School programs include a variety of lessons and activities. Program content and length can be adjusted to meet the needs and interests of each class or group. Lesson objectives address one or more of the Pennsylvania Standards for Environmental Education and/or Science and Technology. In addition to educational programs, the District also hosts an annual Poster Contest and the Blair County Envirothon.
Annual Poster Contest
The 2023 Poster Contest welcomes participants from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Each year, the winning posters reflect the National Association of Conservation Districts’ (NACD) annual stewardship theme and highlight the work of conservation districts and their state conservation associations to protect and enhance natural resources. Winners may advance through county, state, and national level of the competition.
The 2023 Poster Contest is open to all students in Blair County. The top three posters in each grade division will receive monetary prizes (1st Place $50, 2nd Place $40, and 3rd Place $20). Winners are announced at our Earth Day Festival on April 22, 2023
County winners advance to the state level where they will compete to advance to the national level. Prizes are awarded at the state and national level.
To compete in the 2023 Poster Contest, submit the form and poster to the District, either in-person or by mail, to 1407 Blair Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Submissions for 2023 are now being accepted until Friday, April 7, 2023 by 3:59 PM (ET). For more information, view our poster guide.
Programs for Grades K-6
In-Class Activities
Here are a series of in-class activities designed to meet PA Core Standards. These programs are available for your own use within your classroom or by inviting our Conservation Education Specialist to visit your school.
Annual Water Festival
The Blair County Conservation District offers its annual Water Festival to all Grade 4 classes in Blair County public and private schools. Water Festival is a hands-on learning program where students experience three to four stations described below. The event prepares students for part of the Environment and Ecology section of the PSSAs.
Meadows, Woodlands, and Wetlands Field Trip
The Blair County Conservation District has received funds from Grace to visit their onsite nature preserve and trail to host their Meadows, Woodlands, and Wetlands field trip. Grace will provide bussing from your school to their site in Tyrone, PA. The program will consist of a series of hands-on learning stations targeted for Grades 5-6 and will address PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology. Stations will be taught by Conservation District and Grace staff. In addition to bussing, Grace will provide pizza for lunch for field trip attendees.
Programs for Grades 7-12
Envirothon
Envirothon welcomes teams of five high school students (Grades 9-12) to compete in field testing using their knowledge in five topic areas – Soils and Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, Current Issues, and an Oral Component.
Blair County students vie for the chance to represent their county at the Pennsylvania Envirothon state event with the potential to go to the National “Canon” Envirothon. Envirothon emphasizes the importance of environmental sensitivity while stressing a need to achieve a social, ecological and economic balance in life.
The 2023 Blair County Envirothon is Tuesday April 25th at Valley View Park, Altoona
Seeking Sustainability
This workshop will discuss the meaning of sustainability as well as best practices and to seek sustainable living in our local communities.
NatureWorksPark Field Trip
Field trips at NatureWorksPark can be scheduled emailing J.T. Bandzuh to schedule your visit. Feel free to suggest program topics related to your current class materials or ask J.T. what seasonal programs are offered.