April thru October) with hourly wages ranges from 11.04-18.08 per hour.

Technology

• SmartBoard at Berks County Agricultural Center

• Cameras/Photography

• DVD’s

• GPS/Cell Phones

• Basic Computer Skills

• Social Media (Facebook/Website)

Greatest Challenge

• Maintenance of park and habitat

• Fundraising (Friends of Nolde Forest)

• Education and monitoring of invasive species

• Invasive Tree of Heaven Plant

Skills Required of Students to be Successful at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center and State Parks

• Good Communication Skills• Dependable• Time Management Skills• Proper Environmental Education (Depending on position)• Study and Research Skills• Appreciation and knowledge of local history and the

outdoors• Pass basic Civil Service Exam• Ability to work with public, organizations, school districts

Summary of Projects Abstract

Day 1: Participation in the Berks County Conservation Leadership Program at the Agricultural Center

• Watershed push pin activity of residences

• Preventing Run-off activity

• Life as an Environmental Planner (Planning a Community Activity): The students will identify all of the needs and concerns of a community as they draw it on paper.

Summary of Projects Abstract

Day 2:

• The students will discuss what Environmental Education is (develop definition).

• The students will listen and observe the following presentations: Bureau of Topographical and Geologic Survey, Game Commission and Wildlife Specialist, Pa Department of Environmental Protection, Pa Fish and Boat Commission, and a Park Manager

Summary of Projects Abstract

Day 3:

• The students will participate in a nature hike observing wildlife, plants, and aquatic life. They will recreate deer tracking event, determine what Earth materials are present in an automobile, and determine time of death of a carcass (Wildlife Forensics).

• The students will participate in a community service project by gather rocks and building a border around a plant garden at the Education Center (preventing run-off).

Summary of Projects Abstract

Day 4:

• The students will take a guided nature walk with an Environmental Education Teacher. The students will identify various plants, insects, and aquatic life by taking samples and returning them to the environment.

PA Career and Content Academic Standards

PA Career Academic Standards Addressed: Career Acquisition 13.2.3.

A. Identify appropriate speaking and listening techniques used in conversation.

Career Retention and Advancement

13.3.3.

A. Identify attitudes and work habits that contribute to success at home and school.

B. B. Identify how to cooperate at both home and school.

C. C. Explain effective group interaction terms, such as, but not limited to:

Compliment

Cooperate

Encourage

Participate

PA Career and Content Academic Standards

Content Academic Standards Addressed:

Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening

1.1.3.D: Demonstrate comprehension / understanding before reading, during reading, and after reading on grade level texts through strategies such as retelling, summarizing, note taking, connecting to prior knowledge, supporting assertions about text with evidence from text, and nonlinguistic representations.

1.2.3.E: Read, understand, and respond to essential content of text in all academic areas.

1.6.3.A: Listen critically and respond to others in small and large group situations. Respond with grade level appropriate questions, ideas, information, or opinions.

1.4.3.B: Write informational pieces using illustrations when relevant (e.g., descriptions, letters, reports, instructions).

PA Career and Content Academic Standards

Science and Technology and Engineering Education

•3.1.3.A1. Describe characteristics of living things that help to identify and classify them.

•3.1.3.A2. Describe the basic needs of living things and their dependence on light, food, air, water, and shelter.

•3.1.3.A3. Identify differences in the life cycles of plants and animals.

•3.1.3.B5. PATTERNS Identify characteristics that appear in both parents and offspring.

•3.1.3.C1. Recognize that many plants and animals can survive harsh environments because of seasonal behaviors (e.g. hibernation, migration, trees shedding leaves).

•3.1.3.C2. Describe animal characteristics that are necessary for survival.

Special Thanks!

This has been a fun and valuable experience that has given me a better understanding of the skills our students will need in life. It has also given me a better understanding and appreciation of the environment.

I would like to thank the organizers of the inside Berks Business experience. I would also like to give a special thanks to Rachel Baur, Environmental Education Specialist at Nolde Forest