PA ELK: A Conservation Success Story with Ben Porkolab (July 3, 2025)

Pennsylvania was once teeming with Eastern woodland elk (Cervus canadensis canadensis) numbering over 100,000 animals. Due to habitat loss and overhunting this subspecies was completely gone by the late 1860s. Thanks to the introduction of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis canadensis) by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, this majestic animal can now be enjoyed once again in our state. This program will cover elk ecology and up-to-date research projects being conducted.

Ben Porkolab is the Conservation Education Coordinator for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance at the Elk Country Visitor Center. Before teaching at the Elk Country Visitor Center, he taught elementary school for 22 years, guided sportfishing in Alaska for ten summers and has volunteered as a PA Hunter Education Instructor for 17 years. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of nature with others.

Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)

All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.