The Annual Meeting of PA Master Naturalists is your opportunity as a certified naturalist volunteer to deepen your knowledge, earn continuing education hours, and connect with volunteers and trainees from across the Commonwealth. This in-person gathering features engaging classroom and field sessions, opportunities to share experiences and ideas, and time to celebrate the collective impact of our statewide community.

This year's theme, Where Waters Connect: Protecting Pennsylvania's Natural Heritage, highlights the vital role of Pennsylvania's rivers, streams, wetlands, and watersheds in sustaining biodiversity, connecting landscapes, and supporting the communities we serve. Through field experiences, educational sessions, and networking opportunities, we'll explore the many ways water shapes our natural and cultural heritage while inspiring stewardship across the Commonwealth.

We are also excited to partner with the Susquehanna River Symposium at Bucknell University, creating a unique opportunity for Annual Meeting participants to engage with researchers, conservation professionals, educators, and watershed practitioners from across the region. As part of this collaboration, PA Master Naturalists will be invited to attend the symposium's Friday evening program featuring a keynote speaker and poster sessions and Saturday morning plenary and discussion sessions, providing additional opportunities to learn about current research, conservation challenges, and innovative approaches to protecting the Susquehanna River watershed and Pennsylvania's natural resources. This special partnership enriches the Annual Meeting experience by connecting volunteer conservation efforts with the latest science, policy, and stewardship initiatives shaping our Commonwealth.

During registration, you can choose from a variety of classroom and field sessions based on your interests. Some sessions have limited capacity, so early registration is encouraged. Annual Meeting attendance is limited to 100 participants this year because of our partnership and smaller meeting space. While we understand this may raise some concerns, we rarely reach 100 attendees at our Annual Meeting, and most venues are not able to accommodate our full membership. We encourage you to register early, particularly if you have already booked lodging.

The Annual Meeting is more than training. It is a chance to reconnect with friends, share stories from the field, celebrate accomplishments, and strengthen our community of conservation volunteers.

This event is open exclusively to current PA Master Naturalist trainees and certified volunteers along with coordinating, training, and sponsoring partners by special invitation. Individuals who are not affiliated with the PA Master Naturalist program may not attend Annual Meeting sessions.

We look forward to gathering with you this fall as we explore, learn, and celebrate Pennsylvania's natural heritage together.

REGISTRATION

Annual Meeting Registration

Please note that we will not be offering one- or two-day registration options due to the limited space of the venue and collaboration with the Susquehanna River Symposium. Attendance is limited to 100 participants. Registration includes Annual Meeting sessions and activities, River Symposium, and Saturday lunch and Sunday breakfast.

Early Bird Registration:

~ Early Bird Registration - $250

~ Early Registration closes October 16, 2026

Standard Registration:

~ Full Event Registration - $300

~ Full Registration closes October 25, 2026

Additional Registration Options and Fees:

~ Graduation Ceremony (Saturday Evening Only) - $25

~ Available only to PA Master Naturalist graduates who are not attending the full Annual Meeting.

~ This fee helps offset food and facility costs.

~ Advance registration is required for the ceremony.

Full registration Includes:

Annual Meeting registration includes:

~ Participation the Susquehanna River Symposium keynote and plenary sessions (Friday evening and Saturday morning and Annual Meeting sessions on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

~ Saturday lunch and Sunday continental style breakfast

~ Saturday graduation ceremony and reception

Please indicate "ATTEND THIS SESSION" for all sessions and meals you plan to attend within your registration. This information is essential for field trip planning, room assignments, sharing transportation logistics, and meal counts while helping us reduce food waste.

Additional Sessions and Fees:

Friday afternoon workshop and field sessions may include a small additional fee. PMN subsidizes the majority of these costs, so participants pay only a nominal amount beyond the Annual Meeting registration fee. There will be a Stargazing session on Saturday evening that is limited in attendance at no additional fee.

CANCELLATION POLICY

When registering, you will have the option to purchase Registration Protection through RegFox/Webconnex. This optional coverage may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel for a covered reason. Please note that PMN does not administer this protection; all claims and refunds are handled directly by Webonnex.

PA Master Naturalist does not issue refunds once payment has been made, so we strongly encourage registrants to consider purchasing Registration Protection.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship requests will be considered based on financial need and available funding. Applicants must complete a brief scholarship application by September 30, 2026.

