Nathaniel Kuhns and Grady Newhard lead a lesson for elementary-school children at the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s Preston’s Place.

A photo of students from Lehigh Career & Technical Institute was recently published with a Bird Town Pennsylvania blog post.

Lehigh Valley Zoo Director of Conservation Cher Vatalaro blogged about habitat loss and other pressures on Keystone State wild bird populations. In the article she highlights Preston’s Place — a native garden space at the zoo that serves as habitat for local birds and pollinators — and how it’s become a resource for high school seniors from LCTI’s Future Educators program.

The intensive, dual-enrollment program is designed to provide students with an early college experience as they explore careers in education through a combination of hands-on training and field experiences. Lehigh Valley Zoo, along with Da Vinci Science Center and public schools across the region, is a program partner.

Vatalaro writes, “Through this partnership, students have connected with the mission of Preston’s Place and gained insight into effective interpretation techniques under the guidance of zoo staff.”

She continues, “They have then applied what they learned by designing hands-on activities and facilitating them with guests in the space. This experience has allowed students to build confidence and practice skills in a real-world setting, while also engaging visitors of all ages in meaningful conservation messaging.”

A photo accompanying the article shows Future Educators Class of 2026 alumni Nathaniel Kuhns and Destyn Murray leading an interactive lesson for elementary school students in Preston’s Place. Nathaniel, a Northern Lehigh High School graduate, is reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” while Catasauqua High School graduate Destyn holds up a poster board showing everything the voracious insect consumed before his transformation.

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