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Teachers Can Learn about Schoolyard Enhancement at ‘WILD School Sites’ Workshop at Trailside, Dec. 8

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to offer a teacher-training workshop about schoolyard habitat enhancement entitled “WILD School Sites” for adults, ages 18 and older, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“This program is one of a series of teacher-training workshops that qualify participants for NJDOE credits,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “The convenient location in the 2,065-acre Watchung Reservation provides the perfect classroom to have fun while learning about the environment.”

Teachers, students and wildlife benefit with schoolyard habitat improvements. These projects can sensitize students to the needs of wildlife and enable them to make a small difference right where they live, to benefit local species. Having an outdoor classroom enables teachers to take field trips without leaving school grounds. The stewardship skills that students develop for their outdoor classroom carry over into greater ownership and care for the entire school.

Participants in the WILD School Sites teacher-training workshop will receive six NJDOE professional development credits as well as a copy of the book, “ Homes for Wildlife: A Planning Guide for Habitat Enhancement on School Grounds.” In addition, participants will receive The WILD School Sites booklet, grant information, landscaping information and ideas for curriculum integration.

 

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Light morning refreshments will be provided, but please bring a lunch. The fee for this teacher-training workshop is $30 per person. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. Please dress appropriately for outdoor weather in the event that part of the class is held outside.

 

For additional information on this workshop or for a brochure of Trailside’s adult workshops and teacher-training programs please call 908-789-3670 or visit our website: www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .