Winter 2015-2016 A word from Wildwood · Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean. Scott will unlock some of the secrets about owls; their biology and ecology

Winter Lecture Series-Pennsylvania’s Common Wealth

Sponsored by the Friends of Wildwood, this year’s Winter Lecture Series will draw from our state’s wealth of animal and plant biodiversity. The speakers will explore majestic raptors to tiny plants emerging after a fire.

The first lecture of the series on January 5 will be about ospreys in Pennsylvania. Patti Barber, PA Game Commission Biologist will talk about the conservation success story of this magnificent bird and how people working together can make necessary changes and improvements to the environment.

The second lecture will be held on January 19 and the speaker will be Gene Odato, President of the PA Forestry Association and District Forester in the Tuscarora State Forest. He will be discussing the mystery that surrounds the nation’s largest cat, the cougar. He will also discuss efforts being made to document its presence in the eastern United States.

Continued on Page 3

A word from

Wildwood

Winter 2015-2016

The Friends of Wildwood, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Friends of Wildwood Celebrate 25th Anniversary

In 1991, a small group of “Friends” determined that it was time to incorporate as a non-profit organization. In doing so, they were able to expand fund-raising abilities, begin a membership drive, and proceed with making the dream of a nature center a reality.

The Friends group was already an active organization by 1991. Formed in 1987 as a community-based support group, the organization explored ways to develop Wildwood Park while maintaining its natural beauty.

Archives show that many of the topics that concerned the group then are still being addressed today. Some of these topics included inventorying of the flora and fauna of the park, encouraging local businesses to use the park for employee wellness, improving the trails for visitors, cleaning up litter and debris from the park, and involving the local schools and HACC in environmental education studies at the park.

25 years later, the Friends of Wildwood is a strong, active 250 member non-profit organization. They accomplished the creation of a nature center and continue to support the park and its mission.

Photo by Ben Jones, PGC

Photo by Larry Imes

A word from Wildwoodis published quarterly by

Friends of Wildwood100 Wildwood Way

Harrisburg, PA 17110(717) 221-0292

www.wildwoodlake.orgEmail: [email protected]

Board OfficersShawn Scott-PresidentVacant-Vice PresidentMary Laverty Bigelow, Ph.D.-SecretaryMaureen Hickey-Treasurer

Board MembersMatt BarcaroCarolyn Blatchley Jim Caufield Carl Dickson Heather Dock Paddy Garcia Nancy GrahamEmily Hand Lee Johnson Carol Lopus Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., Ph.D.Bob OrrisChris RebertTeresa SchmittbergerKen Stark

A Word from the President

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Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center are part of the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department. The Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed Mondays and holidays. Wildwood Park’s trails are open from dawn until dusk. Programs can be viewed at www.dauphinc.org and questions can be directed to [email protected].

County CommissionersJeff Haste, ChairmanMike PriesGeorge P. Hartwick III

Parks and Recreation DirectorCarl Dickson

Wildwood Park StaffChris Rebert, Park ManagerJosh Haring, Part-time Environmental EducatorSandy Lockerman, Environmental EducatorDeb Rowe, Administrative AssistantKristie Smith, Part-time Environmental EducatorKayla Warshefski, Part-time Environmental EducatorJane Webster, Environmental Educator

Happy New Year! I would like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing board members, Tom Keck, Kathy Silks, Valerie Simmons, Olivia Susskind and Gene Wingert for their service to the Friends of Wildwood and Wildwood Park. They will be leaving the Board but we hope to see them involved in the many wonderful events held each year.

Welcome to our new board members, Heather Dock, Nancy Graham, Emily Hand and Lee Johnson. They will begin their duties in January.

We had a banner year with volunteer efforts and hours. The volunteers help in many ways, from trail trimming to work days, events, and the front desk. Everyone pitches in to make this a wonderful park. THANK YOU ALL!

There are some exciting new programs coming up in 2016. There will be new photography workshops offered and conservation videos shown in the classroom of the nature center. Summer seems far away but day camps are already being arranged. Don’t know when events are happening? Dauphin County’s Calendar of Events can be sent to you by email. Call the front desk or email [email protected] with your email address and receive monthly program announcements.

The Friends of Wildwood maintain an active website at www.wildwoodlake.org. Please be sure to visit the site for up to date information on upcoming programs, trail conditions and wildlife sightings.

Shawn Scott, President

Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center are part of the Dauphin County Parks and Rec-reation Department. The Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed Mondays and holidays. Wild-wood Park’s trails are open from dawn until dusk. Pro-grams can be viewed at www.dauphinc.org and ques-tions can be directed to [email protected].

