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Programs
SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL are magical times in the wilds of Pennsylvania.The outdoors provide personal and professional opportunities for learning, reflection and inspiration. The Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education believes that anytime is a good time to be in the out of doors and connect with our place. Our adult field seminars take advantage of the beauty of each season and a few of the state’s extraordinary regions.
Journey into the heartland of Pennsylvania where you’ll discover the geologic wonders of the Ridge and Valley region of the Appalachians, study plant life in remote wet and wild places with scenic waterfalls, capture on paper the dramatic landscapes and forests of the Allegheny Mountains or Kittatiny Ridge, or explore a very special cave and its nocturnal inhabitants. Spend anywhere from a day to several days with the Institute exploring such topics as natural history, geology, wildlife and plants, nature and the arts, and more. Please join us in 2008 to deepen your connections with the land, people and communities of this amazing place we call home.
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©Scott Brown |
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Field Geology of the Appalachians
JUNE 17-19 (TUE – THU)
Bucknell University and surrounding environs
Craig Kochel, Ph.D. and Richard Nickelsen, Ph.D.
In this class, participants will explore and learn about the geologic landscape of ancient glacial outwash plains, in a geomorphological mix of the Ridge and Valley Province of Central PA where Africa and North America engaged in collision course 300 million years ago, and much more. For classroom teachers, educators and others interested in bringing geology into their educational programs, this exciting 3-day program is loaded with field and hands-on experiences and absorbable knowledge from instructors with over 60 years of experience. This class is popular and space is limited so early registration is encouraged.
Tuition: $295 (commuter); includes meals, instruction and 20 ACT 48 credit hours; $375 (with lodging); the lodging fee includes a private dormitory room. (*Academic credit is available. An additional per credit fee charged by Cedar Crest College would apply). |
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Bat Ecology
JULY 30, 31 AND AUG 1 (WED – FRI)
Canoe Creek State Park
Heidi Boyle
Join knowledgeable naturalists and biologists for an in-depth look at the ecology of bats that inhabit Pennsylvania. This workshop will explore bat habitat, bat identification, and the impact of bats on their environment. You will learn research techniques and how to handle a variety of equipment such as an ultrasonic detector, harp trap and mist nets for bat sampling. This is a hands-on opportunity to experience ongoing research; we’ll attempt to catch and release bats as part of our evening activities. You will have a chance to explore a cave that serves as a bat hibernation site at the park. Evening activities will also include watching 20,000+ bats emerge from a summer maternity site.
Tuition: $255; includes lunch on day 1 and 2, instruction, educational resources, and 20 ACT 48 credit hours. (*Academic credit is available. An additional per credit fee charged by Cedar Crest College would apply). |
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Grasses, Sedges and Rushes
AUGUST 13 AND 14 (WED – THU)
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
Sarah Miller
This course is designed with consultants, natural resource professionals and students in mind. Join an experienced botanist to learn skills necessary to identify these challenging plant species using diagnostic characters and botanical keys. Each day will consist of both classroom sessions and fieldwork. Classroom activities will highlight basic morphology, the characteristics of common genera, and identification of plant specimens using both simple and complex keys. Slides, overheads, handouts, herbarium and freshly collected field specimens will be used to illustrate plant characters, especially those that may prove an obstacle to keying. In the field, participants will have the opportunity to visit different wetland types in the area to practice their plant identification skills.
Tuition: $245; includes lunch each day, instruction, and 12 ACT 48 credit hours. |
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Ferns and Mosses
SEPTEMBER 6 (SAT)
Ricketts Glen State Park
Susan Munch, Ph.D.
The forests of Pennsylvania provide ideal habitat for luxuriant growth of ferns and mosses as well as other nonflowering plants. Investigate the habitats and uniqueness of these fascinating plants as we explore old forests, wetlands and Appalachian landscapes. Learn to identify major common genera and species from an experienced botanist. For our field studies, we will explore the most beautiful and alluring Pennsylvania natural area where nonflowering plants thrive. Ricketts Glen is known for its abundance of scenic waterfalls.
Tuition: $80; includes instruction and 6 ACT 48 credit hours. Bring your own lunch. |
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Nature Journaling
SEPTEMBER 12-13 (FRI – SUN)
Canoe Creek State Park
Heidi Boyle
Nature journaling has served explorers, pioneers, botanists, doctors, artists and more throughout history. Come practice the time-honored art of observation while learning field-friendly techniques for sketching and writing. Participants will make their own journals and spend relaxing time journaling in a peaceful natural setting. Participants will also explore a variety of ways to create and use journals in daily life. Be ready to go off trail to explore in shade or sun.
Tuition: $225; includes lunch each day, journal supplies, instruction and 10 ACT 48 credit hours. |
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Exploring Landscape through Photography
OCTOBER 18 – 19 (SAT – SUN)
Fulton and Bedford Counties
Scott Brown
The landscape of southcentral Pennsylvania showcases the splendor of the Appalachians and its fall beauty. Beautiful natural surroundings abound and provide photographic opportunities. Scott Brown will guide all levels of photographic experience towards an end product of extraordinary visual satisfaction. Imagine returning home with a collection of stunning landscape photographs which can be shown as hanging portraits, shared e-mail images, and greeting cards. All camera formats are acceptable, but 35mm and digital formats are encouraged.
Tuition: $360; includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, shared overnight accommodations, instruction, and 14 ACT 48 credit hours. |
© Scott Brown
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