LODGING

The PA Master Naturalist room block at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lewisburg has currently filled.

Participants who would like to stay at the Fairfield should call the hotel directly and mention the PA Master Naturalist Annual Meeting to inquire about cancellations or any remaining availability.

Additional lodging options in the Lewisburg area include Comfort Suites Lewisburg, Hampton Inn Lewisburg, The Inn at Lewisburg and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lewisburg.

Because autumn is a busy travel season in the region, participants are encouraged to make lodging reservations as early as possible.

For additional information about the Annual Meeting, schedule updates, sponsorship opportunities, and lodging, please visit the Annual Meeting webpage.

Registration Options

Full Event Registration ($250.00)
Graduates attending Saturday Graduation/Recognition ONLY ($25.00)
A PMN participant who is graduating or receiving their first-year certification can attend the annual meeting without full registration. If you are only coming for graduation, please select this option.

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2026 Master Naturalist Trainee
I attended a training course in the current year (2026).
PMN Graduate (2025/26 program)
I attended a training course in 2025 and finished first year training requirements by October 1, 2026 to become certified as a PA Master Naturalist volunteer.
Certified Master Naturalist Volunteer (Alumni)
An alumni of the program graduating before 2025. You must be an active volunteer or have requested inactive status to attend.
PMN Organizational Member
Current organizational member in good standing (dues paid)
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Coordinating Partner, Training Coordinator, site partner. program funder, or Instructor of training course sessions
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Please indicate special diet or restrictions

ATTENTION: Please be sure to select all sessions, field trips, and meals you plan to attend when completing your registration. This helps us manage space, logistics, and meal counts accurately.

Friday, November 6, 2026

Friday afternoon sessions are a combination of workshops and field experiences held at either Montour Preserve, Bucknell University, or in the field; please plan to meet directly at the locations listed in each session description. Some sessions overlap and several sites are 30 minutes to an hour or more apart from each other, so be sure to review times and travel distances carefully before registering. To respect both instructors and fellow participants, only register for sessions you can arrive at on time. Space is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your spot early. Friday evening sessions are part of the Susquehanna River Symposium and will be held at the Elaine Langone Center.

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Adopt a Stream: Hands-On Tools for Exploring, Monitoring, and Protecting Pennsylvania's Freshwater Ecosystems at Montour Preserve [12 remaining]
Get hands-on with stream ecology in this interactive workshop led by Tara Muenz and Mary Paxton-Boeni of Stroud Water Research Center. Working in small groups, participants will investigate a freshwater ecosystem using macroinvertebrates, water-quality measurements, and physical stream observations.

Designed as a model for community science, this workshop will provide practical, repeatable tools Master Naturalists can use to explore and monitor the health of local waterways and engage their communities in watershed stewardship.

Please note: This is an active outdoor workshop. Participants should be prepared to spend time outdoors and near or in a stream, conditions permitting. Please bring weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear suitable for wet or uneven terrain, and a water bottle.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
Designing Nature Programs that inspire: The Art of Interpretation (at Bucknell University) [7 remaining]
Great interpretive programs do more than share facts - they help people make meaningful connections with the natural world. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore practical approaches to designing engaging programs, whether leading a bird walk, staffing a festival booth, presenting at a library, or teaching fellow volunteers.

Bring an existing program, presentation, guided walk, or educational activity you'd like to enhance, or come with an idea you'd like to develop. Time will be provided to apply the concepts presented and begin designing or refining your own program.

Participants will leave with practical tools and the beginnings of a stronger interpretive program they can confidently bring to their own communities.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
Flying WILD Curriculum Workshop at Bucknell University [12 remaining]
Join Kelly Pollock for a hands-on introduction to Flying WILD, a supplementary environmental education curriculum offered through the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Using birds as a gateway to environmental learning, Flying WILD activities help participants explore topics including bird biology, migration, habitat, conservation, and stewardship.

During this two-hour workshop, PA Master Naturalist volunteers will experience selected activities from the curriculum and explore ways to incorporate them into educational programs, community outreach, and volunteer service. Participants will leave with practical ideas and resources for engaging audiences with birds and the natural world.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
Field Excursion to Jakey’s Hollow Natural Area [Sold Out]
Join John Hranitz of Commonwealth University for an exploration of Jakey’s Hollow Natural Area, a 59-acre protected area in Weiser State Forest. Participants will follow a short trail through old-growth forest to a headwater stream, looking and listening for forest birds while exploring the area’s diverse habitats. A highlight of the excursion will be the opportunity to search for, catch, identify, and release salamanders found along the stream and forested hillsides.

