York Wildlands: Get Your Elevation On

The steep ravine landscapes that make up the York Wildlands and the Susquehanna Riverlands are the “keepers” of biodiversity. The stream valleys in the Riverlands are steeper (and faster) at their mouths, rather than broad and slow, which make them conservation hotspots. Join environmental historian and naturalist Peggy Eppig as we explore three of Lancaster Conservancy’s York County preserves along the steep western shore of the Susquehanna River. Understand how conservation science and stewardship combine to protect some of our region’s wildest landscapes while gawking at some really old forest, enjoying (ancient) oceanfront and sea bottom, and discovering a newfound appreciation for your hiking poles while navigating steep-creek trails. We’ll explore the Otter Creek, Hellam Hills, and Wizard Ranch Preserves with an eye for natural history and ways you can enjoy the Susquehanna Riverlands wilder side!

Your Presenter

Peggy Eppig has worked across three park systems in South Carolina, Maryland, and Vermont in park administration and interpretation. In this work, she helped conduct site surveys, natural and historical asset inventories, and designed educational and experiential programs for the public based on those important findings. Interpretative education is key to building public knowledge and understanding of landscape ecology and conservation history and helps build an engaged community for the care and stewardship of these lands.

With 40 years in education, both with parks and institutions like Goucher College in Baltimore and Antioch University New England in New Hampshire, Dr. Eppig has developed and taught courses in climate change education, sustainability in environmental management, and environmental history. She holds a doctorate in environmental history and has an ongoing research program in environmental pilgrimage which explores sacred geographies and the American landscape.

She is an avid hiker and long-distance walker, activities that help hone skills for reading landscapes and deciphering landscape histories. She is a landscape painter and teaches natural journaling and natural history illustration. In her work with the Lancaster Conservancy as educator, she leads hikes on many preserves and helps facilitate outdoor learning experiences for families and adults.

About Nature Hour

Nature Hour is a virtual lecture series by Lancaster Conservancy, taking place on Wednesdays throughout fall, winter, and spring. To find out about other events in the series please follow this link: www.lancasterconservancy.org/events/

The Conservancy is excited to expand our educational outreach online 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.