“The idea is to get people outdoors. Not only to the tourism hotspots in Pennsylvania, but exploring their backyards and communities. Most of us just don’t take the time to do that. PICE provides an opportunity for people to take time out of their schedule and get out into the natural world.”
Michele Richards, PICE Co-founder and Executive Director |
 “The programs are top notch! The programs, presenters, facilities, and people really make these programs both educational and personal. I would give PICE programs my highest recommendation for other teachers and professionals.”
Kevin McCloskey, program participant/secondary science teacher
“I took Susan's ferns and mosses workshop. It was a great introduction to a group of plants that I was interested in, but never would have found the time to study on my own. Plus we got to botanize in a beautiful setting - Ricketts Glen State Park!”
Sarah Miller, program participant/instructor |
PICE programs differ from other natural history programs first and foremost because of the individuals who come to us as instructors. It is the way they approach the natural world and transfer both their knowledge and enthusiasm on to their students regardless of the age-set. I like to solicit teachers who are profoundly in tune with the natural world; who love it; who are able to enthusiastically present what may seem as the simplest of encounters into a whole new world of discovery. To rekindle in their charges what may have been lost over the years or, in fact, never been really thought about. It is that excitement in what may seem a child’s play, but what is that almost cosmological introduction or reintroduction to something as simple as a butterfly or as complex as the night sky.”
Jim Brett, PICE Co-founder/President/Instructor |
 “I was going to be an electrician, but after coming to this camp I’m not so sure. I just came [to WLA] to learn about food plots for a school project, but now I think I might pursue a career doing something with wildlife.”
CJ McClintock, participant, PA Bucktails 2008
“PICE programs are intended to develop a strong kinship with nature. One cannot become excited about an evening chorus of frogs or the morning symphony of bird song or the emerging flowers following a warm spring rain without feeling something of a love for our sister and brother life forms encircling us. We are all in this together and to separate one from another is to lose part of our being. Therefore when we fall in love with nature we are bound to protect that which we have come to know and feel tightly connected to. King Solomon reminds us that we cannot witness the dying of a flower without the crumpling of a star. Being tightly connected to the earth and its wonders can bring about a lasting feeling of protection and thus conservation.”
Jim Brett, PICE Co-founder/President/Instructor |
“My graduate work was done on the Fern/Fern Allies of Pennsylvania. Last year I took a PICE program called Ferns and Mosses. The program was hosted by Susan Munch, Ph.D. and we used her book - Outstanding Mosses & Liverworts of Pennsylvania and Nearby States. I can't tell you how enjoyable her program was and how well her program tailored to my graduate work. Rickett's Glen State Park was the perfect setting and for such a wonderful PICE program. Another PICE program that I had the opportunity to attend was titled "Working the Water.” The program offered me a hands-on look at aquatic entomology for the fly fisherman. It also provided the opportunity to fly fish on Pine Creek and surrounding streams. This was such a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. I wish I could do it again today!”
Kevin McCloskey, program participant/secondary science teacher |
“The workshops are a lot of fun. I get to teach a topic that I love to enthusiastic students and take them to some great wetland field sites. The groups are small enough that I can give one-on-one instruction. Students gain a wealth of knowledge in a short period of time. Plus, they get to network with others in their field.”
Sarah Miller, program participant/instructor
“My love of the outdoors and a deep desire for future preservation of our natural world led me in the direction of PICE. Becoming involved in supporting PICE and its mission provided an avenue on assisting in the preservation of our natural world.” Randy Hensinger, PICE Board of Directors (Treasurer) |
“I'm concerned about resources conservation in Pennsylvania. PICE complements Commonwealth conservation of resources initiatives, but moves ahead in the development of young naturalists, professional naturalists and citizen naturalists. My hope is that people no longer sit on the sidelines of conservation and participate as caretakers of our natural resources and mentors to young Pennsylvanians.”
Dale Derr, PICE Board of Directors (Secretary)
"We try to consider all disciplines and interests, because that’s the great thing about nature: it knows no boundaries.“
Michele Richards, PICE Co-founder and Executive Director
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“To capture a child’s imagination is probably one of the greatest gifts I can think of. As one of the PICE teachers in the company of Tom Leckey or Steve Breininger to name a few or in Dr. Nick the preeminent natural historian and professor emeritus at Bucknell there can be no better way to spend a spring or summer day or evening then in their company. Then when you begin to feel what your students are absorbing it brings out in us what it really means to be a teacher.”
Jim Brett, PICE Co-founder/President/Instructor |
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Click here to read more testimonials from the Wildlife Leadership Adventures.
All of the photos above are available in high resolution for press use upon request. |
