Environmental Centers of Franklin County, PA
Franklin County’s Environmental Centers bring you closer to nature
Environmental Centers connect the busy daily lives of people to nature and help to remind everyone of the importance of fresh water, green trees, and clean air. Many are teaching experiences, but all help to put people in touch with the natural world. Explore the beauty of outdoor Franklin County at one of its environmental centers. Whether part of a state park system, a local school district, or operated by a non-profit conservation organization, environmental centers build knowledge, help the public make informed and responsible choices, and support healthy communities.
Charles Brightbill Environmental Center
Address Information
4881 Fort Loudon Road
Mercersburg, PA 17236
Ask any avid fisherman why he enjoys fishing in the waterways of Franklin County, and he might tell you it is because he has so many different spots to fish. “The sheer volume of water that’s available in this part of the state compared to the population is astounding,” explains George Hammond of Custom Tied Flies and Guide Service. Hammond points out that there are four creeks within 25 miles of Chambersburg which are open year-round. These include the Falling Spring, the east branch of the Antietam Creek, a piece of the Big Spring near Newville, and the Green Spring close to Newburg.
Hours
The Center is open the first Sunday from October thru May from 2:00 – 4:00. Appointments for family outings can be made by calling the Center at 717 328-2126 or via the TWEP website or Facebook page.
Educational Opportunities
Fellow guide Mike Heck agrees with Hammond’s assessment, This Charles Brightbill Environmental Center hosts monthly programs open to the public. School groups – public, private, and homeschool – may schedule visits for an educational experience that will meet PA State Standards. Lessons are offered on a wide variety of topics such as predator/prey relationships, ecosystems, animal adaptations, migration, recycling, tree identification and much more. The Center includes a classroom, 2 large displays of stuffed wildlife in dioramas representing ecosystems from all over the world. The Center also has displays of fossils, rocks, skulls, and nests. 16 acres of natural habitat with walking trails and an outdoor classroom make a visit even more enjoyable.
Outdoor Walking Area
The center includes a natural habitat area with trails and a stream, with an abundance of birds and butterflies..
For More Information
Go to: twep.org
Tayamentasachta Center for Environmental Studies
Address Information
500 Leitersburg St.
Greencastle, PA 17225
717.597.6458 (Please call for Hours)
Directions
Exit 5 off I-81, left onto Baltimore Street to Ridge Avenue. Follow Ridge Avenue until it ends, turn left at the stop sign at Leitersburg Street. Remain on Leitersburg Street to Tayamentasachta.
Environmental Education
This center is operated by the Greencastle School District and has education programs for kindergarten through 5th Grade, including plant identification, learning to be stewards, environmental protection, ecosystems, habitats and much more. Tayamentasachta derives from a Native American word that means “never-ending water” and the center includes a 19th century farmhouse and barn, spring, spring house, log cabin, longhouse, pavilion and orchard.
Walking Trials
The center is open dawn to dusk seven days a week to the public and has walking trails, woodlots, field and gardens for the public to walk and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Tayamentaschta Apple Festival
This fall event happens every October and highlights apples, which are a big industry in Franklin County. Local students are invited to help peel apples for apple butter and learn more about apples during the day. Other activities include making corn husk dolls, s’mores, scenic wagon rides, and apple dumplings for sale.
The Institute
Address Information
239 B East Main St.
Waynesboro, PA 17268
717.762.0373
Hours
9 am – 4 pm
The Institute is a non-profit organization serving the region with outdoor programming in environmental and cultural education, and a wide variety of family events. Activities are conducted at various parks and natural areas around the greater Waynesboro area.
The Institute was formerly based in Waynesboro’s Renfrew Park, but left that property in 2020. This departure resulted in expanded programming opportunities for area residents of all ages.
Environmental Education
First-hand experiences help students understand how nature works and what role humans play in the eco-system. Younger children explore sensory activities and introductory concepts in ecology and older children explore more advanced topics such as watershed and wetland studies. Youth can also attend after-school watershed and stream study programs.
The Institute has recently expanded offerings for children with a series of outdoor EXPLORE! programs, and for preschoolers with their WonderWalks series.
Community Learning
Adults and teens can attend lectures and workshops on cultural and environmental topics throughout the year, such as Pennsylvania geology, astronomy and regional history. Outdoor programs include family trail hikes, geology field trips, owl walks, and bi-weekly bird walks.
SOAR Bird Walks
First and third Saturdays of each month, year round, guided bird walks rotate locations in the local region. Schedule of locations is on The Institute’s website.
Other Fun Programs
Summer Institute
After school is out for the year, Summer Institute provides fun, educational activities for children including discovering nature, hiking, gardening and much more.
SOAR Bird Walks
First and third Saturdays of each month, year round, guided bird walks rotate locations in the local region. Schedule of locations is on The Institute’s website.
Earth Day Celebration & Festival of Art
The Institute welcomes spring with an event celebrating our earth, including environmental exhibits, music, art, drum circle and more.
EXPLORE! Nature Series for Kids
Outdoor nature adventures in every season for budding naturalists.
Kite Fly
In April, enjoy a free afternoon of learning how to fly a kite from kite flying experts.
Jazz Fest
World-class jazz on a Sunday afternoon in August.
Pumpkin Chuckin'
Pumpkins fly with the trebuchet, and more fall fun on a Saturday in October.
Winter Solstice Festival
Bonfires light up the shortest day of the year with a celebration of the season in December.
And our ongoing partnership with
Franklin County Visitors Bureau
Explore Franklin County PA is the official site for adventure, history, and getaways throughout our wonderful county. You'll find adventure at your pace throughout our diverse and unique towns of Chambersburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro, Mercersburg, and a little sliver of Shippensburg and all points in between.
Underground Railroad
