The Erie National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1959 with proceeds from Duck Stamp sales, provides a nesting area for migratory waterfowl, as well as a refuge for many different species of wildlife. The Refuge also provides many opportunities for education and for visitors to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The Refuge has created and maintained, "...over 2,500 acres of wetlands, including beaver floodings, marshes, swamps, man-made impoundments, creeks and wet meadows." With such a wealth of diverse opportunities to view wildlife, the Erie National Wildlife Refuge is an important and successful Pennsylvania landmark.

Located in Crawford County, Erie National Wildlife Refuge is a complete facility offering environmental education, nature hikes, and wildlife viewing. Birds commonly seen are red tailed hawks, osprey, and bald eagles, as well as numerous waterfowl. Wildlife includes beavers, white-tailed deer, and many species of fish. Visitors have the opportunity to observe wildlife along the trails or at the Observation Blind, which overlooks one of the many ponds on the Refuge.

Erie Wildlife Refuge also has picnicking facilities and a visitors center, and certain parts of the Refuge are open to fishing and hunting.

• For additional information on the Refuge, Click here.

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French Creek Outdoor Learning Center

"The French Creek Outdoor Learning Center is a collaborative effort formed to enhance the community's environmental education by embracing hands-on experiential learning utilizing a diverse, multi-disciplinary approach. The French Creek Outdoor Learning Center's purpose is to instill a greater understanding and respect of nature, along with an appreciation for the unique resources and ecosystems found here and those found at other environmental facilities."

Once a Superfund site, a disposal area for coal ash and other toxins during its ownership under several industries, this remediated brownfield now houses the French Creek Outdoor Learning Center (FCOLC). Its goal is to educate the community on the importance of proper environmental stewardship and respect for nature, and was created with the help of Conneaut, Crawford Central, and PENNCREST school districts as well as Allegheny College and the Crawford County Development Corporation.

FCOLC provides education to students as well as adults by providing workshops, interactive tours, and presentations. Working with students, Scouts, and civic groups, over 3,000 participants attended programming last year at FCOLC. With the rich and diverse French Creek right outside its door, and numerous trails and facilities for education, the French Creek Outdoor Learning Center can cater to any group and workshops are tailor made to fit the characteristics of the group. Geology, environmental stewardship, stream processes, and creative writing are just some of the topics covered at the center. The Center has also taken the responsibility of the Earthkeepers Program, a two-day workshop for fourth graders attending participating schools. FCOLC was recently awarded the prestigious Governors Award for Environmental Excellence, one of only 43 other organizations in the state.

For more information on the French Creek Outdoor Learning Center, or to arrange an educational opportunity, call 814-337-7305.

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Harmony Homestead was built in the early 1990's and is currently owned and operated by Slippery Rock University. The purpose of the homestead is to practice sustainability and educate students and the community about sustainable practices. The Homestead is the site of current study and research for Slippery Rock University's ALTER Program as well as Master of Science in Sustainable Systems degree.

A fascinating and educational resource, the Harmony Homestead can be visited and toured, or you can take a virtual tour of the premises and an learn more about the programs that take place there. For additional information about the Harmony Homestead, Click here.

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McKeever Environmental Learning Center located near Sandy Lake in Mercer County was established in 1974 and is currently under the direction of Slippery Rock University. Created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the McKeever Environmental Learning Center's purpose is, "...to provide programs to assist citizens of all ages in becoming better stewards of the Earth's resources." Surrounded by 205 acres of hardwood forest, streams, and meadows, the McKeever Center provides classrooms, a dining hall, an auditorium, and eight rustic lodges nested in beautiful northwest Pennsylvania. These year-round facilities are perfect for group retreats, workshops, or conferences.

McKeever continues to be a valuable environmental resource to Pennsylvania environmental education, providing programming for grades K-12 and the general public. McKeever also boasts an impressive student teacher program in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and local colleges and universities. In addition, four miles of educational trails also surround McKeever, and are open to the public from sunrise to sunset throughout the year.

To find out about public workshops, see a map of the McKeever Trail System, or learn more about the McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Click here.

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Asbury Woods provides opportunities to experience, study, and enjoy nature, hoping to instill in visitors a greater sense of environmental awareness and to inspire environmentally responsible behaviors. The center has monthly public programming and annual events such as the Maple Syrup Festival in March, Autumn Fest in September and Winter Wonderland in December. Asbury Woods has free, guided walks throughout the summer. The center has an interpretative cottage and administrative center as well as 50 acres of forest, trails, boardwalks, and gardens. The cottage has hands on exhibits, interpretive displays and an animal room.

Environmental education can be defined as a life-long learning process that illustrates the relationships between the natural and human-made world, and that leads to responsible stewardship of the earth. At Asbury Woods Nature Center, this is the goal through interactive learning opportunities. Asbury Woods offers students and others from throughout the region opportunities to learn about plants and animals, natural habitat, life cycles, food chains, and ecosystems.

• For additional information on the Asbury Woods Nature Center, Environmental Education.

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• Allegheny Watershed Organization
• Allegheny Sierra Club Organization
• Crawford Conservation District
• Creek Connections
• Center for the New American Dream
• Earth Force
• French Creek Project
• Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education
• Rocky Mountain Institute
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy