Environmental Education Programs
Newsletters | 2007 Schedule | Membership
An
extensive series of nature programs is offered in the
Indiana County Parks system by Friends of the Parks.
Friends of the Parks is a volunteer, non-profit organization
dedicated to providing quality environmental education
programs in the Indiana County Parks system and at Yellow
Creek State Park.
Programs are provided through member support
and are offered free of charge. All membership
funds go directly toward bringing programs to Indiana
County. Membership is not required to attend programs.
Some programs require that participants
pre-register. The number to call for pre-registration
is included in the program listings. Programs typically
last 1-2 hours.
A brochure is available by contacting
the Indiana County Parks office. The brochure features
a complete schedule, directions to each program location,
and a membership form. Directions to Blue
Spruce Park, Pine
Lodge, the Blacklick
Valley Natural Area, and the Ghost
Town Trail are available here. Visit Yellow
Creek State Park's website for directions to programs
at Yellow Creek.
2007
Newsletters (PDF Format)
2007
Schedule
A printable
2007 schedule is available here in PDF format.
January 27, Saturday
College Lodge,
6:00 pm ®
Fireside Dinner: Around Iceland: Rainbows, Icebergs, and Lava – James Reber – Jim will share the highlights from a recent trip to Iceland. Enjoy the spectacular scenery in Iceland including waterfalls, rainbows, an iceberg filled lagoon, hot springs, and glaciers. Join us for our annual “kick-off” potluck dinner. Pre-registration required.
February 4, Sunday
Blue Spruce Lodge,
2:00 pm ®
Fifth Annual Poetry in the Park Event – Local Poets – Your favorite nature poems by established (Thoreau, Dickinson, Frost) and/or emerging (Hue, Stuchell, Ferrence) poets, read and recited by your friends and neighbors. So bring a poem and come to read or just to listen. Pre-registration required for readers only.
February 10, Saturday
Yellow Creek Environmental Learning Classroom, 6:30 pm
The Winter Sky – Ray Beisel – Enjoy a chilly look at Saturn, a view of Venus setting in the west and a quarter moon through a good telescope. Background information and other interesting phenomenon about our solar system and universe will be shared. Dress warmly!
February 16, Friday
Blue Spruce Lodge, 7:00 pm
A Taste of Taiwan – Larry Turton – Taiwan is relatively unknown to most Americans except as a country threatened by China. Visit this fascinating island through Larry’s photography. You will be able to learn about its unique geography and place in the political sphere.
February 23, Friday
Blue Spruce Lodge, 7:00 pm
Caves – Kevin Patrick - Kevin covers the natural and human history of caves, beginning at the bottom of prehistoric seas millions of years ago, and continuing through the age of auto-oriented mass tourism. His discussion of ‘other rocky roadside wonders’ includes Pennsylvania’s four tourist coal mines, boulder fields, rock cities, ice mines, and profile rocks.
March 2,
Friday
Blue Spruce Lodge, 7:00 pm
Death Valley’05: Bloom of the Century – James Reber – Spring 2005 was called “the bloom of the century” in Death Valley with well timed rains resulting in a spectacular bloom. We will look at pictures of Death Valley dunes and blooms.
March 10, Saturday
Blue Spruce Lodge, 2:00 pm
Maple Sugaring- Allan and Andy Kinter – Spring is coming and the sap is running. Satisfy that sweet tooth by attending our popular Maple Sugaring program. See how maple sugaring was done in the past, and get a taste of the delightful treat.
March 17, Saturday
Blue Spruce Lodge, 7:00 pm
Patagonia, the Falklands & the Chilean Fiords – Denise Weber – Take a cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile. See the Magellan penguin rookery at Punto Tombo, the battlefields in the Falklands, and the southern most national forest at Ushuaia. Cruise the Chilean fiords where the only access is by boat or plane. See the “Switzerland of Chile” region.
March 25, Sunday
Yellow Creek Environmental Learning Classroom®, 2:00 pm
Have You Seen Bigfoot? – Eric Altman, PA Bigfoot Society – Hear about the history of Bigfoot, how it got its name, and reports of sightings located in PA. Eric will talk about how he became interested in Bigfoot, and how the Society investigates reports of sightings. Pre-registration required.
