Education
 The Old Woman Creek NERR education program seeks to enhance people’s willingness to make informed decisions and take responsible actions to benefit Lake Erie coastal ecosystems and communities. Programs emphasize hands-on scientific learning for a range of audiences in our “outdoor classrooms”: the Old Woman Creek estuary, stream, barrier beach, and near-shore Lake Erie. Participants use seine and plankton nets, microscopes and water quality testing equipment to increase understanding of the complex ecology of a freshwater estuary and foster their connection to these natural resources and their responsibilities as environmental stewards.
Community Education
Estuary Explorations - Free educational programs open to the public include guided hikes, canoe tours, nature art classes, a seminar on invasive species, and hands-on rain garden and rain barrel workshops. 2009 events are begin April 4 and end October 21. For a complete schedule and details, visit the events page or download the program calendar.
Volunteer Stream Monitoring - Old Woman Creek NERR partners with the Firelands Coastal Tributary Watershed Project to train citizens to monitor water quality in Old Woman Creek and neighboring streams.
Opportunities for Educators and Students
Programs focused on wetland ecology, watersheds, and water resource stewardship are provided upon request for teachers, schools, colleges, and universities. In the water experiences are also available. Programs meet Ohio Academic Science Standards and resource materials are made available to educators prior to on-site programs. Example offerings: Wetland Ecology, Water Quality, Life in a Water Drop.
Reservations are required a minimum of three months before program date and are subject to staff and facility availability. To ensure a quality learning experience for all visitors and to minimize environmental disturbances, please limit group size to 25 people.
Grants for School Field Trips
The Friends of Old Woman Creek has established a grant program to support 4th- 6th grade environmental education field trips to Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Field trip programs at OWC NERR emphasize hands-on scientific learning. Participants may use seine and plankton nets, microscopes and water quality testing equipment to increase their understanding of freshwater ecology and foster stewardship of coastal wetlands and Lake Erie.
Each grant will help defray transportation costs associated with half or one-day field trips for at least one classroom of up to 40 students. Eligible applicants are Erie and Huron County school groups during the regular school year. Grant amounts of $150 per school are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Although 4th-6th grade classrooms are the target for this program, grants may be awarded to others at the discretion of the OWC NERR Education Staff.
Transportation Assistance Grant Application
Grant applications should be submitted after scheduling a program date with the OWC NERR Education Specialist. The application must be filled out completely and approved by the school administrator. For more informatoin regarding the grant program or field trips contact Phoebe Van Zoest at 419-433-4601 or phoebe.vanzoest@dnr.state.oh.us.
Education Program and Facilities Use Guidelines
Request a Program
Lake Erie Partnership for Education and Outreach
 Partners in Education
NOAA-funded agencies in Ohio have partnered to develop a unified education and outreach plan for Lake Erie and its watershed. The partners committed to this effort include: the Office of Coastal Management (OCM), Old Woman Creek (OWC) National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program (OSG). Although not directly funded by NOAA, the Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) is also a dedicated partner in this effort. The specific programs and activities administered by these agencies include the Ohio Coastal Management Program, the Ohio Coastal Training Program, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, the Lake Erie Protection and Restoration Plan, and the Lake Erie Balanced Growth Program.
The four entities’ (OCM, OWC, OSG and OLEC) five year outreach and education plan will actively engage coastal constituents in an effort to build knowledge on topics relevant to Ohio’s role in the Great Lakes coastal ecosystem in order to achieve greater environmental literacy, personal safety
and an improved economy for the Buckeye State. The plan will also create efficiencies within all four organizations through more accurate outreach materials, less staff required at public events, increased public knowledge of the agencies and issues, clear lines of communication, and minimized duplication of efforts.
Education and Outreach Partnership Goals:
- Educate Ohio’s coastal area decision makers, residents and visitors about Lake Erie and its coastal resources.
- Educate Ohio’s coastal area decision makers, residents and visitors about the many competing forces for use and preservation of Lake Erie’s coastal resources.
- Encourage Ohio’s coastal area decision makers, residents and visitors to integrate coastal stewardship concepts and actions into their lives and decisions.
- Instill a sense of ownership among coastal area residents, decision makers and visitors.
Environmental Education Resources
Estuaries.gov
Center for Ocean Science Excellence in Education - Great Lakes
Lake Erie Literacy Principles and Concepts
Program Contact
Phoebe Van Zoest
Education Specialist
Old Woman Creek NERR
2514 Cleveland Road East
Huron, Ohio 44839
(419) 433-4601 |