Habitat Advocate: Lepidoptera ID & Host Plants

If you build it, they will come! Once your #homegrownhabitat is in the ground and thriving, the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) will come to dine on your biodiversity buffet. Students in this course will learn the key attributes of several species of Lepidoptera in this ecoregion and the Host Plants they need to complete their life cycles.

Your Presenters

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.

Keith Williams is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Lancaster Conservancy.

Keith is an environmental educator, naturalist, writer and photographer. He has a BS in Environmental Biology from Kutztown University and MS in Ecological Teaching and Learning from the Lesley University Audubon Expedition Institute. Keith was the founding Director of Education and is the past Executive Director of the NorthBay Education Foundation, one of the largest outdoor education programs in the US. He has served on the National Social Emotional Learning in Environmental Education Working Group, was appointed to the Maryland Governors Environmental Literacy Committee, and served on the Board of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education for 12 years.

About Registration Options

The Conservancy does not want financial barriers to keep our community from being able to expand their knowledge about native plants and ecological gardening. People registering for the class can choose between three ticket options, “Reduced Cost”, “At Cost”, and “Pay It Forward” (which helps cover the cost of those looking to attend the program at the “Reduced Cost”). If the “Reduced Cost” ticket rate still presents a barrier to attending these classes or completing the certificate program, please reach out to Keith Williams at KWilliams@lancasterconservancy.org to discuss options.

About this Class

Note, you must have taken the prerequisite “Habitat Advocates: Building Biodiversity in our Community” prior to taking this course. This prerequisite is offered monthly as part of the Habitat Advocate Class Series. 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.

This class will be held rain or shine with cancellations for severe inclement weather made 24 hours in advance.

This project was made possible by the Lancaster Clean Water Partners and the Lancaster County Community Foundation through the Lancaster Clean Water Fund.

Photo: Elyse Jurgen