MILFORD, PA — Two workshops for educators in the tri-state region are being offered free of charge at Grey Towers National Historic Site through the combined efforts of the Pinchot Institute for Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service.

“Grey Towers 101,” on August 11 from 1 to 4:30 p.m., will introduce teachers to the educational opportunities at the site. Participants will tour the mansion and gardens; explore contributions of the Pinchot family in social justice, civil rights and the American conservation movement; discover learning tools and resources available to educators; take a hike on one of the site’s interpreted trails; and learn about student community service opportunities. A variety of disciplines, including science, environment, history, art, literature, language arts, civics and more can be addressed through Grey Towers programs. This session is open to all grade levels and subjects.

“Exploring Your Ecosystem,” on August 12 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (lunch provided), will utilize Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests, supplemented with content relevant to the Upper Delaware River watershed provided by local natural resource experts. Outdoor activities will be included at the adjacent Milford Experimental Forest. Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators with a goal of teaching students how to think, not what to think, about complex environmental issues. Recognized as a leader in environmental education for more than 35 years, PLT enhances critical thinking, problem solving, and effective decision-making skills. PLT materials are multi-disciplinary and aligned with state and national education standards. The target audience for this session is teachers of grades six to 12 and subject areas of biology, environmental science, geography, mathematics, government and social studies. The program will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress appropriately for the outdoor activities. An optional free tour of the mansion is offered to participants immediately following the workshop.

Teachers are encouraged, but not required, to attend both workshops. Online registration for Grey Towers 101 is available at gt101.eventbrite.com and for Exploring Your Ecosystem at exploringyourecosystem.eventbrite.com. For more information email sbeecher@pinchot.org.