kayaking adventure at the lake this past summer. Despite her familiarity, Wednesday’s hike provided some new experiences. “We saw a blue heron in a pond at a distance and a northern two-lined salamander crawling on the rocks over the dam. We identified poison ivy and learned that you can still have the reaction in the wintertime if you touch it,” she said. “It was fascinating going through the planet walk and seeing the distances to the sun and between the planets. I enjoyed learning and being outside in nature.” Guidance by Debra Steransky, one of the master naturalists who helped during the hike, “made the hike more interesting and memorable,” Monroe added. Opportunities like the First-Day Hike at the Montour Preserve are designed to develop a better fascination for people of all ages with our natural resources, according to Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership Program Supervisor Marissa Crames, who coordinated the event. “Programs which intentionally connect people with nature are vitally important with today’s high-tech and screen-dependent lifestyle,” she said. “We hope that the participants not only benefit from the physical activity, but learn and develop a love of the outdoors and all things wild.”
21
Powered by FlippingBook