Take a working OUTDOORS vacation at New York farm

WILLIAMSPORT SUN-GAZETTE Page F-7 Sunday, May 1, 2011 F

By JESSICA WELSHANS areas,” she said. [email protected] Helping educate people now leaves them wanting to pass on what they LYSBURG — Leaving a legacy learned and help educate others. of healthy wildlife populations, Richards said the natural history- or Efunctioning ecosystems, vibrant natural science-based learning has disap- economies that are based on resource peared from the curriculum in all levels management and places to enjoy wildlife of education. — that’s the short “The institute was list of goals for the created to address the decrease or lack of nat- Institute for Classes offered in 2011: • Capturing Nature with ural history learning Conservation Watercolors: June 5 — Create your and experiences; to Education. own artistic impression with water- connect people and “We believe that colors while exploring forests and nature through sci- education is the fun- fields under the leadership of an ence, art, literature, damental compo- experienced artist. hands-on field studies, nent, often the miss- • Bat Ecology: Aug. 3-5 — Learn stewardship; and to first-hand about Pennsylvaniaʼs very ing link, to conserv- special flying mammals — bats, and direct experiences in ing biological diversi- what is threatening their existence the natural world,” she ty and protecting during a three-day seminar at Canoe said. ecological integrity,” Creek State Park, a premier bat site. The institute was said Michele Guests will visit a roosting area and born from a passion Richards, institute spend an evening watching biolo- for this type of educa- director. gists mist net and band bats. tion. Richards and Jim • Nature Photography: Oct. 14-16 The institute — Journey to northeastern Brett, former curator offers field seminars Pennsylvania and the Delaware of Hawk Mountain Top, a student captures that provide a River to advance your photography Sanctuary, founded artistic creations with informed, intimate skills and capture images of the the Institute in 2002. watercolors during the experience in the amazing scenery. They were concerned outdoors. • Ferns and Mosses: Sept. 12 — Nature With Watercolors over the disappear- “Classes are While exploring Ricketts Glen State ance of the natural class, a popular field Park, study ferns, mosses and other small, ranging from history education in seminar that integrates nonflowering plants amongst the six to 10 persons, stateʼs most scenic waterfalls. the schools, Richards art and nature. Above, a and largely field- Scholarships of up to 70 percent of said. group examines a toad based,” Richards After teaching natu- Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program tuition are available for these pro- during an amphibian said. grams. All programs are listed on the ral history programs in station. At right, A pilot program called the Pennsylvania They are open to website www.PICEweb.org. the Rockies, Richards students at a regional Master Naturalist is held in southeast adult educators, pro- noticed many teachers Master Naturalist Pennsylvania, but organizers hope it will expand fessionals, artists, outdoor enthusiasts or from the East Coast were traveling there training learn to identify across the state. This is a venture directed toward any interested adult. Teachers of all for training. birds in the field. developing local corps of trained “master volun- grade and subject levels are encouraged She and Brett realized that a special- Below, nature teers” in natural history to offer education, out- to attend as are non-formal educators ized school would bridge the disconnect photography classes reach and service dedicated to the understanding and youth leaders in communities. with nature and the lack of knowledge of develop studentsʼ and management of natural areas within their The institute is an Act 48 continuing Pennsylvania wildlife and ecology. photography skills while communities. The program emphasizes a local education provider, and teachers will The non-profit organization may be approach to conservation by forging vital partner- receive credit hours for participating in giving them the chance small but its effect is felt in many stu- ships among community members and local field seminars and workshops. dents and communities. to experience some organizations through service activities. The suc- Workshop students spend time in the The institute collaborates with other of Pennsylvaniaʼs cess of the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist pro- field, enjoying Pennsylvania’s natural organizations and has formed strong most amazing gram involves collaboration among various con- world with a community of top-notch partnerships with them because all have natural landscapes. servation agencies and nonprofits, community instructors and seasoned naturalists, the same missions and goals. organizations and educational institutions to help according to Richards. The organizations they work with help implement the program. These organizations ulti- “Our adult field seminars take advan- tremendously in conducting the Wildlife PHOTOS PROVIDED mately will use Pennsylvania Master Naturalist tage of the beauty of each season and a volunteers in their own conservation efforts. few of the state’s extraordinary natural (See PENNSYLVANIA, Page F-3)

