Nature in the City
(NITC) Lessons

Students observe Onondaga Creek before it enters Syracuse.

CNE offers a variety of NITC lessons that can be brought to Syracuse or Auburn, NY city schools and nearby city parks, as part of the Nature in the City Program. Lesson topics range from Predator-Prey relationships to Stream Ecology. Many of our programs are specific to urban ecology. Some urban-ecology-specific topics include: the ability of peregrine falcons to live on skyscrapers; natural or somewhat unnatural urban history; and how Onondaga Creek or Elmwood Park has changed over the last 200 years due to human influence. All NITC lessons are taught by an environmental educator and include hands-on, minds-on activities, animal artifacts and are linked to the New York State Learning Standards.

Students investigate stream critters.

2007-2008 Nature in the City Program Brochure

If you are interested in bringing the NITC Program to your school please contact our School Program Coordinator at Jen.CNEBW@gmail.com or call (315) 673-1350 for program details, costs, and availability.

Page from "A Year in the Life of a Red-Winged Blackbird" Lesson.

The following NITC Lessons Plans and Activities can be downloaded and have been made possible through a two-year Museums for America Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services:

• LESSON PLAN 1: A Year in the Life of a Red-Winged Blackbird
• LESSON PLAN 2: It's Here Again, the Peregrine!
• LESSON PLAN 3: Sweet Rewards! A Maple Sugaring Game




• LESSON PLAN 4: The Urban Crow Controversy!
• LESSON PLAN 5: Elmwood Park's Story, if these stones could talk...
• NITC Coloring and Activity Book

Evaluate a Lesson Plan