Columbia-Montour Quarterly Vol. 15: January - March 2025

from the desk of the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership

Eighty Turn Out for First Day Hike Starting the New Year off on the Right Foot

Despite being a frequent visitor of the Montour Preserve, Larry Gerhard, of Northumberland, gained a valuable new perspective during the New Year’s Day First-Day Hike on Wednesday, January 1st. “The biologist walking around with us talked about things like certain insects that live in goldenrod. She shared some

Campbell, of Danville. “It was scenic and took us all the way around the lake. The views from certain vantage points were beautiful. We saw some wildlife, including a bald eagle and song birds.” The PA Master Naturalist group, which is currently accepting applications for a spring training to be held April through June at the Montour Preserve, provided volunteers that led discussions and answered questions during the trek around Lake Chillisquaque. “My husband, Bryan, and our two daughters (ages 13 and 10) all enjoyed the experience,” Campbell added. “Though they didn’t realize it was going to be a nearly 4-mile hike so they were pleasantly surprised at just how far they walked by the end of it!” Amy Monroe, of Shamokin, has been to the preserve quite often, hiking most of the trails and enjoying her family’s first

things that I never would have thought about,” he said. “She provided background on parasites like the Emerald Ash Borer and discussed the issues facing the American Chestnut. It was great information for me, and definitely for the kids we brought to hear and see first-hand.” He and four members of his Cub Scout Pack (3331) joined approximately 80 people who attended the First-Day Hike to kick off 2025. After an overview session on Leave No Trace principles, the participants were broken into three groups and staggered at different times onto the trail to keep numbers from being too overwhelming in any one cluster. “My family and I love to be in nature and wanted to start 2025 off in the outdoors with likeminded people,” said Laura

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