Company offers activities throughout the month of April for public to celebrate the environment
PPL has planned a month of activities focused on environmental issues and energy efficiency to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, which is April 22.
“Earth Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on how we can all work together to help preserve resources,” said Joanne H. Raphael, PPL’s vice president of External Affairs. “It’s also a chance for all of us to learn how we can make a difference, take action in our communities and celebrate the environment.”
PPL generates and delivers electricity in ways that take the environment into account. Over the years, PPL has installed pollution controls at its power plants, increased power generation from sources that do not emit carbon dioxide and hosted free programs at the company’s environmental preserves to raise awareness about the world around us.
In addition, PPL Electric Utilities has developed programs to help customers use energy wisely and raise awareness of energy efficiency. In April, PPL Electric Utilities will be honoring schools that have become certified under the Energy Star program through the School Energy Achievement Program. The schools will be recognized during a celebratory breakfast, and students in each school will receive tree seedlings to mark the occasion.
PPL has planned a month full of activities to help the public learn about and celebrate Earth Day:
Emily’s Garden
1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, April 10
PPL’s Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center
In early spring, the poet Emily Dickinson valued each new crocus and wildflower she discovered. Join naturalist Ed Wesely for a virtual tour of the fields and streams that Emily knew around Amherst, Mass., and learn about the spring wildflowers that inspired her – and which flourish at our own doorsteps. For more information, please call the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at 570-226-3164. For directions, click here.
Reading Nature’s Notes
1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 11
PPL’s Martins Creek Environmental Preserve
Join us as we learn how to read nature’s springtime notes on this season of new beginnings with nature writer Bud Cole of Three B’s Nature Center. He’ll lead a discussion on uncovering the stories nature has to tell. This event will be held rain or shine. Please dress for the weather.
This free program will meet at the Lower Mount Bethel Welcome Center in the lower parking lot. For directions, click here.
Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Walks
10 a.m. to noon Monday, April 12
2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 18
PPL’s Holtwood Environmental Preserve
Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve is one of the best wildflower areas in the eastern United States and certainly one of the most popular natural spots in Lancaster County. Join us for guided walks through the wildflower preserve to spot trout lily and more. Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve is best known for its large variety of woodland flowers. At least 73 species of flowers bloom from mid-March until the end of May, including Dutchman’s-breeches, wild geranium, Virginia bluebells, wild phlox, trillium and spring beauty. For directions, click here.
Earth Day Celebration
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17
Quarryville Library
Join an Earth Day celebration sponsored by PPL featuring live birds, gardening activities, information on wise energy use and refreshments. Hershey Park’s Zoo America will present a live “Birds of Prey” program at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The day’s events also will include the annual planting at the Children’s Garden, where kids are invited to get their hands dirty. In addition, kids can take home seeds for their own yard. Other activities throughout the day include the announcement of the winner of the annual Story Book Contest, a comparison of traditional incandescent light bulbs versus compact fluorescent bulbs, a program from ECON-Waste Management on proper ways to recycle, a book sale by the Friends of the Library, and a short bird walk by the Lancaster Bird Club. Additional events scheduled to be held are displays from the state Game Commission, Friends of Fishing Creek and the Susquehanna Sustainable Business Network. Please note: Entrance is limited to ticket holders for the Birds of Prey programs. For details on how to obtain free tickets, please visit www.quarryvillelibrary.org. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets must be picked up in person at the library. Address: Quarryville Library, 357 Buck Road, Quarryville, PA 17566. GPS coordinates are N39 53.484 W76 10.485.
Pike-Wayne Earth Day Festival
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17
PPL’s Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day and learn more about the various environmental and conservation organizations in our community at the 2010 Pike-Wayne Earth Day Festival. The festival will host a variety of exhibitors and activities, including local renewable energy installers, children’s crafts and puppet shows, kayak demonstrations, music, bird and plant walks. Make your own edible watershed sundae or try your hand at casting a fishing rod. Learn more about events on the Lackawaxen River, which was named the River of the Year. Wholesome food from the Yoga Café will be available for purchase. There will be something for everyone at this free annual celebration, which is held rain or shine. Visit www.pikewayneearthday.org for festival details. For directions, click here.
Get out for Earth Day
1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17
PPL’s Montour Environmental Preserve
With Earth Day only a few days away, let’s get outside, explore and celebrate nature during this program. Jon D. Beam, PPL senior naturalist, will help participants sharpen observation skills through several guided activities, taking note of what we hear, see, feel and smell. We’ll also use a woodland nature journal to help explore one of the preserve’s forests, recording what we observe. This free program, which will take place in the Environmental Education Center, is designed specifically for 8-12 year olds. To register, contact the preserve at 570-437-3131 or jdbeam@pplweb.com.
Traditional Earth Skills
1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18
PPL’s Martins Creek Environmental Preserve
Step back in time with Mike Dennis of Traditional Earth Skills of North America as we explore the day-to-day activities of the Lenape through the seasons. The first program in a series of four will introduce the native Lenape people, combining artifacts displays with a hands-on native wilderness skills workshop. These skills will include fire by friction and atlatl dart practice. The food, clothing and shelter of these woodland people will be presented along with many handmade display items to view. This free program will be held at the Lower Mount Bethel Welcome Center. For directions, click here.
Dragonflies Rock
Sunday, April 18
1:30-3 p.m.
