beehive

Schedule of Events

Come join us for a week of all things Pollinator at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center!

June 12th – Monday

  • 11am-noon: Children’s Pollinator Activity- Calling all crafty kids! Come for a short story or activity and a pollinator-related craft with Cathy Vorisek, the “Bee Lady”. Suitable for ages 4-12. No fee, no registration needed. Meet at second floor exhibit area.
  • 1pm-2pm: “Ask a Beekeeper”– Have questions about keeping bees? Thinking about keeping bees as a hobby or business? Here is your opportunity to speak with a local beekeeper…stop by any time during the hour at the NWPBA display, located in the TREC lobby.
  • 2pm-3pm: Natural History Museum Tour -Did you know that the TREC has a Museum in the Lower Level? Take a guided tour of our wet lab, insect & bird collection and herbarium. Rarely open to the public! No fee or registration. Meet at TREC front desk
  • 3pm-4pm- Grow a Pollinator Garden– Janet Krack, Penn State Master Gardener will offer tips on growing a Pollinator Garden as she discusses the importance of pollinator preservation and how you can be a part of the movement! Learn what to plant for a happy and healthy bee, butterfly and bird habitat.

June 13th – Tuesday

  • 10am-11:30am: Kid’s Metamorphosis Activity– Join a DCNR educator to explore one of nature’s wonders, metamorphosis! Participants will learn the stages of a butterfly’s life-cycle and craft their own metamorphosis information card. Appropriate for ages 4-12. Cost is $3/child. Register by calling Beth at 814-833-6050.
  • 11am-noon: Children’s Pollinator Activity- Calling all crafty kids! Come for a short story or activity and a pollinator-related craft with Cathy Vorisek, the “Bee Lady”. Suitable for ages 4-12. No fee, no registration needed. Meet at second floor exhibit area
  • 3pm-4pm: “Ask a Beekeeper”– Have questions about keeping bees? Thinking about keeping bees as a hobby or business? Here is your opportunity to speak with a local beekeeper…stop by any time during the hour at the NWPBA display, located in the TREC lobby.
  • 4pm-5pm: “The Flow-Hive, a Revolutionary New Beehive” – Fred Dunn will share his personal experience and observations regarding how the Australian Flow-Hive and Flow-Super have simplified the practice of removing honey from the beehive. See how it works and have your questions answered in this informative presentation.

June 14th – Wednesday

  • 10am-11am: “Ask a Beekeeper”– Have questions about keeping bees? Thinking about keeping bees as a hobby or business? Here is your opportunity to speak with a local beekeeper…stop by any time during the hour at the NWPBA display, located in the TREC lobby.
  • 11am-noon: TREC Garden Tour- Explore the largest “green” feature of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center…its parking lot! Jen Salem, Garden Coordinator, will discuss native perennial, shrub and tree choices for your yard that benefit pollinators. Come see, touch, taste and smell your way through our garden! Meet at TREC front desk.
  • 1pm-2pm: Pollinators and Plants of Presque Isle– Join naturalist Bob Harris for an overview of the plants and pollinators found on Presque Isle State Park. His beautiful photographs will highlight the relationship between plants and insects with discussion on pollination mechanics, techniques and importance.
  • 3pm-4pm: Organic Gardening & Organic Foods – Ryan Reed-Campbell, the Community Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Whole Foods Co-op, will present enlightening ideas regarding organic gardening and foods. Learn how organic farming and gardening is beneficial to our health and the environment.

June 15th – Thursday

  • 11am-noon: Children’s Pollinator Activity- Calling all crafty kids! Come for a short story or activity and a pollinator-related craft with Cathy Vorisek, the “Bee Lady”.  Suitable for ages 4-12. No fee, no registration needed. Meet at second floor exhibit area.
  • 1pm-2pm: Creating a Butterfly Garden– Join Maria Blakslee, Penn State Master Gardener and Monarch Butterfly maven as she discusses the specific needs butterflies require; it’s not just about flowers! If you would like to entice butterflies to your yard, don’t miss this presentation.
  • 2pm-3pm: “Ask a Beekeeper”– Have questions about keeping bees? Thinking about keeping bees as a hobby or business? Here is your opportunity to speak with a local beekeeper…stop by any time during the hour at the NWPBA display, located in the TREC lobby.
  • 6pm-8pm: Pollinator Pontoon Boat Ride- Take an evening ride through Presque Isle State Park’s lagoon system on a guided tour with a DCNR Environmental Educator. This is a great way to see wildlife including beavers, muskrats, ducks and bats. Space is limited, register by calling Beth at 814-833-6050. No fee.

June 16th – Friday

  • 10am-11am: Pollinator Planting Workshop- Join Jen Salem, Garden Coordinator, in a hands-on planting demonstration. Participants may help install pollinator plants in the TREC Garden. Proper planting technique, plant selection and after-planting care will be discussed. Meet at TREC front desk.
  • 11am-noon: Children’s Pollinator Activity- Calling all crafty kids! Come for a short story or activity and a pollinator-related craft with Cathy Vorisek, the “Bee Lady”.  Suitable for ages 4-12. No fee, no registration needed. Meet at second floor exhibit area
  • 1pm-2:30pm: Medicinal Plant Weed Walk– Local herbalist, Leslie Alexander, PhD., RH will lead a guided tour of the TREC grounds and highlight medicinal plants growing all around us. Be prepared to taste, touch and smell a variety of plants on this sensory tour. Meet at TREC front desk.
  • 4pm-5pm: “Ask a Beekeeper”– Have questions about keeping bees? Thinking about keeping bees as a hobby or business? Here is your opportunity to speak with a local beekeeper…stop by any time during the hour at the NWPBA display, located in the TREC lobby.

June 17th – Saturday

  • 11am-noon: “Ask a Beekeeper”– Have questions about keeping bees? Thinking about keeping bees as a hobby or business? Here is your opportunity to speak with a local beekeeper…stop by any time during the hour at the NWPBA display, located in the TREC lobby.
  • 1pm-2:30pm: “Katie and the Bumblebee” Story Time and Book Signing- Meet the author of this bee-friendly book, Caitlin Dunion, as she joins us for a very special story time and book signing. Books can be purchased in advance at www.AidansAvengers.org. Caitlin authored this book at age 10 after losing her little brother to DIPG, a pediatric cancer.
  • 3pm-4pm: Natural History Museum Tour -Did you know that the TREC has a Museum in the Lower Level? Take a guided tour of our wet lab, insect & bird collection and herbarium. Rarely open to the public! No fee or registration. Meet at TREC front desk.

June 18th – Sunday

  • 9am-10:30am: Erie Bluffs State Park Wildflower Walk-Join a DCNR Educator for a leisurely two mile walk through Erie Bluffs State Park, located at 11122 West Lake Road, Lake City, PA 16423. Explore part of this 587 acre State Park, located along the Lake Erie shoreline. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet at parking lot adjacent to W. Lake Road. No fee or registration.
  • 11am-noon: TREC Garden Tour- Explore the largest “green” feature of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center…its parking lot! Jen Salem, Garden Coordinator, will discuss native perennial, shrub and tree choices for your yard that benefit pollinators. Come see, touch, taste and smell your way through our garden! Meet at TREC front desk.

 LIVE Butterfly & Honeybee Experience

See live butterflies and honeybees; located in the BGS & TREC Lobby. No charge, donations appreciated.

All events held at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505 unless otherwise noted. All events are free and open to the public unless noted. Cash or check, payable to Regional Science Consortium is due by June 19th for all pre-registration, pre-pay classes. For more information, please call Jen Salem, Garden Coordinator at (814)835-3056 or email trecgarden@hotmail.com.