News Flash!
Since the Fall 2006 sailing season, Environmental Rediscoveries has taken on a whole new look! The program has acquired brand new staff members after Anne Danielski, the original director/creator of the Environmental Rediscoveries program, left in 2006 to move on to new adventures. The new staff running the award winning program include: Pennsylvania Sea Grant's maritime educator David Boughton and Pennsylvania Sea Grant's Coastal Outreach Specialist Karla Kaczmarek, who both team up with the Mighty Momentum's Captain to run the program.

Since July of 2000 over 5,520 school children have participated in the Environmental Rediscoveries program and over 125 teachers from Erie County have received Act 48 credits for participating in professional development workshops.

Awards
The Environmental Rediscoveries program was presented with the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in 2001 by Governor Mark Schweiker for excellence in environmental education. The program was one of forty programs to receive the Governor's award. "We are thrilled to be recognized with the Governor's Award," said Anne Danielski, the programs original director. "This award is the result of a lot of hard work, but our greatest reward is watching students learn about and appreciate the beauty of Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie."

The Environmental Rediscoveries program is an educational experience that will engage and inspire students to become stewards of their environment. It brings a new understanding of the beauty and significance of the Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie watersheds into the classroom. Students are transformed into sailors and scientists as they set sail aboard the Friendship Sloop Momentum on Presque Isle Bay. Students learn how to raise and set sails and study the ecology of Presque Isle Bay by collecting plankton and testing water quality.

Since July of 2000 over 1,500 school children have participated in the Environmental Rediscoveries program and over 125 teachers from Erie County have received Act 48 credits for participating in professional development workshops.

About Our Collaborators

Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies (BCMS):

BCMS is a unique hands-on educational facility whose mission is to teach and reinforce traditional academic skills, environmental awareness, and good citizenship through maritime-related activities.

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):

DEP mission is to protect Pennsylvania's air, land, and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment. DEP works as partners with individuals, organizations, governments, and businesses to prevent pollution and restore our natural resources.

Pennsylvania Sea Grant:

Pennsylvania Sea Grant, as a part of the National Sea Grant program, promotes efforts to understand and manage environmental and economic issues related to Pennsylvania's lake Erie and Delaware River watershed. Pennsylvania Sea Grant incorporates extension, education and research components linked to a communication program in its effort to improve the environmental and economic vitality of the watersheds.