Connecting the Next Generation with Nature

This spring, over 850 students from Lancaster and York county schools joined Lancaster Conservancy on our nature preserves to learn about conservation and Leave No Trace, study meadows and macroinvertebrates, and explore nature.

Conservation Educator Peggy Eppig noted some of the things she heard students say as they participated in these field trips:

“We hiked to the top of a mountain today and my lungs filled with the clean air the trees were making just for us!”

“I want to bring my mom and dad here and teach them all about the stream and the woods.”

“I learned that I can bring my grandkids here someday and these woods and everything that lives here will be here for them a hundred years from now!”

“I want to be an arborist when I grow up and help keep the forest healthy!”

“I have never seen a view like this in my whole life!”

“Why can’t we have school outside every day?!”

Peggy reflected, “Every student participated in multiple activities where they could explore, explain, and evaluate the landscape for conservation and stewardship action. I absolutely loved hearing their suggestions for stewardship of our air, forests, creeks, and meadows. One middle schooler from York declared, ‘I never breathed air so fresh and clean like I did today. Now I know for sure that trees for real give us healthy air. When we get back to school, I am going to suggest we plant trees!’ They don’t have to wait to grow up to start a career in conservation and stewardship. It starts here, where they are, and we’re happy to help teachers and students continue to grow their knowledge and skills in conservation science year after year. ”

Thank you to the teachers and students who join us for these programs and the education volunteers who help our professional staff make them possible! Learn more about the Conservancy’s K-12 conservation education program here.

Photos from Marticville Middle School visit to Kellys Run Nature Preserve