Environmental Education On Long Island
DEC Region One's professional education staff offers hands-on, fun, and educational environmental programs throughout Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk counties. We offer free travelling environmental science programs to students, scouts, and other organized groups. Our programs are developed to engender a sense of environmental stewardship and expose participants to our natural resources through environmental education.
With the use of living animals, artifacts, and NYS curriculum-based topics, students learn about a wide variety of science topics and social issues that impact the environment around our homes. Educational lessons are offered to students ranging from 1st through 12th grades. We also offer unique learning opportunities for scouts, summer camps, libraries, and teacher professional development. Our programs are in coordination with NY State Learning Standards for mathematics, science, and technology.
The Long Island Education program is also heavily involved with Day in the Life of the River programs with many partners, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the Long Island Envirothon.
Teachers, Scout Masters, & Camp Coordinators
- Educational Programs: have our educators bring interactive, fun, and hands-on lessons to your school, pack nights, or camp.
- Skull Science: Students determine the diet, species, and other characteristics of a New York State mammal, based on observations of its skull's teeth, eye placement, muscle attachments and shape. Topics covered include adaptation, diet, food chains, decomposition, conservation, predation, and biology.
- Insects Galore!: Through role-play, question-and-answer and live animal demonstrations, we will define what makes an insect different from other 'bugs', and introduce students to the parts of an insect, metamorphosis, and food chains.
- International Trade in Wildlife: Using animal products and educational props, students will explore the importance of habitat protection and conservation. The program focuses on how some creatures became extinct or endangered due to human impacts, as well as how people can make a positive impact on the environment. This presentation is a useful tool to prepare students for the environmental section on the 10th grade Regents test. Topics covered include loss of habitat, invasive species, pollution, pet trade, over-hunting, local stewardship, and biodiversity.
- Meet the Animals: Students are introduced to live animals and animal artifacts, ranging from insects to mammals. Students learn about the diversity of animals in New York and around the world. We examine similarities and differences among the various animal classes: mammals, amphibians, fish, insects, birds, and reptiles.
- Educator Workshops: CTLE certified nature-based workshop are for teachers, youth group leaders, and informal educators. Workshops are based on national environmental education criteria that foster a sense of stewardship in youth by promoting responsible actions toward wildlife, household products, trees, and natural resources. Hands-on activities and simulations (games) provide educators with tools to help youth strengthen their critical thinking, team building, and problem-solving skills. Workshops can count toward NYS teacher professional development hours. Upon completion, participants will receive a lesson guide including dozens of topics and interdisciplinary approaches to classroom and outdoor teaching. All lessons and materials are provided free of charge.
- Scout Badge Assistant Programs: Environmental education staff will act as experts to help your scout group accomplish a variety of badges and service projects. We are also available to make presentations at monthly pack nights, troop meetings or gatherings. Our work is free of charge, and available on a limited basis. Badge requirements may take time to organize, so please call at least a few weeks in advance.
- Naturalist-led Hikes: Our educators will guide your group on a hike to explore Long Island's forests or beaches. Your group will learn about different plant and animal species we could find in these habitats and how they interact with their ecosystem. Topics cover botany, birding, macroinvertebrates, invasive species, loss of biodiversity, and many more. Additional hike offerings include pond ecology, seining, and water quality testing.
General Public, Libraries, and Other Groups
- Evening presentations for adults and families
- Seining programs for the general public
For more information, contact:
Ron Gelardi
Regional Environmental Educator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 631-444-0347
DCEE, Bureau of Environmental Education, Region 1
50 Circle Rd
Stony Brook, NY 11790
