15th Annual Wetlands FestivalSaturday, April 25

A great day of activities is planned for Wildwood’s annual Wetlands Festival. The festival is 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. with a pre-festival bird walk at 9:00 a.m.

ZooAmerica will be presenting two live animal programs. The first program at 10:30 a.m. will be Wetland Animals and the second program at 12:30 p.m. will be Native PA Animals.

The afternoon brings Jack Hubley, wildlife educator, and his menagerie of animals for the lively program Critters Beyond Your Backyard. Be prepared to be entertained and educated at the same time.

Music is a big part of any festival and Wildwood Park will have two performers during the festival. Tom Jolin returns to fill the air with music in the morning from 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.

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A word from

Wildwood

Spring 2015

The Friends of Wildwood, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Art In The Wild 2015

Art In The Wild is an outdoor environmental art exhibition at Wildwood Park. Applications have been accepted and this year, 16 artists will be constructing outdoor art installations in time for the unveiling on April 11.

This year, artist Stacy Levy, will be judging the installations made from natural materials and integrating into the landscape of Wildwood Park. Stacy is based in rural Pennsylvania and she works on projects worldwide. Learn more about Stacy at her website www.stacylevy.com.

In conjunction with the judging, she will be giving a free lecture, Nature as the Client, in the nature center on Thursday evening, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. Her lecture will explore her collaborations with urban nature and projects that meld art, engineering and ecology.

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A word from Wildwoodis published quarterly by

The Friends of Wildwood100 Wildwood Way

Harrisburg, PA 17110(717) 221-0292

www.wildwoodlake.orgEmail: friendsofww@wildwoodlake.org

Board OfficersShawn Scott-PresidentValerie Simmons-Vice PresidentMary Laverty Bigelow, Ph.D.-SecretaryMaureen Hickey-Treasurer

Board MembersMatt BarcaroCarolyn Blatchley Jim Caufield Carl Dickson Paddy Garcia Tom Keck Carol Lopus Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., Ph.D.Bob OrrisChris RebertTeresa SchmittbergerKathy SilksKen StarkOlivia SusskindEugene Wingert

A Word from the President

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Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center are part of the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department. The Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed Mondays and holidays. Wildwood Park’s trails are open from dawn until dusk. Programs can be viewed at www.dauphinc.org and questions can be directed to wwstaff@dauphinc.org.

County CommissionersJeff Haste, ChairmanMike PriesGeorge P. Hartwick III

Parks and Recreation DirectorCarl Dickson

Wildwood Park StaffJosh Haring, Part-time Environmental EducatorSandy Lockerman, Environmental EducatorDeb Rowe, Administrative AssistantKristie Smith, Part-time Environmental EducatorKayla Warshefski, Part-time Environmental EducatorJane Webster, Environmental Educator

Happy Spring to everyone! It was a long winter but with the promise of warmer weather, things are looking greener by the day. The red-winged blackbirds are singing on the cattails and the great egrets have returned to the wetlands.

I would like to thank all of our members, 250-strong, for their continuing support of the Park. You are the backbone of this organization and it is with your support that we are able to accomplish many of our goals. Please consider renewing your membership at a higher level and ask your friends and families to become members. Every membership counts! The year started out with the annual Photo Contest awards and reception. We had many wonderful photos of Wildwood included in this year’s contest. I am always amazed at what our participants discover and capture in their photos. From the tiniest grasshopper to the views of the wetlands, they represent the reasons that we love this place so much.

Wetlands Festival will be held on Saturday, April 25. It’s a great day to come out and mingle with the many presenters, exhibitors, and visitors. This event is in its 15th year and keeps getting better and better. Hope to see you there.

If you haven’t been here in a while, come visit the Park. Walk the trails and boardwalks, bring a camera, bring a friend. You’ll have a great time.

Respectfully,Shawn Scott, President

Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center are part of the Dauphin County Parks and Rec-reation Department. The Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed Mondays and holidays. Wild-wood Park’s trails are open from dawn until dusk. Pro-grams can be viewed at www.dauphinc.org and ques-tions can be directed to wwstaff@dauphinc.org.

