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The next generation of environmental protectors

This issue of Conservation Corner will focus on supporting the next generation of 

environmental protectors. The Lebanon Valley’s valuable natural resources are at risk as the climate continues to change and rapidly shrinking open space faces increased development pressures. Providing educational and volunteer opportunities to young adults beginning their collegiate years will be critical in preparing the next generation of environmental professionals to meet these challenges.


Your continued support will allow TLVC to offer volunteer opportunities, FREE student memberships, scholarships, and internships, all of which will help preserve at risk environmental resources for future generations. Thank you!

-Kara Lubold, Executive Director

Donate to The Lebanon Valley Conservancy
Become a Member!

Light scholarship recipient update

Jamie Kantorczyk was awarded the Light scholarship in 2020 in her senior year at Palmyra Area High School. Last month, she emailed the scholarship committee with the following update:


I am currently pursuing my Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering at Penn State and have plans to graduate early in December 2023. Last summer I interned with Procter and Gamble in Oxnard, CA, as a process engineer for Bounty and Charmin. Next summer, I will be interning with Procter and Gamble again, with Gillette in Boston, MA.


I also will be going to Kenya this summer to launch a startup company I am a cofounder of, Chirp Alert. It is an app that fact checks and performs crowdsourcing in corrupt communities and governments. I have been working in the Thomas Richard lab here at Penn State. It is a bioreactor lab that synthesizes renewable energy from anaerobic digestion of grasses. I am also active in my sorority, Sigma Kappa, and recently became a Pi Chi where I assist freshman in joining sororities. Despite choosing the path of biomedical engineering, I have found that humanitarian engineering in general will most likely be prevalent in my future.



Thanks for the update, Jamie! We know you will continue to do great things!

2023 Summer Internship announcement: Quittapahilla Watershed Association

The Snow Goose Migration - see it soon!

There are still snow geese to see at Middle Creek, but numbers are starting to drop as the birds continue their migration north (a little earlier than past years). Take the Willow Point trail early in the morning or at dusk to get the best view of the snow geese. The Middle Creek Visitors Center and Conservation Heritage Museum opened earlier this month and the interior tour road will open on March 1.


According to Audubon, "In 2010, Middle Creek was designated as a Globally Significant Important Bird Area, based on hosting a large percentage of the world's population of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese." The large shallow lake at Middle Creek provides a safe habitat for the water fowl and the surrounding fields provide food for the birds as they migrate through the area. TLVC is proud to be part of the Middle Creek Initiative, supporting these crucial resting and feeding areas and sharing their importance with the community.


The PA Game Commission has a live camera set up to watch the snow geese and up-to-date tracking for the various waterfowl. view the live stream | snow goose & waterfowl migration update

Webinar on Snow Goose Migration at Middle Creek

Check out these other

live cameras from

DCNR & DEP


DCNR Bears From Under the Deck (pa.gov)


DCNR Eagles Live Streaming Bald Eagle Nest Cam Hanover, PA

(HDOnTap.com)


DEP Falcons Falcon Wire (pa.gov)

Conservancy Connections

Meet the Welches | Board Members

Pat and June joined the TLVC Board this past fall. They are longtime residents of Lebanon County, originally from State College, and raised their family in the South Annville area. Pat is a newly retired family physician, and both have been active volunteers in the community.


What inspired your interest in nature? Being from State College, Pat was surrounded by the beauty of that valley. Being a fly fisherman, he’s always been inspired by the ever-changing landscape of PA streams from early spring to late fall. June grew up with three older brothers in an active outdoor family that enjoyed hiking, fishing, biking, swimming in local streams, skiing, etc., which afforded all that nature had to offer. 


Where is your favorite outdoor spot in Lebanon County? As avid birders, one of our favorite outdoor spots is Middlecreek where we look forward to the return of the snow geese and tundra swans each spring. A hidden gem is the Quittie Creek Nature Park which is close to our home and provides a spot of tranquility and is a testament to what conservancy can accomplish. We enjoy riding the rails to trails on nice days. And, in all honesty, our favorite outdoor spot is the beauty of our own back yard.


