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. “The biologist walking around with us talked about things like certain insects that live in goldenrod. She shared some 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 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 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.” Despite a transitioning weather pattern that brought colder winds and drizzle during the hikes, Gerhard was pleased with how his group devoured the experience. “As cold and wet and rainy as it was – we had water coming up from the ground at times – the kids did well and it is so important for them to break away from their electronics and really see and experience nature,” said Gerhard. “It is important for the environment for us to be out there and see our impacts as humans, to learn that when you see trash, you pick it up, and can witness the effects of the trails and how they are maintained and the work that goes into it. “When you can be in the middle of nature and intentionally required to tune in, you see the animals, the birds, the insects, the fish, the water. You see it all together and how it interconnects and better appreciate our role in it all.” Monroe agreed. “It is important because it reduces stress, improves mood, takes your mind off of other things even if it is only for a moment,” she said. “It is also important to focus your mental and physical health in a positive way.” While the First-Day Hike was a new experience for all three families, they all shared one additional important takeaway. “We’re looking forward to making it a tradition and plan to get out on the trail a lot this year,” said Campbell. Ultimately, the public response and large attendance -- only 30 participated in the 2024 kickoff first-day hike -- was exciting to Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association President and photographer Michael Kinney. "It was great to see that many people come to enjoy the Montour Preserve because it shows how many appreciate the area and pay attention to community events," he said. "I can relate to some of the younger kids that started the hike a bit hesitant and were asking how much farther after just a few steps in the wet wind. But halfway through they were enjoying the time with games they came up with on their own, like racing down the hills and by the end were participating in asking questions about what they were spotting in nature. Being observant to nature is a great way to start the year and provides a fresh mindset to the beautiful world we live in." For more upcoming events at the Vernal School, including a Paleontology in Pennsylvania program on Jan. 19, visit www.vernalschool.org and click on “The Programs” page link.
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