County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Chairman Mike Pries George P. Hartwick III

Parks and Recreation Director Carl Dickson

Wildwood Park Staff Chris Rebert, Park Manager Sandy Lockerman, Environmental Educator Sandy Nevius, Part-time Environmental Educator Deb Rowe, Administrative Assistant Kristie Smith, Part-time Environmental Educator Jane Webster, Environmental Educator 

2015 Used Nature Book Sale The annual used nature book sale has moved to Saturday, April 25, the day of the Wetlands Festival. Come visit the Friends of Wildwood’s tent from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and purchase some great books and bargains. All sales support Wildwood Park.

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Park HighlightsPhoto Contest Results

Winners of the 2014 Photography Contest were announced at the Contest Awards Ceremony and Reception in January. From 96 entries, the judges selected winners in four categories; advanced, intermediate, beginners, and youth.

Olivia Susskind, Board Member and chairperson, Carol Lopus, Board Member and Shawn Scott, Board President presented the awards.

The winners are:

Advanced: First Place: Terry Smith Second Place: Don Phillips Third Place: George Shearer, Sr.Intermediate: First Place: Devin DePamphilis Second Place: Katherine Zeigler Third Place: Danielle SchieboldBeginners: First Place: Kelly O’Neill Second Place: Deb Kreider Third Place: Shannon O’SheaYouth: First Place: Hank Tushek Second Place: Ella Forsythe Third Place: Olivia Schneider

Thank you to the judges, Denny Bingaman and Raymond Gehman for their time and expert efforts and to the committee, staff and volunteers for their hard work.

2014 First Place PhotographyContest Winners

Youth: Hank Tushek Duck On A Log

Advanced: Terry Smith Who’s Hungry

Intermediate: Kelly O’Neill Black-crowned Night-Heron

Beginners: Devin DePamphilis Seeing Green

Wildwood Lake Feasibility Study Under Way

Friends of Wildwood and Dauphin County Parks and Recreation have partnered to determine the feasibility of restoring Wildwood Lake. Funded by the Friends of Wildwood, engineering firm Herbert, Rowland and Grubic, Inc. is conducting a Feasibility Study to address the accumulation of sediment that has been deposited in Wildwood Lake over the last century due to upstream disturbance and development within the Paxton Creek Watershed.

The Study explores the practicality of removing some of the accumulated sediment. The scope includes: (1) conducting a review of the lake, dam and outlet structures; (2) performing a field view to determine relevant structures; (3) determining permitting requirements; (4) performing outside agency reviews; (5) determining need for topographic and/or bathymetric survey; (6) assessing the chemical quality of the sediment; (6) approximate hydrologic and hydraulic modeling; (7) cost opinion; (8) funding research; and (9) a meeting to discuss the findings with the Friends of Wildwood Board of Directors.

In December, sediment column samples were extracted at locations around the lake. The samples are being analyzed for eight groups of chemicals including heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that indicate environmentally persistent hydrocarbons found in motor fuels and the by-products of combustion.

The Friends of Wildwood Board members and Dauphin County Parks and Recreation staff eagerly anticipate the results. A summary of the study will be included in the summer newsletter.

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15th Annual Wetlands FestivalSaturday, April 25Continued from Page 1

Then from 1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m., the festival will present a new performing songwriter, Steven Courtney. Both musicians are committed to family entertainment and children’s music and are sure to have the audience in smiles and songs.

The Friends of Wildwood will be holding their annual used nature book sale during the festival. Visit the Friends tent to purchase some great nature books and help support the Park.

Bird and animal walks, demonstrations including The Bug Man, displays of aquatic animals, and children’s crafts and activities will round out the day.

The full schedule of events can be viewed at www.wildwoodlake.org or can be picked up at the nature center.

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Art In The Wild 2015Continued from Page 1

The second program of the Art In The Wild exhibit’s kickoff weekend will be a workshop by multi-media art teacher Paul Nagle, assisted by artist Donna Seltzer. The workshop will be held

on Saturday, April 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Preregistration is required. Participants will learn about the creative stages and possibilities in creating a work of art from natural materials.

Art In The Wild installations will be on display from April 11 through October 31, 2015. Take a stroll, enjoy the exhibition and don’t forget to vote for your favorite piece.

