SMETHPORT — Education is a strong priority for the McKean County Conservation District. Programs, outreach events, and technical assistance provide citizens of all ages valuable information about ways they can protect and improve natural resources.

Programs the district provides across the county range from My Growing Tree presentations to first grade students, who take home their own tree seedling to plant and learn the importance and uses or trees; to professional training with credits; to backyard conservation workshops for adults.

With face-to-face events on hold this spring, the district is working to share resources and information digitally. For example, students who prepared to compete in the high school ‘Wild’ Envirothon have the option to complete a PA Envirothon Online Challenge. This new platform presents state event level questions in online quizzes. High scoring students qualify for prizes. The McKean County Conservation District Facebook page provides a wide variety of educational resources and outdoor activities that folks can enjoy and participate in at home.

Learning is a lifelong activity. Outdoor activities, protecting, and preserving our natural resources are important and enjoyable for anyone, anywhere. The natural world has been a reprieve from the challenges and stress many have experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Appreciation of those resources may be enhanced as we do all we can to protect this important and beautiful part of life in northcentral Pennsylvania.