Environmental Education Programs

Newsletters | 2012 Schedule | Membership

An extensive series of nature programs is offered in the Indiana County Parks system by Friends of the Parks. Friends of the Parks is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality environmental education programs in the Indiana County Parks system and at Yellow Creek State Park.

Programs are provided through member support and are offered free of charge. All membership funds go directly toward bringing programs to Indiana County. Membership is not required to attend programs.

Some programs require that participants pre-register. The number to call for pre-registration is included in the program listings. Programs typically last 1-2 hours.

A brochure is available by contacting the Indiana County Parks office. The brochure features a complete schedule, directions to each program location, and a membership form. Directions to Blue Spruce Park, Pine Lodge, the Blacklick Valley Natural Area, and the Ghost Town Trail are available here. Visit Yellow Creek State Park's website for directions to programs at Yellow Creek.

Friends of the Parks is actively seeking board members to help guide our organization. If you are willing to lend your expertise, please read the board member guidelines and contact the park for additional information.

2012 Newsletters (PDF Format)

2012 Schedule

A complete printable 2012 schedule is available here in PDF format.

January 14, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park Environmental Learning Center
9:30 AM
I have a digital camera, how does it work? Larry Turton- This short course is designed to help novice users of digital cameras to increase their knowledge of the logic and electronics of their camera. This content will focus on using the camera to take better pictures rather than becoming a technical expert. The fee for this workshop will be $5. Pre-Registration is required at 724-357-7913.

January 28, Saturday
Indiana Fire Station on Ben Franklin Road
6:00 PM
Friends Potluck Dinner-African Photo Safari to Namibia and Botswana-Jim Reber-Enjoy photos of the oldest and tallest sand dunes in the world in Namibia, and the elephants and waterholes teeming with wildlife of this desert terrain. Then see lions, leopards, and other big game of the Okavango Delta and the impressive animal and bird life found in this wet environment. Pre-registration is required at 724-463-8636.

February 11, Saturday
Courthouse Annex Meeting Room: Water Street
10:00 AM
How to Grow Great Vegetables-Penn State Master Gardeners- From the basics to advanced techniques, Master Gardeners will share great ideas about having a successful garden.

February 17, Friday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge
7:00 PM
Japanese Gardens (Photo Tour)-Barbara Hauge- Enjoy a photographic stroll in the gardens of Japan through the lens of a landscape architect. Travel along on a 10 day garden study tour of the gardens of Japan and explore the care and design of the gardens through the presentation. This was a trip of a lifetime for horticulturist and landscape architect who has been a lifelong admirer of Japanese gardens.

February 24, Friday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge
7:00 PM
Crabbing and Oysters: A Dying Industry-Larry Turton-From 1999 to 1922, the Chesapeake Bay provided an abundance of crabs and oysters to the growing nation. However, like many American tradesmen, Bay watermen are slowly losing their roles in the Bay area. This program will discuss the effects of pollution, overfishing, and time upon one town, Crisfield, MD and surrounding islands.

March 16, Friday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge
7:00 PM
Black Bears-Patrick Snickles-As spring is approaching, black bears will soon become more active, looking for lots to eat. Enjoy an evening learning about the annual life cycle of black bears and black bear management in Pennsylvania. Along with their biology and management, nuisance issues and tips dealing with problem bears will be discussed.

March 18, Sunday
Kinter Farm
2:00 PM
Maple Sugaring -Allen Kinter-The FOP annual Maple Sugaring Event. Come with us and learn all about maple sugaring. Pre-registration is required at 724-463-8636.

March 31, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park Office
8:00 AM
Bird Walk-Margaret Higbee-Join the Todd Bird Club as they look for migrating waterfowl on Yellow Creek Lake. Yellow Creek State Park is one of the top five birding destinations in the state, so you can expect to see a variety of water birds. Meet at the Park Office and dress for the weather. We will drive to several locations near the lake for short walks. The Todd Bird Club will spend 3 hours but you may spend a shorter time.

April 14, Saturday
Blue Spruce Park Office
10:00 AM
How to Prune Your Plants- Penn State Master Gardeners - From basics to advanced techniques, Master Gardeners will help you understand how to properly prune your trees, shrubs, and fruit trees.

