UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- If a school where the classrooms include more than 7,000 acres of forest, fields, wetlands and streams -- where learning about the environment goes hand-in-hand with having fun and meeting new friends -- sounds good, then the Penn State Conservation Leadership School is for you. In the unique setting of Penn State's Stone Valley Recreation Area near State College, students between the ages of 15 and 18 spend a week learning about the environment and conservation. Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences, the program emphasizes field-based, hands-on learning, group problem-solving and leadership. For over 50 years of the school's history, more than 7,100 young people have participated in the outdoor and leadership experience. This year's curriculum will focus on four current natural resource issues affecting Pennsylvanians:

--Fisheries Conservation - An in-depth analysis of challenging issues facing native fisheries and an inside look at one of the state's fish-hatchery and research stations will be presented. --Our Forest Heritage - Students will discover the state's deeply rooted history of forest use and conservation efforts. -- Acid Mine Drainage - Participants will learn about the dangers of acid mine drainage and the actions that can reduce its harmful effects on our water.

--Leadership 101 - Students will learn how to become leaders in conservation issues and influence the future of the environment. Conservation Leadership School is being offered twice this summer, June 25 to July 1 and July 9 to 15. The curriculum for each school is identical. During their stay at Stone Valley, the students will work in teams with faculty and staff from Penn State's School of Forest Resources and representatives of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The knowledge gained about current natural resource issues will assist youth who are planning to participate in Envirothon programs.

Scholarships are available from participating conservation districts in Pennsylvania and area sportsmen clubs for students representing their district at the school. For a listing of participating organizations visit the Web site. A short video about Penn State's Conservation Leadership School is available on the Web. For more information, visit the Web, by contact the Office of Conferences and Short Courses at 814-865-8301 or send an e-mail to shortcourse@psu.edu. For details about program content, contact Mike Powell, director of the Conservation Leadership School, at 814-863-1113 or by e-mail at mjp175@psu.edu.

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Jeff Mulhollem Writer/Editor Phone: 814-863-2719 E-mail: jjm29@psu.edu