The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northeast Region invites the public to a Night Out event on Monday, Jan. 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Montour Preserve Visitors Center, located at 374 Preserve Rd., Danville.

​Winter is a magical season that invites us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world in a quieter, more reflective state. January’s "Read and Explore" theme celebrates winter with a focus on its unique characteristics and how wildlife adapts to the colder months.  This program is designed for preschoolers and their families.

​​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.

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN RERESCHEDULED AND WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2 P.M. FEBRUARY 16, 2025.​
The Vernal School is pleased to welcome paleontologist Dr. Jennifer Peteya from Bloomsburg University, for a special program titled Paleontology in Pennsylvania. The program scheduled for Sunday, February 16th at 2:00 PM will be held in the auditorium of Montour Preserve's Environmental Education Center.  

The Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership, in coordination​​ with the Montour Area Recreation Commission and Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, will be hosting another Environmental Education Expo at the Montour Preserve on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The event will be modeled after the expo held in February of 2024, in which more than two dozen local agencies, associations and other groups that partner in the Vernal School effort provided hands-on educational booths at the preserve throughout the day for people to engage with at their own pace.

"A year ago, this event was a massive success, with families getting to interact with everything from drones to virtual reality to reptiles," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "Nature offers the perfect place to explore and spark creative problem solving in students of all ages, and the groups coming to this event will once again capture the essence of that in the experiments, games, crafts and other activities offered all over the educational center during the expo."

This program has been rescheduled to 2 p.m., February 2, 2025

Women Reconnecting and Engaging with Nature (WREN Program) will hold a planning meeting at 2 p.m. on February 2, 2025, to discuss the group's activities and events for 2025. This meeting is an opportunity for participants and new members to contribute ideas and shape next year's calendar.

Join us as Pennsylvania Master Naturalists, Deb Steransky and Roberta Coulter lead a First Day Hike on the 3.9-mile Chilisaugi Trail around Lake Chillisquaque at 10 a.m. on January 1st, 2025.  This free, family friendly hike offers the opportunity to connect with nature, get some fresh air and start the new year on the right foot.

Retired National Wild Turkey Federation's regional director Walt Bingaman will be leading two educational opportunities for children of all ages on Thursday, November 21, 2024.  Perfect for homeschool and cyber school families, these programs will celebrate and educate children of all ages on the importance of the wild turkey and introduce older children to safe and effective wild turkey hunting techniques (there will be no hunting or use of firearms during the program).

Join us on November 17th at 3 p.m. as Women Reconnecting and Engaging with Nature learn about nature-based wellness and the benefits of spending time in the natural world with Naturalist Suzann Schiemer.