Photo provided by Tanya Dinda, director of STEM to the Skies and president of CSIU, speaks to a group of children about drone technology at the Environmental Education Expo at the Montour Preserve on February 10. This photo is from Susquehanna. By the Midstream River Managers Association.
Mifflinburg resident Rodney Stahl, his wife and two children, ages 9 and 5, had never visited Montour Preserve until the Environmental Education Expo on Saturday, February 10, 2024. But he admits he will definitely be back.
“My family wasn't aware of the facilities and outdoor options Montour Preserve offers until we came to the Expo. We're excited to go back soon and check out even more, including the hiking trails.” Masu.” He said. “Given that many of our small towns have had to close bowling alleys, town pools, etc., it's very important that we do something constructive. As long as it's entertaining and educational, It’s a win-win.”
It is a coalition of local associations, agencies, and groups dedicated to activating Montour Conservancy programs and resources to more effectively support the efforts of the Montour Area Recreation Commission. That was the goal behind the Environmental Education Expo, hosted by the Vernal Schools Environmental Education Partnership. Since 2015, it has managed a 640-acre nature preserve.
The event attracted more than 1,000 participants and is being used as a springboard for a growing list of programs in the coming weeks, months, and the rest of 2024 and beyond.
“I was so excited to see the renewed interest in nature preserves. We are so lucky to have this resource in our community, and the collaborative efforts of everyone who participated in the Expo were a great success. They showed how much they believed in it.” said Francesca Neville of Montgomery. “Montour Preserve has been one of our favorite places to spend time in nature since we moved to the area, so our children look forward to attending classes and learning at Montour Preserve. I am.
Photo courtesy of New Susquehanna Middle River Managers Association Northern Tier Regional Director Emily Shosh (left) interacts with a family about the crawfish display at the Environmental Education Expo at the Montour Preserve. Photo by the association on February 10th.
“Since we homeschool, we like to get out into nature and experience a more 'hands-on' approach to learning. Having people in the community guide us only enriches their experience and gives them a deeper understanding of what they already love. ”
Forrest Wolf, 5, of Mifflinburg, loves visiting local parks with his family and looking for wildlife, especially salamanders and frogs, said his mother, Amanda.
At the expo, Forrest admitted: “As with everything, my favorite part was learning about maple sugar.”
Amanda added that she and her husband strongly believe in preserving the environment, especially their local environment.
“We teach our sons to love, protect and respect nature. We strive to support as many local environmental organizations as possible.” she said. “We love attending local events to expose our children and ourselves to new information and experiences. We want everyone to learn as much as possible about where they live and respect it. It is important to learn.”
Photo provided by Children touch and look at lizards at the Environmental Education Expo at the Montour Preserve (Susquehanna Middle River Managers Association, February 10).
Along these lines, she said that as a parent, she appreciated how diverse the learning opportunities were at the fair.
“I enjoyed learning about different local organizations and upcoming events that I could participate in.” she said. “The exhibits were all well thought out and did a great job of providing information to different age groups.”
Programming was set up table by table, group by group, and offered a variety of hands-on, interactive activities for families to participate in. This included learning about and trying out virtual reality equipment, drones, and STEM-related things. Environmental Sensors, Underwater Cameras, Fly Tying, Outdoor Adventure Opportunities, Gardening, Bird Watching, Fossils, Hellbender Conservation, Fish Surveys in Local Rivers, How to Identify and Report Common Water Pollution, Clyde Peeling – Engagement with living things through Reptiland and the Susquehanna The University's Freshwater Research Institute conducted age-appropriate mapping exercises in the preserve's new computer lab, experienced Project WET, and tried out new upgrades to the facility. .
“The expo was a great family event to learn about and introduce different ways to interact with nature. And as an environmental educator, I was able to see up-and-coming tools and products in action. I felt it was valuable to talk to old and new acquaintances in a wider area than usual.” “We're thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of this project,” said Emily Shosh of Coudersport, the new regional director for the northern region of the Susquehanna Middle River Managers Association. “This expo was more than just a run-of-the-mill outreach event, it was a highly engaging opportunity for all ages.”
Partners participating in the expo included the Mid-Susquehanna River Stewards Association and its Vernal School Partnership Initiative, the Montour Regional Recreation Commission, the Columbia-Montour Tourism Board, the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce, and the Mid-Susquehanna Intermediate unit, Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute, and faculty. Conservation and Natural Resources, Bloomsburg Children's Museum, Get Lost Photography, Wild Trout Man, Montour County 4-H, Seven Mountains Audubon, PA Master Naturalists, Central PA Rock and Mineral Club, Lycoming College's Clean Water Institute, Susquehanna STEM to the Skies, PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Game Commission, Susquehanna Council BSA, Clyde Peeling Reptile Land, United States Geological Society (USGS), PaperPie Books, Northcentral PA Conservancy, Columbia County Conservation District, PA Master Gardeners, Eastern PA Conalition of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Roambler and PA Association of Environmental Educators.
Photo courtesy of Crowds of children looking at exhibits at the Environmental Education Expo held at the Montour Reserve. This photo is from the Susquehanna Middle River Management Association and was taken on February 10th.
“The Montour Area Recreation Commission is pleased to see the enthusiasm for environmental programs at the Montour Preserve. We are also pleased to see the enthusiasm of the Susquehanna Middle River Managers Association, Vernal Schools, and the many partners who participated in the Environmental Education Expo. I really appreciate your efforts.” said Bob Stout, executive director of the Montour Regional Recreation Commission. “This expo was one of the most well-attended events that MARC has held at Montour Preserve in over eight years, and we hope it will be the first of many exciting events to come. It has been.”
Vernal School Partnership Program Supervisor Marissa Crames agreed.
“Attendance at the Expo exceeded expectations. It was an incredible show of support for the Vernal School Partnership and the Montour Conservancy. , shared stories of their work in the reserve.” she said.
“The success of the Expo was critical. The number of attendees attests to the need for the Vernal School Partnership. Parents are looking forward to sharing memories of the Montour Preserve with their children, just as they did themselves. We want to help achieve this by providing these educational experiences and opportunities.”
Chris Burress of the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce said he has experienced a continuing wave of excited people bringing their families to the Montour Preserve Education Center for the day's programs, and said the community's He pointed out that the response was a true litmus test for why we should do what we did. Please invest more in these types of programs, especially the Montour Conservancy.
“Those who were at Montour Preserve today had a true 'Field of Dreams' moment. It felt like something straight out of a movie. 'If you build it, they will build it. From Williamsport to Selinsgrove, West Milton to Bloomsburg, families from all over the world came to enjoy the Montour Preserve. From the moment the doors opened, the line to get in was long. It was all the way out the door.” He said. “Today is proof that families (especially) are hungry for events and programs around outdoor education.”
To learn more about Vernal School partnerships and our growing list of programs for 2024, visit www.VernalSchool.org.
The Intermediate Susquehanna River Managers Association serves an 11,000-square-mile watershed of the Susquehanna River, including Sullivan, Lycoming, Clinton, Union, and Northumberland counties. For more information, visit www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org.
