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Activities/Crafts -- PLAY (Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth) Newsletters --
Coloring Pages --
Videos/Links --
Additional Resources
Education Packages
Habitats Education Package
Watersheds Education Package
Activities/Crafts
All About Trout – Key Habitats
Help the trout find a good home in this stream. Cut out the life stages of the trout and paste them into the stream where they can survive best.
Aquatic Invasive Species – Troublemakers
Unscramble the words to find out who the troublemakers are in PA’s waterways.
Build a Watershed – Just add Water (Activity from PFBC’s WILD About PA Fishes Curriculum)
This activity introduces participants to what a watershed is, how landscapes can influence the path of water, influence of land use and what “We all live downstream” means.
Estimating Fish Populations
Teachers or parents can utilize this activity from the PFBC’s “Wild About PA Fishes” curriculum to help students develop an understanding of types of activities PFBC biologists engage in by estimating a ‘population of fish’ using at least two mathematical models and comparing the results of each.
Habi-Trout Activity
Teachers or parents can utilize this activity from PFBC’s “WILD About PA Fishes” curriculum to introduce youth to basic methods of assessing stream habitat.
Healthy Lake Activity
Help the angler determine if this lake is healthy by circling the components of a lake food chain.
Healthy Streams Fishing Activity
Help the angler determine if this stream is healthy by circling the components of a coldwater stream food chain.
Help This Habitat
Help decide what type of habitat and where to place it in the lake and stream settings!
Pennsylvania Rivers Word Search
Find the river-related words in this fun word search.
The Nuisance Species
“Board Game” – Get from start to finish while working to stop the spread of aquatic nuisance species.
Vernal Pool Word Search
Find the vernal pool words in this fun word search.
Water Cycle and Water Pollution Word Search
Find
water cycle and water pollution words in this fun word search.
Water Quality
Test your water quality knowledge with this word search.
Watershed Review
Using the Winter 2019 PLAY issue: "Water Flows Through PA", test your knowledge of the six watersheds found in Pennsylvania.
Coloring Pages
PLAY Newsletters
You can find additional activities and crafts on the last page of every PLAY (Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth) newsletter!
Read Along with PFBC playlist
Listen and/or read along with PFBC staff as they share Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth newsletters in a video format.
“Fishing is Reel Fun” booklet
This 18-page activity booklet is full of fishing and boating information to help anglers and boaters of all ability levels enjoy safe, fun, and year-round outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania. Enjoy!
"My Adventures" write-your-own story booklet
With this 12-page activity booklet you can write-your-own adventure about a trip on or near a PA waterway (e.g. stream, river, pond, lake). You can also share something you learn, share how you would teach someone else about what you learned, and share a memory that you will keep with you as you grow. Begin your story today!
PLAY: Dive into Stream Ecology
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Dive into Stream Ecology; Stream Types- Look a Little Deeper; Ingredients of a Healthy Stream; A "Tree-ific" Coldwater Stream Food Chain; Benefits and Threats; How Can You Help; and Healthy Streams Fishing Activity.
PLAY: Good Fishing Needs Good Habitat
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Good Fishing Needs Good Habitat; Recipe for a Healthy Stream; Stream Improvement Toolbox; Lake Improvement Toolbox; Help this Habitat (activity).
PLAY: H2O on the GO
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
H2O on the Go; The Water Cycle; Water Cycle and Pollution; Pollution Points; Water Cycle and Water Pollution (word search).
PLAY: Jump Into Lake Ecology
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Jump into Lake Ecology; Lake Types- How Lakes Form; Lake Zones; Life in the Lake; Benefits and Threats; How Can YOU Help; and Healthy Lake Activity.
PLAY: PA's Least Wanted: Aquatic Nuisance Species
PLAY issue identifiying what ANS is, the 10 most common found in PA, where they come from, and the damage they can do to a habitat. Also includes a fun game to help kids learn more about ANS.
