The weather is (finally) cooling down, days are getting shorter, and this season’s bright flowers are slowly going to seed. Back-to-school season is in the air! Fall is a great time of year to get outside with a friend group, club, or class – but it’s also one of the busiest. Plan ahead with our outreach team, and set yourself up for success.
MWA invites everyone to explore and appreciate wildlife, water, and the natural world. That’s why we provide free educational programs, professional development, and workshops for all ages.
How does it work?
There are lots of options to work with MWA. We can travel to your school, after-school program, library, scout troop, or community organization to present the topics and activities of your choosing. Or you can meet us at a local park, or other outdoor location (transportation funding is available, depending on the case).
On average, each lesson is about 40 minutes in length. This can vary, based on your needs and our capacity. We can visit four days per location each year.
Lessons for School Groups
Each lesson, project, and program is rooted in STEAM education and based on STEELS standard guidelines. Our programs include investigations, models, and observations to promote critical thinking skills. We adapt the topics and activities to engage all age groups and learning styles. Our complete program guide is posted online: mtwatershed.com/education
Our topics include:
- Water Quality
- Watershed Education
- Ecosystems Interactions
- Humans and Nature
- Predator/Prey Relationships
- Native and Local Habitats
- Environmental Literacy/Sustainability
Volunteering
We supply all the safety equipment and staff expertise your group will need for a trip to the Laurel Highlands for a day of service. We host river cleanups, invasive species removal, and trail building workshops for corporations, non-profits, and any volunteer groups willing to make a difference.
Service Learning
Service-learning is an educational approach that combines learning objectives with community service in order to provide an immersive experience. It is an important way for students to apply classroom lessons to the real world, and make a positive change in their community at the same time. We can even help with transportation costs for classrooms, student groups, and summer camps.
Interpretive Recreation
We enhance and promote recreational activities in the Youghiogheny River watershed. Not only do we host community hikes, river floats, and fishing clinics, we also manage the Indian Creek Valley Trail, a 19-mile rail-trail following the creek. We love taking groups out for activities in our beautiful Youghiogheny River watershed!
Outdoor Lending Library
If we can’t squeeze you in, ask about our Outdoor Lending Library! Our office in Melcroft, PA, houses a free library of outdoor gear and learning resources to help locals and visitors alike explore our beautiful watershed. Including: snowshoes and trekking poles, fishing rods, plant/animal identification guides, and more!
To schedule with us, contact our Outreach and Education Coordinator, Lindsey: Lindsey@mtwatershed.com