It is always a pleasure to invite back the members of each field school’s “top team” at the end of the summer to celebrate their accomplishments. This past weekend, the Wildlife Leadership Academy hosted “Winner’s Educational Weekend” in conjunction with the much-anticipated Alumni Reunion. The festivities were held at Krislund Camp and Conference Center, where students, mentors, and alumni came together for a memorable weekend of fun, food, and friendship.
Guests arrived on Friday evening and enjoyed a campfire with s’mores.
Saturday morning kicked off with an engaging presentation on Pennsylvania’s threatened and endangered species. Participants learned about many species including freshwater mussels and Eastern box turtles. The presentation provided valuable insights into the challenges these species face and the efforts underway to protect them.
The educational journey continued outdoors with a fascinating mushroom walk led by Dr. Barrie Overton, Professor of Biology at Lock Haven University. Dr. Overton guided the group through the woods, identifying various fungi while sharing their unique ecological roles and characteristics.
After lunch, everyone returned to the woods for a hike with Cat Pugh, Forestry and Wildlife Educator at Penn State Extension. As folks moved along the trail, Cat taught “botany basics” including leaf arrangement, leaf type, and how to identify native plants.
With alumni of all ages and professions returning for the reunion, it was a prime opportunity for our current class students to network. Groups played board games while chatting about colleges, career advice, and reminiscing about their field school experiences together.
Overall, it was a fabulous weekend to gather and celebrate the accomplishments of our “top teams” from field school as well as welcoming back our alumni. The weekend was a perfect blend of learning, fun, and connection – leaving everyone with memories and new knowledge. Thank you to those who attended and helped make it a successful weekend! We look forward to many more gatherings that celebrate our shared passion for wildlife and conservation!
The photos used in this blog belong to the Academy.
2024 Alumni Reunion and Winner’s Educational Weekend Recap
Posted: August 23, 2024 by Katie Mace
It is always a pleasure to invite back the members of each field school’s “top team” at the end of the summer to celebrate their accomplishments. This past weekend, the Wildlife Leadership Academy hosted “Winner’s Educational Weekend” in conjunction with the much-anticipated Alumni Reunion. The festivities were held at Krislund Camp and Conference Center, where students, mentors, and alumni came together for a memorable weekend of fun, food, and friendship.
Saturday morning kicked off with an engaging presentation on Pennsylvania’s threatened and endangered species. Participants learned about many species including freshwater mussels and Eastern box turtles. The presentation provided valuable insights into the challenges these species face and the efforts underway to protect them.
The educational journey continued outdoors with a fascinating mushroom walk led by Dr. Barrie Overton, Professor of Biology at Lock Haven University. Dr. Overton guided the group through the woods, identifying various fungi while sharing their unique ecological roles and characteristics.
After lunch, everyone returned to the woods for a hike with Cat Pugh, Forestry and Wildlife Educator at Penn State Extension. As folks moved along the trail, Cat taught “botany basics” including leaf arrangement, leaf type, and how to identify native plants.
With alumni of all ages and professions returning for the reunion, it was a prime opportunity for our current class students to network. Groups played board games while chatting about colleges, career advice, and reminiscing about their field school experiences together.
Overall, it was a fabulous weekend to gather and celebrate the accomplishments of our “top teams” from field school as well as welcoming back our alumni. The weekend was a perfect blend of learning, fun, and connection – leaving everyone with memories and new knowledge. Thank you to those who attended and helped make it a successful weekend! We look forward to many more gatherings that celebrate our shared passion for wildlife and conservation!
The photos used in this blog belong to the Academy.
Category: Youth Blog