Hands-on school offers youth life lessons in conservation By JESSICA WELSHANS The program, which is in its fifth year, has [email protected] become a unique experience for youth to have an opportunity to interact and learn from the leading It’s cliche to say the future of conservation lies in wildlife biologists, media professionals and educa- the hands of the youth, but nothing is closer to the tors in the state, all of whom have helped to estab- truth. lish the program, Kittle said. The Wildlife Leadership Academy offers a year- The youth who participate in the academy leave round hands-on way to empower youth to become well informed and commit themselves to serve as ambassadors for wildlife conservation and helps to spokesmen and women for wildlife conservation in ensure a sustained wildlife legacy for future genera- Pennsylvania. tions, according to Michele Kittell, academy director. Kittell said the academy begins with a rigorous It is a combined year-round training and commu- summer field school. The schools combine a hands- nity service experience for teens and focuses on on experience with challenging academic content. wildlife biology, conservation and leadership skills The hands-on experiences in the field schools can and development. range from exploring the detailed anatomy of a The academy was established through the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education. (See HANDS-ON, Page F-3) , F-3 Outdoors Williamsport Sun-Gazette Sunday, May 1, 2011

Enjoy canoe, kayak demo day

Country Ski and Sports will hold a canoe and kayak demo day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1 at the Montoursville boat dock at the end of Mill Street. Sales representatives will show more than nine brands of kayaks and canoes and visitors may try them out in the river. For more information, call the store at 368-1718. Outdoor activities planned

