These are an ongoing series of adult classes offered at Strawberry Hill for adults who want to increase their knowledge about the natural environment of Adams County.

Participants will be provided with a background on environmental education interpretation methods and the natural history of Adams County. Each session will focus on a different aspect of Strawberry Hill’s environmental education programs.

Participating in these classes is the first step for those who’d like to teach as naturalists at Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve.

Professional naturalists, volunteers, teachers and informal science educators should find these programs particularly useful as they are built to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology.

No experience is necessary to participate.

Upcoming Dates

April 8, 6:00 - 7:30pm - Pond and Stream
This program will introduce participants to our popular pond and stream program. Using collecting equipment, we will catch small aquatic animals and learn to identify them. We'll also examine the creatures in detail using our micro-projector.
Wear shoes that are able to get wet, as we'll be wading into a shallow stream.

Pre-registration by April 7 required.
Members, $5 Non-members $8

May 13, 6:30 - 8:00pm - Birds
Kevin Hall, guest birdwatcher will guide you through a light orientation in the classroom to acquaint you with some of the possibilities you may encounter along the trails, including some easy mnemonics to help you identify what's out there. Then you will head out on the Preserve to locate birds. Kevin will bring some in close with song playback, but binoculars will be available for you to find those high in the trees. Some birds that you can expect to find are the American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, and Scarlet Tanager. Participants are welcome to bring along their own binoculars and cameras. Pre-registration by May 12 required. Members $5, Non-members $8

Pre-registration by May 12 required.
Members $5, Non-members $8

June 10, 6:30 - 8:00pm - Biodiversity Survey

Learn why biodiversity is one of the most important concepts in environmental education. We'll explore the diverse flora and fauna of our Preserve.

Pre-registration by June 9 required.
Members $5, Non-members $8

July 8, 6:30 - 8:00pm - Adaptations

Birds do it, bees do it, even dandelions and trees do it. Let's do it, let's learn about adaptations. Yes, mating and courtship strategies depend on successful adaptations. We'll learn about both behavioral and physical methods of adapting to an ecosystem.

Pre-registration by July 7 required.
Members $5, Non-members $8

August 12, 6:30 - 8:00pm - Tracks 'n Traces

Learn the basics of  identifying the animals that are present in an environment by the signs they leave behind. We'll search for tracks, rubbings, gnawings and the ever popular scat that they leave behind.

Pre-registration by August 11 required.
Members $5, Non-members $8

September 9, 6:00 - 7:30pm - Pond and Stream
This program will introduce participants to our popular pond and stream program. Using collecting equipment, we will catch small aquatic animals and learn to identify them. We'll also examine the creatures in detail using our micro-projector.
Wear shoes that are able to get wet, as we'll be wading into a shallow stream.

Pre-registration by April 7 required.
Members, $5 Non-members $8