DEP Invites Students, Teachers to Peregrine Falcon Workshop on April 3

HARRISBURG — The Department of Environmental Protection invites teachers, non-formal educators, homeschooled students, youth groups and scout leaders to attend a Peregrine Falcon Educators’ Workshop, “WILD in the City,” on April 3 in Harrisburg.

The workshop is sponsored by DEP and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) in cooperation with ZOOAMERICA North American Wildlife Park. It will be held in the Rachel Carson State Office Building auditorium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Since 1997, countless Peregrine falcons have made their home on a ledge off the 15th floor of the Rachel Carson State Office Building. Peregrine falcons, which are an endangered species in Pennsylvania, were extremely rare in the state for many years. Through reintroduction programs, they have adapted to life in urban environments like Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Williamsport. Each year, DEP and PGC track the birds’ activities and share educational information through, among other things, the popular online Falcon Cam. The Rachel Carson nest site has been active and reproducing young Peregrine falcons for the past 12 years.

Workshop participants will explore the successes of Peregrine falcon reintroduction in Pennsylvania, examine falcon specifics, learn about endangered species and observe falcons in Harrisburg. Several Peregrine falcon experts will speak to the group, including Dan Brauning, Chief of PGC’s Wildlife Diversity program; ZOOAMERICA education coordinator Elaine Gruin; DEP environmental educators Jack Farster and Ann Devine; and Project WILD coordinator Theresa Alberici.

To register for the free workshop, call DEP’s Environmental Education and Information Center at 717-772-1644 or emailadevine@pa.gov by March 27. Space is limited, so registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who have not attended the workshop in the past will be given first consideration, while others will be placed on a waiting list. Participating teachers are eligible for 5.0 Act 48 credit hours. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

For more information about this and other environmental education opportunities through DEP, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on the “PA Falcon Cam” button on the homepage.