LOCK HAVEN — Rock, River and Outfitters, 57 Bellefonte Ave., will hold the following events. Fees and reservations apply. For more information, call 748-1818. • Today — Kayak Kettle Creek. Fee includes trans- portation and guide; kayak rentals are available at a reduced rate. • Saturday — Kayak Pine Creek from Ansonia to Blackwell. The annual 17-mile trek down the upper reaches of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is not for PHOTO PROVIDED the faint of heart. Fee includes transportation and Participants learn research techniques, such as bat harp netting, from biologists in the field. This guide. Kayak rentals available. • May 8 — Wapiti and Wine Tour. A special Bat Ecology seminar will be offered Aug. 3-5 at in Blair County. A fee Mother’s Day outing for a full-day adventure to the applies. Benezette area for wapiti viewing and a tour and tast- ing at Elk Mountain Winery. The van leaves Lock Hands-on school offers youth Haven at 8:30 a.m. and heads to the new Elk Country Visitors Center in Benezette, then participants will ride around and search for elk. Lunch follows before the tour goes to the winery. A fee includes a guide, transportation and admission into the movie at the life lessons in conservation visitors center. Lunch not included. • May 20 and 27 — Lindsay’s Kayaking Trips down Pine Creek. Lock Haven University student and Rock River and Trail intern Lindsay Embick will lead (From Page F-1) these species and their the way for these special Friday kayaking trips. On wildlife species, followed Pennsylvania institute habitats,” she said. May 20, participants will paddle about 10 miles from by a study of their nutri- “We hope this educa- Blackwell to Slate Run. On May 27, the trip will take tional requirements; tion will make a differ- paddlers from Slate Run to Hamilton Bottom (about engaging in exploring the built for conservation ence for the future of 13 miles). Fee includes transportation; kayak rentals species; examining habi- wildlife conservation,” available at a reduced rate. tat in the field; collecting (From Page F-1) Kittell added. plants and more. After completing the Alpine Club organizes trail care hikes in May “Youth also experi- Leadership Academy program, Richards said. school, Kittell said, stu- ence what it takes to be a “Our field seminars are held in partnership dents take the leader- with leading experts and hosted at various facil- ship skills they have The Alpine Club of Williamsport will hold trail care leader and communica- tor through competition, ities and natural areas across the state,” she learned on to educate hikes for the Loyalsock Trail today and on May 15 and said. “In this way, we can introduce participants the community about 22. Hikers should meet at 8 a.m. at the parking lot of team-building activities and public speaking. to a variety of wonderful natural resources in the importance of the stone Sovereign Bank in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania and provide the greatest expert- wildlife conservation in between Market and Hastings streets, at the southern Youth can also expect to reflect on their experi- ise and current information on the topic.” the state. end of the Market Street Bridge. Richards says she hopes the institute grows Those who have been Workers will clear the trail of debris, cut branches ence during the week through journaling and and provides more programs and outreach to through the WLA have that interfere with seeing the blazes and work on side more of the state. gone onto give education- . photography,” Kittell said. Upon request, customized programs can be al presentations in their Some tools will be provided, but hikers should designed, aside from the programs that already school and even men- bring lunch and water as well as gloves, loppers, clip- Professionals teaching the Wildlife Leadership are set up and scheduled. Programs may pro- tored at field youth days pers and folding or bow saws, if possible. vide a chance to: and state parks. For more information, call Ruth Rode at 322-5878. Academy are well-versed in their fields. • Photograph spring wildflowers with an “Our students serve About 24 instructors accomplished photographer; as role models for the Take a hike with regional group are established with the • Join a botanist to identify native and not- youth and their commu- program. They work in so-native plants of various habitats; nities,” Kittell said. The Otzinachson Regional Group of the Sierra places such as Kutztown • Discover the shaping of our landscape To date, WLA field Club’s Edward Abbey Society has announced University, the with an expert geologist; schools have conducted its spring and summer outings schedule. Hikes are Pennsylvania Audubon, • Paddle the Susquehanna River or a small- 309 education, outreach open to the public, but those interested should call the the state Department of er tributary and experience Pennsylvania’s service projects, engaged hike leader for details. Agriculture, the state watersheds up close; in about 1,300 hours Hikes include: Game Commission, • Spend a day with an experienced fly fish- with the public, reaching • Today — R.B. Winter State Park, 10 miles, mod- Pennsylvania Quality erman, developing your skills and learning more than 8,000 people erate to strenuous, Mid State Trail south to the Fallen Deer Management about stream ecology. across 39 counties of the Timber Trail. Meet at the breast of the dam along Association, Penn State To garner interest and students, the institute state, according to Route 192 at 8 a.m. Bring food and water. Call Joe University, the Ruffed relies mostly on word-of-mouth, web searches Kittell. Rebar to confirm, 259-0134. If you can’t get Joe, call Grouse Society and the and their partner organizations. This year, two field Paul Shaw at 672-2389. U.S. Army Corps of “We welcome donations that will help us school are being offered: • Saturday — Gillespie Point to Bohen Run Falls Engineers. grow programs across the state and spread the Pennsylvania Loop, 11 miles, strenuous. From Blackwell, we will climb “The field schools are word,” Richards said. Drummers focuses on to the top of Pennsylvania’s Matterhorn, Gillespie Point followed by year-round With the state’s diverse ecology, “An the ruffed grouse, the with fine views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. After mentoring by program informed and active citizenry is the most impor- state bird, while looping back to Blackwell, we will continue on the Bohen staff and partners as the tant resource for conserving and protecting our Pennsylvania Bucktails Run Falls Trail to the , then back to students conduct conser- natural resources,” Richards said. She hopes focuses on the white- Blackwell on the . Meet at parking vation outreach and serv- the institute can help. tailed deer. lot behind Lewisburg Post Office at 8 a.m. or boat launch ice projects in their local More information is available at “Each program covers parking lot in Blackwell at 9:30. Bring lunch and water. communities,” Kittle www.piceweb.org. the specific species, Leader, Duane Button, 596-3454. said. anatomy and physiology, • May 14 — and Tumbling It’s important that the educational presenta- state. The students also nutrition, health and dis- Run, 7.5 miles, moderate to strenuous. This loop hike academy is not just a tions, media interaction, create a record book of eases, behavior, life cycle features the only waterfalls in Cumberland County as one-week experience, service work and partici- their outreach to keep and aging, and natural well as the famous Lewis’ Rocks, hideout of the notori- like some summer pro- pation in the arts. track of their accomplish- history,” Kittell said. ous Lewis the Robber. On the return trip, we will follow grams. “The students are sup- ments,” Kittell said. However, applications the with a stop at Camp Michaux, a When a youth is ported by a network, that “Programs like WLA for the two schools are no former WWII Prisoner of War camp. Meet at K-Mart accepted to the program, includes myself as well are important because longer are available. The parking lot along Route 15 in Shamokin Dam at 8:15 he or she agrees to do at as WLA partners and what people understand deadline usually is in a.m. or at the store at Pine Grove Furnace State Park least three outreach comprises of communi- and care about they then April of each year. at 10. Bring water and a lunch. Hike leaders, Carl and activities in their com- cating outreach opportu- conserve. Through their For more information, Bonnie Davis, 717-532-3696 or [email protected]. munity after they return nities and connecting the educational outreach, call Kittell at 245-8518 or from the academy. youth with our partners WLA youth help people send an email to her at Tour a state forest Outreach may include in their areas of the understand more about [email protected].

