Environmental Education Programs

Return to January through June programs

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

July 10, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park , Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Mountain Biking in the Park - Arron Kovach - Learn about the trails around the lake, choosing the right bike for your needs, essential safety equipment and basic bicycle maintenance.  Bring your bike, helmet (mandatory) and water for a ride.

July 16, Friday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 8:00 pm
Night Hike– Mike Shaffer – Discover some of the amazing creatures of the night-time world.  Learn how to tell temperature by counting cricket chirps, and by the end of this program you will have sparks flying out of your mouths!

July 24, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, North Shore Pavilion, 8:00 pm
Bats: Up Close and Personal– Mike Shaffer - Are you going “batty” over bats?  Come hear an in-depth discussion on PA’s bats, followed by a visit to the Park’s Bat House to conduct a bat count.  Bring a blanket to sit on.

August 1, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Venomous Snakes of PA– Mike Shaffer – Don’t let the scales fool you.  Snakes are fascinating and play an important role in the environment.   Live snakes will be on hand!

August 15, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Photographing Dragonflies - Jim Reber -The program will begin with a short talk about dragonflies and photos of dragonflies.  After some advice on photographing dragonflies, we will all spend time at Dragonfly Pond photographing dragonflies. Bring your camera and hope for a sunny afternoon.

August 28, Saturday
Blue Spruce Park Lodge, 8:00 pm ®
Owl Prowl – Mike Shaffer – Join the park naturalist to learn about the wonderful owls that reside in Pennsylvania.  After a short discussion we will then go in search of these night flying creatures.  Bring a flashlight and remember to dress for the weather. Pre-registration is required.  

September 12, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Ferns & Friends - Dr. Thomas Lord - Dr. Lord, the author of The Fern and Fern Allies of Pennsylvania presentation will feature local ferns and their allied friends, and will go over the unique aspects that make each species different.

September 18, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Bobcats - Patrick Snickles - Learn about the biology and habits of Pennsylvania’s only wild feline. The natural distribution of bobcats and their preferred habitats will be discussed, as well as the current bobcat management plan.

September 25, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Birds of Prey - Earl Shriver - Come see these fascinating birds, hear their stories and learn facts about these avian predators.  Earl brings a variety of live birds to this always interesting presentation.

September 26, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm
Why Yes, It Does Seem To Be A Little Warmer - Paul La Violette - Learn how the characteristics of the Arctic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea have changed over the last fifty years due to global warming, and how these changes will ultimately effect our lives in western PA. 

October 10, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Boat Rental Building, 2:00 pm ®                                           
Fall Foliage by Boat– Mike Shaffer - Spend the afternoon on a leisurely tour of the spectacular fall scenery around Yellow Creek.  Pre-registration is required.   

October 17, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm ®  Only if you are building a bird feeder: $20.00 fee.
It's For the Birds - Mike Shaffer & Margaret Higbee - Feeding birds can be a wonderful hobby and winter time activity.  After the program, those interested can build their own feeders.   If you would like to build a bird feeder pre-registrations required.  The cost is $20.00 for each feeder. 

October 23, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park, Beach area, 7:00 pm
Halloween Stories Around the Campfire - Kate Geiger & Tom Harris - Have fun listening to Halloween Stories around the campfire.  Following the stories, toast marshmallows and make smores.

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