Thursday Night Nature Summer 2025 Discount Bundle

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.

This presentation is a deep dive exploration of native plant gardening. We'll learn all about the ecology of native plants and animals, and understand the importance of these often hidden connections between them. It is forged out of a need for a deeper understanding of native plant gardening and will take the audience on an exploration of the natural world right here in our own backyards. You’ll leave this talk wanting to plant native everywhere!

Jason Goldman is a naturalist, garden designer and ecological presenter. Growing up in New Jersey, he has always had an appreciation for the natural world. With a degree in ecology and a passion for educating others, Jason strives to empower others and help them become more environmentally conscious. Jason has presented at numerous garden clubs and public libraries.

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.

Every summer, the Preserve is proud to offer internship opportunities to some up-and-coming industry professionals. Each intern comes to the Preserve with a unique set of skills and interests. Throughout the summer, they experience all of the Preserve’s offerings and align their interests with their learning. Join us to discover a little more about this year's intern, Kelly, and see what natural wonders have captured her interest this season. Topics to be announced.

Kelly Shannon graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a degree in Environmental Science. During her time in college, she explored a variety of internships — from hands-on work with native plants to researching ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), and banding other birds such as barn owls (Tyto furcata), sora rails (Porzana carolina), Virginia rails (Rallus limicola), and terns. While working with birds was an unexpected and rewarding experience, it was her time at a native plant nursery that had the most lasting impact and solidified her passion for ecological restoration. 

Originally from Maryland, Kelly recently made the move to Philadelphia and is beyond excited to plant roots (literally), kick off her career, and cross paths with amazing, passionate people along the way!

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.

Did you know that there are over 4,000 different wild bee species in the United States? Most are solitary, don't live in hives and don't even make honey. These wild, native pollinators have long relationships with our beloved wildflowers, providing important pollination services which ensure the stability of many of our favorite fruits, nuts and vegetables. Although we usually think of wild pollinating bees in our gardens, flower patches and meadows, that is not the only place they can be found! In the northeastern United States, up to two-thirds of our wild bee species use forested habitats for at least part of their life cycles. For example, some are specialized to only collect pollen and nectar from spring ephemerals on the forest floor, while others nest in rotting logs and leaf litter deep in the woods. Did you know that bumble bees (Bombus spp.)— beloved on your roses and garden plants — love nesting in the forest? Join us for an adventure exploring how wild bees use the woods —from the leafy forest floor to the tippy top of the canopy! We will connect these to some practical suggestions for forest stewardship that benefit pollinators.

Kass's doctoral work in the Cornell Entomology Department characterized the wild bees active in early spring forests and forest canopies, and how the movement of bees between forests and orchards can support orchard pollination. Kass grew up raising 4-H dairy goats in the Hudson Valley. She completed a master’s at Yale Forestry, worked for a summer at the Arnold Arboretum and did ecological research in southern France. In her position with the Xerces Society, Kass Urban-Mead provides technical assistance on pollinator conservation in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. As part of this work, she assists with planning, designing, installing and managing habitats for pollinators and other beneficial insects, particularly in forested habitats. Kass also works with staff and research partners to develop technical guidelines and provide training on pollinator conservation practices.

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.

In November 2023, a colleague and Shoemaker discovered serious errors in a population model for gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), a declining species that inhabits longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems in the southeastern USA. This model played a key role in the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision to deny the gopher tortoise federal protection status under the Endangered Species Act across much of its range. Once corrected, this model predicted severe population declines across the range, suggesting that the listing decision would have been different had the corrected model been available to policymakers at the time of the decision. This incident made us realize how easily flawed models can influence conservation decisions and how difficult it is to change course once a policy decision has been made. Although it can be challenging to generalize from a single case, these experiences can help pave the way for science-based conservation decisions that are less prone to error and more transparent.

Dr. Kevin Shoemaker is an Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where he serves as director of the Applied Population Ecology lab. Kevin's research encompasses a diverse range of species, focusing on the application of quantitative methods to inform wildlife conservation and management. Kevin received his Master's and Doctoral degrees at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where his dissertation research focused on the conservation of bog turtle metapopulations in New York. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University from 2012 to 2015. Kevin has expertise in wildlife ecology, biostatistics, and population modeling.

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.

Ecosystems across the nation are suffering from development, altered fire regimes, irresponsible recreation and climate change. As a result of these threats, land managers have a tremendous need for native plant seed to restore degraded landscapes. However, seeds of the right species are often not available at the right time to match restoration needs. In this talk, we will discuss the foundational importance of plants to the ecosystem, what is needed for successful restoration, and explain the details and ethics of seed banking.  Seed banking serves as an insurance policy for the future, supporting the land stewardship work of the Mojave Desert Land Trust.

Patrick Emblidge is an ecologist with a passion for understanding and conserving the flora, fauna, and habitats of arid lands. His first introduction to the Mojave Desert was during his Master’s Degree program, studying Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) habitat suitability and thermal ecology in the red cliffs of southwestern Utah. Following his graduate program, he spent 8 years at the United States Geological Survey in Las Vegas, primarily focused on desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) movement ecology and contact network research. Patrick is the Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Plant Conservation Program Manager, where he oversees its native plant nursery and seed bank.

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.

Born in Western Pennsylvania, Dr. Kartesz was introduced to the field of natural history at an early age through his close association with the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, PA. After receiving his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Biology from West Virginia University, in 1987 Dr. Kartesz earned his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Nevada, Reno and thereafter accepted a position at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. In 1980, Dr. Kartesz published the first comprehensive Checklist of the United States, Canada and Greenland, which was updated and republished in 1994. In 1999, he published the Synthesis of the North American Flora, which was the first attempt to provide a state-level atlas and accompanying morphological database for the vascular plants of North America. In 2010, he published his county-level North American Plant Atlas for the vascular flora and the first internet-based Flora of North America.

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.

Discover how permaculture principles can empower you in designing a beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance home garden centered around perennial plants. This accessible lecture breaks down the permaculture design process into simple steps, focusing on creating a resilient ecosystem in your backyard. Discover how to incorporate perennials for long-lasting beauty and reduced maintenance, while also promoting biodiversity, conserving resources, and cultivating a thriving outdoor space that benefits both you and the environment.

Brent Deisher, of Princeton Permaculture, specializes in introducing homeowners to the principles of permaculture, with a particular focus on designing sustainable gardens that utilize perennial plants. He empowers individuals to create ecologically sound and low-maintenance landscapes that are both beautiful and productive. Brent's guidance streamlines the permaculture design process, making it accessible to anyone who wants to establish a thriving perennial garden that enhances their home and contributes to a more sustainable environment.

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.