On April 15th, 85 of Pickering Creek’s loyal supporters gathered in the Center’s rustic long shed for a dinner of thanks for their financial support of the Center’s work in the last twelve months. Supporters were treated to a pig roast with a delicious assortment of home made sides. Pickering Alumni Trustees John Trax acquired and roasted the pig with assistance from Alumni Trustee John Bayliss. Board of Trustees and Alumni Carol Thompson, Tom Sanders, Debbie Geisenkotter, Colin Walsh, Mary and Bill Griffin, Jo Storey, Debra Rich and Cemmy Peterson all contributed homemade sides and desserts. The crowd enjoyed the acoustic guitar stylings of the magnificent Kentavius Jones.
Midway through the evening Director Mark Scallion highlighted the work the Center has accomplished in the past year thanks to our supporter’s generosity as well as programs scheduled for this spring. Supporters donations helped bring programs with Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) second grade students who learned about seeds and plants, gaining an understanding of how seeds are dispersed, the plant life cycle and how plants meet human needs. TCPS seventh grade students learned about the importance of biodiversity to the Chesapeake Bay using scientific tools and methods. First grade students learn about schoolyard habitats at their school as well as the importance of wetlands during a field experience to Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s extensive wetlands. Contributions also support programs with Dorchester County Public Schools students sixth grade students and teachers participating in the Audubon Conservation Team for Birds program. Audubon Conservation Team for Birds gives students and teachers the skills to improve their schoolyard and community for birds while learning about Chesapeake Bay water quality and bird habitat components. Each of these experiences gives students real life examples of how science works and connects them to their watershed at the same time. The support of our donors in the community ensures that these programs happen for every student every year. If you’d like a personal tour of the Center to learn more about supporting this work contact mark or Susanna Scallion at 410 822 4903.
Pickering Creek reaches Eastern Shore students throughout their academic careers with richly structured outdoor learning experiences to assure them the developmental benefits of frequent interaction with nature. Since establishing a well-reputed hands-on elementary education program in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools over 18 years ago, in the last 8 years, Pickering Creek Audubon Center has also added meaningful watershed experiences for middle and high school students to its continuum of education, which include student driven habitat restoration projects in the community. Pickering Creek Audubon Center provides environmental education and volunteer opportunities to students and adults of the Eastern Shore, moving them from awareness of their watershed to conservation action in their communities.
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