Children are especially welcome during the evening hours when Shippensburg University biologist, Jim Hart, will capture a number of bats for view and discussion. Hart and nature center staff will mount nets and use sounding devices to capture bats in the park. After a discussion and observation about bats and their habitat, they will be released.
In the afternoon, area naturalist, Ralph Kinter, will be honored for his efforts of protecting and enhancing the area's lowlands and highlands. A sign will be dedicated in his honor. Kinter recently was recognized by the Appalachian Trail Conference's Honor Roll of Volunteers. He maintained a 3-mile section of the Appalachian Trail for hikers for 29 years.
The activities scheduled include:
| 11am-noon | Environmental education games on habitats and wetlands | |
| 1:30-2:30pm | Children's storytime with a wetlands theme | |
| 1:30-2pm | Reception in honor of Ralph Kinter | |
| 2-3pm | Dedication of wetland interpretation sign | |
| 3:15-4pm | Environmental education craft activities | |
| 6:30-8pm | Slide-illustrated talk on bats by biologist Jim Hart | |
| 8:30-11pm | Capture and study of wetland bats in Wildwood Lake Sanctuary |
The events for Paxton Creek Watershed Day are co-sponsored by Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, Harrisburg Area Community College, and Paxton Creek Watershed Association. A "Growing Greener" grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection was obtained to establish the Paxton Creek Watershed Association, which protects watershed resources, enhances watershed attributes, and promotes watershed education.
As a partner in environmental education, HACC is offering a new environmental science program this fall. HACC's program currently offers degree and transfer requirements for students who may enter job areas such as field services, laboratory services, pollution prevention, air quality, natural resource management, environmental education, or regulatory administration.
For details about Paxton Creek Watershed Day, call the Wildwood Lake Sanctuary at (717) 221-0292. For information on HACC's environmental science program, contact HACC¹s Math, Science, and Allied Health Division, at (717) 780-2393 or 1-800-ABC-HACC, ext. 2393.