Information for Educators

Lancaster Conservancy offers conservation education experiences to K-12 students and their teachers. We work with school groups on several preserves in Lancaster and York counties to explore the science and practices of good land and water stewardship for woodlands, wetlands, streams, and grasslands. Our preserves offer great settings where students can explore the biodiversity of the Susquehanna Riverlands ecoregion with hands-on learning experiences that increase environmental literacy and build connections to our landscape to foster a conservation ethic.

Age-appropriate learning activities include stream studies, grassland surveys, birding, forestry, nature journaling, Leave No Trace, ecological restoration, invasive plant management, and hiking.

In addition, we can modify our student field activities for an enriching teacher professional development session!

Are you an educator or administrator interested in bringing your students out to a Conservancy preserve for programming? Click the button below to fill out the educator interest form!

Activities

Each conservation education activity can last up to one hour. Activities can be selected by teachers or assembled by our education staff to create a day or half-day experience on one of the Conservancy’s nature preserves. We suggest the selection of four activities for a full-day (4-5 hours) experience with a break for lunch and play.

Our activities align with many Pennsylvania STEELS Standards with emphasis on the 3.4 Environmental Sustainability and Literacy Standard.

Birding for Conservation

Available at the following nature preserves: Clark, Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Mill Creek Falls, Kellys Run, Welsh Mountain, Wizard Ranch

Students learn how to use binoculars and other optical aides to conduct a bird ID and count. Students collect data about what they see and hear during a hike to explore a type of habitat that is essential to migration, nesting, and raising young. They will learn how to use apps, maps, and eBird data sets to determine how healthy a preserve is or needs to be to support a rich population of bird species.

Dendrochronology Lab

Available at the following nature preserves: Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam

Examine and learn about our region’s woodland superstars like oak, hickory, pine, and sycamore. Students learn to read tree rings to tell a story of the forest then investigate how tree species have been used for certain purposes in building, fencing, and crafts.

Ecological Restoration & Invasive Plant Management

Available at the following nature preserves: Clark, Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Kellys Run, Wizard Ranch

Students will learn about native and non-native/invasive plants and how to safely remove invasive plants that threaten the health and biodiversity of our preserves. Students will learn about safe use of hand tools, protective clothing, and ways to minimize risk of exposure to troublesome plants like poison ivy, thorny plants, and canopy concerns.

Forest Forensics

Available at the following nature preserves: Clark, Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Mill Creek Falls, Kellys Run, Welsh Mountain, Wizard Ranch

Students will learn how to survey a forest for tree species, forest layers (understory, overstory, canopy), and ecological function. Data gathered from their surveys are collected to build an interpretive story of the woodlands that includes history, present challenges, and future care.

Geology Rocks!

Available at the following nature preserves: Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Kellys Run, Welsh Mountain

Students learn about the unique landscape we live in. Formed by geologic forces hundreds of millions of years ago, the Susquehanna Riverlands region provides students with hands-on explorations at geological sites across our teaching preserves. Students will also experience how people have used local rock and mineral resources to survive and thrive in our region.

Grasslands Survey

Available at the following nature preserves: Clark, Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Mill Creek Falls, Kellys Run, Wizard Ranch

Students will learn survey methods to determine the health of meadows, forest glades, and grasslands. Students will learn how a healthy meadow provides habitat (food and/or shelter) for many wildlife species, and what conservation methods can be used to maintain or improve the area studied.

Interpretive Hike

Available at the following nature preserves: Clark, Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Mill Creek Falls, Kellys Run, Welsh Mountain, Wizard Ranch

Students will learn the art and science of nature observation with an immersive hiking experience designed to elevate wonder and appreciation for the natural world.

Leave No Trace

Available at the following nature preserves: Clark, Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Mill Creek Falls, Kellys Run, Welsh Mountain, Wizard Ranch

An important part of the conservation ethic is the Leave No Trace principles that encourage students to consider the impact that we as individuals and as society have on our wild places. Students will explore durability of trail surfaces, the persistence of types of solid waste and garbage in the environment, and what practices make for good stewardship while recreating and enjoying the outdoors.

Nature Journaling

Available at the following nature preserves: Clark, Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Mill Creek Falls, Kellys Run, Welsh Mountain, Wizard Ranch

Students will collect data and make important observations about the natural world through field sketching, weather and seasonal charts, and written accounts that use creative prompts. Nature journaling also combines the historic uses of naturalist explorers with comparison studies of place over time.

Stream Study/Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Available at the following nature preserves: Climbers Run Nature Center*, Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam, Wizard Ranch

Students will explore macroinvertebrate/benthic sampling methods which will help determine the overall health of a local freshwater stream section. Students will help determine appropriate conservation treatments needed to maintain or improve the freshwater stream section and learn how they can help care for our waterways.

*Climbers Run Nature Center will be temporarily closing for renovations, so availability in 2026 may be limited.

Field Trip Sites

Field trips for up to 90 students or three buses can be hosted at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve (562 Hillview Road, York, PA 17406) or Wizard Ranch Nature Preserve in York County or Climbers Run Nature Center or Kellys Run Nature Preserve in Lancaster County. (Please note that Climbers Run Nature Center may have limited availability in 2026 due to  renovations.) These preserves have port-a-johns and open space for a picnic lunch.

Field trips for smaller groups of up to 40 students or one bus can be accommodated at Mill Creek Falls Nature Preserve in York County or Clark Nature Preserve or Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve in Lancaster County. These preserves have port-a-johns and limited space for lunch at or near parking areas or on the bus.

Note that all activities cannot be done at all preserves – see the activity descriptions above for more details.

Fees & Timing

Lancaster Conservancy field trip fees are $10 per student, with one participating chaperone free for every 10 students. (Please reach out to peppig@lancasterconservancy.org if this poses a barrier to your students’ participation.)

Field trips are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

We do not provide outreach to schools at this time.

Contact Peggy Eppig at peppig@lancasterconservancy.org if you have questions about how your students can join Lancaster Conservancy for a conservation education experience.