My supervisor prompted me with my first conservation education assignment for The Pennsylvania WoodMobile event. Environmental organizations attended to teach local 3rd grade students about nature. I put together a 15-minute program called “How a Tree Grows” which outlined the water cycle, photosynthesis, and the parts of a tree (top left photo). I tied Allegheny National Forest’s 100th anniversary with teaching how you age a tree (by counting the number of rings it has) and applying it with a fun activity by drawing your “tree age” on a paper plate!
To expand my skills, I attended a National Association for Interpretation (NAI) training in Seneca Rocks, West Virginia. To pass the course, you’re required to give a 10-minute program with NO notes. I have never in my life given a presentation without notes. In addition, there were scheduled activities in the evenings including a hike across the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks, which is a suspension bridge 150 feet high. Public speaking AND heights, I was apprehensive to say the least.
Staff at the Monongahela National Forest hosted the course, teaching their largest group yet of 24 students. This four-day training was jam-packed with learning, activities, and networking. I brought a beaver pelt as a prop for my program, of which the theme was, “beavers build dams which create lasting homes for many species”. I’m glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone because I passed my test with flying colors, and I am now a Certified Interpretive Guide (top right photo)! Not to mention, I walked ALL the way across the Via Ferrata bridge (top middle photo) - take THAT fear of heights and public speaking!
I was able to put my skills to the test at “Green Day”, a two-day event hosted at one of my retired teacher’s family farm. Environmental organizations attended to teach elementary students (K-5) about various conservation topics. On day one, I attended with our Forest Hydrologist and Aquatic Ecologist, teaching students about aquatic insects and stream health (bottom right photo shows students exploring the stream bed). On day two, I went solo and presented the beaver program I made at the NAI training in West Virginia. It was great to have the opportunity present my program to the audience it was intended for and to test them on what they learned. This event was a full circle moment for me on account that I attended it myself as a young student in elementary school!
In addition to my recent conservation education experiences, I had the opportunity to shadow our Forest Hydrologist, Charles M. Keeports (AKA Chuck), and feature his work on our Facebook page. During the field day, Chuck monitored the effectiveness of the Little Arnot Run large wood restoration project (in middle bottom photo Chuck checks water level and temperature). One of the goals of this project is to improve habitat for eastern brook trout by providing large wood structures that create cover, slow-water habitat, and traps sediment and leaves. We also observed a newly constructed beaver dam, which was neat to see in action after learning so much about beavers for my NAI program.
The latest event I attended was the Forest County Bigfoot Festival. You read that right – bigfoot, sasquatch, yeti – whatever you call it, there is a festival for it (bottom left photo). The latest training I received was a certificate from the Allegheny Ambassador Online Hospitality Training which educates participants (for free) on the history of ANF and the surrounding counties. Last but not least, this internship has taught me to never stop learning; when we stop learning, we stop growing.