April 21, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park Environmental Learning Center
2:00 PM
Day Trippin' – Brenda Wolfe –Let’s get ready to go hiking!! This PowerPoint presentation will get you ready to safely get on the trails with a ‘Leave No Trace’ principle. We will also discuss different trails in and around the region and discuss different backpacking and day packing products. Pre-registration is required at 724-357-7913.

May 5, Saturday
Pine Ridge Park Lodge
10:00 AM
Morel Mushrooms-Bob Sleigh-Morel mushrooms are one of the most south after and elusive mushrooms in the world. This program will teach participants what a Morel is, where they grow and when the best time is to find them. Poisonous look-a-likes will also be covered along with proper cleaning, storing, and cooking techniques.

May 13, Sunday
Blue Spruce Park Lakeside Center
2:00 PM
Mother's Day Wildflower Walk and Tea-Cindy Rogers-Join Cindy for a walk around the park. She will share information about uses of the wildflowers seen during the walk. After the walk Cindy will have various wild edible treats and drinks for you to try. Come prepared for drizzle or sunshine. In the event of heavy rain, Cindy will offer an indoor show and talk about “Wild Weeds” in our area. Pre-registration is required at 724-463-8636.

May 19, Saturday
Pine Ridge Park Pavilion #3
1:00 PM
Medicinal Plant Walk-Butch Laney- What medicinal plants can we find growing in Indiana County Parks, particularly Pine Ridge Park? Join Butch Laney as he leads a walk and identifies these plants and talks about what parts of the plants are used and what ailments they cure or relieve.

May 26, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park Beach Area
7:00 PM
Fun Around the Campfire-Enjoy an evening of music and fun. Sing along to some popular folk songs and enjoy roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire. Pre-registration is required at 724-357-7913.

May 27, Sunday
Blue Spruce Park Office
2:00 PM
Tree Identification Walk and Tree Care-Dave Henry and Erin Stewart-Join a local certified arborist as he shows you the proper steps to prune our trees so they look their best! Also, he will cover proper steps for planting many different types of trees. We will then walk around Blue Spruce Park and look at many different tree species. You will learn how to identify them by leaves, bark, bud, and fruit by the time you're done with this course! We will also discuss the historical and current significance of various tree species as we enjoy a peaceful walk around the park. Bring your walking shoes. Preregister at 724-463-8636.

June 2, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park Environmental Learning Classroom
2:00 PM
Hummingbirds - Mike Shaffer - Hummingbirds are the tiniest and most fascinating birds that will visit your backyard. Learn how to attract hummingbirds into your own backyard with nectar and insect plants that they dearly crave. Then afterward, we will head to the woodshop to build a Hummingbird Trellis of your own. Construction costs are $15.00 for each fan shaped trellis. Bring a battery-powered drill if you have one. If you would like to build a trellis, pre-register at 724-357-7913.

June 9, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park Environmental Learning Classroom
2:00 PM
GPS-Joe Stefko-This hands-on program will build or enhance the participants' knowledge of basic GPS units and their use in the outdoors. It includes both technical classroom instruction and practical application of GPS units and related technologies are utilized with wildlife research and management. GPS units for this program will be provided and instruction on other units will not be provided. **THIS IS A 3 HOUR PROGRAM** Preregister at 724-357-7913.

June 23, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park North Shore Pavilion
10:00 AM
Orienteering– Jim Wolfe –Orienteering is a sport that exercises the body and the mind; it is like a treasure hunt in the forest. Join Jim Wolfe, President of the Western PA Orienteering Club, and learn how to use a detailed topographic map and a compass to navigate through the forest, on and off trails, to find marked locations in the woods. We will start with an introduction to map and compass, followed by an orienteering exercise in which participants can apply their new skills to an actual orienteering course set in the park. Pre-registration required at 724-357-7913.

July - November Calendar

Membership

To Become a Member: Membership is $10 for individuals, $15 for families. Other membership levels include Benefactor, $25, and Sponsor at $150 and above. Make check payable to 'Friends of the Parks' and mail to 1235 Oak Street, Indiana, PA 15701. Contact Indiana County Parks for further information about membership.

Support for Friends of the Parks comes from individuals, businesses, and organizations who care about quality environmental education programming in Indiana County. Friends of the Parks' work is accomplished through the financial support of its members and the work of a dedicated group of volunteer Board members. We encourage you to become a member today.

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