With summer recess for schools just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is announced three Project WILD workshops for educators and Scout and youth group leaders this summer in the Harrisburg area.

The series, titled "Wild About Endangered Species," is being sponsored by the Game Commission and the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, and will be held at the Wildwood Lake Sanctuary off Industrial Road, Harrisburg, just north of Harrisburg Area Community College.

Theresa Alberici, Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Education specialist, and Jane Webster, Dauphin County Recreation and Parks, facilitate the workshops and introduce educators to a variety of hands-on educational activities designed for youth. All workshops are approved for Act 48 hours for educators.

June 8-Wild About the Great Egret: "WILD About the Great Egret" will be held from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. The great egret is a large white wadding bird that nests in colonies called rookeries. A short distance from the Wildwood Lake Sanctuary, Wade Island is near the Interstate-81 bridge over the Susquehanna River, and is one of two known nesting sites of this majestic white bird in our state. It also is the largest nesting site with almost 100 nesting pairs inhabiting this small island.

During the workshop, participants will canoe down the Susquehanna River to get a closer view of the birds and their nests. Participants also will receive background information and activities for use with their students. In case of rain or high water, this event will be moved to Wednesday, June 15.

Registration June 3, and the cost is $10 per person. The fee includes educational materials and the use of canoes, paddles and life jackets.

July 6-WILD About Endangered and Threatened Species: "WILD About Endangered and Threatened Species" will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This hands-on session will address the Environmental and Ecology Standard for threatened, endangered and extinct species through indoor and outdoor activities.

The workshop will explore the concepts and issues surrounding such species, investigate "how" and "why" species become endangered or threatened, examine laws affecting these species and explore methods biologists are using to bring these species to recovery from reintroduction programs conducted by the Game Commission and other conservation partners. Participants will use a variety of materials and resources and receive threatened and endangered species background information and activity booklets and other resource materials to use with their students.

Registration ends July 1, and costs $20 per person. The fee includes educational materials and lunch.

July 7-WILD About the American Lotus: "WILD About the American Lotus" will be held from 9 a.m. until noon. Wildwood Lake is home to the American Lotus, and endangered flower that blankets the lake with its beautiful blooms. Participants will embark on a canoeing adventure to explore the lake and these plants.

Registration ends July 1, and costs $10 per person. The fee includes educational materials and the use of canoes, paddles and life jackets.

Registration for these workshops is limited, so interested educators and teachers are encouraged to register as soon as possible. To register, contact Jane Webster at 717-221-0292. Checks should be made payable to: Dauphin County Parks and Recreation.

5/27/2005