An Opportunity to Link Environmental Education and Citizen Science in Eastern Pennsylvania Diane Husic Moravian College Lehigh 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?

“..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 Handbook Haggerty, 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 Center Trexler Nature Preserve Carbon County Environ. Ed. Center Wildlands Conservancy Pocono Environ. Ed. Center Monroe County Environ. Ed. Center Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery Schools in 4 county region including 9 colleges and universities Other? Jacobsburg State Park Delaware and Lehigh Natl. Heritage Corridor Delaware Water Gap Natl. Recreation Area Cherry Valley Natl. Wildlife Refuge Numerous city parks Lehigh Valley Audubon and PA Audubon PA Nature Conservancy PA 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?