(Photo credit: Wildlands Conservancy)
Environmental educators have always been the unsung (s)heroes of the conservation world, and we’re seeing their creativity shine in new ways during the current pandemic crisis. Among Delaware Basin groups, conservation advocates and leaders are nimbly shifting to sharing virtual education pieces, tours, adventures, and workshops in ways that meet our communities’ need for connection, learning, and fun.
From 3 minute videos focused on wild creatures, to longer gardening workshops, to virtual watch parties, our partners in the Delaware River Watershed Initiative are doing it all. With kids at home and parents working at home or stressed by front-line jobs, the power of nature to engage and teach is unparalleled.
A few of our favorites are here – exemplifying the quick pivot and having fun while they’re at it. Share a few of your favorites with us in the comments, too!
- Wildlands Conservancy has a great short series of wildlife-focused educational pieces – on red tailed hawks, skunks and wood turtles. These are fun and engaging for kids and adults alike.
- Taking it to the next level is the Wildlands Conservancy conservation bingo game that builds nature awareness and knowledge in that familiar format.
- Pinelands Adventures, part of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, is offering online learning adventures with their beloved teachers, with trips back into natural and human history, including a profile of the Pinelands’ Still family (who played a role in the Underground Railroad) that knits plant use and political history together for a fascinating journey.
- For the many folks spending more time in the garden, South Jersey Watersavers is holding virtual rain garden workshops, and the Brodhead Watershed Association offers a Gardening for Clean Water webinar with a master gardener.
- Pinelands Preservation Alliance will host a virtual watch party of the beautiful film Wilderness Remains. If you haven’t joined a virtual watch party yet, it’s a hoot.
- Wissahickon Trails (formerly Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association) has started a weekly virtual Nature Journaling club for all ages. Visit their website and follow them on Facebook to join the fun and let your creativity bloom.