Lancaster Conservancy Events

Join Felipe Benitez to learn about his work in engaging Latino communities in Climate Action.

About this Event

The land preservation mission of the Lancaster Conservancy does more than protect land from development. Forested lands are part of climate change solutions and preserve local biodiversity. In order to fully accomplish land protection and conservation goals, we need to engage all communities.

About the Presenter

Felipe Benitez, Principal of Benitez Strategies and Founder and Executive Director of Corazón Latino, has more than 15 years of experience engaging and empowering Latino communities in conservation, environmental justice, civic engagement, and economic justice issues. He has worked on a vast range of such campaigns – from protecting the Amazon rainforest to protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Through his work at Corazón Latino he has led the implementation of culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate conservation initiatives in 20+ states as well as Puerto Rico.

In this session, Felipe will share methodologies, case studies, insights, and anecdotes from almost two decades of his work mobilizing Latino communities to enjoy, care for, and protect our Mother Earth (Madre Tierra).

About this Event

In this talk, Dr Yichao Rui of Rodale Institute will holistically introduce the origin, principles, and implementation of regenerative agriculture, and why it is a powerful solution to some of the most critical challenges that human beings are facing: climate change, food security, and health crisis.

About the Presenter

Dr. Yichao Rui is a soil scientist at Rodale Institute. He oversees soil health research, supporting all short- and long-term projects at Rodale Institute. He also leads outreach initiatives to educate the public on the benefits of improving soil health. Yichao holds a B.S. in Biology from Nankai University (China) and Ph.D. degrees in Microbial Ecology and Soil Science from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Griffith University (Australia). Before joining Rodale Institute, Yichao worked in the University of Western Australia and the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a variety of projects evaluating the impacts of climate change, land use, and management strategies on soil organic matter stability, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity. He is particularly interested in understanding the responses of soil microbial-regulated carbon and nitrogen cycles to climate change and land use. Identifying better management practices to improve environmental sustainability and resilience is the ultimate goal of his research.

About Nature Hour

Nature Hour is a new virtual lecture series by Lancaster Conservancy that will be taking place every other Wednesday . To find out about other events in the series please follow this link: www.lancasterconservancy.org/events/

With consideration for the restrictions around COVID-19 and the safety of everyone, the Conservancy is excited to expand our educational outreach using technology to feature presentations and lectures from some of our favorite local and regional experts.

How to Participate

Registration is required. Attendees will receive an e-mail with a link to access the presentation via Zoom the day of the event. Conservancy staff will be on hand starting at 5:50pm prior to each lecture to answer your questions and help you familiarize yourself with how Zoom works

About this Event

Hoarded by queens, warred over by competitors, and loved by native peoples—the oyster has a complicated story. Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to learn about the sordid past and optimistic future of the oyster. Together we will uncover why oysters are so important to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and how this seemingly nondescript animal holds a connection to our communities in Pennsylvania.

About the Presenters: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Environmental Educators

Kathlean Davis
Kathlean currently manages Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s canoe program, teaching students about the tidal portions of the Virginia rivers. She has gathered experience teaching in various remote areas of the Chesapeake Bay and in Honduras. She has a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Sustainability from the University of Mary Washington. Kathlean is also a talented artist, often incorporating art into her field curriculum.

Jessie Marsh
Jessie lives and teaches on Smith Island, an island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay where he works as an environmental educator at CBF’s residential centers. He is a U. S. Coast Guard certified captain, a former waterman and serves as an Executive Committee Member of Smith Island United, community organization dedicated to the preservation of Smith Island, its people, culture, and natural beauty. Jessie is an excellent chef and enjoys cooking seafood from the Bay.

Doug Walters
Doug manages Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s canoe program, providing authentic on the water experiences for students on rivers throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Pennsylvania. He has extensive experience in teaching on bay islands, various outdoor schools and nature centers. Doug holds a B.A. in Environmental Science from Shepherd University and is an avid hiker, particularly on the Appalachian Trail.

Liz Glaston
Liz leads the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s restoration program, facilitating student action throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Pennsylvania. She has served as Watershed Ambassador/Educator for AmeriCorps and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Liz has also worked as an Environmental Scientist for TRC Environmental in New Jersey. She holds a B.S. in Ecology from Susquehanna University. Liz is dedicated to planting trees to increase riparian buffer zones in critical area of Pennsylvania with her students.

Kassie Fenn
Kassie is the Pennsylvania Student Leadership & Educator Coordinator, providing opportunities in conservation leadership for high school students throughout Pennsylvania. She brings classroom experience as well as outdoor environmental education experience to her role at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. She holds an M.S. in Education from The College of Saint Rose and a B.A. in Environmental Studies, SUNY Plattsburgh. Kassie loves camping with her canine buddy, Maya.

About Nature Hour

Nature Hour is a new virtual lecture series by Lancaster Conservancy that will be taking place every other Wednesday. To find out about other events in the series please follow this link: www.lancasterconservancy.org/events/

With consideration for the restrictions around COVID-19 and the safety of everyone, the Conservancy is excited to expand our educational outreach using technology to feature presentations and lectures from some of our favorite local and regional experts.

How to Participate

Registration is required. Attendees will receive an e-mail with a link to access the presentation via Zoom the day of the event. Conservancy staff will be on hand starting at 5:50pm prior to each lecture to answer your questions and help you familiarize yourself with how Zoom works.