Tamaqua students particpate in Schuylkill County Conservancy Outdoor Learning Day

The Schuylkill County Conservancy held Outdoor Learning Day on May 8 at Locust Lake State Park.

Over 80 fifth grade students from Tamaqua Area School District participated in a round robin, hands-on learning experience at the park.

Dave Kruel, Schuylkill County Conservancy board member and education/community outreach committee member has coordinated this program for many years. He is passionate about the program because he wants to give the students a local outdoor experience, hopefully enjoyable to them, while they can learn at the same time.

"I hope it will encourage them to learn more about nature and consider nature and wildlife as they make future decision, including when they are adults,” he said.

The goals of the program, according to Kruel, are to:

? Educate the students on a variety of nature/science topics.

? Provide a fun and educational outdoor experience to the students.

? Provide students with information on the idea of conservation.

Topics included stream life, forestry, reptiles and amphibians, plants and pollinators and rocks and minerals.

Schuylkill County Conservancy is a 510(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to conserve forests, wetlands, streams, open lands and other natural resources, promote appreciation of the county’s natural and rural heritage and preserve the historical sites and structures.