PENFIELD – Join Nature Abounds on April 28, for the first annual Forest Summit for education, inspiration, and networking in Central Pennsylvania. The event will be held at the SB Elliott State Park (Interstate 80 Exit 111) from noon until 6 p.m.
At the Forest Summit, along with several guest speakers, those in attendance will look at the issues the Pennsylvania forest is facing such as:
- hydraulic “fracking”,
- wildlife and wildlife rehabilitation,
- climate change,
- environmental health,
- urban sprawl,
- invasive plants/pests,
- public lands and citizen rights and responsibilities
- what citizens can do to help.
Guest speakers will include: John Childe, an environmental lawyer; Kevin Heatley, a restoration ecologist; Tony Arnold, a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Rabies Program; and Brian Oram, a licensed professional geologist. Robyn Grabowski, founder and director of Centre Wildlife Care and John Heckler, the local forester with the Moshannon State Forest will also be speaking.
Also during the gathering, Nature Abounds will launch their new Citizen Watch volunteer opportunity, which will engage citizens in protecting and cleaning up our local forest and rural areas, from illegal dumps to pollution and from invasive plants and pests to other environmental issues. You can also network with other activists and volunteers from around the state, and possibly from surrounding states as well. An area will be set aside for marketing and information sharing.
This is one event that you are welcome to bring your family and kids along. There’s plenty of space and hiking trails in the park for anyone that wants to take a break from the activities, and there’s also a ball field nearby. Likewise, there are a lot of attractions in the area, from viewing the PA elk herd, trying to eat a 5 pound burger, or wander through Bilger’s Rocks, a rock formation that is over 300 million years old. There is fun for the whole family.
Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase at the event as will Nature Abounds polo shirts. In case of inclement weather, we have set a back-up date of May 19. For more information, call 814-765-1453 or email forests@natureabounds.org .
To register for the event, go to the Forest Summit Web site . Please register before April 14.
For more information about volunteering as a Citizen Watch volunteer, please see: http://www.natureabounds.org/Citizen_Watch.html
Nature Abounds is a national 501c3 non-profit, based in Clearfield, bringing people together for a healthy planet.