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Educator Workshops
REINSTEIN WOODS TEACHER WORKSHOPS
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, in partnership with Friends of Reinstein Woods, offers a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers. These 3-hour to 6-hour workshops are designed to help educators incorporate environmental education into their existing curriculum. Workshops also can be done at an individual school upon request. For more information about educator workshops, contact Reinstein Woods at 716-683-5959 or email teachered@reinsteinwoods.org.
Reinstein Woods sends out quarterly emails announcing upcoming workshops and other opportunities for teachers. To request that you be added to the list, send an email to: teachered@reinsteinwoods.org. (We recommend using a personal email address since many school districts block bulk emails).
We also have multiple activity bins for educators to borrow. Find out more on our Educator Resources page.
SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE
Reinstein Woods offers a three-day Summer Teacher Institute in late July/ early August. This intensive training provides teachers with cutting-edge materials and methods to help them incorporate the environment into their curriculum.
2026 Sumer Teacher Institute
Tuesday, July 28 to Thursday, July 30
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Expand your knowledge of Western New York’s natural world with three days of hands-on field studies in our ponds, forests, and fields. This workshop will feature local research and project highlights from environmental professionals, provide techniques for incorporating nature into your classroom curricula, and strengthen your confidence in using the outdoors as a teaching space.
Guest Speakers:
- Nick Henshue, University at Buffalo
Topic: Earthworm Ecology
- NYSDEC Great Lakes Program
Topic: Lake Trout Restoration in Lake Erie
Additional topics include:
- Air Quality: Local research and schoolyard connections
- Gall of the Wild: Insect phenomenon and bioindicators
- Learning through Play: Ecosystem modeling games for all ages
Program Fee: $50
To view resources from recent (2023-25) Institutes, visit the Educator Resources page and look under “Workshop Resources.”
