Asbury Woods Launches New Initiative: Nature in Your Neighborhood

By Press release submission

May 16, 2022

ERIE Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership issued the following announcement on May 10.

Nature In Your Neighborhood will take Asbury Woods’ science and nature programming on the road to various locations in the City of Erie during the summer. This free program will encourage family participation in various hands-on activities each week. The program’s goal is to ignite a curiosity about nature through engaging themes and to provide unique learning experiences in an open and accessible format. Thanks to a sponsorship from the Erie Community Foundation, Asbury Woods can pilot this new program to connect with kids close to their homes.

A core tenet of our vision is to educate people of all ages about northwest Pennsylvania’s unique and diverse habitats and native wildlife. Research shows that environmental education helps build creative thinking and relationship skills, fosters leadership qualities, and makes school subjects rich and relevant. Nature in Your Neighborhood will take science concepts and real-life environmental examples to help influence the way youth think about the world and their connection to it.

“Fostering diversity of our visitors and program participants is a goal of our strategic plan and taking our show on the road is one way to achieve that. We look forward to welcoming families in each neighborhood to stop in for these hands-on, minds-on, staff-facilitated educational activities. Each week offers a unique experience to discover and encourages family participation,” says Jennifer Farrar, Asbury Woods Executive Director.

“We support the Nature in Your Neighborhood program because it aligns with the goals of the City of Erie to create welcoming and vibrant neighborhoods that provide excellent amenities for all residents, high quality of life, and community pride. This family-friendly, free programming will offer residents educational opportunities in local public spaces within their neighborhoods during summer months,” says Chuck Zysk, Director, Department of Public Works, City of Erie.

To learn more about Nature In Your Neighborhood and see the locations and themes for each week visit https://www.asburywoods.org/events/nature-in-your-neighborhood/

Nature In Your Neighborhood Events

June 16: Wayne Park

Movement in Nature: The story of seeds

June 23: Perry Square

Insides and Outsides: Explore animal pelts and skulls

June 30: Gridley Park

Movement in Nature: The story of seeds

July 7: Bayview Park

Insides and Outsides: Explore animal pelts and skulls

July 14: John E. Horan Apartments

Movement in Nature: The story of seeds

July 21: Wayne Park