Resources for Students
Learning About the Environment
Kids don't have to wait until they are older to help protect and conserve the environment around them. The Department of Environmental Conservation provides a wealth of fun resources for students who are ready to take action right now. Kids can attend week-long environmental education camps to learn about the natural world, or arrange visits to DEC's environmental education centers with family and friends. They can read about current environmental issues in the Conservationist for Kids, enter a variety of DEC-sponsored contests, and pitch in by making smart choices and conserving natural resources in their own homes.
The DEC runs four summer environmental education camps for youth ages 12 to 14 and 15 to 17. The week-long overnight camps are located in the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and western New York. The camps are a great way to learn about conservation issues and connect with the natural world.
We also support a number of Environmental Education Centers (EECs) around the state:
- Five Rivers EEC in Albany County
- Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Erie County
- Rogers EEC in Chenango County
- Stony Kill Farm EEC in Dutchess County
These centers offer a variety of environmental education programs for schools and community groups as well as for the general public. Three of the EECs also offer teacher resource centers with books and materials on environmental topics, wildlife, conservation, and natural resources.
Each of the DEC divisions also offers educational materials for students of all ages. Educators can get additional ideas for projects and field trips by visiting the Educator's Page.
More about Resources for Students:
- Kids Only: Have Fun with Clean Air - Learn about air pollution and what you can do to prevent it.
- Junior Duck Stamp Program - This program is an art and science curriculum designed to teach youth about environmental science and habitat conservation.
- Links to Environmental Information - Listing of links to environmental information topics including government websites, watershed information, and lesson plans.
- Symbols of New York State - The official symbols of New York State.
