New Degree in Sustainable Agriculture

Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center

News & Events Spring & Summer 2017

Lackawanna College’s two-year Sustainable Agriculture degree takes an innovative and inter-disciplinary approach to education. Students will take classes at the Lake Region Center located in Hawley, Pa and will gain first-hand farming experience at the Sustainable Agriculture Farm located at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center in Covington Twp., Pa.

Today’s society needs skilled individuals to develop and promote sustainable and local food production. Lackawanna College’s Sustainable Agriculture curriculum is aligned with the priorities set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was designed with the help of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).

Students will take a variety of hands-on courses, including Organic Crop Production, Sustainable Livestock Management, and Plant Propagation. Graduates will be prepared to work with small and large farms, farm bureaus, and other agencies as skilled farmers, managers, and entrepreneurs.

Lackawanna College is currently accepting applications for the Sustainable Agriculture degree; the first cohort begins Fall 2017. For more information, contact the Lake Region Center at (570) 226-4625 ext. 2602.

Lackawanna College Environmental

Education Center

93 MacKenzie Road Covington Township, PA 18444

(570) 842-1506

Sharon Yanik-Craig Director

yaniks@lackawanna.edu

Michelle Wheeler Ecological Educator

wheelerm@lackawanna.edu

lackawanna.edu/LCEEC

Our Mission

The Environmental Education Center is

committed to educating the students of Lackawanna

College and the citizens of Pennsylvania through innovative approaches leading to ecological

sustainability.

INSIDE

Nature Walks…….…......2

Indoor Programs….......2

Program Info…...………..2

Directions…..……...........2

Natural Wonders….......3

Summer Camps………….3

Field Trip Info……….......3

Beekeeping Club….…….4

Birthday Parties………...4

facebook.com/LCEEC instagram.com/lceec93/

LCEEC Opens Trails to the Public! LCEEC is excited to announce the opening of over four miles of hiking trails for public access. The hiking trails are located on LCEEC’s 211-acre property.

A total of five hiking trails meander through diverse habitats and range from leisurely to a more challenging hike that skims the Pocono Plateau.

Trails are open from dawn till dusk. For rules, a trail map, and other information please stop by, call, or visit our website:

lackawanna.edu/LCEEC

Page 2

March 22 Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Climate Chaos with Dr. Mort Malkin

Join emeritus professor of environmental science Dr. Mort Malkin to learn about the current status of climate change on our planet. Global changes have been difficult to ignore, from record temperatures and droughts in California and Texas to record floods in the Upper MidWest and Superstorms from Louisiana to New Jersey. Learn what can be done to reduce greenhouse gasses, which are leading to the 6th great extinction of life on earth. Geared to adults. This program is free.

April 12 Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Pennsylvania’s Coyotes with Wildlife Conservation Officer Aaron C. Morrow

Join Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Aaron C. Morrow for an informative talk about Pennsylvania’s elusive local Canid species, the Eastern Coyote. In this program, we will discuss the coyote’s ecological niche, natural diet and habits, as well as the reason for their increased presence in our shared habitat. Geared for all ages. $5 per person.

April 28 Friday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Kids Night Out with LCEEC Educator, Casie Berkhouse

Enjoy an evening out while your kids enjoy a fun filled night of nature activities! Children will make new friends, play nature themed games, meet our live turtles, and watch a movie on the big screen! Geared for children ages 6-13. Light snacks will be provided. $20 per child.

May 10 Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Spring Wildflower Walk with Naturalist, Jane Frye Spring is in the air, and the forest is returning to life! Join Naturalist Jane Frye for an interpretive walk through the trails of LCEEC! We’ll search for and learn how to identify spring native wildflowers. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Geared for ages 8 and up. $5 per person.

May 24 Wednesday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Outdoor Survival Skills for Adults with Mike Leggiero, Sandcut Outdoors Join Mike Leggiero, of Sandcut Outdoors, for a survival and preparedness class. Learn skills to prepare your mind, body, and backpack for an unexpected stay in the outdoors. Topics discussed will include basic fire preparation, shelter construction, and appropriate clothing for warmth and moisture management. Dress for the weather, the majority of the class will be held outside. For ages 16 and above. $10 per person.

June 7 Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Native American Stories with Live Animals! with Rebecca Lesko, Endless Mountain Nature Center Join Storyteller Rebecca Lesko from the Endless Mountain Nature Center as she brings traditional Native American animal stories to life through her animated narratives. Get up close and personal with the live animals interwoven throughout the stories! Learn how stories are traditionally used for teaching and entertaining and discover which Native American heritage the stories originate from. Geared to all ages. $5 per person.

Nature Walks & Sustainability Talks

Directions to the Environmental Education Center: From Rt. 81 take Rt. 380 South

Bear left onto exit 2, Rt. 435 to Elmhurst.

