Habitat Advocate: Site Assessment 101 - Sit-Spots to Soil Analysis

Building observation skills is essential in building biodiversity in our landscapes. In this class, we will learn about the 5 E’s of Ecological Gardening and will conduct a site analysis. Expand your reach by applying these newly acquired observation skills of hydrology, sun/shade analysis, circulation, and more in your home landscape or in community project space!

The Lancaster Conservancy has protected over 10,000 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. This is why we are offering our fall 2024 Habitat Advocate Certification program at Tec Centro in Lancaster City.

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].

Elyse Jurgen, owner of Waxwing EcoWorks Co., is a community collaborator working to rebuild ecological literacy and biodiversity through hands-on ecological gardening experiences in South Central PA. She is certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional and Ecological/Permaculture Designer, along with earning an Ecological Gardening Certification from Mt. Cuba Center. She has a master’s degree in Environmental Education, 7-12 Biology Teaching Certification, and participated in Cornell University’s Civic Ecology program.

Elyse works alongside homeowners in a participatory approach to their gardening for wildlife needs, infusing educational opportunities during the design, installation, and stewarding process. She invites homeowners to deeply engage with their land to maximize its potential in enhancing human well-being and supporting dwindling wildlife populations.

Linda Ferich retired from a career in emergency and occupational health nursing in 2013 and became a PA Master Naturalist. She coordinates the Lancaster Conservancy’s Community Wildlife Habitat program, a partnership with National Wildlife Federation. Through this program, Lancaster County has become the first county in PA to become a certified NWF Community Wildlife Habitat.

Linda enjoys doing property assessments to teach how to develop habitat and control stormwater. Linda studies native plants and designs ecological gardens as a certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional and student of Mt. Cuba Center’s Ecological Gardening program. She and a few conservation-minded friends formed the Lancaster Native Plant Alliance, a chapter of PA Native Plant Society. The alliance promotes the use of native plants in all landscape settings through collaboration, education, and advocacy.

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 for severe weather made at the time of the event. 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 when possible and refunded.

Photo: Simone Collins Landscape Architecture

Host or Publisher Lancaster Conservancy