WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. — When the weather turns cold across the Lehigh Valley, the work of conservation education doesn’t end — sometimes, it just gets moved inside.
“We really like hosting events in the winter, especially when it's cold and gloomy out, and it's dark super early, just to get people out of the house to learn new things,” Lehigh Gap Nature Center Education and Outreach Coordinator Riley Davenport said.
LGNC officials late last month announced the line-up for the 2025-26 speaker series at the center, 8844 Paint Mill Road.
"It's just cool to see what's going on in your community, learn about local ecology, like what animals live in this area, or even conservation initiatives.”Riley Davenport, Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s education and outreach coordinator
Running on select Thursdays through March, the series aims to engage Valley residents about the local environment, as well as conservation efforts.
“Mostly, all of the presenters we have for the program are from local organizations, or live in the area,” Davenport said.
“So it's just cool to see what's going on in your community, learn about local ecology, like what animals live in this area, or even conservation initiatives.”
‘We’re open’
The series has been an annual tradition at the center since 2012, drawing out residents each winter for conservation education.
“We get that question all the time, ‘Do you guys, like, do stuff in the winter? Are you guys still working?’” Davenport said. “And we're like, ‘Oh, yeah, we're open.’
“I mean, some people even brave the cold weather and come hiking here in the wintertime, too.”
This year’s line-up includes:
- 6 p.m. Nov. 13: “Carnivorous Plants of North America” with horticulturist Brandon Everett from Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, and Orefield-based garden center
- 6 p.m. Dec. 11: “Astro-Imaging in the Lehigh Valley” with Paul Tracy, a retired engineering manager and member of the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society
- 6 p.m. Jan. 8: “Wind and Water Gaps of Pennsylvania” with Frank Pazzaglia, a geologist, geomorphologist and professor at Lehigh University
- 6 p.m. Feb. 12: “New World Vultures” with Bracken Brown, a biologist and naturalist from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
- 6 p.m. March 26: “Eastern Coyote: Uncovering the Myths & Mystique of a Misunderstood Species” with Tom Keller, a furbearer biologist with the state Game Commission.
“We're excited about the variety — how they're all really different topics,” Davenport said.
Well-attended, but 'pretty big capacity'
Attendance is free for center members, but there's a $5 suggested donation for non-members. Registration isn’t required, but is strongly encouraged.
Already, the first speaker, focused on carnivorous plants, had more than two dozen registrants, Davenport said.
“We have a pretty big capacity in our Great Hall, so we've never had to close the registration,” she said. “Even the one in March, we already have a dozen people signed up.
“So some people will see that list and sign up for all the ones that interest them right away, and others sign up the day before.”
Last year’s speaker series was well-attended, Davenport said. There were speakers from the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, the state Game Commission and the Palmerton Area Historical Society, among others.
For more information, or to register, go to the LGNC’s website.