March 31, Saturday
Blue Spruce Lodge, 2:00 pm ®
Introduction to Fly Fishing for Pennsylvania Trout – Rick Distanislao –
Come and learn more about this sport, about the equipment it takes to pursue it, where the fish are found, and how you coax them to bite on a hook covered with feathers and thread!
April 15, Sunday
Yellow Creek Environmental Learning Classroom,
2:00 pm
Landscaping with Stone – Joe Dinwiddie – Homeowners can use stone for a wide range of landscaping in their yard, and build projects that will last several lifetimes without an aching back! We will look at slides of a dozen different types of stone projects such as retaining walls, edging, steps, and water features. We will discuss step by step how to build them to last for many years.
April 21, Saturday
Yellow Creek Park Office, 8:00 am
Bird Walk – Margaret Higbee – Join the Todd Bird Club for a bird walk in Yellow Creek State Park. This birding hot spot ranks in the top ten in the state. We will be just in time to see migratory waterfowl, and the warbler season will be just beginning. Dress for the weather.
April 28, Saturday
Blue Spruce Lodge, 10:00 am ®
Digital Cameras and Photography – Larry Turton – Learn how to purchase and use a digital camera. Examine the conditions that determine what you buy and then learn the secrets of digital cameras.
Pre-registration required.
May 5, Saturday
Pine Ridge Lodge, 2:00 pm
Mushroom Walk - John Plischke – Morels are one of nature’s special foods, but they can be delicious or they can be toxic. This session will teach participants where to find morels, and how to identify edible versus toxic types.
May 13, Sunday
Yellow Creek Environmental Learning Classroom, 2:00 pm ®
Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk & Tea – Cindy Rogers – Join Cindy for a talk and walk to learn about our local “weeds.” After a walk you can join us for a Tea and snacks made from some of the plants you will see in the wild. Come dressed for the weather. Pre-registration required.
May 20, Sunday
Yellow Creek Park Office, 2:00 pm ®
Salamander Safari – Mike Shaffer – Come and explore Laurel Run for salamanders and other “critters.” Remember to wear shoes that can get wet. Great fun for the whole family. Pre-registration required.
May 26, Saturday
Yellow Creek Environmental Learning Classroom, 7:00 pm
Daily Life of Native Peoples – Butch Laney – Join us as we learn about the daily lives of Eastern Woodland peoples at the time of the French & Indiana Wars (1750’s). Mr. Laney will discuss hunting & fishing techniques, cooking, gardening, tool making and use of herbs by the Native Peoples. For a preview see the web at www.naeskahonitown.com
June 2, Saturday
IUP Campus meet at Library, 2:00 pm
Trees in an Urban Setting: Allegheny Arboretum – Jerry Pickering - How is the Allegheny Arboretum moving ahead with its plans and vision for the future? Learn about its impact on the health and diversity of trees on the IUP campus. Walking tour included.
June 10, Sunday
Yellow Creek State Park North Shore,
2:00 pm
Lake Kayaking is Family Fun – Ron & Cookie Moretti – Ever consider enjoying the lake by kayak? It’s great fun and easy to master. Bring your family, learn about kayaking and try a vessel out for size!
June 16, Saturday
Yellow Creek State Park
Lake-view Pavilion, 2:00 pm ®
Creek Stomp – Mike Shaffer – Join us for an afternoon of fun and discovery as we explore Little Yellow Creek for the critters that live there. We’ll be in “Craw-Dad” Heaven. Wear shoes that can get wet. Pre-registration required.
June 23, Saturday
Blue Spruce Pavilion #4, 10:00 am
Hiking with Llamas – Diane Neely – What do you do with a llama? Learn about these gentle animals from South America. After the presentation, take a walk with llamas-leading them down the trail.
July through
November programs>>
Membership
To Become a Member: Membership is
$10 for individuals, $15 for families. Other membership
levels include Benefactor, $25, and Sponsor at $150 and
above. Make check payable to 'Friends of the Parks' and
mail to 320 Hummingbird Drive, Penn Run, PA 15765. Contact
Indiana County Parks for further information about membership.
Support for Friends of the Parks comes from
individuals, businesses, and organizations who care about
quality environmental education programming in Indiana
County. Friends of the Parks' work is accomplished through
the financial support of its members and the work of a
dedicated group of volunteer Board members. We encourage
you to become a member today.
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