Instructors (past and current)
Jim Arnosky is a naturalist and artist who writes and illustrates his own children’s books that have received national awards and recognition. They emphasize experiencing nature first-hand, sketching and journaling and includes such titles as Wild and Swampy, Wild About Deer, Drawing from Nature, the Crinkleroot Series, and many, many more.
Merlin Benner, M.S. is a retired Wildlife Biologist formerly with the DCNR, Bureau of Forestry, an avid sportsman and educator. He is extremely knowledgeable on the natural history of Pennsylvania’s wildlilfe, their habitat and distribution and very passionate about his work.
Jim Bissell is the Curator and Head of Botany, and Coordinator of Natural Areas for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He has worked extensively in the Pymatuning Ecosystem inventorying plant species and assisting in conservation efforts.
Tim Block, Ph.D. is Director of Botany for the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. He has extensive field knowledge of terrestrial and aquatic plants of Pennsylvania. He is co-author of the comprehensive “Plants of Pennsylvania” and has recently completed “Pennsylvania Trees - A Natural History” scheduled for publication in the fall.
Jim Brett is a naturalist, writer and educator. He authored “The Mountain and the Migration” and has been internationally recognized for his conservation work. He served as the curator of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for over 25 years and is eager to share his knowledge of Pennsylvania’s rich natural and cultural history.
Scott Brown is an amateur photographer who has authored Pennsylvania Waterfalls: A Guide for Hikers and Photographers, and Pennsylvania Mountain Vistas: A Guide for Hikers and Photographers. He is an engineering professional and physics teacher. An avid outdoor photographer and hiker, he has had articles published in Nature Photographer, Pennsylvania Magazine, and has images published nationally. He enjoys sharing with others his passion for the outdoors through visual arts.
Sarah Chamberlain is a botanist with over 10 years of field experience in plant identification. She has conducted several plant identification workshops at Penn State University and has trained restoration professionals and members of the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society. She is certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist with the Society of Wetland Scientists.
Rawley Cogan is a wildlife biologist noted for his work with Pennsylvania Elk and their reintroduction back into the wild landscape. Currently, he serves as the Initiative Program Director, Northeast Region for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Gail Hall Farmer is an ornithologist, naturalist and educator with 11 years of experience conducting bird research and engaging the public in research and monitoring as a tool for connecting them with nature. Gail has an M.S. in ecology from the State University of New York in Syracuse. Before joining PICE, she worked as a research biologist for Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and directed bird research and education programs at Audubon California's Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
David Hughes, a Pennsylvania native, spent his youth fascinated by nature and transferring his creative thoughts on paper. Pursuing his talents, David studied with premiere wildlife artist Fred Wetzel. David brings his inspirations from sketchpad to acrylics, watercolors, and coffee art with passion and energy for his love of nature and sharing his talent with others.
Craig Kochel, Ph.D. is a professor of Geology at Bucknell University. He is the author/co-author of three books, including Process Geomorphology (the best-selling text in the field) and serves as an officer of the Division of Quaternary Geology & Geomorphology of The Geological Society of America.
Tom Lecky is one of the best naturalists in Pennsylvania. Tom was educated at California University of PA where he earned a B.S. in Biology. His professional career has included extensive field work with the California Condor Recovery Team, The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, raptor migration monitoring at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and Maine Audubon where Tom has taught field ornithology for many years. He has guided international natural history tours to Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, and African countries.
Susan Munch, Ph.D. is a professional botanist. She has taught plant morphology, plant ecology and plant taxonomy in institutions in MD, OH and Albright College In PA.
Ann Rhoads, Ph.D. is the Senior Botanist for the Pennsylvania Flora Project at Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. She has taught plant systematics and field botany during her tenure. Her accomplishments include her work with the Pennsylvania Flora Database, a valuable resource for rare plant studies and co-authoring the “Plants of Pennsylvania” & “Pennsylvania Trees, A Natural History”(scheduled for publication in fall, 2004)
Michele Richards-Williams, co-founder and Director of PICE. Michele has a degree in conservation biology with over 16 years of experience of directing and overseeing field-based environmental education and outdoor learning programs. She is an avid outdoorswoman. |