Participants will travel by van approximately 45 minutes each way.

Please bring binoculars, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy footwear appropriate for wet, rocky, and uneven forest terrain.
Price $10.00

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Climate in Color: Make a Pennsylvania Climate Stripes Bracelet at Bucknell University [5 remaining]
Turn climate data into something you can wear and share! Centre County PA Master Naturalist volunteers Donnan Stoicovy and Sue Braun will lead this hands-on session where participants will create a Climate Stripes bracelet representing changes in Pennsylvania’s climate over the past 150 years. Each color reflects changing temperatures over time, creating a simple but powerful visual representation of our changing climate.

Donnan and Sue have found these bracelets to be great conversation starters, opening the door to discussions about climate change and what those changes mean for Pennsylvania. Come make your own bracelet and leave with a creative tool for engaging others in conversations about climate and climate stewardship.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session

Susquehanna River Symposium - Bucknell University

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Meeting Registration

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Opening Address and Keynote Speaker

Opening Remarks and Keynote Address
Attend This Session

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Poster Session [Sold Out]

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Saturday sessions will take place at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Morning sessions are part of the Susquehanna River Symposium which will be held at the Elaine Langone Center and PA Master Naturalist Annual Meeting will take place in MacDonalds Commons and Holmes Hall Auditorium on campus. You must attend the session that you indicated once you register. Otherwise, you may opt to not sign up or attend a session but use this time to visit the store/silent auction or exhibit areas. During the annual meeting, please make sure that you check in at the registration desk before attending sessions.

Susquehanna River Symposium - Bucknell University

8:00 - Registration and Coffee (Elaine Langone Center - The Forum)

9:00 - 11:45 a.m. Sessions

Plenary Sessions and Discussions
Attend This Session

PA Master Naturalist Annual Meeting

12:00 p.m. Lunch (MacDonalds Commons, Bucknell University Campus)

12:30 - Opening Speaker

Natural History of the Middle Susquehanna: Exploring the Ridge and Valley Region
Discover what makes the Middle Susquehanna watershed and Ridge and Valley region such a distinctive part of Pennsylvania. Greg Podniesinski, former director of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, will introduce participants to the natural history and unique character of this landscape, exploring how its geology, waterways, forests, and other natural features have shaped the region and the diversity of life it supports.

This session will provide a deeper understanding of the interconnected landscapes of the Middle Susquehanna and a greater appreciation for the natural heritage of the region we are gathering in.
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1:30 p.m. - Session 1

Nurturing the Naturalist: Cultivating Well-Being and Combatting Burnout
Naturalists’ passion for conservation and care for others can be deeply rewarding, but it can also contribute to burnout and compassion fatigue. In this presentation, Dr. Kristen Slapinski and Rose Rubenstein will explore the risk factors and warning signs of burnout and compassion fatigue, with a focus on the unique challenges faced by people working and volunteering in conservation.

Participants will learn about individual and systemic factors that support well-being, along with practical, research-supported strategies for maintaining resilience and sustaining their work in conservation over the long term.
Attend This Session
Protecting Private Lands, The Merrill Linn Conservancy
For nearly 40 years, the Merrill Linn Conservancy has worked with private landowners to protect Pennsylvania’s natural lands through conservation easements. In this presentation, Rob Robertson will introduce the Conservancy’s history, mission, and approach to protecting land and local waterways.

Participants will learn the basics of conservation easements and how land trusts work with private landowners to conserve important natural areas. The presentation will also highlight the Conservancy’s community education programs and opportunities for Master Naturalists to participate through educational and service activities.
Attend This Session

2:15 p.m. - Break

2:30 p.m. - Session 2

Exploring Pathways to Connection to Nature
Connection to nature can develop in many ways; from direct experiences in the outdoors to appreciating the beauty of the natural world. Drawing on established theories of connection to nature and personal experiences, Amy Eldredge Powell, from Penn State University, will explore different pathways to building this connection and how they relate to stewardship.

Master Naturalists will be invited to reflect on their own experiences with nature and consider how these pathways can be intentionally incorporated into their volunteer work and interactions with others.
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Flowing Together: Where Ricketts Glen and PMN Connect
Inspired by the theme “Where Waters Connect” and the “Waters Meet” area of Ricketts Glen State Park, PA Master Naturalists Jen Hunsinger and Sue Schiemer will share their experiences developing and delivering volunteer programs in partnership with the park.

