A full summary of Sustainovation activities at Tyler Arboretum for the Pancake Breakfast can be found on this Adobe Spark page.
At Tyler Arboretum’s annual Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring Celebration, the Sustainovation Team and students came out to assist in a unique way. Tapping in to Tyler’s 75th anniversary as an arboretum, Sustainovation Team member Adrienne Showalter worked on a survey, database, and website to compile a list of the favorite nature-related books from Tyler members. Check out the website, along with member quotes for their choices at the website https://sites.psu.edu/tylercreative/greatnaturereads/. During the celebration on February 23, 2019, visitors to Tyler could view the listing of book choices and explore a display of copies of the books. Adrienne also had information for Pennsylvania residents to learn how to find electronic versions of these books through libraries, especially the availability of Penn State’s library system.
In addition, Sustainovation Team member Dr. Laura Guertin had a poster and spoke to visitors about the impacts of climate change on maple trees and the production of maple syrup. A copy of the poster can be viewed here: The changing taste of maple syrup
We had tables set up where kids visiting the event could color their own bookmarks, and even create their own book on nature to take home with them – thanks to the efforts of the Penn State Brandywine student volunteers for their assistance in working with the kids and families that morning.
One final piece to our program at Pancake Breakfast was a nature story time, led by Penn State Brandywine librarian Annie Jansen. We happened to have some children’s nature-themed books written in English and Spanish, so Sustainovation Team member Dr. Ivan Esparragoza jumped in and co-read some of the books with Annie. This part of our event was so popular that we’ll be doing an International Nature Story Time next year at Tyler, involving more of our international students to read in their native languages.
The Sustainovation events at Tyler Arboretum’s Pancake Breakfast in spring 2019 supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education, Goal #14 – Life Below Water, Goal #15 – Life On Land, and Goal #17 – Partnerships For The Goals.