OCCA Nature Walk Introduces Homeschool Students to Emmons Pond Bog 

By ISABELLA BELMONTESUNY Institute for Local NewsONEONTA

Local children and families explored one of Otsego County’s most unique natural areas on April 10 during a spring nature walk at Emmons Pond Bog Preserve, led by the Otsego County Conservation Association and designed especially for homeschooled students. 

The educational walk introduced participants to ecological concepts, native plants and human stewardship of local lands, blending hands-on learning with outdoor exploration. The program is part of OCCA’s ongoing efforts to provide environmental education opportunities for families across the region. 

Shelby MacLeish, OCCA’s director and the leader of the Friday afternoon event, said the monthly homeschool nature walks began four years ago after she noticed a gap in outdoor programming for local students learning at home.  

“We started the homeschooled walks in 2022,” MacLeish said.

Inspired by her own background of homeschooling her kids, MacLeish explained how she noticed “there wasn’t a lot of homeschool nature connection in this area.”