September 23, 2026
Dan's Photos from Pennsylvania - Birds and Animals by Dan Knarr
Dan has been birding since he was a teenager. He did some counting at Hawk Mountain in the 70's. He was born and raised in Fleetwood, then moved to the New Ringgold area in 1982. He worked at a furniture factory for 20 years. Then he worked doing roofing, painting and other construction. He has been self-employed for 20 years. Dan enjoys travelling around Pennsylvania and photographing birds.
October 28, 2026
Birds, Wildflowers and Succulents of Namaqualand, South Africa By Mike Slater Mike’s presentation will share bird and floral highlights of his August 2024 tour of The Cape Region and Namaqualand in South Africa. The trip was mainly a botanical tour and the goals were to see and photograph the early spring “super-bloom” of wildflowers in areas where winter rains had caused annual wildflowers to germinate, which does not happen every year. Another goal was to see many of the fascinating succulent plants growing in the drier area called the Richtersveld northwards toward the Namibian Border. As an avid birder, he had an additional goal to see and photograph as many of South Africa’s wonderful birds as possible. Mike has a lifelong interest in natural history. In 1976 he received a B.S. in Biology from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. and went to work in the field of environmental education. Since digital photography became easy Mike has been taking thousands of pictures of plants and insects. These pictures are used in talks like this and were a big part of the newspaper column about nature that ran from September 2012 till April 2020 in the Reading Eagle. Mike has served as President of the Entomological Society of Pa., the Muhlenberg Botanic Society of Lancaster, Pa. and the Baird Ornithological Club in Berks County, Pa.
November 18, 2026
The Human Impact on Injured, Sick and Orphaned Birds and What We Can Do to Help by Rita Stima
Rita has been an avid birder since 2011 and a member of the Quittapahilla Audubon Society. With bird populations on the decline, she became more interested in bird conservation and wanted to help in some way. She now participates in the PA Breeding Bird Atlas Survey and obtained her Pennsylvania Wildlife Capture & Transport Permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. She responds to emergencies for injured, sick and orphaned wild birds with her primary focus being birds of prey. Rita is sponsored by Tracie Young, licensed wildlife rehabilitator at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Lancaster County. Rita’s continuing education and training includes the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference (thanks to a QAS grant) and Tri-state Bird Rescue and Research in Newark, Delaware. She has both learned and experienced first hand that the most common reason for bird intakes at wildlife clinics continues to be the result of human activity and behavior. In 3 years she has responded to over 500 calls for assistance with wild birds in Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Cumberland, Dauphin Counties and beyond. Rita will promote why birds are so important to our environment, present actual rescue scenarios of what continues to happen to them, and what humans can do to help.
December 9, 2026
Christmas Social and Member Photos
*Note – Social Gathering starts at 6:30pm, Program starts at 7:00pm
Join us as members share their favorite slides and digital photos with the group. This is our holiday social, so please bring a plate of holiday treats to share. Drinks will be provided.
January 27, 2027
Caves By George Gress
This program on caves explores where and how caves form, and looks at two Pennsylvania caves and how the bat populations have been affected by white nose syndrome. George is recently retired from the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) after more than 31 years of service. During his time as a land steward, he managed properties in Pennsylvania for TNC, and also managed the Pa. bog turtle program. He enjoys gardening, woodworking and photography, and has had over 150 images published in local, state and international publications. He lives in Reinholds with his wife Patti.
March 24, 2027
Bluebird Trail at Memorial Lake State Park by Courtney Troutman
Courtney Troutman has served as Park Manager of Memorial Lake State Park Complex since 2019. Over the past seven years, she and her staff have led numerous habitat restoration and wildlife conservation projects across Memorial Lake, Swatara, Boyd Big Tree Preserve and Joseph Ibberson State Parks. Join Courtney as she shares about the cavity nesting program at the complex, explore the 2026 season results and hear how bluebirds and other native cavity nesting species are benefitting from these conservation efforts. Courtney will also highlight ongoing habitat improvement projects and the partnerships with volunteers and conservation agencies that make this work possible.
April 28, 2027
Using Native Plants to Attract Birds to Your Backyard by Mary Lott, Ph.D.
Discover how thoughtful landscaping with native plants can transform your yard into a thriving habitat for birds and other wildlife while creating a beautiful, healthy environment for yourself. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started, you'll come away with practical ideas for creating a vibrant outdoor space that supports both wildlife and personal well-being. Mary Lott is a retired researcher, nurse and exercise physiologist at the Heart and Vascular Institute, Penn State Hershey Medical Center. In her retirement she was able to cultivate her interest for gardening as a Master Gardener with the Penn State Lebanon County Extension for the last 10 years.
41st Annual Banquet
May 18, 2027 (Tuesday) (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)
Bringing Up Baby: The American Robin (Part 2) by Dr. Len Eiserer
Watch our website and newsletter for more details and a reservation form.