Participants will learn the process of becoming a DCNR volunteer and building effective partnerships with park personnel, along with considerations for choosing a program site, developing appropriate content and activities, and troubleshooting challenges. The session will also explore practical ways to be a low-maintenance presenter and how reciprocity can strengthen relationships with park partners.

Jen will highlight her firefly education and interpretation programs, while Sue will share her experience offering nature-based wellness programs in Pennsylvania state parks.
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3:15 pm - Session 3

Climate Stewardship in Pennsylvania: Growing Our Impact
Join Marisa Nagele, PA Master Naturalist Program Coordinator and Climate Steward Program Coordinator, for an update on the growing role of climate stewardship within PA Master Naturalist. Learn how the Climate Steward program is expanding opportunities for volunteers to build their knowledge, engage their communities, and take meaningful action around climate change and resilience.

Marisa will also update us on the PMN new Climate Steward service initiative designed to provide volunteers with additional ways to put their knowledge into action. Come learn what’s ahead, how climate stewardship is being integrated into our work across Pennsylvania, and how you can get involved.
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Bats of Pennsylvania: Connecting Riparian Habitats, Water, and Wildlife
Join Kelly Pollock, Environmental Education Specialist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, to discover the important connections between Pennsylvania’s bats, healthy waterways, and riparian habitats. Kelly will introduce participants to Pennsylvania’s bat species, their feeding habits, and the habitats they depend on for foraging, roosting, and movement.

Explore how healthy stream corridors support bats and how their reliance on aquatic insects illustrates the connection between clean water, healthy habitats, and wildlife. Participants will also learn about the conservation challenges facing Pennsylvania’s bats and practical ways to support these fascinating nighttime predators, including opportunities to contribute to citizen science through the Appalachian Bat Count.
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4:30 pm - Plenary Session

Annual Meeting of PA Master Naturalists, Bioblitz Results, and Chapters Meet
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5:30 p.m.

PA Master Naturalist Graduation Recognition and Reception
Celebrate our newest Certified PA Master Naturalists! Join us as we recognize volunteers from our 2025 training cohorts who have successfully completed their first-year volunteer service and continuing education requirements and achieved certification in October 2026.

Help us applaud their accomplishments and commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship across Pennsylvania, then stay to connect and celebrate with graduates and fellow Master Naturalists during a reception with light appetizers and refreshments.
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Dinner on Your Own

8:00 p.m

An Evening Under the Stars: Stargazing at Bucknell Observatory [Sold Out]
Spend an evening looking up! Join Cheslee Hibler and Brian Garthwaite of Bucknell University for a special stargazing experience at the Bucknell Observatory. Participants will explore the night sky and learn more about the stars, planets, and other celestial objects visible overhead.

Whether you are a seasoned stargazer or simply curious about the night sky, this session offers a unique opportunity to experience astronomy alongside Bucknell experts and fellow PA Master Naturalists. Come enjoy a different perspective on the natural world as we turn our attention from Pennsylvania’s landscapes to the skies above.

Please dress for evening temperatures and outdoor conditions. Stargazing is weather dependent.

Sunday, November 9, 2025

7:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

MacDonald Commons
Attend This Session

Sunday sessions will be held Bucknell University, Montour Preserve, and at various field sites. Field sessions will run longer, at least 1.5 hours, and will require additional travel time. Because of this, some field sessions may overlap with workshops and classes at Bucknell and Montour Preserve. Please take care not to register for multiple sessions within the same time frame. Field locations will also vary in distance from one another, so plan your schedule carefully.

If you prefer to stay onsite, classes at Bucknell University will run concurrently with these sessions lasting about 45-55 minutes each. Also, there is the opportunity to attend sessions all morning at Montour Preserve with an hour break to explore the preserve outdoors.

All Morning Field Sessions

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Connect and Explore Ricketts Glen State Park with Middle Susquehanna Master Naturalists [Sold Out]
Spend time outdoors with Middle Susquehanna PA Master Naturalists as they lead an informal exploration of Ricketts Glen State Park. Connect with fellow Master Naturalists while discovering some of the natural features that make this iconic Pennsylvania park so special.

