On April 13, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host the next program in its Spring Lecture Series with the presentation From Superfund Site To The Lehigh Gap Nature Environmental Education Center from Center Executive Director Dan Kunkle.

This year's line up of program features regional experts who focus their life work various conservation efforts. A different expert will offer a free lecture most Saturdays throughout the end of May.

All lectures take place in the Hawk Mountain Visitor Center Gallery, except for Birdability on May 11, which will be held in the ADA-accessible Education Building.

The 2019 Spring Lecture schedule is as follows. All Lectures being at 5:00 p.m.:

-- April 13: From Superfund Site To The Lehigh Gap Nature Environmental Education Center: The Lehigh Gap was transformed from a barren, contaminated moonscape to a viable wildlife habitat, and it is the first and only Superfund site to ever transform into an environmental education center. Executive Director Dan Kunkle will share the inspiring story of how volunteers became involved in the transformation of the Kittatinny Ridge and the challenges they faced along the way.

-- April 20: Journeys: Ospreys, Technology, and an Author: Biologist Rob Bierregaard will discuss his last 18 years, placing GPS satellite transmitters on over 100 ospreys from South Carolina to Newfoundland, Canada. Rob and his team studied their migration, and with each advance in technology they were able to understand more and more about the navigation of ospreys. Rob then wrote a children's book about his favorite osprey and her journey.

-- May 4: Pennsylvania Boreal Forest Birds: Long time ornithologist Doug Gross will discuss the state of the boreal conifer forests that support many bird species, an entire ecosystem that is currently threatened. The lecture will cover what surveys and actions are taking place to conserve these areas and the birds that call them home.

-- May 11: Birdability: Virginia Rose has been birding in a wheelchair for 17 years. During that time, she has not only been able to continue this important passion of hers, but she has collected empowering experiences. Listen to her story of creating Birdability, an initiative to get people with mobile disabilities out into nature through birds.  [Held in the Education Building]

After a Saturday of hawkwatching, hiking, and taking in scenic views, visitors are encouraged to stay for one of these entertaining and informative talks. Click Here for information on other upcoming events for spring.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website or call 610-756-6961.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Sanctuary, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit them on Flickr and visit their YouTube Channel.  Click Here to support Hawk Mountain.

(Photo: The Lehigh Gap Nature Center.)

NewsClips:

Project Bee Watch Seeks Citizen Scientists In Western PA

Grow These Native Plants So Your Backyard Birds Can Feast

Pittsburgh Bald Eagles Suspected To Have Hatched An Eaglet

Schneck: Vernal Pools Are The Place To Be In Spring In PA

[Posted: April 9, 2019]

4/15/2019