PLAY: Rivers Run Through Pennsylvania
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Rivers Run Through Pennsylvania; All About Rivers; River Habitats; River Food Web; Rivers of Life; and Pennsylvania Rivers (word search).
PLAY: Sci-fi in the Real World
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Sci-fi in the Real World; Beware of Hitchhikers; Troublemakers (word scramble); PA’s Water Invaders; Stop the Invaders; Information.
PLAY: Vernal Pools
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Vernal Pool Vocabulary; All About Vernal Pools; Ecology and Life Cycles; Vernal Pool Indicator Species; Vernal Pool Facultative Species; Functions and Values; and Vernal Pool Word Search.
PLAY: Watersheds and Stream Order
PLAY issue that discusses what a watershed is and the concept of stream order.
PLAY: Water Flows Through PA
PLAY issue containing the following articles -
PA’s Biggest Watershed, The Water in the City of Pittsburgh, PA’s Eastern Border is a River, Three Smaller Watersheds, Keep Your Watersheds Clean, Let’s Review (activity).
PLAY: Water, Water, Read All About It
PLAY issue containing the following articles -
Water, Water, Read All About It; Water Temperature; Dissolved Oxygen; pH; Alkalinity; Turbidity and Transparency; Water Quality (word search).
PLAY: Where Do They Go In Winter?
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Where Do They Go In Winter; Finding Fish Under the Frozen Water; A Warm Place for Winter; Living in Cold Water; Frozen Alive; and A-Mazing Winter Survival (maze game).
Videos
PLAYLISTS
The following two links are playlists that will take you through all of PFBC’s videos related to aquatic habitat, conservation and pollution OR you can go through them individually by clicking links below.
Abandoned Mine Drainage Virtual Field Trip
In this playlist, Rachel Kester, of PA Council of Trout Unlimited, and Kelly Williams, of the Clearfield County Conservation District, take you on a virtual field trip exploring a common issue that effects Pennsylvania’s waterways: Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD). They will cover exactly what AMD is, how AMD effects both the aquatic life and the people that live within the watershed, and how certain improvement practices can help to clean up AMD impaired waterways.
All About Fish: Fish Habitat and Local Fishing Opportunities
Welcome to the “All About Fish“ series of videos brought to you by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. In this video, you’ll learn about the water resources available for fishing in Pennsylvania and how to find a place to fish near you. We’ll introduce the habitat needs of fish and how you can locate areas where fish are more likely to be found in a pond or lake habitat.
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
This video highlights the importance of recognition of aquatic invasive species and the accompanying text explains how to prevent the spread of AIS.
Aquatic Resource Management – PA Fish and Boat Commission
This video introduces viewers to PFBC’s work in aquatic resource protection and management.
Beltzville Lake 2018 Underwater Video
This video features several lake habitat structures and a variety fish using the structures after placement in the lake. The video also provides text on the types of structure and fish seen using it. Check out the video and the caption to learn more.
How to be a SMART Angler: 06- A is for “Appreciate Clean Water”
This sixth video in our SMART Angling series discusses the importance of appreciating PA’s aquatic resources and how we each can do our part to keep our waterways clean.
Healthy water=healthy fish=healthy people!
Ice Fishing – GOOD habitat = GOOD Fishing!
This video features a panfish, in winter, hanging tight to habitat structure in a lake and “taking the bait.” Check out the video caption to learn more.
Lake Habitat Section Catfish Spawning Box
This video takes you “underwater” to see how Channel Catfish protect their spawning box from the outside AND it even takes you into their spawning box to see their young. Check out the video caption to learn more.
Lake Habitat Project at Frances Slocum State Park
This video features another one of PFBC’s numerous lake habitat projects across the state. The success of projects, like this one, is attributed to local, County and State partners, as well as, local volunteers. Check out the video caption to learn more about this project.