What can Lebanon community members do to protect land in Lebanon County?

We’d encourage Lebanon community members to get involved with our organization TLVC, and other local environmental groups such as Trout Unlimited, PennFuture, Conservation Voters of PA, among others. They could attend local township meetings to keep abreast of plans for land usage. We’d urge residents to reach out to local and state representatives with concerns and ideas for any upcoming legislation that would have environmental impact in our county. And to always keep in mind to be good stewards of the land. As Woody Guthrie sang, ‘This land is your land, this land is my land.’

Environmental scholarship: 2023

The 2023 Richard H. and Karen R. Light Memorial Scholarship is now open! The $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a local student who plans to pursue a career in environmental sciences.


TLVC awards this scholarship to a student each spring, in memory of Richard and Karen Light, who were active environmentalists in the Lebanon Valley. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who resides in the Lebanon Valley and is pursuing a degree in conservation, ecology, natural resources, wildlife management, water resources management or environmental sciences. Additional guidelines at link below, deadline is March 24, 2023.


view scholarship info and apply

Save the date to golf with us!

Save the date for the Conservancy’s golf tournament on August 28. The tournament will take place at Lebanon Country Club. Registration starts at 10 am, lunch is at 11 am, shotgun start 12 pm. We'll share more info as soon as it's available! Click here to view our event page and be added to our golf tournament interest list

We're grateful for the response of donations, memberships, volunteers and sponsors! Your support makes it possible for us to work with landowners to save their land from development and to give back to our community by developing parks and providing educational opportunities. Thank you! - Kara & Courtney


Thanks to our newest members and renewing members

for caring about our local environment!


Todd Dellinger | Dr. John Kearney | Stony Creek Valley Coalition |

Sheila Wartluft - and thanks to Suburban Propane for the employee match!


Are you a member? Consider joining us and helping with our mission in the Lebanon Valley. Individual memberships are $100, business memberships start at $1,000, and student memberships are FREE! View our membership brochure.


Kara Lubold, Executive Director | Courtney Reimann, Land Protection Director

News Links

What the duck? Rare bird from Europe and Asia spotted at Lebanon landfill: LebTown

Exercising is good for the brain but exercising outside is potentially better: Scientific Reports

EPA Launched New Environmental Justice Tool: Environmental Professionals Connection

Ten Remarkable New Plants and Fungi Discovered in 2022: YaleEnvironment360

Green cooling tech is based on the idea of salt melting ice: Anthropocene

At Home in the Cold: An Intro to the World of Winter Birds: American Bird Conservancy

WOTUS Update: EPA Releases Highly Anticipated Final Rule to Redefine "Waters of the U.S.": Environmental Professionals Connection


Activities & Resources

• Jan 11 - March 8 (Wednesdays 7-8:30 pm): Penn State Extension hosts 9-part webinar series "Woods in Your Backyard." Registration required, cost $50, includes book

• Feb 17-20 Great Backyard Bird Count: National Audubon Society

• Feb 23, 7-8:00 pm The Susquehannocks: Land, Identity & Regional History: Manada Conservancy

The Lebanon County Conservation District Annual Tree & Plant Sale

March 8 (orders & payment due); April 7, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (pickup at Lebanon Valley Expo Center)

Volunteer to help stock trout with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Middle Creek celebrates 50 years with full year of activities and challenges: LebTown

• Local group focused on the natural beauty and enjoyment of Governor Dick: Friends of Governor Dick

• Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for status on PA conservation efforts

 Enjoy the great outdoors! Info at Visit Lebanon Valley and follow our Facebook page for ideas/videos. Visit the park's website prior to venturing out for up-to-date visitor information/guidelines.

February 2023 | www.TLVC.org | 717.273.6400 | DONATE


The Lebanon Valley Conservancy works to protect the cultural, historical and environmental resources

of our region. We are committed to collaborating with our community to ensure equitable access

to all of these resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

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