Community Connections to Our Watershed began over twenty years ago. Each year the education staff from Lackawanna and Nescopeck State Parks coordinate groups of five students and one teacher from local schools to participate in this environmental forum. Learners visit their local parks and other public lands while meeting conservation professionals doing the unending work to ensure our communities have equitable access to the clean waters that are essential for us and our ecosystems to survive and thrive.  An overview of the program with information, pictures, and highlights from the field trips can be found at https://tinyurl.com/CCTW2024

The Lackawanna County Teams included: Carbondale, Forest City, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, Western Wayne, and Wayne Highlands.  The Luzerne County Teams included: Crestwood, Hanover, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming Area.

This year Western Wayne students attended field trips to Keystone College, the Old Forge borehole, Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, Sweeney’s Beach in Scranton, and Frances Slocum State Park.  On these excursions students learned about what makes a healthy watershed, how we monitor a watershed, and finally solutions being made to keep our watershed clean.

On May 7, 2024 these trips culminated in a student presentation banquet at Montage Mountain.  Western Wayne presented their project titled, “Little Fish, Big World to the other participating schools.  The students used what they learned on their field trips to create a video project with interactive questions that will be used for future classes of Western Wayne High School.  The project can be found at https://tinyurl.com/Little-Fish-Big-World

            These trips and experiences were made possible by Pennsylvania American Water Company, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and The Watershed Education Program designed by DCNR.

On May 8, 2024, Western Wayne 9th grade High School Students visited the Varden Conservation Area and participated in ecology activities presented by Lacawac Sanctuary, DCNR, and Trout Unlimited.  Students participated in three different activities, which involved the topics of macroinvertebrates in a pond environment, a fishing demonstration with practice casting, and chemical water testing and pollution. 

Students also released rainbow trout as a conclusion of the Pennsylvania Trout in the classroom (PA-TIC) program.  The Pennsylvania Fish Commission provided rainbow trout eggs that were hatched and raised by Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and his classes this school year.  The trout release was assisted by the Pike – Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited, President, Paul Ranello and Youth Advisor, Pat Guinnane.

Lacawac Sanctuary instructors included Natalie Wasilchek, Asst. Director of Environmental Education/Camp Director, who explained chemical testing and water quality at the stream, Nicole Seul, assistant director of school programs, Maria Hutchins and Merrilee Ulisny, Environmental Educators, who explained water quality health through identification of macroinvertebrates found at the pond.

Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) Environmental Education Specialist, Josh Heath, explained fishing techniques which included casting a rod and bait type based on the environmental conditions as well as fish identification.

Prior to the field trip students engaged in a classroom presentation on water quality and the environment.  Students participated in activities that model groundwater and surface water and how they fit into a concept of a watershed.  These activities lead to discussions about the local area and incorporate the concept of a water table and common water resources shared by all.

Funding for the Varden classroom education as well the field trip was provided through an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grant from the nonprofit Western Wayne Education Foundation. Christine McClure, President, 1970C Easton Turnpike, Western Wayne School District, Lake Ariel, PA 18436

Accompanying the students were instructors Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and Maria Phillips, Helene Tscheschlog, and Michael Bershefsky.  For more information on

Varden Conservation area

http://www.vardenconservationarea.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofVCA

http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/VardenConservationArea/Pages/default.aspx

– Lacawac Sanctuary

https://www.lacawac.org

https://www.facebook.com/Lacawac

– Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom (PA-TIC)

https://www.patroutintheclassroom.org

Pike – Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited

https://pwtu.org

Featuring senior collections, underclassmen projects + competitive pieces.

MAY 21,2024
VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
DOORS OPEN AT 6
SHOW STARTS AT 6:30PM

Western Wayne High School visual artists and musicians are coming together this Saturday, May 11th in an exhibition of the arts.  The annual art show exhibit will start at 1 p.m. in the Western Wayne High School gym. This will be followed by the High School Chorus and Band concert beginning at 3 p.m. in the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. All of Saturday’s events are free to the public.