Susquehanna Energy Information Center
The dragonfly has eyes that wrap all the way around its head so it can see in front, behind, above, below and to the side — all at the same time. That’s just one of the fascinating facts that naturalist Clem McIntyre will share as he introduces children ages 4-8 to the amazing world of the dragonfly. McIntyre will read a story, show pictures and play games that will immerse kids in the world of the coolest bug in town.
Millersville Herbarium Open House
5:30-8 p.m. Monday, April 19
James C. Parks Herbarium
With more than 15,000 preserved plant specimens collected over the last 150 years, Millersville University’s James C. Parks Herbarium is a valuable resource for professional and amateur researchers. Join PPL and Millersville University for an open house of the herbarium from 5:30-8 p.m. Monday, April 19. Herbarium Keeper Christopher Hardy, Ph.D., will give a seminar at 6 p.m. on “The Importance of Herbarium Collections in Biodiversity Research and Conservation.” Light refreshments will be served. The herbarium’s collection includes many specimens from PPL’s Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve. Current student docents will be available to show specimens and answer questions. Visit the herbarium at http://herbarium.millersville.edu.
America and Conservation
6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20
McBride Memorial Library, Berwick, Pa.
Come see how an attitude of gratitude toward the land is as American as baseball and apple pie during this informative conservation program. Clem McIntyre, PPL naturalist, explains how conservation went from a poorly understood fringe issue to a major component of today’s social and political dialogue. From the Native Americans and the pilgrims through Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt and on up to today, it’s a journey that shaped attitudes toward the environment not only in our country, but all over the world.
Nuclear Power: Today and Tomorrow
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 21
PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands
Come find out how nuclear power is shaping the region today and tomorrow during this informative program. Joe Scopelliti, community relations manager for the PPL Susquehanna nuclear power plant, will discuss why nuclear energy is an appropriate option for the future, how it adds to the area economy through jobs and taxes, and provides a safe, reliable power source to satisfy America’s need for electricity that doesn’t add greenhouse gases to the environment. The conversation also will cover the future of the Susquehanna plant, the latest on the possible Bell Bend expansion project and answers to questions from the audience. This free program will be held in the Susquehanna Energy Information Center.
Earth Day Bird Walk
9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22
PPL’s Brunner Island Environmental Preserve.
Jim Smith, PPL naturalist, leads us on a guided walk as we explore nature’s bounty and what she has to offer, inspect bluebird boxes, check out the activities at the wood duck boxes and enjoy a morning stroll. The entrance to the wetlands is directly across from Gate A on Wago Road. Follow the stone road back until you see the sign for the Wood Duck Pavilion. The GPS coordinates at the pavilion are N40 05.755 W76 42.287. For additional information, contact Karen Ament at 717-284-6274 or kament@pplweb.com or visit www.pplpreserves.com.
Allentown Park Cleanup
9 a.m. Saturday, April 24 (rain date May 1)
Valania Park, Allentown, Pa.
PPL’s African-American Business Resource Group will clean up Allentown’s Valania Park, picking up trash and helping to spread a new spring coating of mulch. The group promotes the advancement and inclusiveness of minority employees within PPL and local communities. It has supported numerous community organizations in recent years.
Foundations of Flight
10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 24
PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands
Nothing in nature captures the imagination quite like the power of flight. But just how do they do it? Which animals really fly, and which are just glorified gliders? Learn about the foundations of flight during this program. Clem McIntyre, PPL naturalist, will use slides, stories and hands-on experiments designed to capture the wonder and the science of animals that can fly. He’ll discuss the mechanics of flight and its origins and take a look at some of the largest animals to ever get off the ground. The information and activities are geared to children 8 to 12 years old, but curious adults are more than welcome to participate. This free program will be held in the Susquehanna Energy Information Center.
Greenscaping
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24.
Lower Mount Bethel Welcome Center
To celebrate Earth Day, volunteers are invited to help enhance the rain gardens, landscaping and the green roof at the Lower Mount Bethel Welcome Center. This activity is being organized by Lower Mount Bethel Township and the Martins-Jacoby Watershed Association. This event will start at 8:30 a.m. and will end at 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register, please contact John Mauser at 610-498-2126 or jmmauser@epix.net. For directions, click here.
Spring Woodland Wildflowers Walk
1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, April 24
PPL’s Montour Environmental Preserve
Discover the delicate beauty of spring woodland wildflowers during a guided woodland wildflower walk. Join Jon D. Beam, PPL’s senior naturalist, on an exploratory walk through the preserve’s woodlands to discover the joy and beauty of spring wildflowers. We’ll explore some interesting facts and fascinating folklore about the different species encountered along the way.
This free program will meet at the Environmental Education Center. For more information, contact the preserve at 570-437-3131 or jdbeam@pplweb.com.
Wildflowers Through the Seasons
1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 25
PPL’s Martins Creek Environmental Preserve
Join us for a guided wildflower walk at PPL’s Martins Creek Environmental Preserve. Educators Lorna and Phil Wooldridge will help us learn how to identify what we find in the Tekening Woods. We will explore the woods for early emergent plants, view the race for light, and witness the battle between natives and alien invaders. Join us this summer and fall as we walk in other areas of the preserve to observe the changing flora. Bring the whole family to this program and enjoy the fun. This free program will meet at the Cedars Pavilion. For directions, click here.