Numerous groups and opportunities for all ages at expo show larger ripple effect partnership can have

Original Land Management Specialist for the Montour Preserve Richard Hess (right) speaks with Dr. Joseph Simons III, also known as Wild Trout Man, at the Environmental Education Expo on Feb. 10 at the Montour Preserve.

Note: This recap story from the Feb. 10 Environmental Education Expo was written by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. You can check out a separate article on the expo focusing on the large turnout (more than 1,000 people) from the community with different sources and additional photos by clicking here.

One of the original caretakers for the Montour Preserve, the since-retired Richard Hess attended the Feb. 10 Environmental Education Expo at the 640-acre nature preserve in Montour County with one specific table in mind.

“One of the few things left on my 87-year-old bucket list is to learn how to tie flies and to catch some fish and have supper with them. Needless to say, I was pleased to see that Dr. (Joseph) Simons was going to be there demonstrating fly tying,” said Hess. “He did a great job.”

Simons, also known as Wild Trout Man, a YouTube channel dedicated to videos that teach the importance of clean water resources and native brook trout in headwater tributaries across the watershed. He is also the vice president of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, the impetus behind the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership that helped organize the expo in an effort to showcase partners, programs and upgrades that will help support the Montour Area Recreation Commission’s efforts to maintain the Montour Preserve long-term.

The expo was billed as an event that offered opportunities for people of all ages, and Hess appreciated that sort of atmosphere.

“We enjoyed watching the children getting involved in the different activities. Everything from planting seeds and being able to take them home to watch them grow,” he said. “Many people enjoyed watching children pet the different animals that Clyde peeling brought. There was something for everyone.”

The interactive experience the expo provided is a great way to break stereotypes concerning species such as reptiles, according to Kathryn Allen, who represented Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland at the event.

“Visitors always are amazed at how smooth and soft these animals are when given a chance to pet them. Experiences like these are ones people will remember and hopefully leave with a little bit more empathy and compassion for our scaly friends,” she said, adding that in addition to the reptiles that people could touch, she also brought along a rattlesnake and copperhead for people to see.

“Venomous snakes are an important part of our ecosystem but often are feared. Seeing them up close is the best way to start the conversation about how many positive ways these animals impact our lives,” she said. “Not only are they a natural form of rodent control but their venom can be used to create new medicine. Some components of copperhead venom are being used to create new medications to treat breast cancer.”

According to Tanya Dynda, who attended the expo on behalf of both the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit and the Susquehanna STEM to the Skies group (of which she is a board member), the expo was “mind blowing.”

“The number of community organizations that took time to share their knowledge was phenomenal as many of the participants experiencing the expo mentioned: ‘I didn’t even know this program existed!’” she said. “This expo gave us an avenue to collaborate through conversation with our stakeholders in protecting our environment, but also to showcase the potential at the Montour Preserve. There will be repeat customers coming to this gem in Central Pennsylvania every chance they get!”

That renewed excitement for the preserve was something Hess especially noticed – and appreciated – from the event.
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“After working at the preserve for 25 years, from the time when there was nothing there but the lake, I was so pleased to see the great turnout at the program,” he said, referencing the more than 1,000 people that attended the Environmental Education Expo. “My hope is that the families that enjoy programs such as this will continue to support the preserve. My thanks to Bob Stout and his staff for keeping this facility operation.”

The ripple effect of the expo and the enhanced programming provided by the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership in the coming year and beyond will have positive impacts well beyond the Montour Preserve, Dynda suggested.

“This is only the beginning – environmental literacy for our young and older is vital to the sustainability of our region.  The various programs that were represented at the expo were testament to that,” she said. “With the continued development of educational programs and opportunities, our youth will be equipped with the knowledge to continue the valuable work of environmental literacy.”

The improvements at the Montour Preserve, enhanced program opportunities and long-term sustainability only occurs with support such as yours. Consider a donation by clicking here.

Check out the growing list of programs for the late winter, spring and summer seasons.

Want to get involved as a volunteer, schedule something for your group or ask a question? Send an email to Program Supervisor Marissa Crames by clicking here.

'Hooked' on event

Note: The following recap was written by Dr. Joseph Simons III (Wild Trout Man) about his experience as a vendor at the Feb. 10 Environmental Education Expo at the Montour Preserve. You can email him directly by clicking here.

The Environmental Education Expo at the Montour Preserve was a huge success. The list of exhibitors was most impressive and for hours there were continuous waves of people coming through the door.

I had an exhibit showcasing the Wild Trout Man Experience with photographs, videos and a fly-tying station. My plan was to tie a number of different style of flies throughout the day.

These are the flies I use to catch native and wild trout in the clean, cold water streams of Pennsylvania. I used these flies to discuss fly fishing and also to do my best to educate the need to protect our environment and the clean water essential for trout, and essential for life in general. As I always say, water is life.

One older gentleman I spoke with was just an absolute pleasure. His name was Richard. He had such interest in my flies and fly fishing, and he had such a zest for life. He said fly fishing was on his bucket list so we discussed some of the finer details of this amazing sport, art and science.

Most of the flies I gave away were to children in the hopes I would further spark an interest in them to learn how to fly fish. But in this case, I made sure to give Richard my favorite Super Adams dry fly for catching trout. He had such a sparkle in his eye and his enthusiasm was infectious.

I told him to take a picture of the first trout he catches on the fly and send it to the email address on my Wild Trout Man website. He agreed with a big smile. Better yet, I should have offered to take Richard fly fishing. This will have to be arranged.

I told my fellow Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Board Member, Kelly, who had an exhibit next to me that I want to be like him and have his passion for life when I’m at his age. He was such a wonderful, memorable man.

At the expo, I used my fly-tying station as the ‘hook’ to draw in the crowd to learn about the beauty of fly fishing and protecting our dear Mother Earth.

At the end of the day, I was ‘hooked’ on how wonderful this environmental expo was and the need to preserve the Montour Preserve for many more events in the months and years to come.

Long Live the Wild and Native Trout!!

Long Live the Montour Preserve!!

Check out Dr. Joseph Simons III's Wild Trout Man YouTube video series here. 

Colleen Eppler-Ruth, of the CSIU, shows off environmental sensor technology to a family at the expo at the Montour Preserve.

Families check out a variety of birds from observation windows of the Montour Preserve's Nature Center at a booth run by the PA Master Naturalists.