Teacher Education

Wildlife Leadership Academy

Pennsylvania Master Naturalist

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Field Seminars and Retreats

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Bringing Nature Home
MAY 5, 2012 (SAT) 10 AM - 3PM
Brandywine Conservancy, Chester County
Doug Tallmay and WIlliam Ryan
Registration Deadline: April 12

Special Fundraising Event to Support the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Programer

Spend the day with noted writer, scientist and naturalist Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants.   Doug will give a presentation on the ecological value of native plants and the essential role gardeners can play in sustaining biodiversity by gardening with natives.  The presentation will be followed by a coffee & tea reception where participants will have an opportunity to meet the author. 

Then we will head out in the field with Doug, and William Ryan, local ecological restorationist, to examine key host-specific insect/plant relationships while exploring the beautiful Laurels Preserve.

Two Registration Options and Fees:
Lecture & Reception Only
10:00am-12:00pm: $75per person
(limited to 50)

Lecture, Reception and Field Study
10:00am-3:00pm:  $150 per person
(limited to 9)

Information on local lodging will be provided for those coming from further distances.  Adults only.

              Doug Tallamy, noted author and scientist

Wild Mushrooms: Forage and Feast
Natural history, collecting, preparing and eating
AUGUST 25, 2012 (SAT) 2 pm–evening
Schaumbach's Tavern, Hawk Mountain
Berks County
Jim Brett
Registration Deadline: July 25

Special Fundraising Event to Support the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program

Late autumn rains nourish the proliferation of mushrooms in our region, and this very special program will take you on a shrooming adventure from exploring the forest for toadstools and learning about the fungus among us to preparing and serving a meal with edible mushrooms. Institute President and naturalist, Jim Brett, will provide a glimpse into the natural history of mushrooms and helpful identification techniques, and will share his passion for exquisite mushroom dining at its best. The evening will conclude with a candlelight dinner and the finest foods to include edible wild and not-so-wild mushrooms and more. You’re welcome to linger after dinner and socialize with Jim Brett, a renowned international naturalist and wonderful storyteller. Grab your gear, basket, hand lens and favorite mushroom recipe and learn more about the fungus beneath our feet.

Attendance is limited to 8 persons so register early.

Tuition: $150.00 per person; includes instruction, a field excursion, dinner with edible mushrooms to sample, and evening with Jim Brett. Information on local lodging will be provided for those coming from further distances. Adults only.

“Fred and I had a blast and learned a lot, both about mushrooms and the sordid history of the Shaumbach Tavern!  The day worked out perfectly, especially with the diversity of mushrooms to identify and we thoroughly enjoyed learning from Jim who is a man of many talents. You worked so hard throughout the day to make sure everything ran smoothly and we appreciated everything that you did for us.”

              -- Lisa Kiziuk, 2011 Porgram Participant

Grasses, Sedges and Rushes
AUGUST 8-9, 2012 (WED – THURS)
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Huntingdon County
Sarah Chamberlain
Registration Deadline: July 6

Designed with consultants, natural resource professionals, and college students in mind, join Sarah Miller, an experienced botanist, to learn skills necessary to identify these challenging plant species using diagnostic characters and botanical keys. 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, and herbarium and freshly collected fi eld specimens will be used to illustrate plant characters. In the field, participants will have the opportunity to visit diff erent wetland types in the area to practice their plant identifi cation skills. There will be an evening lab session on Wednesday for those interested.

Tuition: $600 per person; includes lunch on Wed and Thu, instruction, identification keys and handouts, and 12 ACT 48 credit hours. You must arrange for lodging on your own. Stone Valley Recreation Area has cabins and is nearby.