to review the application and make a
recommendation to the board.
State Representative Ryan Bizzarro
issued the following statement regarding
the board’s action:
“The local case has been made for
a community college in Erie County.
We applaud our local elected officials,
business and education leaders and the
community college
advocates for their
hard work.
“Working with
the governor’s
office and the
Pennsylvania Board of Education, our
state delegation was able to advance this
vote, which will rise or fall on the strength
and merit of the application.
“I will continue to work with Governor
Wolf and my colleagues to ensure Erie
County’s education needs are fully
considered. Erie County deserves this
vote, one way or the other.”
OBSERVING WILDLIFE
AT PRESQUE ISLE
STATE PARK
Nearly four million visitors each year
enjoy the natural beauty that Presque
Isle has to offer. With so many people,
the challenge of minimizing impact to
flora and fauna is daunting. To ensure the
safety of both humans and wildlife, proper
etiquette must be observed. This includes
watching from a distance and not feeding
the animals.
Feeding wild animals threatens not
only the safety of humans, but the wildlife
as well. Certain species, such as coyote
and geese, can become reliant on humans
for food. When this happens, the wild
animals don’t get a
proper diet, such as
when people
feed bread to
Canada geese who
require aquatic
vegetation. They simply fill up on non-
nutritious things and become weak even
though they have a full stomach.
Even after just a short period of
receiving handouts from well-meaning
visitors, animals may alter their normal
routines in order to maximize their
exposure to humans and seek food
rewards. This can lead to unintended
consequences such as chasing, scratches,
bites, disease and vehicle strikes. Vehicle
strikes have taken a heavy toll on the
park’s resident foxes in recent years.
Other wildlife, such as owls, use
the peninsula for nesting, feeding and
shelter during times of migration. Eagles
may nest at the park. It is important to
give these animals the space they need
so that they don’t abandon their nesting
efforts. For example, 1,000 feet of buffer
space for eagle nest viewing and 200 feet
for an owl nest is recommended.
Some of the animals, such as hawks,
owls, and all other birds of prey, are
protected by federal law. Harassment
of these animals is prohibited by law
and violators face arrest and/or fines.
Harassment includes approaching
nesting areas too close, attempting to
startle a bird into flight to get a desired
picture, lingering too long, and shouting
or yelling to get an animal’s attention.
Spring migration time will provide
many opportunities for visitors to view
a variety of species. All visitors are
required to practice proper viewing
etiquette, so a great experience will be
shared by all.
For more information contact
the Presque Isle State Park Office at
814.833.7424 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
on weekdays. n
PRESQUE ISLE, ERIE BLUFFS
AND TREC NOVEMBER
PROGRAMMING
For more information on any of these programs
call 814.833.7424 or email [email protected].
DiscoverE Program: Deer
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Explore the world of nature with a park naturalist at
the TREC. Children ages 3-5 with an accompanying
parent or adult are invited. There will be fun activities,
including listening to a story and creating a craft to take home.
Fee is $3 per child, payable in advance or at the door with exact change or
check. Registration is required by calling the park office at 814.833.7424.
Family STEM Night: Science in Motion
Thursday, Nov. 14, 6-7:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family for hands-on fun
and interactive STEM activities—Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics with an
environmental emphasis!
Using the scientific method to investigate animal
tracks and scat, students will measure the gait and
stride of certain animals and determine which direction the animal is going
with the use of a compass. Students will also learn to differentiate between
carnivorous and herbivorous scat.
Meet at the TREC. There is no fee. Registration is required, however, through
events.dcnr.pa.gov/presque_isle_state_park.
Thanksgiving on the Isle
Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. until noon
Before you feast – walk! Join park naturalists for a two-mile nature hike
focused on wild turkey and the cranberry plant. Please dress for the weather and
meet at the Presque Isle Lighthouse parking area.
No fee or registration is required.
MILLCREEK
❘
WINTER 2019
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