County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Chairman Mike Pries George P. Hartwick III

Parks and Recreation Director Carl Dickson

Wildwood Park Staff Chris Rebert, Park Manager Sandy Lockerman, Environmental Educator Sandy Nevius, Part-time Environmental Educator Deb Rowe, Administrative Assistant Kristie Smith, Part-time Environmental Educator Jane Webster, Environmental Educator

Go Green Sign up for an E-newsletter

A Word from Wildwood can be sent electronically to Friends of Wildwood members. Contact the editor

at [email protected].

Help save paper and $! Go Green!

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Park HighlightsWinter Lecture SeriesContinued from Page 1

The winter lecture series continues into February with the Chief of the PA Game Commission’s Habitat Division, Ben Jones. Ben will be talking about fire and its role in PA ecosystems. He will discuss habitats and how they changed with the exclusion of fire over the past century. Discover some of the plant species that return after fire and the benefits of prescribed fires.

The series continues with a familiar speaker at Wildwood Park. February 16 will feature Scott Weidensaul. He is the author of the just released Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean. Scott will unlock some of the secrets about owls; their biology and ecology. His new book will be available for purchase and signing.

The series concludes on March 1 with an informative program about Pennsylvania’s bats. Mike Scafini, Endangered Mammal Specialist with the PA Game

Commission, will discuss the latest research efforts to help these insect-eating mammals. Recent evidence shows bats may be making a comeback so come and hear about PA’s only flying mammal.

All of the lectures this winter will be held in the Olewine Nature Center beginning at 7:00 pm. Specific dates and program titles are listed on the back page and at www.wildwoodlake.org.

Annual Meeting ReviewThe annual meeting of the Friends of Wildwood was held on November 5 at the Olewine Nature Center. President Shawn Scott called the meeting to order and proceeded with the business section of the meeting.

A big thank you was given to outgoing Board Members for their years of service. This included Kathy Silks, Chair of the Nominating Committee, Olivia Susskind Chair of the Photo Contest Committee, Eugene Wingert, Chair of the Natural Resources Committee, and Tom Keck, Board Member.

A slate of four new Board Members was presented, nominated and elected. Heather Dock is a volunteer at Wildwood and a Water Quality Specialist with the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Nancy Graham is a certified public accountant who enjoys hiking and biking at Wildwood. Emily Hand is the Dean of Students at St. Stephen’s Episcopal and is familiar with the park’s education mission. Lee Johnson is a long-time Friend of Wildwood with broad experience in community outreach and special events.

Re-election of incumbent Board Members to a second 3-year term included Mary Bigelow, Jim Caufield, Paddy Garcia, Carol Lopus, Bob Orris, and Teresa Schmittberger.

Following the business meeting, a presentation “Herons in the ‘Hood” was made by long-time volunteer, Pam Parson. She described the activities and her observations of the PA endangered Yellow-crowned Night-Herons that nest in the uptown Harrisburg area (and also occasionally feed in the wetlands of Wildwood Park). She also discussed interactions between herons and their human neighbors as the birds build nests and raise young in these neighborhoods.

A listing of the Friends’ 2015 activities and sponsorships can be found on page 4.


Photo by Larry Imes


Photo by Larry Imes


Photo by Larry Imes Photo by Steve Dale

Art In The Wild 2016

Art In The Wild 2016 is now accepting applications until January 19, 2016 from anyone wishing to make a proposal. This year’s theme is Movement. The proposals will then be juried with the results announced in early February. The art works will be installed during March and April with the opening of the event scheduled for April 9. The exhibit will run until October 31, 2016.

Anyone interested in participating in Art In The Wild 2016 should complete an application. Information about the project including the schedule, procedures, and the application form is available at www.wildwoodlake.org.

The project is sponsored by the Friends of Wildwood, TheBurg, and Dauphin County Parks and Recreation.

Friends of Wildwood: 2015 In Review• Funded a $12,000 Feasibility Study to determine

the restoration of Wildwood Lake in terms of a decreased impoundment capacity resulting from 100 years of sediment accumulation.

• Provided a $10,000 cash match for the Wildwood Park Trail and Bridge Improvement Grant totaling $137,000.

• Sponsored the Photo Contest and Reception that attracted over 100 entries.• Sponsored a successful Winter Lecture Series: Keystone Conservationists.• Sponsored

a management project in the meadow area with three vernal pools and tree removal to encourage meadow plant growth.

• Continued to sponsor turtle research in cooperation with Dickinson College and the State Museum of PA.