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Events CalendarNPR-No pre-registration, no fee * PR-Pre-registration and possible fee * PwR-Payment with Registration is required

All programs meet at Olewine Nature Center unless otherwise notedPrograms and events are listed at: www.dauphincounty.org and www.wildwoodlake.org

Call the Nature Center at 717-221-0292 for more details

Thurs., April 9, Art In The Wild Lecture: Nature as the Client by Stacy Levy7:00—8:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., April 11—October 31, Art In The Wild ExhibitDawn to Dusk, NPR

Sat., April 11, Art In The Wild Workshop with Paul Nagle9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m., PR

Sat., April 11, Clean Up Your Earth Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., PR

Sun., April 12, Flower Walk: Dutchman’s Breeches and Trout Lilies1:30 p.m.—3:00 p.m., NPR

Sat., April 18, Girl Scouts-Juniors Environment Matters Badge Workshop10:30 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PwR

Sun., April 19, Creature Feature: Spring Peepers1:00—2:00 p.m., PR

Sat., April 25, Fifteenth Annual Wetlands Festival10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m., NPR

Sun., May 3, Discovery Walk1:00—2:30 p.m., PR

Wed., May 6, Bird Walk: Peak Migration7:30—9:30 a.m., NPR

Sat., May 9, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

Sat., May 9, Brownie Girl Scouts-Wonderful Water Workshop10:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m., PwR

Sun., May 10, Meet a Naturalist: Wildwood’s Wetland Animals1:00—3:00 p.m., PR

Sun., May 10, Flower Walk: Jack in the Pulpits and Other Spring Flowers1:30—3:00 p.m., NPR

Wed., May 13, Stress Relief Walk6:00—7:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., May 16, Bird Walk: Songbirds8:00—10:00 a.m., NPR

Sun., May 17, Creature Feature: The Honey Bee1:00—2:00 p.m., PR

Tues., May 19, Outdoor Learning DayTime Slots Available, PR

Tues., May 21, Bike Harrisburg: Greenbelt Bicycle Tour with Historian Dan Deibler6:00—8:00 p.m., PR

Sat., May 23, Outdoor Skills: Wild Edible Plants1:00—2:30 p.m., PR

Sun., May 31, Wild About Art: Flower Pressing 12:30—3:00 p.m., PR

Sat., June 6, Girl Scouts-Brownies Bugs & Hiker Badges Workshop10:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m., PwR

Wed., June 10, Early Morning Bird Walk7:30—9:30 a.m., NPR

Wed., June 10, Stress Relief Walk6:00—7:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., June 10, Saturday Morning Bird Walk8:00—10:00 a.m., NPR

Sat., June 13, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

Sun., June 14, Flower Walk: Peak of Blooming10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m., NPR

Mon., June 15 to Fri., June 19-FULLWildwood Way Day Camp (ages 7-9)9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Tues., June 23 to Thurs., June 25Nature Explorers Day Camp (ages 5-6)9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m., PR

Mon., July 6 to Fri., July 10Junior Naturalist Day Camp (ages 10-11)9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Mon., July 20 to Fri., July 24Outdoor Week (ages 12-14)9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Tues., July 28 to Fri., July 31NEW! Science Series Camp (ages 10-15)9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m., PR

Mon, August 3 to Fri., August 7-FULLPhoto Boot Camp (ages 10-16)9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR through www.hcckids.org

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Volunteer News

Call For Volunteers

Last year, Wildwood Park volunteers logged in 6,902 hours of work in the areas of trail maintenance, events, board duties, front desk and education.

There are several ways in which volunteers can help out in the Park. Contact Sandy Lockerman at 717-221-0292, ext. 4. for more information.

• Volunteer Work Days-second Saturday of the month; March through November; 10:00 a.m.— 1:00 p.m.; a variety of projects depending on the season.

• Trail Trimmers-twice a month; monitor a section of trail and trim vegetation.

• Wetlands Festival-Saturday, April 25; 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.; assist with various duties during this great spring event.

• Celebrate Wildwood-Sunday, September 27; 12:00—4:00 p.m.; assist with various duties during this fun fall event.

National Volunteer Week is April 12—18, 2015. A big thank you to all the volunteers for their loyal, continuing support.