Lake Habitat Section Virtual Field Trip
Join PA Fish and Boat Commission Lake Habitat Section Chief, Ben Page, along the banks of Raystown Lake, while he introduces you to - * His Career Path, and mentors that helped him get to where he is with the agency *What PFBC's Lake Habitat Section does * Catfish Habitat Work * Panfish Habitat Work and * Turtle Habitat Work.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Virtual Field Trip playlist
In this playlist, Renee' Carey, of the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Shannon Stamm, of the Union County Conservation District, take you on a virtual field trip covering nonpoint source pollution and a couple of their improvement projects.
One Tree’s Legacy
This video introduces viewers to a fallen, hollowed out tree, providing refuge for newly hatched Grannom caddisflies, flying in “slo-mo”! Check out the video description for more details.This video introduces viewers to a fallen, hollowed out tree, providing refuge for newly hatched Grannom caddisflies, flying in “slo-mo”! Check out the video description for more details.
Redd Count Virtual Field Trip
Join PFBC's Chesapeake Bay Watershed Habitat Unit as they take you on a virtual field trip! Through this virtual field trip, you will learn what a trout redd is, how the PFBC conducts a redd count survey, and what redd surveys can tell us about a population. You will also learn about the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Habitat Unit and how they strive to achieve those goals.
Stream Habitat Section Virtual Field Trip
Take a PFBC Virtual Field Trip to a Stream Habitat Improvement Project! This playlist/series takes you on a field trip to one of PFBC’s Stream Habitat Improvement Projects in Cambria County, PA. The videos introduce you to our Stream Habitat Section, the importance of stream habitat, stream habitat design and permitting, stream habitat truck and equipment tour, project overview, completed habitat structures, followed by a video on how and why PFBC creates stream habitat.
The Water Quality of the Susquehanna River is Everyone’s Concern
The PFBC works to provide habitat improvement and improved water quality for everyone’s benefit.
Watersheds, Water Cycles, and Stream Orders playlist
In this playlist, PFBC introduces viewers to what a watershed is, the water cycle, what stream orders are, and even takes you to a few streams, sharing what their stream order number is.
Water Quality Lab- Virtual Field Trip
Join PFBC staff Mindy McClenahan and Aimee Nungesser as they take you on a virtual tour of the Water Quality Lab located at the Benner Springs Fish Culture and Research Station in State College, PA. Through this virtual tour you will be introduced to the Water Quality Lab, you will learn about some of the water quality parameters PFBC tests for, and why the PFBC tests for them.
Additional Resources
A River Flows Through It
This brochure describes the river continuum concept and how we all live "downstream."
Great Fishing Needs Great Habitat
Stream habitat and the importance of stream and lake restoration.
Focus On Habitat of Brook Trout
Information about Brook Trout, their habitat needs and their food chain.
Lake Habitat Improvement Maps
Locate a lake near you that has PFBC habitat projects. You may be surprised what you will find if you fish near them!
Largemouth Bass: Focus on Habitat
This handout describes and shows the habitat for a largemouth bass.
Six Ways to the Sea
Introduction to the six major watersheds in Pennsylvania and the waters that drain them. Includes information on the Ohio, Susquehanna, Delaware Rivers.
Stream Habitat Case Study - Little Lehigh Creek
This slide show introduces viewers to the difference Stream Habitat management projects can make on streams. Little Lehigh Creek is the stream featured in this presentation. Check out this slide show to learn more.
Stream Habitat Case Study - Spring Creek
This slide show introduces viewers to the difference Stream Habitat management projects can make on streams. This slide show features Spring Creek, Centre County. Check out this slide show to learn more.
Stream Reader
This detailed publication talks about how to find information about the natural world through analyzing the structure and composition of a stream.
Timbering and Trout
Describes the impact that timbering can have on trout streams, and steps that can be taken to lessen its impact.
The Basics of Water Pollution in Pennsylvania
What makes for a healthy aquatic habitat and how water pollution can influence life within a habitat.
Water Mapping
Here's a fun and interactive program developed by the US Geological Survey's Water Team. Follow a raindrop along its path along the contiguous United States!
Wetlands: Why Do Fish Need Them?
Connection between fish and wetlands, why we all need wetlands.