From Snakes to Sustainability, PEEC’s Earth Day Festival Brings Nature Up Close

Families looking to celebrate Earth Day can head to the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) this weekend, where hands-on activities, live animal encounters and sustainability-focused exhibits aim to connect visitors with nature in a tangible way.

The nonprofit organization will host its annual Earth Day Festival on Saturday at its campus within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public, with a $5 per-car parking fee and free access to most activities.

Amanda Subjin, the center’s chief executive officer, said the festival reflects PEEC’s broader mission of year-round environmental education.

“One of our mottos here is Earth Day every day,” Subjin said. “This is just one chance for us to celebrate that across our campus for our local community.”

Founded in 1972, PEEC offers residential environmental education programs designed to immerse visitors in nature. The Earth Day Festival extends that approach through interactive experiences for all ages.

This year’s event emphasizes sustainability, with conservation groups and community partners offering activities and information aimed at helping people incorporate environmentally friendly practices into their daily lives.

“There will be giveaways, there will be activities, and all of this will focus on how you as a normal person in your everyday life can bring sustainability into your home and into your workplace,” Subjin said.

A hallmark of the festival is its hands-on learning environment, particularly for children. Visitors can explore PEEC’s “eco-zone” discovery room, which includes immersive exhibits such as a bat cave and a beaver lodge, and attend a live animal presentation featuring species and habitat education.

The center’s resident black rat snake, Garrett, will also be on display, along with turtles used to teach about native and non-native species.

Subjin said those direct interactions are key to building environmental awareness.

“The easiest way to do that is through hands-on experience,” she said. “Being able to see in person all of the live critters … and learn about them and their habitats.”

The event also features participation from the National Park Service, which will offer educational programming and junior ranger badges tied to topics such as river safety, wildfire awareness and stewardship of the Upper Delaware region.

Subjin said fostering a personal connection to nature is central to encouraging long-term environmental responsibility.

“The easiest way to make a difference is to feel connected to something,” she said. “If you can learn about the animals and their habitat and our waterways … that leads you down the road to further take action.”

For Subjin, the event carries personal significance. She said she first came to PEEC as a child and later worked there as a student before returning to lead the organization.

“What PEEC means to me is an opportunity to continue the legacy of being connected to our Earth,” she said. “If we can see these happy faces come and a spark is lit and they feel connected to the planet, then we’re doing a great job.”

Image Credit: PEEC