Pickering Creek’s school year programming with students from Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester and Wicomico counties kicked off this fall. Center staff typically see two school groups per day comprising of four classrooms. In addition to fantastic outdoor experiences at Pickering Creek Audubon Center, staff also lead or co lead programming at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Tuckahoe State Park, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Pemberton Park, Izaak Walton league Forest as well as at our partner schools. Four full time program staff and three part time program staff are joined this year by two full time seasonal staff.
On field experiences, kids have delightful exploratory experiences in the wetlands, meadows and forests at Pickering and wander widely across the Center’s 450 acres. Each visit is tied to a larger learning experience and to school system science curriculum. Our two seasonal staff play a role in delivery of those programs.
Andrew Niemann joined Pickering Creek this summer as an EcoCamp counselor and has continued as a seasonal school year educator. Before Pickering Creek, he double majored in environmental science and biology at Washington College which gave him experience with working in nature and a familiarity with the environments of the Eastern Shore.
He was drawn to working in environmental education because he has always liked to learn and explore in nature. He wanted to work with kids since their curiosity and enthusiasm is infectious. Andrew hopes continue working with kids in nature after my time at Pickering Creek. Andrew shares, “I have had great experiences at Pickering Creek, starting with camp where I was able to watch kids become more comfortable in nature over the course of the week and get opportunities to freely and safely play in such a cool setting. It’s always great to help a kid catch their first fish or meet their first frog. The opportunity to work with such knowledgeable people, as well as other opportunities for learning like visiting a bird banding station or meeting a herpetologist from the DNR have helped me gain a lot of knowledge on a much wider range of subjects than before. I’m looking forward to all of the things I will continue to experience while living and working here over the next months!”
Hugh Bennett is a self-proclaimed musician, environmentalist, and the newest members of the seasonal staff at Pickering Creek. His background of study is in environmental conservation, so he is excited to be a part of the team and put his education into action. After exploring the country in a van for many months earlier this year, planting roots on the eastern shore has been a delight. As Hugh began searching for somewhere to pursue his career, Pickering Creek’s seasonal opportunity crossed his radar. Hugh says, “From the eastern shore locals, I heard nothing but amazing things about Pickering Creek and what it has to offer as an organization. I applied for the school year educator position and am so happy I did.”
Growing up on a healthy plot of land in piedmont North Carolina, ecocentrism was on the back doorstep. Time spent in nature helped Hugh develop a love and appreciation for the outdoors. “Pickering has the same aura that takes me back to my childhood wonder. Being able to have a job in environmental education is an opportunity in which I am very grateful. Learning occurs EVERYDAY… And that is special”, exclaims Hugh, “The experiences I am having at Pickering are invaluable. Working in the outdoors, learning new skills, and being a environmental educator are building blocks to a future I seek. “
Seasonal staff play an important role as educators at the Center and four of the six full time staff at the Center got their start as seasonal staff. Pickering Creek seasonal staff have graduated to full time positions at the National Aquarium, Delaware Sea Grant, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, PA Dept of Environmental Conservation and Massachusetts Audubon to name a few. If you are interested in a seasonal position our next application period will begin in February for summer 2025 positions.
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