Environmental education, or “EE”, isn’t just kids stuff!

EE teaches us to investigate our environment and make informed decisions about taking care of it now and for future generations.

It’s compelling education, delivered in fun, experiential settings.

We offer a variety of educator-led EE programs and resources for kids of all ages that investigate critical issues affecting the Lake Superior region and beyond.

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Youth Environmental Education Programs

Discover the ecology of the Lake Superior region while learning about the importance of stewardship of the resources we share.  We offer a variety of both indoor and outdoor environmental educational programs for school classes, homeschoolers, and youth groups through the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC) in Ashland WI. Take a look at the programs in our 2017-18 NGLVC YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ED PROGRAMS

NGLVC Environmental Education Programs are taught by environmental education specialists from UW-Extension, the US Forest Service, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and volunteer educators. Programs focus on learning about the stewardship of the Lake Superior region.  Many of these programs are offered outdoors through grade-appropriate educational activities for grades K-12. Some programs feature costumed characters that make the past and present come alive. All are fun learning experiences that engage learners!  Our most popular programs are:

• Habitat Hunting… exploring the importance of habitats to plant and animal diversity
• Rooted In Resources:  The Role of Our Region’s Natural Resources in Anishanaabe Culture and European Immigration
• Kid’s Paddle Forest to Lake… on on-the-water program that builds awareness of the connection between the forests and Lake Superior, focusing on the Fish Creek Estuary.
• Paddle the Pearls Estuary Ed-Ventures…. on the water guided ed-ventures on the Fish Creek and Whittlesey Creek Estuaries for students and adults.

 Programs are available by advance reservation only, on a first-come first-serve basis. For reservations or information, please contact Susan Nelson at 715-685-2644 or e-mail sbnelson@fs.fed.us.

 Bus “scholarships” are available to help defray transportation costs for schools coming to the Center for EE programs. 

NEW for 2018-19!  Kids Paddle Forest to Lake Program

This 2.5 hour program connects youth with public lands, habitats, and watersheds through hands-on learning that includes:

• water quality sampling,
• discovering macro invertebrates,
• and exploring the culture and ecology of the Fish Creek watershed via kayak.

Programs are available for youth groups between 6-52 members. Program costs are provided by a US Forest Service Youth Engagement grant. Transportation “scholarships” are available for youth organizations to offset travel costs. No experience needed. All equipment provided. This program is a partnership between the US Forest Service, Superior Rivers Watershed Association, and UW Extension. For more info and program reservations, check out the Kids Paddle Forest to Lake flyer or click here to paddle over to the Paddle the Pearls webpage for more details. Duration: 2.5  hours.  Minimum age 12 years. Group size 6-52 participants. Cost: FREE. Transportation scholarships available for youth organizations.

 

Paddle the Pearls Estuary Ed-Ventures for Youth         

These on-the-water programs explore the culture, ecology, and importance of Lake Superior’s freshwater estuaries and coastal wetlands. Click here to paddle over to the Paddle the Pearls webpage for more details. Duration: 2.5  hours. Minimum age 12 years. Cost $10/participant. Advanced reservations required. For more information and reservations, contact Cathy at 715.561.2695 or catherine.techtmann@ces.uwex.edu

 

NEED RESOURCES?

Use our EE TOOLKIT

We offer a wide variety of time tested EE curriculum and resources in our EE Toolkit.