Along the way, local volunteers will share their knowledge of the park’s forests, plants, wildlife, geology, and natural history, with plenty of opportunities for conversation, observation, and discovery. Whether this is your first visit to Ricketts Glen or a favorite place you know well, come enjoy the park through the eyes of fellow Master Naturalists and make new connections along the way.
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.: Ancient Seas and Living Landscapes: Exploring Dale's Ridge [Sold Out]
Join Jeff Trop, geologist at Bucknell University, for a guided one-mile walk at Dale’s Ridge to uncover the geologic story beneath the landscape. Explore the area’s fascinating limestone reef geology and fossil history and discover what the rocks reveal about the ancient marine environments that once covered this region.

Along the way, Jeff will connect geology to the landscape we see today, including the role of local limestone in architecture and the conservation and restoration of Dale’s Ridge. Come take a closer look at the rocks beneath your feet and gain a new perspective on how Pennsylvania’s geologic past continues to shape its natural and cultural landscape.

8:00 a.m. Start Time

8:00 a.m. - 8:55 a.m.: Become a Nature Journaling Natural: Tips for Leading Your Own Nature Journaling Club at Bucknell University [94 remaining]
Interested in bringing nature journaling to your PA Master Naturalist community? Join Autumn Hanley, PA Master Naturalist, for a practical introduction to the how and why of leading a Nature Journaling Club in your own region.

This session will focus primarily on practical tips and strategies for organizing and facilitating a successful nature journaling group, along with an introduction to the philosophy behind nature journaling and its approach to learning. Discover how journaling can encourage curiosity, closer observation, and deeper connections with the natural world, and leave with ideas and inspiration for incorporating a Nature Journaling Club into your own PA Master Naturalist volunteer service.
Attend This Session
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.: Mandalas, Metaphors, and Mountains - Hands-on Nature Education at Montour Preserve [24 remaining]
The Mandalas, Metaphors, and Mountains: Hands-On Nature Education workshop introduces participants to hand-on activities used in Columbia County to introduce themes of sustainability, native plants, and Pennsylvania geology to the general public. 1) The Nature Mandala activity provides an opportunity for community members to create beautiful but ephemeral art with natural materials while being introduced to the ideas of sustainability and the importance of native flora. 2) The Nature Haiku activity encourages participants to think deeply about their experiences in nature and create original poems with a reusable word bank. 3) In Rock, Squash, Roll: Building PA's Mountains, experiments with homemade PlayDoh help attendees understand the development of Pennsylvania’s landscape and the connection between geology and ecoregions
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8:00 - 9:30 a.m.: Birding at Montour Preserve [8 remaining]
Grab your binoculars and join Clay Corbin for a birding exploration of Montour Preserve, a special natural area and outstanding destination for birdwatching throughout the seasons. With its variety of habitats, the preserve offers opportunities to observe and learn about the birds that call the area home or pass through during migration.

Whether you are just beginning to explore birding or are an experienced birder, this field session is for you. Clay will help participants sharpen their observation and identification skills while sharing insights into the birds encountered and the habitats that support them. Come enjoy time in the field, learn from one another, and experience one of the Middle Susquehanna region’s special places through the lens of birding.

Please bring binoculars if you have them and dress for the weather.
Attend This Session

9:00 a.m. Start Time

9:00 - 9:45 a.m.: PA's Rip Van Winkle: A Look at the Periodical Cicada at Bucknell University
Few natural events are as remarkable, or as memorable, as the emergence of periodical cicadas. Pennsylvania is home to several cicada broods, each spending years underground before emerging in enormous numbers in a spectacular display of one of nature’s most unusual life cycles.

In this session, explore the fascinating biology behind 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas, Pennsylvania’s cicada broods, and when and why these mass emergences occur. Learn how cicadas are connected to the broader ecosystem and the important role their emergence events can play in forest food webs, nutrient cycling, and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. You’ll come away with a greater appreciation for these remarkable insects and why a cicada emergence is an event worth celebrating rather than dreading!
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10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m Start Time

10:00 - 10:55 a.m.: What I learned from my service project: Lightning Talks with PMNs at Bucknell University [67 remaining]
What can we learn from one another’s experiences in service? Join Tricia Burmeister and fellow PA Master Naturalist volunteers for a fast-paced, lightning talk-style session highlighting service projects from across the Commonwealth.

Through brief stories and reflections, presenters will share what they learned through their service, from gaining a deeper understanding of Pennsylvania’s natural heritage to collaborating with partner organizations and communities, navigating challenges, and growing as naturalists and volunteers.