Travel approx. 10 miles through the blinking light in Moscow.

Turn right onto Rt. 2018 Dorantown Rd. (pass ShopRite Plaza)

Make a left onto Sandy Beach Rd. Make a right on MacKenzie Rd.

Follow MacKenzie Rd. until you reach LCEEC on the left.

Program Information:

Programs are about 1.5 hours long unless otherwise noted.

Programs are $5 unless otherwise noted.

Pre-registration is required.

For more information or to register call (570) 842-1506.

For Kids!

Family Friendly

Family Friendly

Free Program!

Page 3

Natural Wonders: A Program Series for Early Explorers

Natural Wonders is a unique program series for children ages 3-6 and a guardian that offers discovery-based learning about the natural world through stories, art, and outdoor explorations. The cost is $40 for the six class series. Registration is limited and pre-registration is required.

The Tiny Seed: March 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Children will discover how seeds travel and what they need to grow. Each child will plant a seed to take home.

Spring Winds: April 6, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Children will discover the ways people, plants, and animals use wind to survive. Make a wind painting to take home.

Natures Sensations: April 20, 1 to 2:30 p.m. See, feel, smell, and listen to nature as we take a sensory walk around LCEEC.

Forest Floor: May 4, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Using bug boxes, children will explore the forest floor to find critters under logs, stones, and leaf litter.

Garden Fun: May 18, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Children will learn where their food comes from and how to grow their own vegetables by helping plant seedlings in the LCEEC Learning Garden.

Beautiful Butterflies: June 1, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Children will learn about the life cycle of butterflies and then hike to the field to search for these fascinating creatures.

Field Trips to LCEEC

School field trip registration is open for Spring 2017!

Programs combine hands-on activities with an exploratory walk on LCEEC’s 211-acre property and meet many of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology and Science and Technology. Contact LCEEC to schedule a field trip.

Forest Fun: Pre-K & Kindergarten

Habitat Explorations: Grades 1-3

Amazing Adaptations: Grades 1-3

Ecosystem Investigations: Grades 4-8

Say WATT!: Grades 4-8

Fueling Our Future: High School

Join us for a week of fun and adventure exploring the natural habitats of the 211-acre LCEEC property!

A Closer Look (Ages 5 & 6) Cost: $70

Session 1: June 19-23, 9 a.m. to noon

Session 2: June 26-30, 9 a.m. to noon

Session 3: June 26-30, 1 to 4 p.m.

Backyard Habitats (Ages 7 & 8) June 26-30 or July 3-7

ArtVentures (Ages 7 & 8) July 10-14 or July 17-21

Eco Explorers (Ages 9 & 10) July 3-7 or July 10-14

Wilderness Survival (Ages 9 & 10) Cost: $120, July 24-28 or July 31 - Aug. 4

Eco Quest (Ages 11 to 13) July 17-21

New! Environmental Quality ESC 115 (Ages 14 to 18) Cost: $300, July 24-28 & July 31 - Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Completion earns students three credits towards LC’s Environmental Science degree and can be transferable!

Time: Camp runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Cost: $100 per camper unless otherwise noted.

Day Camps at LCEEC

Applications are now being accepted for LCEEC Summer Day Camp Counselors and Jr. Counselors.

Call for more information or an application.

Summer Camp Staff

Page 4

PRINTED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER with ECO-FRIENDLY PRINTING

Looking for something unique, hands-on, and exciting for your child’s birthday party? We offer several fun-filled options to make your child’s birthday memorable. Choose from one of our five nature-themed birthday parties or talk to staff about tailoring a program based on your child's interests!

Discovery Hike

Insect Safari

Animal Adaptations

PA Mammals

Stream Explorations

Birthday parties cost $200 for a 1-hour program, which includes the use of LCEEC’s facility for one hour after the program, for up to 15 children. Additional children are $7 per child for a maximum of 20 children. Adults are free. LCEEC will provide tables, chairs, recycling, and garbage bins.

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID SCRANTON, PA PERMIT # 168

Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center 93 MacKenzie Road Covington Township, PA 18444

Nature Birthday Parties at LCEEC

The Wilderness Survival Summer Camp was sponsored in part by the

Overlook Foundation.

Lackawanna College extends its thanks to the following businesses that support

LCEEC’s K-12 education programs through their generous tax credit donations:

Whether you are an experienced beekeeper, a new-bee, are interested in beekeeping, or would simply like to learn more about the honey bee, this group is for you! Join us for fun, friendship, and education as we share our beekeeping experiences. The primary goals of the group are to promote honey bee colony wellness, share best

practices and experiences in beekeeping, and discuss production of honey and other apiary products. All are welcome! The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Club meetings are free and open to the public.

*This club was designed to complement LCEEC’s Beekeeping Certificate program which begins on January 12th and runs until May 18th, 2017.

NEW! Beekeeping Club