Wildwood Lake Feasibility Study Under WayContinued from Page 4

Other exciting projects Friends of Wildwood are actively supporting include:

• Ongoing repair and improvements to Wildwood’s trails and bridges to insure the safety and enjoyment of all the site’s visitors. Current projects include: reinforcing and rebuilding the failing bridge at Fox Run and Wildwood Way Trail and completing Wildwood Way Trail in front of the Nature Center;

• An annual outdoor public art installation project ‘Art In The Wild’ open to anyone wishing to apply;

• A long-term turtle research initiative which gathers, tags and releases Wildwood’s turtles for ongoing monitoring and study. To date, 288 turtles have been tagged for study;

• Special event days including Celebrate Wildwood and Wetlands Festival;

• An annual ‘Photo Contest’ that focuses on Wildwood’s wetlands, habitat, flora and fauna, and conveys the conservation values of the Park;

• Environmental Educational programming that reaches 15,000 individuals annually;

• Eleven years of the popular Winter Lecture Series enhancing lifelong learning opportunities.

Go Green Sign up for an E-newsletter

A Word from Wildwood can be sent electronically to Friends of Wildwood members. Contact the editor

at slockerman@dauphinc.org.

Help save paper and $! Go Green!

Save the Date: Volunteer Picnic

Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Time: 5-8 PM (5-6 PM Social Hour & 6 PM Meal) Location: Olewine Pavilion Guest Chefs: Dauphin County Commissioners

More details to come!

Friends of Wildwood Membership Application

New Membership Renewal Membership

Name__________________________________________

Address________________________________________

City___________________________________________

State and Zip Code _______________

Telephone ______________________________________

Email Address ___________________________________

Make checks payable to: Friends of Wildwood 100 Wildwood Way

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Or

Sign up to use PayPal at www.wildwoodlake.org

Questions about the Friends of Wildwood or Wildwood Park can be directed to friendsofww@wildwoodlake.org

Membership Category (please check one)

$15.00 Student Membership

Student Membership: School _____________Grade ______

$35.00 Individual Membership

$50.00 Family Membership

Family Membership: Please list the family members’ names and dependent children’s ages.

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

$100.00 Supporting Membership

$500.00 Business Membership

I would like to contribute additional funding in the amount of $ _______________ to help support Wildwood Park.

Membership Benefits Your membership supports the ongoing environ-mental education programs and conservation efforts of Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center.

Membership includes the following:

• 10% discount off Nature Shop purchases

• Subscription to A Word from Wildwood quarterly newsletter

• Invitations to special programs or activities “For Members Only”

• Reciprocal membership in more than 125 nature centers throughout the country that participate in the Association of Nature Center Administrators program

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The Friends of Wildwood Lake Nature Center, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization listed with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations, and incorporated within the Commonwealth of PA. It is an advocate for Wildwood Park through preservation, education and financial support.

Membership Benefits Your membership supports the ongoing environ-mental education programs and conservation efforts of Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center.

Membership includes the following: A special Friends newsletter giving you news and notice of upcoming events. 10% discount at our Nature Shop, including nature books for children and adults, toys, jewelry, cards and other great gifts. Reciprocal membership and admission in selected nature centers around the U.S. The reciprocal mem-bership list can be found at www.natctr.org - Recip-rocal Memberships. Invitation to members-only programs and activ-ities.

Successful Trout Unlimited Fly-tying Class Held At Wildwood Park

The Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Wildwood Park joined together this past winter to offer an 8-week introductory fly-tying class. The participants

(4 children and 8 adults) received one-on-one instruction from Rick LaTournous and his crew of volunteer instructors.

Starter kits donated by Trout Unlimited consisted of pliers, vise, whip finisher, bobbins, bobbin threader, and other essential equipment.

Each week, participants learned how to make flies for attracting various fish species. Some of the flies tied included San Juan worm, metallic caddis, Griffith’s gnat, wooly bugger and pheasant-tailed nymph.

Friends of Wildwood100 Wildwood WayHarrisburg, PA 17110(717) 221-0292www.wildwoodlake.org

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHARRISBURG PAPERMIT NO. 533

30% Recycled post-consumer fiber

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Spring programs!

Clean Up Your Earth Day

Saturday, April 11 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Art In The Wild Exhibit Opens

Saturday, April 11

Wetlands Festival

Saturday, April 25 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.