EarthFest 2014

"...the mission of EarthFest is to promote environmental awareness using sustainable concepts, methods and practices to protect and preserve our environment." -Temple Ambler

 

ProRangers Jordan Keiffer, Jennifer Pflugfelder and I including ProRanger Manager Luis Krug and former ProRanger U.S. Park Ranger Timothy Oh, participated in EarthFest hosted by Temple University Center for Sustainable Communities. Kids from various schools from all over the region came to Temple Ambler to learn about protecting and preserving our environment. Seventy-five different agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Philadelphia Zoo, attended the event eager to educate our next generation of leaders.  

ProRanger Jordan Keiffer

ProRanger Jennifer Pflugfelder

   The theme of EarthFest this year was water conservation.  We had a National Park Service tent set up with various information on water safety.  We educated the children on the importance of wearing a life vest. We gave out stickers to kids that answered the questions we asked correctly.  Resources became limited, but U.S. Park Ranger Timothy Oh came to our rescue from Valley Forge National Historical Park with lots of goodies for the children to enjoy.

U.S. Park Ranger Timothy Oh

ProRanger Renee Benson

  The turn out this year was much larger than last year. Children swarmed the tent eager to answer questions we asked about water conservation and national parks as well as wanting to take pictures with us.  We even had some kids come up to us and say that they too wanted to become park rangers when they grew up.  It was very humbling to have two female students come up to me and tell me that they are interested in becoming law enforcement officers.  Engaging the students was very exciting because we felt that we made a difference in their lives today. I am confident that the children learned about national parks, water safety, and gained a new outlook on a possible future career working for the NPS.  

ProRanger Jennifer Pflugfelder & ProRanger Renee Benson with two young ladies who wanted to be junior rangers!

Through dedication and completing the junior ranger booklet, these young ladies received their junior ranger badges!

 Overall, this experience was very rewarding.

ProRanger Jordan Keiffer & ProRanger Manager Luis Krug

Until next time!