shaver's creek environmental center

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Students doing activity in the woods

A 30-minute lesson can connect young people to nature, preserve for others

4/6/18

A 30-minute educational lesson about the importance of leaving what you find during outdoor experiences helps young people feel more connected to nature and results in children being less likely to take natural items home as souvenirs, according to a study conducted at Outdoor School, a residential program run by Penn State’s Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center.

goldenseal header photo

Researchers investigating status of goldenseal in Pennsylvania

3/31/17

Funded by a $50,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are conducting an 18-month study of the forest herb goldenseal — Hydrastis canadensis — in Pennsylvania.

Noel Bond with bird at Shaver's Creek

Experiential learning helps students discover 'grande passion'

12/6/16

Pete Allison, associate professor for the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management and Shaver’s Creek at Penn State, recently discussed the concept of experiential learning at the annual Czech Philosophy of Sport Conference at Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic. In the conference keynote, Allison discussed the importance of educating for the “grande passion,” a powerful, internal motivation to learn and pursue one’s interests.

Shaver's Creek Maple Harvest Festival - Cultural History Station

Shaver’s Creek Maple Harvest Festival to be held March 19 and 20

3/14/16

During the Maple Harvest Festival and Pancake Breakfast at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, visitors can enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast while learning about the maple sugaring process from tree to table. The festival will be held at Shaver’s Creek on March 19 and 20 from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Healthy little brown bat hanging from a cave ceiling

Emergency bat signals

10/30/15

Like a dependable flock of third-shift insect-control workers, bats can eat up to 3,000 insects every night. Now the once-plentiful nocturnal master of northeastern summers is threatened by a mysterious fungal disease. Researchers say that during the last decade, white-nose syndrome has decimated much of the region’s cave-dwelling bat populations, and cratered entire bat species.

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center expansion rendering

Shaver’s Creek to undergo major expansion, renovation to better serve community

10/27/15

At Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, classroom space is often filled to capacity, stretching the limits of the more than 75-year-old facility that has never gone through a major renovation. For the first time, Shaver’s Creek will undergo major improvements and new construction to help serve the current demand.

In a related story, Stone Valley's Lake Perez reopened in April. (http://news.psu.edu/story/343293/2015/02/03/campus-life/stone-valley%E2%...).

Volunteers carve jack-o-lanterns

Shaver’s Creek Fall Harvest Festival, Halloween Trail set for Oct. 24-25

10/20/15

The Fall Harvest Festival and Children’s Halloween Trail at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25. About 1,500 visitors are expected to attend the free annual festival, which features pumpkin carving, games, live music, storytelling, face painting, food and animal programs.

Visitors listen to walk leader talk about plants.

Birding Cup and Native Plant Festival at Shaver’s Creek set for May 1 and 2

4/27/15

Shaver’s Creek, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society, will co-host the fifth annual Central Pennsylvania Native Plant Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 2. The 18th annual Birding Cup, which awards prizes for the most bird species spotted in a 24-hour period, will take place the same weekend beginning at 7 p.m. on May 1.

Shaver's Creek bat on glove

Shaver’s Creek witnessing collapse of Pennsylvania bat population

6/3/13

Doug Wentzel can count the number of little brown bats at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center on one hand. Wentzel, a naturalist and program director at Penn State’s nature center, has been observing the flying creatures for years and in the past, he’s seen thousands make their summer homes in central Pennsylvania. At last check, the bat boxes at Shaver’s Creek house only three bats.