AUSTIN — The Susquehannock State Forest will hold its annual forest management and habitat tour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The tour meets at the Hidden population may combat Dutch elm disease Austin School, off of Route 872, and transportation and lunch is provided. Registration is required by call- (From Page F-2) tree crops for the $4.7 bil- diploid parent out there which strengthens the ing 814-274-3600 or emailing [email protected]. also been persistent but lion-a-year nursery somewhere in the wild possibility of the diploid The forest consists of 265,000 acres almost entirely dismissed rumors of industry, especially since that had crossed with a trees having genes for in Potter County. The tour visits four sites: an active trees that had fewer the introduction of a very tetraploid,” Whittemore disease resistance that timber sale, an area with several wildlife improve- copies — triploids, which few new trees with some said. the tetraploids don’t ment projects, privately managed forestland and have three copies of chro- tolerance to the disease. To settle the question, have, Whittemore said. Marcellus Shale activity. mosomes, or diploids, American elms remain the two scientists tested “We can’t say yet Topics include evaluating and improving wildlife which have two copies. popular because of their elm trees from across the whether this is a distinct habitat, deer impact and habitat surveys, forest man- Now botanist Alan T. stately beauty, their species’ eastern and cen- race of U. americana or if agement issues, tree insect and disease update, estate Whittemore and geneti- rapid leaf litter decay tral U.S. range. About 21 we are really talking planning, and impacts of the oil and gas industry on cist Richard T. Olsen and their ability to stand percent of the wild elms about a separate state forests. with USDA’s up to city air pollution. sampled were diploid; species,” he said. “That’s Agricultural Research It was one of the dis- some grew in stands with a job we will tackle this Set foot on River Road Service (ARS) have ease-tolerant elm trees tetraploids, while others summer.” proven beyond question — Jefferson, released were larger groupings of LEWISBURG — Back by popular demand, the that diploid American jointly by ARS and the diploids. River Road Holiday will be held today. A one-mile elms exist as a subset of National Park Service in The small amount of stretch of River Road, from Lan Avon Drive to elms in the wild. Their 2005 — that put genetic data now avail- Seventh Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 1 findings were be pub- Whittemore and Olsen able suggests that at to 5 p.m. It will be open for people on bicycles, skate- lished in the April edition on the trail of the diploid. least some tetraploid and boards, rollerskates or walkers. of the American Journal “Jefferson is a triploid. diploid elm populations The free event is open to all. Limited parking will of Botany. Whittemore To get a triploid elm, we have diverged signifi- available nearby. and Olsen work at the thought there had to be a cantly from one another, The East Buffalo Township Bike and Pedestrian U.S. National Arboretum Committee will host the event with support from the operated by ARS in township and its supervisors, the Local Action Washington, D.C. Network, the Bucknell Environmental Center and American elms once Bicycles Against Poverty. lined the country’s For more information, see streets and dominated www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=110949318982606. eastern forests until they In addition, anyone interested in volunteering may succumbed by the mil- contact Bridget Kane, communications and outreach lions after Dutch elm dis- coordinator, at [email protected] or ease arrived in the 522-7275. in 1931. Yet elms still are one (See OUTDOOR BRIEFS, Page F-4) of the most important