By bringing together different projects, places, and perspectives, this session will explore the common threads that connect our work. Like tributaries flowing into a shared river, our individual efforts come together to create a broader impact across Pennsylvania.
Attend This Session
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.: Analysis of Pennsylvania Plant-Pollinator Networks at Montour Preserve [6 remaining]
Join John Hranitz of Commonwealth University for an introduction to the fascinating relationships between Pennsylvania’s plants and their pollinators. Pollinators provide essential ecosystem services, and examining the networks they form with plants can help us better understand the complexity, stability, and resilience of natural communities.

Using the diverse habitats of the Susquehanna River watershed as a backdrop, John will introduce participants to methods for observing and collecting plant-pollinator data and demonstrate how those observations can be used to build and analyze pollination networks. Participants will also explore how plant-pollinator studies can provide engaging opportunities for citizen science, youth education, and PA Master Naturalist service projects.

Come discover how observations of which pollinators visit which plants can reveal a much bigger story about the health and interconnectedness of Pennsylvania’s ecosystems.
Attend This Session
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Visit a Conserved Habitat Farm: Conservation Easements in Action (One Barn, White Springs) [21 remaining]
Join Thom Rippon, PA Master Naturalist, for a visit to One Barn Farm at Rippon Manor in White Springs, a working farm and event venue protected by a conservation easement in perpetuity. Thom, who is also the property owner and an attorney, will introduce participants to how conservation easements work and how they can protect important natural and historic features of private lands for future generations.

Following the introduction, explore the farm to see conservation in action. The property features a variety of wildlife habitats, a rich history dating to 1772, and a remarkable mature double-sided hedgerow that provides important habitat for birds and other wildlife. More than 100 bird species have been documented using the property.

Come experience how land conservation, agriculture, history, and habitat stewardship can come together on a working Pennsylvania farm.

Please wear hiking boots or other sturdy footwear and dress for outdoor conditions.
Attend This Session
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Millside to Wildside: A Walk Through Kocher Park’s Past and Future (Kocher Park, Lightstreet) [22 remaining]
Join Jennifer Whisner of Commonwealth University for a walk through Frank W. Kocher Memorial Park along Fishing Creek in Lightstreet, PA, and discover how a former working millside farm has evolved into a valued streamside nature preserve and community resource.

As you explore the park, learn about the restoration and stewardship efforts that continue to shape its future, including streambank stabilization, stream restoration, invasive species management, native plantings, and park expansion. Jennifer will also highlight the important role volunteers have played in caring for the park and its growing use as a place for environmental education and community engagement.

Come see how history, restoration, education, and volunteer stewardship can work together to transform and sustain a local natural area.
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11 a.m. Start Time (Indoor Sessions)

11:00 - 11:55 a.m.: Flora of Ricketts Glenn Project: Summary Data and On-Line Tools at Bucknell University
Join George Chamuris, retired from Commonwealth University, for a look at findings from the Flora of Ricketts Glen State Park project and the online tools used to explore and summarize plant data.

George will share highlights from the project while introducing useful resources for investigating wetlands, wetland plant classifications, rare and endangered plants, plant distributions, herbarium records, and data sharing. Participants will see how these online tools can help turn field observations and plant records into a broader understanding of the flora and natural communities of a landscape.

Come learn more about the botanical diversity of Ricketts Glen while discovering resources you can use in your own plant explorations, research, and PA Master Naturalist service projects.
Attend This Session
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Creating Naturalist Communities to Sustain Pennsylvania’s Natural Heritage at Montour Preserve
Join Steve Jones, Cindy Stockton-Morroe, and Marion Rector, PA Master Naturalists, for an interactive workshop exploring how our individual strengths, interests, and connections can help build stronger naturalist communities and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural heritage.

Through facilitated discussion and brainstorming, participants will explore new ways to use their unique talents and skills to make volunteer service more meaningful and effective. Discover how personal interests can inspire others, how collaboration can strengthen projects, and how bringing people with different skills together can expand the impact of our conservation and stewardship efforts.

Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with fellow Master Naturalists as we consider how our collective talents can strengthen both our volunteer experience and the communities caring for Pennsylvania’s natural resources.

This workshop builds upon the naturalist communities plenary session offered at the 2025 PA Master Naturalist Annual Meeting.
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