Lacawac Sanctuary in Wayne County received a $4,000 grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation which will allow the organization to develop a water resource program for elementary school classes in Lackawanna County schools to educate students on the importance of watersheds and how to protect water sources. 

Lacawac Sanctuary provides students opportunities to learn about the local natural environment and how they can improve conditions for future generations.

Lacawac’s Watershed Education and Awareness program operates in local schools and afterschool programs to teach natural resource sciences, ecosystem management, and watershed stewardship to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in Lackawanna County. Students gain valuable watershed knowledge through hands on and engaging environmental science lessons. 

The Watershed Program is aligned and compliments the various Watersheds and Wetlands and Humans and the Environment Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology. 

“The future well-being of our local watersheds will soon rest in the hands of its youngest citizens,” said Craig Lukatch, President of the Foundation.  “Establishing strong, targeted environmental education programs now provides a vital foundation for these future watershed stewards.” 

Lukatch described Lacawac’s Watershed Education and Awareness Program goals-- “Enable students in Lackawanna County to graduate with the knowledge and skills to act responsibly to protect and restore their local watersheds including the Lackawanna River and increase community awareness of watershed issues, preserve local water resources, and gradually change student behaviors to reduce the amount of pollutants from stormwater runoff.”

From March 2016, 1,500 Lackawanna County students participated in the program. 

Lacawac Sanctuary is a nonprofit association founded in 1966 for the purpose of protecting a gift of the original Connell Park lands by Arthur and Isabel Watres and facilitating environmental education and research.

Located on Lake Wallenpaupack, the Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation plays an important role in the preservation of Lake Lacawac which is one of the southernmost glacial lakes in the hemisphere and has been preserved in pristine condition free from development and encroachment. 

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Lacawac Sanctuary website.

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[Posted: April 26, 2017]

5/1/2017