• Funded ongoing Emerald Ash Borer preventative treatments on the Park’s ash trees.

• Sponsored its third Art In The Wild-a selection of naturally inspired trailside art installations.

• Organized an array of educational and fundraising exhibits at Wetlands Festival and Celebrate Wildwood.• Added 40 new books to the Children’s Library.

• Sponsored the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at the Olewine Pavilion and helped staff recognize volunteers with service pins.

• Sponsored a new snake research project in the Park.• Held two Used Nature Book Sales to benefit the Park.

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New This Winter- Conservation Video Series

Get out of the house this winter and visit Wildwood Park for a new conservation video series. Free to the public, videos will be shown on the following Sundays from 1:00—2:30 pm in the Olewine Nature Center.

January 31: • The Power of One Voice: A 50 Year

Perspective on the Life of Rachel Carson

February 28: • Beautiful Crusade: Mira Lloyd Dock• The Greatest Good: Gifford Pinchot

March 20: • Pennsylvania Bald Eagles: Celebrating 30

Years of Restoration• Pennsylvania Elk: Celebrating 100 Years

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Events CalendarNPR-No pre-registration, no fee * PR-Pre-registration and possible fee * PwR-Payment with Registration is required

All programs meet at Olewine Nature Center unless otherwise notedPrograms and events are listed at: www.dauphincounty.org and www.wildwoodlake.org

Call the Nature Center at 717-221-0292 for more details

Sat., Jan. 2, Cabin Fever Walk1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Tues., Jan. 5, Winter Lecture Series-Pennsylvania’s Common Wealth: Osprey in Pennsylvania by Patti Barber7:00 – 8:30 p.m., NPR

Sun., Jan. 10, Photo Contest Awards Ceremony & Reception1:00 – 3:00 p.m., NPR

Tues. – Fri., Jan. 12 – 15, Farm Show Week Walks with Shaver’s Creek2:00 – 3:00 p.m., NPR

Sat., Jan. 16, Creature Feature: Life Cycle of the Luna Moth10:00 – 11:00 a.m., PR

Tues., Jan. 19, Art In The Wild-Application Deadline4:00 p.m., NPR

Tues., Jan. 19, Winter Lecture Series-Pennsylvania’s Common Wealth: Cougars of Eastern US by Gene Odato7:00 – 8:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., Jan. 23, Let’s Go Tracking10:00 – 11:30 a.m., PR

Sun., Jan. 24, Meet a Naturalist: Animals of Wildwood1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Wed., Jan. 27, Preschool Storytime: Winter at Wildwood!10:00 – 10:45 a.m., NPR

Weds. only, Jan. 27 - Mar. 16, Fly-tying Classes with Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited6:00 – 8:00 p.m., PR

Sun., Jan. 31, Wildwood Conservation Video Series-The Power of One Voice: A 50 Year Perspective on the Life of Rachel Carson1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Tues., Feb. 2, Winter Lecture Series-Pennsylvania’s Common Wealth: Fire’s Role in PA Ecosystems: History, Ecology, and Habitat Restoration by Ben Jones7:00 – 8:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., Feb. 13, Creature Feature: Life Cycle of the Lady Bug10:00 – 11:00 a.m., PR

Tues., Feb. 16, Winter Lecture Series-Pennsylvania’s Common Wealth: Owls: Soul of the Night by Scott Weidensaul7:00 – 8:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., Feb. 20, Cabin Fever Walk1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., Feb. 20, Getting Started in Digital Photography10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., PR

Sun., Feb. 21, Let’s Go Tracking1:00 – 2:30 p.m., PR

Sun., Feb. 27, Meet a Naturalist: Animals of Wildwood1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Sun., Feb. 28, Wildwood Conservation Video Series-Beautiful Crusade: Mira Lloyd Dock and The Greatest Good: Gifford Pinchot 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Tues., Mar. 1, Winter Lecture Series-Pennsylvania’s Common Wealth: Pennsylvania’s Bats on the Rebound? by Mike Scafini7:00 – 8:30 p.m., NPR

Thurs., Mar. 3, Educator Workshop: Healthy Water, Healthy People9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., PR

Sat., Mar. 12, Creature Feature: Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly10:00 – 11:00 a.m., PR

Sun., Mar. 13, Kids Discover1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Thurs., Mar. 17, Educator Workshop: WILD about Animal Tracks9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., PR

Sat., Mar. 19, Boy Scouts-Bears Weather Workshop10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., PwR

