The Pine Hollow Arboretum - Shaping the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards & Leaders

Slingerlands, New York - For the 7th year, the Pine Hollow Arboretum is providing an exciting opportunity for
area students to connect with nature in a meaningful way. The goals of the program
are to increase overall environmental literacy and stewardship, to foster an
appreciation for biodiversity and to provide a venue for collaboration across socioeconomic
and cultural barriers serving as a step towards community connectivity in
the Capital District.

This year’s program is entitled “Experiential Biodiversity Studies for Capital Region
Students” and is funded by The Bender Scientific Fund of The Community
Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Elementary students from Thomas
O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST), Arbor Hill Elementary and
Sheridan Preparatory Academy in Albany, Voorheesville Elementary and the
Bethlehem Children’s School, are participating in this year.

The program consists of in-class environmental science lessons, which introduce
students to concepts such as biodiversity, interrelationships and climate change.
Following the in-class lessons, students enjoy a field trip to the Pine Hollow
Arboretum for hands-on experiential learning that supports learning standards of
the NYS curriculum.

A grant from Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match program has funded a portion of the
program that provides environmental educator training to high school students
enrolled at the Bethlehem Central High School. The 45 BCHS involved in this year’s
program attend more than 10 hours of training with seasoned environmental
educator and author, Anita Sanchez. Ms. Sanchez instructs the students in
environmental science, field techniques, data collection and elementary education
methodology. At the culmination of their training, the high school students then
lead the field trips of elementary students, providing a wonderful peer-led
experience for the younger students.

Honest Weight Food Co-op has also partnered with the Arboretum to provide a
healthy snack for all 500+ students coming to the Arboretum this spring on field
trips.

About The Pine Hollow Arboretum:
The Pine Hollow Arboretum is a 25-acre member supported, public arboretum
whose mission is to preserve, manage and enhance native and introduced species of
trees, shrubs and other plants in a natural environment. The integrity and viability
of the natural landscape is preserved through ecologically conscious management
practices. Such practices provide a fertile and encouraging habitat for the
horticultural collection while also supporting an extensive network of forest
dependent organisms. The Arboretum provides a diverse, multi-generational
audience with an opportunity to learn and appreciate ornamental horticulture and
the environment through its extensive collection of the world’s most captivating
tree and shrub species.
ENDS: November 1, 2018