Environmental Education Programs

Newsletters | 2010 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.

2010 Newsletters (PDF Format)

2010 Schedule

A complete printable 2010 schedule is available here in PDF format.

January 30, Saturday
Calvary Evangelical Free Church, 100 Ben Franklin Road South
(across from Ben Franklin School), 6:00 pm ®
Friends Potluck Dinner - The Lower Danube: From the Black Sea to Vienna  - Larry Turton - The Lower Danube cuts through the Balkans, the site of many current wars were the people are struggling to rebuild their lives and their countries.  Witness their successes as they move toward full membership in the European Union.  Pre-registration is required.

February 7, Sunday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge, 2:00 pm
Polar Bears of Churchill - Joe Stefko - This program features videos and stories dealing with Joe’s experiences with polar bears in Manitoba Canada, and incorporates endangered species and global warming.

February 12, Friday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge, 7:00 pm
A Photo Tour of Padagonia - Jim Reber - We will take a photo tour through Chilean Patagonia and focus on the glaciers and mountains of Torres Del Paine, considered one of the best destinations for landscape photography in the world.

February 19, Friday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 6:00 pm
Night Sky - Ray Beisel - The night will be moonless, cold and dark!  Given a clear sky, we'll have a good, telescopic look at some celestial wonders.  Bring binoculars and wear long-johns.  A campfire, hotdogs, and cocoa will be provided to take the chill off.

February 27, Saturday
Blue Spruce Park Lakeside Center, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm®
PA Basic Boating Safety Course - PA Fish & Boat Commission - A one day course on boating safety.  Pre-registration is required, call 814-443-9841.  For more information contact http://www.fish.state.pa.us/boatcrs/fact_basicboat.htm

February 27, Saturday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge, 2:00 pm
Amazon Sojourn: Youthful Travels & Reflections on Nature - Dr. Robert Begg - This program intermingles a youthful journey down the Amazon River with comments about its global significance and prospects for its future.

March 7, Sunday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge , 2:00 pm
Maple Sugaring - Allen & Andy Kinter - With Spring right around the corner and the sap running, it’s time for one of our favorite programs, 

March 19, Friday
Blue Spruce Park Office, 7:00 - 9:00 pm ®
Workshop fee- $20.00
Digital Photography Workshop I - Dr. Larry Turton - This workshop is designed to give participants information on successful use of their digital cameras and practical application by completing and reviewing assignments.  Must register for the entire three day workshop.  Fee is $20.00

March 20, Saturday
Blue Spruce Park Office, 10:00 am ®
Digital Photography Workshop II - Dr. Larry Turton  - Second session of workshop.

March 27, Saturday
Blue Spruce Park Office, 10:00 am ®
Digital Photography Workshop III - Dr. Larry Turton - Third session of workshop.

March 27, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 7:00 pm
Frogs and Toads of PA –Mike Shaffer- After a short discussion, participants will be led on a walk to find these amphibians in their natural settings. Bring a flashlight! 

April 10, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Park Office, 8:00 am
Bird Walk - Margaret Higbee - Join the Todd Bird Club for a bird walk at Yellow Creek St. Park.  The complete walk is about 3 hours but people are welcome for part of the walk.  Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.  

April 16, Friday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge, 7:00 pm
Bald Eagles - Pat Snickles - Learn the history of the PA Game Commission’s bald eagle recovery program.

April 17, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Wind & Solar Power - Mike Shaffer - Come join us for an in-depth look at the solar panel and wind turbine at Yellow Creek.

April 24, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park , Beach Area, 2:00 pm
Come fly a Kite - Barney and Beth Ann Richards -    Come learn as we take you through the history of kites and kiting and see the types available today. Feel free to bring your own kite to fly.

May 1, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm® Only if you plan on building a trellis - @$10.00 fee
Heavenly Hummingbirds - Mike Shaffer -Learn how to attract hummingbirds into your backyard with nectar and plants that they crave.  Afterward build your own fan-shaped hummingbird trellis.  If you would like to build a trellis pre-registration is required.  Construction costs are $10.00 for each trellis.  Bring a battery-powered drill if you have one. 

May 2, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Lake View Pavilion / Bike Trail, 2:00 pm ®
Women's Bike Hike- Cathy Vore -Mountain biking taught by a woman to women. Enjoy learning the basics of mountain biking during this “hands on” approach.  Bring your bike, helmet (mandatory), and water for the ride to follow. Pre-registration is required.

May 8, Saturday
Pine Ridge Park Lodge, 2:00 pm
Mushroom Walk - Bob Sleigh – Morels are one of nature’s special foods, but they can be delicious or they can be toxic. This session will teach participants where to find morels, and how to identify edible versus toxic types.

May 9, Sunday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge, 2:00 pm ®
Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk & Tea – Cindy Rogers - Take a walk to learn about our local “weeds.”  After a walk you can join us for tea and snacks made from some of the plants you will see in the wild.  Come dressed for the weather.  Pre-registration is required.

May 15, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Mt. Lions of PA – Kerry Gyekis - Learn about these big cats and find out if mountain lions exist in Pennsylvania. 

May 22, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park Beach Area, 7:00 pm ®
Fun Around the Campfire – Ed Mulligan, Rick Fye, and Kate Geiger - Have fun sitting around the campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows while you sing with these guitarists.  Pre-registration required.

May 29, Saturday
Naeskahoni Village Blacklick , 1:00-3:00 pm®
www.naeskahonitown.com
The Naeskahoni Town Tour – Butch Laney –Learn about the daily lives of these Eastern Woodland People during the time of the French and Indian War in the 1750’s.   Visit the web site at www.naeskahonitown.com for a preview & directions.  Pre-registration required.

June 13, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
India: Land of Tea & Coconuts, Tigers & Palaces - Shirley H. Risinger - An invitation to a wedding was the beginning of my adventure of a life time, touring India by myself.  See a glimpse of India not usually seen by tourist.

June 18, Friday
Blue Spruce Park Office, 7:00 pm
A Garden for All Seasons - Helen Mehus & Ann Orenak - Learn what to do throughout the year in order to have beautiful perennial and annual flowers. Program includes a visit to the gardens maintained by the Master Gardeners of Indiana County.

June 26 , Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Thyme to Start Cooking with Herbs - Chef Ron Berkhart - Herbs can make your foods tastier and healthier.  Samples will be provided.

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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