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Lehigh Gap Nature
Center |
Lehigh Gap Nature Center
Educational Programs
Education is an important part of the mission of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center--the sharing part of our "gathering and sharing information." Education is key to what we do: on the lookout at Bake Oven Knob when we are doing our hawk migration research, at public meetings, during testimony before government bodies, or when someone walks into our office. Our publications educate and inform. Our public talks and slide shows educate community members. Our Kittatinny Raptor Corridor Handbook has been distributed to libraries throughout the corridor region.
We have several formal education programs for students age 4 through post-college graduate. They are:
We also run some more informal educational programs and resources:
For information on any of these programs, call the Center at 610-760-8889 or email us at wiclgap@ptd.net
Wonderful World of Wildlife
The Wonderful World of Wildlife Reading Program is funded and sponsored by the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and is hosted by the Slatington (PA) Public Library. The program was established in 1996 and has served several hundred children since its inception. It was developed by Center member and Slatington Elementary teacher Deb Siglin, who continues to direct the program.
Each week during the summer and one Saturday per month during the school year, WWoW gathers children in two groups (4-6 and 7-11) for an hour program. Each session includes the reading of a wildlife related book by a volunteer, plus a hands on activity in which students usually have materials to take home after the program to discuss with their parents.
Young Ecologists Summer Camp
The Young Ecologists Summer Camp is a week-long day camp for students who have completed grades 6 or 7. The young ecologists study natural history topics, such as bird and tree identification, and also investigate issues relating to wildlife and the environment. They do water quality testing and study stream ecology, wetlands, and Appalachian forest ecology. They also study the migration and the Kittatinny Raptor Corridor and visit natural sites throughout the area.
The camp free for economically disadvantaged youth and there is a $30 registration fee for other students. The remainder of the cost of the camp is raised by the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. The camp was first operated in 1998.
Student Ecologist Awards
Each year, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center recognizes the achievements of Lehigh Valley area high school students for outstanding work on behalf of wildlife and the environment. Teachers and other members of the public nominate students and the award winners are selected from this pool of nominees. Several of our student ecologists are now in college majoring in environmental science or wildlife biology, and one, Brian Topping, was recognized with a national conservation award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Our education program will be greatly expanded when we secure our own wildlife refuge and headquarters. Please see our land fund information for details.
Lehigh Gap Environmental Education Partnership
This exciting new partnership between the Center, and the Northern Lehigh and Palmerton School Districts, is a long-term program to teach local students about their environment using the unique environs of the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge. For more information, visit our Environmental Education Partnership page.
Internships
Our internship program began in 1999 with our first wildlife biology intern. Her responsibilities included the daily hawk count at Bake Oven Knob, entering data from the count on the BirdSource web site, and producing a research project in conjunction with the interns at nearby Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. The hawk count intern position will be available every autumn from August 15 through the end of November.
Other internship possibilities can be designed as a cooperative project between the college, the student and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Opportunities for other internships include such things as wildlife research, environmental education, librarian, and web site design. For more detailed information, see our Internship Opportunities page.
Library
The Lehigh Gap Nature Center maintains a non-lending research library which focuses on ornithology, wildlife, and ecology. Use of the library is free for members. Others should call to discuss arrangements. Call for an appointment to use the library, or come to the one of the monthly Open Houses.
Hawk Talks
Hawk Talks are brief presentations geared to novice birders. They are conducted during the Fall at Bake Oven Knob. Contact the Center to arrange for one of our members to present a Hawk Talk for you or your group.
Hawkfest
Every fall the Center hosts the Hawkfest at Bake Oven Knob. The contents vary every year, but often include presentations, as well as live raptors, reptiles, and other animals native to the area. The picture at the right shows a marked hawk from Hawkfest 2002.
WIC Presentations
The Lehigh Gap Nature Center offers free programs for local
service clubs, chambers of commerce, and other groups. Lehigh Gap Nature
Center
Executive Director, Dan Kunkle, will attend your group's meeting and present
a 15 minute Power Point program followed by a question and answer session.
To schedule a presentation for your group's meeting, please contact Dan at
the Center
(610-760-8889).
