Kids ages 8-13 are invited to join us for a 6 class series of environmental education classes with Environmental Educator/Naturalist, Laurie Nehring. Each week, participants will build upon the knowledge and skills they have learned from the previous week(s) to become more knowledgeable about their environment, active stewards in the environment, and comfortable and at ease in the natural world around them. Classes will run from 10am - 12:15pm. Participants must be able to commit to at least 5 of the classes if they cannot attend all 6 in order to register.

Monday, June 24th Class 1: Introduction to Pollinator Gardening: Learn about local pollinators, learn how pollinator gardens provide habitats for native insects and hummingbirds, and how climate change impacts them. Work on creating a pollinator garden design.

Monday, July 8th Class 2: Gardening Day: Prepare the pollinator garden for planting. Learn about soil amendments, learn about specific plants and plant the garden.

Tuesday, July 9th Class 3: Owl Adaptations: Participate in an interactive slide show, learn climate changes' impact on owls and New England Owl adaptations. Dissect sterilized owl pellets.

Monday, July 15th Class 4: Aquatic Macro Invertebrates: Learn the health of water/pollution problems by investigating aquatic insects, arthropods and crustaceans. Learn about their lifecycles. Learn how climate change is impacting waterways.

Monday, July 22nd Class 5: Animal Adaptations: Learn about the unique adaptations of a variety of animals.

Monday, July 29th Class 6: Nature Hike: Participants will meet with their caregiver at the Doyle Community Park and Center (located at 325 Lindell Ave. Leominster. Please note: This is NOT Doyle Field.) Participants should be prepared to walk together along trails, pulling together everything they have learned. Using observation skills, they will look for signs of wildlife, and eco-systems. Children will also be given free time to explore on their own with their adult.

Registration is required and begins 6/17 at 9am.

Please call 978-534-7522 ext. 5 to register.

Made possible by a Grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.