**To register contact Jessica Stombaugh at JessicaS@regionaleec.org or (412) 838-0064 unless otherwise listed.**

Endangered Species
Date: Saturday, September 11
Time: 2-4pm
Fee: $10/person
Audience: Family Friendly!

Everyone knows that dinosaurs are extinct, but can you imagine that it’s happening to animals today? Join the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium staff as they discuss current endangered species and what we can do to help. After meeting some of the zoo’s animals we’ll venture into the woods in search of animal signs! Bring the whole family! Pre-registered groups of 3 or more receive a 10% discount. Live animal programs fill up fast! Download registration form here.

Talk -n- Walk Series: Fall Bounty - Wild Edibles
Date: Sunday, September 19
Time: 2-4pm
Fee: $8 per adult, $3 per child (under 12) (10% discount for families of 3 or more)
Audience: Family friendly

The forests and meadows abound with edibles in the fall. Animals rely on these tasty treats, so why can't we! Join us as we taste our way through the fall bounty and learn the basics of plant identification and many of the wild edibles found here in Boyce Mayview Park as well as your own backyard! Samples of edibles will be enjoyed during the presentation followed by our identification hike into the Boyce Mayview Park. Registration is requested for planning purposes and is required to receive the family discount. Download registration form here.

Environmental Education Leadership Academy
Dates: Tuesdays ,Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
AIU Credit(s): 1
Seats Available: 20
Fee: $170.00
Audience: K-6 educators

Environmental Education Leadership Academy: Natural History, Interdisciplinary Curriculum, and Green Leadership will introduce teachers to the integration of environmental education across the disciplines of math, reading, writing, social studies and the arts. Teachers will create a final project that includes an integrated lesson plan combining environmental education and at least one other discipline, preferably from their district’s core curriculum, as well as an environmental educational integration plan. Teachers will participate in and evaluate example lessons from each discipline. In addition to curricular training teachers will be trained in outdoor teaching practices, Pennsylvania natural history, teaching outdoors using a small space, and greening within the classroom. .Participants should bring their own lunch. Registration Deadline 9/15/2010. Registration through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

RADical Free Day at the REEC
Date: Saturday, October 2
Time: 9am–3pm
Fee: FREE
Audience: Family friendly

Trained REEC naturalists guide your explorations of Boyce Mayview Park. Enjoy a birding stroll. Look for salamanders along Chartiers Creek. Or simply relax in our peaceful atmosphere as families explore Hawk Meadow during a nature scavenger hunt. No registration required. Be sure to visit our website www.regionaleec.org for a schedule of events! Scout and other community groups welcome!

Backyard Composting (Act 48 available)
Date: Wednesday, October 6
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Fee: $40 per person or $50 per couple (receiving 1 bin)
Audience: Adults, Teachers

Stop paying money for garden fertilizer! Reduce the amount of trash your family produces! Recycle! Learn how to compost kitchen scraps and yard waste with this program on Backyard Composting presented by the Pennsylvania Resources Council. Each participant will walk away not only with the knowledge to start composting right away but with a new compost bin to start with! Registration for this program is through PRC at prccomposting@ccicenter.org or by phone at 412-431-4449 x226. Teachers will receive 2 hours of Act 48 credit for attending!

Climate Change Workshop (Act 48 available)
Date: Saturday, October 9
Time: 9am-1pm
Fee: $15 per person
Audience: Adults, Teachers

Learn more about the factors affecting our climate in this 4 hour workshop presented by the Pennsylvania Resources Council. Gain background knowledge and learn how to present this current topic to students through hands-on fun learning activities. Pre-registration is required through the REEC. Act 48 will be provided for those who attend. The workshop is open to adults interested in the topic as well. Download registration form here.

Cub Scout Multi-Pack Day: Geology
Date: Sunday, October 10
Time: 1-4pm
Fee: $15 per scout
Audience: Cub Scouts & other interested children grades 1st-5th

Study local geology and tree identification while hiking the forested trails of Boyce Mayview Park. Discuss the importance of Leave No Trace Ethics and learn how to minimize your impact on the environment! Each Cub Scout will complete requirements for the Geology Belt Loop and Pin, work towards the Leave No Trace Awareness Award and receive a REEC participation patch. Group size is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Packs are encouraged to register together but individual scouts and other interested children are also accepted.

Talk -n- Walk Series: Flashlight Hike
Date: Sunday, October 10
Time: 6-8 pm
Fee: $8 per adult, $3 per child (under 12) (10% discount for families of 3 or more)
Audience: Family friendly

Explore the world of crepuscular animals. These animals are active the most during the dusk and dawn hours. Bring your flashlights as we venture into the dimming light of the forests in search of the eye shine of these busy creatures. This is a good introduction to the nighttime forests and meadows for those who need a little light at night. Registration is requested for planning purposes and is required to receive the family discount. Download registration form here.

Raptors in the Field Live Animal Program (Act 48)
Date: Wednesday, October 13
Time: 6-8pm
Fee: $10/person
Audience: Ages 8 and up

Join the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania for a live animal presentation of both diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey. Learn the special features that make raptors such a unique group of birds. After meeting a live bird of prey we’ll venture onto the darkened trails of the park on an “owl prowl” in search of nocturnal raptors, owls! Educators will receive 2 Act 48 hours! Download registration form here.

UN-Spooky Hikes!
Date: October 19-22, 24-29 *by group appointment only*
Time: 7 – 8:30 pm
Fee: $8 per child (with patch), $6 per adult (no patch
Audience: Family friendly

Ever wonder what goes bump in the night? Wonder who the glowing eyes belong to in the night? Then join us for a fun and UN-spooky night in the forest under the autumn moon. The hikes are family and young child friendly and are not meant to scare! Groups are encouraged to attend as we learn the science behind some of the sights and sounds of the nocturnal world. Registrations are required and walk-ins will not be accepted. Each child will receive a REEC participation patch for completing the hike and your group's photo will be taken with our REEC jack-o-lanterns! For more information on this mind tingling event, contact Jessica. Group sizes are limited and we can only take a limited number of groups per night so sign up early.

Leaf Day for Girl Scouts
Date: Saturday, October 23
Time: 9am - Noon
Fee: $15 per scout
Audience : Brownie & Junior Girl Scouts & other interested children grades 2nd-5th

Explore the wonders of autumn's changing leaves and the trees they belong to with the fifth annual Girl Scout Leaf Day! Take a hike through the forests of Boyce Mayview Park and learn to identify plants and animals of fall! Play "Eco-Games" and make an autumn sun catcher eco-craft. Each scout will complete activities from a variety of Try-Its and Badges and receive a REEC participation patch. Troops are encouraged to register together but individual scouts and other interested children are also accepted.