Guide to Environmental Education In Crawford County

The guide includes: local environmental agencies and individuals, presentations, fieldtrips, lists of videos, slide shows, and audio tapes. Any teacher or youth group leader interested may click here for a digital copy of the district’s Guide to Environmental Education Resources in Crawford County.

Download:

Guide to Environmental Education In Crawford County (PDF)

One of the conservation district’s main goals is to encourage conservation education. To accomplish this, we have several fund-raising activities that we do over the course of the year, including our Annual Tree Seedling Sale each spring. Some of the educational programs and activities of the conservation district include:

Environmental Education Programs at the Woodcock Creek Nature Center

The Crawford County Conservation District offers a wide variety of free educational programs (unless otherwise noted!) at the Woodcock Creek Nature Center and Stainbrook Park. Many of the events are appropriate for all ages. Go to the Environmental Education Programs section of our website for a listing of those programs currently offered.  In addition to the regular programming, a variety of field trip options are available for student groups.

For more information on environmental education programs at the Woodcock Creek Nature Center contact ee@crawfordconservation.org or call 814/763-5269.

Birth of a Tree Program

Forty-eight percent of Crawford County is covered in forest. This program for third graders is designed to teach that forests are a renewable resource, and that trees need to be replanted. Students are provided with three tree seeds, a peat pot, and a classroom grow chart. They care for their seedlings and chart the seedlings’ growth. At the end of the year, they have a little tree to plant at home. Teachers receive an instruction booklet. For information on how to register e-mail ee@crawfordconservation.org.

Envirothon

The annual Envirothon is an environmental competition for teams of up to 5 students in grades 9 – 12. Students answer questions at stations that test their knowledge of wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatic environments and current environmental issues. Crawford County holds a county event each May, and the winning team goes on to the PA state competition. The state winner proceeds to the national event. Students study after school. A teacher or parent may act as team advisor.  Study materials and videos are provided on the Envirothon website, along with all the latest apps and information. A school may have more than one team entered into the competition and is encouraged to do so!

Special thanks go to all of our conservation partners for their hard work on this event: USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry, the Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of State Parks, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the PA DEP Northwest Regional Office.

For information on how to register a team e-mail envirothon@crawfordconservation.org.

2024 Crawford County Winners:

The “Tenacious Turtles” Envirothon team from CASH (Conneaut Area Senior High) won First Place at the Crawford County Envirothon held on May 1, 2024. They represented Crawford County at the PA State Envirothon on May 22, 2024, at Camp Mt. St. Luther, Mifflinburg, PA.  Members of the Tenacious Turtles team were: Brooke Davis, Camille Turner, Brevin Klink, Elaina Graybill and Amanda Shearer.  Their team Advisor is CASH teacher Chloe Shade.

Other Crawford County winners were:  Second Place: Titusville “Prickly Pinecones,” Third Place: CASH “The Hairy Woodpeckers” and Honorable Mention: Titusville “Toadstools.”

Eleven teams competed at the Crawford County Envirothon. Team advisors for Saegertown High School teams are Chris Greco and Adam Horne.  Patricia McKellop is the advisor for the Titusville High School teams and Chloe Shade advises the CASH teams.

Envirothon teams compete by taking tests on their knowledge in five subject areas: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils and Land Use, Wildlife and Current Environmental Issues.  This year the Current Issue topic is “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.”

Sponsors of the 2024 Crawford County Envirothon are:  NWPA Environmental Literacy Coalition, VFW Post 2006, and the PA Trappers Association.

The Envirothon is a product of Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts.  They are assisted by professionals from the PA Game Commission, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and DCNR Bureau of Forestry, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Penn State Cooperative Extension, PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA Sea Grant and the PA Department of Education.

Conservation Educator of the Year

Each year, the District honors a teacher or an educator who is doing an exceptional job of conservation education. If you know of a teacher or an educator who is doing a great job, why not nominate them?  E-mail: ee@crawfordconservation.org to submit a nomination. Each year, nominations are due by November 1.

Projects, Talks, and Workshops

The Conservation District staff members are ready and willing to present talks to classes, senior groups, and community organizations on a wide variety of conservation topics. Workshops for contractors, engineers, farmers, urban and rural landowners, and conservation volunteers are also scheduled throughout the year. Special projects such as tree plantings, riparian restoration projects, as well as others are also offered. For more information on requesting environmental education programs contact ee@crawfordconservation.org or call 814/763-5269.