Sun., Mar. 20, Wildwood Conservation Video Series-Pennsylvania Bald Eagles: Celebrating 30 Years of Restoration and Pennsylvania Elk: Celebrating 100 Years 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., Apr. 2, Girl Scout Leave No Trace Workshop10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., PwR

Thurs., Apr. 7, Art In The Wild Lecture with The Myth Makers7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., Apr. 9, Clean Up Your Earth Day10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., PR

Sat., Apr. 16, Girl Scouts-Juniors Environment Matters Workshop10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., PwR

Sat., Apr. 30, Wetlands Festival10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., PR

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A Variety of Wetland Birds in 2015

Wildwood Park had a terrific year for uncommon birds that visited the 90 acre freshwater wetland. Shallow water conditions with exposed mudflats created habitat which lured a number of different species. Five species were added to the Park’s bird checklist (free and available at the nature center). Below is a partial listing of the more uncommon birds sighted in 2015.

American Bittern Tundra SwanGreater White-fronted Goose Virginia Rail Little Blue Heron Western SandpiperPectoral Sandpiper White IbisSnow Goose Yellow-crownedSnowy Egret Night Heron

Wildwood Bridge and Trail Improvement Grant Completed

Thanks to a public-private partnership Dauphin County Parks and Recreation and The Friends of Wildwood completed three park improvement projects in 2015. These projects were important in maintaining Wildwood Park as a safe and functional destination for visitors.

One project renovated a bridge before it failed, another completed Wildwood Way Trail in front of the nature center, and another provided vehicle speed humps.

These improvements were made possible by Friends of Wildwood, Benjamin Olewine III, Dauphin County Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Thank you!

New Wildwood Way Trail section in front of nature center

Fox Run bridge before repairs

Fox Run bridge after repairs

New Wildwood Way Trail section in front of nature center

Fox Run bridge before repairs

Fox Run bridge after repairs Phot

o by

Ste

ve D

ale

Little Blue Heron (immature)

Friends of Wildwood Membership Application

New Membership Renewal Membership

Name__________________________________________

Address________________________________________

City___________________________________________

State and Zip Code _______________

Telephone ______________________________________

Email Address ___________________________________

Make checks payable to: Friends of Wildwood 100 Wildwood Way

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Or

Sign up to use PayPal at www.wildwoodlake.org

Questions about the Friends of Wildwood or Wildwood Park can be directed to [email protected]

Membership Category (please check one)

$15.00 Student Membership

Student Membership: School _____________Grade ______

$35.00 Individual Membership

$50.00 Family Membership

Family Membership: Please list the family members’ names and dependent children’s ages.

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

$100.00 Supporting Membership

$500.00 Business Membership

I would like to contribute additional funding in the amount of $ _______________ to help support Wildwood Park.

Membership Benefits Your membership supports the ongoing environ-mental education programs and conservation efforts of Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center.

Membership includes the following:

• 10% discount off Nature Shop purchases

• Subscription to A Word from Wildwood quarterly newsletter

• Invitations to special programs or activities “For Members Only”

• Reciprocal membership in more than 125 nature centers throughout the country that participate in the Association of Nature Center Administrators program

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The Friends of Wildwood Lake Nature Center, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization listed with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations, and incorporated within the Commonwealth of PA. It is an advocate for Wildwood Park through preservation, education and financial support.


Membership includes the following: A special Friends newsletter giving you news and notice of upcoming events. 10% discount at our Nature Shop, including nature books for children and adults, toys, jewelry, cards and other great gifts. Reciprocal membership and admission in selected nature centers around the U.S. The reciprocal mem-bership list can be found at www.natctr.org - Recip-rocal Memberships. Invitation to members-only programs and activ-ities.

Tree Plantings

Ten trees were planted in fall 2015. Three persimmon and one paw paw were added along the north end of the Towpath Trail. Two paw paw were added near the nature center parking area to help the existing paw paw patch cross pollinate and produce more fruit. Four evergreen (three Norway spruce and one eastern hemlock) were also added around the nature center for highway buffering and to expand tree identification opportunities.



Name__________________________________________

Address________________________________________

City___________________________________________


Telephone ______________________________________

Email Address ___________________________________



Or









______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________












Name__________________________________________

Address________________________________________

City___________________________________________


Telephone ______________________________________

Email Address ___________________________________



Or









______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________










Paw Paw Fruit Persimmon Fruit

Paw Paw Fruit Persimmon Fruit

Friends of Wildwood100 Wildwood WayHarrisburg, PA 17110(717) 221-0292www.wildwoodlake.org

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Documents

Winter 2015-2016 A word from Wildwood · Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean. Scott will unlock some of the secrets about owls; their biology and ecology