Menu

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

For many of us, some of our fondest childhood memories are in nature. From making mud pies in the backyard to family camping trips at McCormick’s Creek or Yellowstone, that time we spent outdoors shaped who we are today.

OVERVIEW

Sycamore believes that meaningful outdoor experiences are crucial for children and adults, and should be available to everyone. And they form the basis for a love of nature and a desire to protect it.

Our Environmental Education (EE) program connects people of all ages to the outdoors through meaningful, hands-on activities. We bring lessons, games, story books, and activities to schools across southern Indiana, completely free of charge. Each year, we reach thousands of school-aged children with these programs adapted for each classroom’s needs.

But our EE program goes beyond the school campus. Through public hikes and events at our nature preserves, all people can participate and learn from our expert naturalists. Our events are free for Sycamore members ($5 for non-members). We also bring our nature-based learning activities to summer camps, retirement homes, and community groups throughout the year.

HELP US REACH MORE STUDENTS

You can help support Sycamore's Environmental Education program by making a donation today. Thank you!

MAKE A DONATION

SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS

Bring Sycamore to your school or organization!

Interested in working with Sycamore to provide environmental education (EE) to your students, clients, or participants? We’d love to work with you! Contact us at info@sycamorelandtrust.org or 812-336-5382.

All of our programs are tailored to each group’s needs, including working with Indiana state educational standards.

WE ARE A STEM/STEAM PARTNER

SAMPLE PROGRAMS:

NATIVE PLANT PROJECT

Utilizing project-based learning, we involve students of all ages in growing native plants and enhancing outdoor spaces with native plantings at schools and community spaces. Project participants learn about the differences between native and non-native plants, and investigate how native plants support biodiversity and the health of our natural resources.

NATURE-BASED LEARNING

We offer a range of guided outdoor activities and nature-based learning that complement Sycamore's commitment to land stewardship. We involve hands-on activities and nature journaling as a tool for students of all ages to enrich their experience and develop essential observation skills.

Connect with the Program

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ISN’T JUST FOR THE SCHOOL CAMPUS

We welcome the public to join us for educational hikes, hands-on activities, and more. Check out our upcoming events here or our events calendar to learn about Little Hikers and more events every month of the year.

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE NEWS

Endangered snake found in unlikely places near Bloomington, good sign for recovery — WFYI Indianapolis (December 4, 2024)

Sycamore Land Trust preserves a wetland while adding educational center in Indiana — The Bloomington Herald-Times (April 24, 2024)

Local conservation nonprofit receives grant to study two rare species — Indiana Public Media (April 18, 2024)

MC-IRIS funds removal of invasive trees at Clear Creek Elementary as part of mission — The Bloomington Herald-Times (January 29, 2024)

Mending the Riven Planet by Scott Russell Sanders — Notre Dame Magazine (Winter 2023-24)

“BioBlitz finds new inhabitants at Beanblossom preserve” — Indiana Public Media WTIU/WFIU (July 22, 2022)

New Sycamore Land Trust calendar features children’s art — The Herald-Times (December 4, 2021, read a PDF)

Watching wildlife: Trail cams spot animals on Sycamore Land Trust preserves — The Herald-Times (Front page November 14, 2021, read a PDF)

Nature plays big role in Unionville’s curriculum – The Herald-Times (April 22, 2018)

Book reading focuses on nature – Corydon Democrat (February 14, 2018)

Nature trail to enhance school, benefit community – Corydon Democrat (November 29, 2017)

Sycamore Land Trust tours Greene County – Greene County Daily World (November 28, 2017)

Earth Eats: Kids Sample Wild Edibles – Indiana Public Media (October 27, 2017)

Templeton students get down and dirty to learn about native plants – The Herald-Times (September 25, 2017)

Students work with Sycamore Land Trust to build garden – Brown County Democrat (July 11, 2017)

Glenwood students plant a ‘pocket of prairie’ – The Evansville Courier and Press (May 10, 2017)

How To Make Pine Needle Tea – Earth Eats blog (March 17, 2017)

Pine Needle Tea at Templeton Elementary – Earth Eats podcast from Indiana Public Media (March 17, 2017), story plays in final 5 minutes

Creating more conservation-minded Hoosiers – The Herald-Times (March 2, 2017)

New favorite subject – nature! – Land Trust Alliance blog (February 7, 2017)

Winter hikes are time to explore outdoors, commune with nature – The Herald-Times (January 13, 2017)

New favorite subject — Nature! – Saving Land, the magazine of the Land Trust Alliance (December 2016)

SYCAMORE INSIGHTS

Free Sycamore Land Trust Nature Coloring Books

Birds of Southern Indiana” Coloring Book Our free, printable “Birds of Southern Indiana” coloring book illustrated by Mary Connors, B.S. K-12 Education, M.A. Art Education, features 23 bird species that depend on the habitats we protect. At birding hotspots like our Eagle Slough Natural Area near Evansville, over 240 bird species have been documented by […]

Continue reading >

EDUCATOR AND FAMILY RESOURCE LINKS

LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA’S NATURAL HISTORY

Learn More