Grant- Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center

Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is a place for Penn State students to get out of the classroom and explore nature. For Joshua Potter, the Education and Operations Manager, Shaver’s Creek holds a special place in his heart as his family has been involved since the facilities origins.

Potter’s father helped to found the center back in 1976. Since then, Potter has dedicated his time to educating himself on the facility by taking classes and volunteering.

“I was a volunteer here as a teenager helping with ground and facilities.”  Eventually, he attended Penn State graduated with an integrative arts degree.

Although moving away from Pennsylvania post graduation, Potter found his way back to Shaver’s Creek where he was able to be apart of the seven-point-five million dollar renovation project.

Since his father’s time, a lot has changed throughout the facility. The newly renovated Shaver’s Creek includes an enhanced visitors center, new administrative and classroom spaces, and brand new raptor enclosures.

The Center also holds a number of events throughout the year to engage the community. Potter says his favorite event is the Maple Harvest Festival and Pancake Breakfast which helps participants learn about the maple sugaring process in both colonial times and present day.

Shane McGowan, a Penn State Industrial Engineering major and frequent visitor of Shaver’s Creek, says he loves that he has the opportunity to immerse himself in nature so close to school. He says exploring the nature trails decreases his anxiety about his course load.

One of the most important aspects of the center IS the community engagement says Potter. He says watching people eager to learn about the environment around them is quite special, and truly makes it all worth it.

 

 

 


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