Education and Outreach
The Environmental Education & Outreach Coordinator provides education opportunities to all ages including youth, schools, libraries, municipalities, and adults in the general public. Throughout the school year, hands-on lessons are provided to students on different subject areas that tie into state curriculum. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, virtual lessons have been carried out successfully through zoom meetings, while still being able to engage students with a hands-on activity that relates to the subject.
The LCCD partners with Lehigh County, municipalities, and local organizations to obtain grant funding to carry out environmental education workshops and “green” projects for Lehigh County residents. For partnership opportunities, please contact Laura Hopek at LHopek@LehighConservation.org
ENVIROTHON
A High School and Middle School Environmental Education competition testing students’ skills in Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, Soils, and Current Environmental Issues.
2025 BUCKETS FULL OF NATURE PROGRAM
Designed to peak a child’s curiosity for nature, science and exploration.
2025 poster contest
“Home is where the Habitat is”
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Activities for students, compiled by The DCNR.
Envirothon
The Envirothon is a FREE, fun, outdoor event that challenges High School and Middle School students to learn practical concepts and application of environmental topics. Students work in teams of five with one team advisor to learn material in each of five ecology subjects: Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, Soil & Land Use, and Current Issue. The 2025 current issue is “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change.”
We thank all of our volunteers and sponsors who help make this annual event a success. If you are interested in volunteering for or sponsoring the 2025 event, please reach out to Laura Hopek at LHopek@LehighConservation.org
Each volunteer, student, and advisor receives a complimentary t-shirt, light breakfast, and hot lunch on the day of the event.
The Lehigh County Conservation District will be carrying out the 2025 Lehigh County ENVIROTHON for High School students on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 and for Middle School students on Thursday, May 1, 2025. This FREE, outdoor event exposes youth to local environmental issues, while promoting teamwork and environmental stewardship.
The event will take place at Covered Bridge Park in South Whitehall Township. Students rotate through 5 stations where they got their feet wet in the Jordan Creek, identify native tree species, and learn about local wildlife through live animals brought by PA Game Commission and Wildlands Conservancy.
We look forward to seeing your students at the 2025 event! All public, private, parochial, and home schools invited!
For more information about the 2025 event, please contact Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator, Laura Hopek at LHopek@LehighConservation.org
Useful Links
Announcements
Events
There are no upcoming events at this time
Buckets Full of Nature Classes peak a child’s curiosity for nature, science and exploration. Bring your budding conservationist to one of our partnering Libraries (Allentown Public Library, Emmaus Public Library, Whitehall Township Public Library, Parkland Community Library, and Southern Lehigh Public Library) for one of these nature-themed learning experiences that combine reading, art, experimentation, and hands-on activities designed to immerse your child in learning and fun!
These Preschool and Elementary Programs are available FREE of charge at participating Libraries.
Please contact your host library to register for Buckets Full of Nature programs.
2025 POSTER CONTEST
The Lehigh County Conservation District is carrying out a nature-based poster contest offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts. The 2025 poster contest theme is HOME IS WHERE THE HABITAT IS. This annual contest provides students the chance to have their art displayed as part of a national conservation outreach initiative.
Winning entries will be selected by the Lehigh County Conservation District Staff and Board, and prizes will be awarded for 1st place in each age group. Winners of each grade category will be sent to the state level for judging, and state winners will be sent to the national level.
Poster submissions are due to Laura Hopek at the Lehigh County Conservation District located at 4184 Dorney Park Road, Suite 105, Allentown, PA 18104 or e-mailed to LHopek@LehighConservation.org by May 1, 2025.
We hope that your school will participate in the 2025 Poster Contest and we look forward to seeing your student’s talents.
For more information, please contact Laura Hopek at LHopek@LehighConservation.org
Educational Resources
Activities for Students
Encourage your students to explore their own backyard as a classroom- Ideas from Project Learning Tree (PLT)
Take a walk in your local park! Ask you students to check out their local state or community park and use it as a learning space. Here are activities from Project Learning Tree (PLT) to make it more meaningful.
Go for a hike! Introduce your kids to their local PA State Park. They can find their local PA Stat Park here.
Try bird watching! Have your students record backyard birds (through April) with Project FeederWatch
Free! Environmental Education activities from Project Learning Tree (PLT)!
Are your students able to start a garden or plant seeds in a pot? Even one seed pack can lead to tons of learning investigations. Learn more here (includes lesson plans).
Encourage your students to work with their family to make their home greener (from PLT)
Learn outside! Utilize these amazing, printable nature activity and information sheets from the NY Department of Environmental Conservation
Have you tried Yogarate yet? It is the brainchild of Ron Shuali, M,Ed. that combines yoga, karate, Reiki, and other martial arts to improve health, behavior management, and relaxation. Ron is offering 25 different Yogarate videos for free to engage and educate your students (from YouTube).
Workshops And Resource Lists For Teachers And Adults
Adult EE Webinars Posted by Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators.
View Webinars
Reach Out To LCCD Northeast Region Director of Pennsylvania Association Of Environmental Educators (PAEE)
Lehigh County Conservation District is honored to serve as the Northeast Regional director for PAEE. Become a member of PAEE today and receive advice about programming, education resources, the ability to advertise a professional development opportunity, or information about education, ecology or grant opportunities. This membership connects you with the diverse network of environmental educators in your region and throughout Pennsylvania.
For more information, please visit the PAEE website.
