Habitat Advocate: Lepidoptera ID & Host Plants

Did you know that when you view a diverse open meadow, you’re unknowingly watching thousands of complex relationships play out on a tiny scale? Our pollinators are a crucial cog in our ecosystem, though much of their life cycle goes unseen by the naked eye. There is a great variety of pollinators, from our larger lacy-winged moths and butterflies to tiny hardworking native bees and flower flies. Come take a closer view at the secret life of our native (and non-native) pollinators and plants in one of Lancaster’s native plant meadows as we identify Lepidoptera and more in the field and learn about lesser-known plant-pollinator relationships.

Participants will take home a copy of the Xerces Society resource book, “Habitat Planning for Beneficial Insects.”

The Lancaster Conservancy has protected over 11,000 acres of natural lands, which are critically important to supporting biodiversity. Smaller patches of native habitats spread throughout urban landscapes are also essential to creating corridors of habitat – food and refuge – for wildlife.

Where to Meet: Please note that this class will meet at Muhlenberg Meadow at Lancaster County Central Park, 548 Golf Road, Lancaster, PA

The cost of the Habitat Advocate classes covers instructor fees. If the cost of this class is prohibitive, please reach out to Keith Williams, VP of Engagement and Education, at [email protected].

Sophia Gilbart is a Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist working out of York and Lancaster counties. She graduated from McDaniel College in Maryland with a degree in biology and acted as a Grassland Plant Ecology intern at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia before returning to Pennsylvania to work with Pheasants Forever. She developed a passion for pollinators during her undergraduate research at McDaniel while studying plant-pollinator interactions in the experimental meadow at McDaniel Environmental Center.

Note, you must have taken the prerequisite “Habitat Advocate: Building Biodiversity in our Community” prior to taking this course. Learn more about Habitat Advocate classes and certification .

Attendees ages 16 and over are invited but must be accompanied by an adult if younger than 18.

Refund Policy: If you are unable to attend this event after purchasing a ticket, refund requests must be made at least two weeks before the event.

Cancellation Policy: This event will be held rain or shine, with cancellation a day in advance for severe weather. If the Conservancy reschedules the event, attendees will be emailed and tickets will be automatically moved to the new date. If the Conservancy cancels the event, attendees will be notified via email and refunded.

Photo: Elyse Jurgen of Waxwing EcoWorks Co.

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Host or Publisher Lancaster Conservancy