lf you enjoy songbirds and nature, you will want to attend the 14″‘Annual Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania’s Conference on April 13th & 14′h, 2012 at the Penn Stater Hotel, State College, PA. This event is open to the public and offers a variety of educational programs and activities. On Friday evening, Ken Leister, State County Coordinator for BSP will host a social. Program topics include “Landscaping for Bluebirds”, “17 Ways to Inspire Others about Bluebird Conservation” and a Show and Tell Demonstration featuring the BEST nest box designs.The Saturday all -day conference event features three guest speakers. Warren Miller, President of the Honey Bee Association of Pennsylvania will share the exciting activity within a bee colony and reasons why these insects are so beneficial to mankind. Thomas Serfass, Professor of Wildlife Ecology Department of Biology and Natural Resources at Frostburg State University will present “Otters, the Present, Past, and Future” and how we can help these beautiful animals survive in Pennsylvania’s waterways. Scott Shalaway from West Virginia, a certified Wildlife Biologist, a Nature Journalist, Author, and Broadcaster hosts a nature-themed radio show in West Virginia and Pittsburgh Pa. Mr. Shalaway’s program is titled “The Whole Story” concerning the natural history of cavity- nesting songbirds. Learn the history and the secrets lives of cavity- nesting birds as they fight for survival in this ever -changing world.There will be vendors, including the Bluebird Society’s Store which will offer bluebird-related and other wildlife items for purchase and a live and silent auction. The Conference Registration fee is $35 per person, which includes Continental Breakfast and Luncheon on Saturday.There is a $5 savings for registrations received by March 15,2012. The Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania is a non-profit, educational organization which serves a vital role in the protection and propagation of the Eastern bluebird. Our members monitor nesting boxes and conduct research related to bluebirds and other cavity-nesting species. Sharing information with the public regarding the importance of providing food sources, habitat, and establishing bluebird trails is important in promoting nesting success. Full details about the BSP volunteer programs, general information about Bluebirds and registration form of the upcoming conference event are all available online at www thebsp.org. Or contact Harry Schmeider at harryschmeider@gmail.com or 724 285 1209

Penn Stater Hotel Conference Center, State College, PA April 1 and 2

View Conference Photo’s at https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=harryschmeider&target=ALBUM&id=5593005637875181185&authkey=Gv1sRgCL2hqI-WjdjdmQE&feat=email

Bird and nature fans are invited to join members of the Bluebird Society of PA for their Annual Bluebird Society of PA Conference on April 1 and 2, 2011 at the Penn Stater Hotel, State College, PA. This event is open to the public and offers an opportunity for families, students, and people of all ages to discover the wonders of birds.

Educational programs at the conference include presentation by the National Aviary of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Penguins in Peril by Steven Sarro, Director of Animals Programs.

Also attending is Jennifer Brackbill, Director of Raptor Programs at the Shavers Creek Environmental Center, an outreach Resource of Penn State. Her program is titled Predatory Cavity Nesters and attendees will learn all about predators in the sky. Ending with a keynote presentation with the world leader in the study, appreciation and conservation of birds is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology from Ithaca, NY with guest speaker Kenyon Widger, Project Assistant of NestWatch, her program is titled Tracking nesting birds with the power of Citizen Science. Attendees will learn how they can interact with Cornell Lab and be a Citizen Scientist Member in helping with conservation efforts with birds.

Meet the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania research person, Mr. Chuck Musser who will share his knowledge and methods of House Sparrow Control and communicate with the representative of the PA Game Commission, who manage and protect the wildlife resources and habitats of Pennsylvania for current and future generations to enjoy. Ask questions to a Panel of Bluebird Trail Masters at the Friday Night Social headed by the 2010 Pennsylvania Bluebirder of the year Mr. Ken Leister. Visit Vendors and the BSP Store with a wide variety of bluebird items for sale. And if that’s not enough! Experience a live auction with a variety of items relating to bluebirds and nature.

The Conference fee is only $35 per person including the Friday Night Social and Continental Breakfast and Luncheon Buffet on Saturday. There is a $5 savings for registrations received by March 15, 2011

The BSP provides a vital link in the protection and propagation of the Eastern Bluebird as well as providing educational activities related to bluebirds, birding and conservation. Members monitor and conduct research related to bluebirds and other cavity-nesting species and their food sources, habitat, and trails.

For more information on Bluebirds, and the BSP or our Conference go to: www.thebsp.org. or Contact Lisa Wheeler 724 222 1311 or law64@hughes.net

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Conference Itinerary Schedule

Friday April 1, 2011 Deans Hall

4pm to 7pm – Vendors Set-up / Vendors may set-up Saturday morning

5pm to 6pm – Registration (Outside Entrance of Deans Hall)

6pm to 7pm – Social Gathering (Cash Bar) Inside Deans Hall

7pm to 9:30 pm – Bluebird Panel (Cash Bar) inside Deans Hall Ask a Panel of Bluebird Trail Masters questions concerning Bluebirds and Trail Monitoring

Saturday April 2, 2011 Deans Hall

Conference Day / All paid guest must display their name tag during the Conference Day

7am to 9am – Registration – Entrance Deans Hall and Continental Breakfast served

9am - Lisa Wheeler’s Opening Remarks / Welcome Guest / Introduces President

9:05am to 9:30am - Annual Membership Meeting, Awards, Budget Approval,

9:30am to 10:30am – Speaker / Mr. Steven J. Sarro – Director of Animal Programs at the Pittsburgh National Aviary / Program titled (Penguins in Peril) see a live Penguin

10:30am to 11am –Break Visiting Vendors

11am to 12pm –Speaker / Jennifer Brackbill –Raptor Program Director at the Shavers Creek Environmental Center a Outreach Resource of Penn State Petersburg, PA 16669 / Program titled (Predatory Cavity Nesters)

12pm to 1pm – Luncheon served in the President’s Hall

1pm to 2:30pm - Live Auction – BSP Fundraiser

2:30pm to 3pm – Break Visiting Vendors

3pm to 4pm - Speaker / Kenyon Widger – Project Assistant NestWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca, NY / Program titled (Tracking Nesting Birds with the power of Citizen Science) Cornell is the leader in the Study, Appreciation and Conservation of Birds. They will also be attending as one of our 6 vendors at the conference.

4pm to 5pm – Nancy Putt and Joan Watroba announcing winners of the Bluebird Quilt, Bluebird Pillow and Wall Hanging and Silent Auction Items

5pm – Lisa Wheeler announcing the winner of a large Bluebird Basket, Conference Coordinator’s closing statement. / Conference Ends

Thank You to our Vendors;

1. James Trail – Wood Carpenter (For the Birds)

2. Chuck Musser BSP Research (Sparrow Solutions)

3. Kenyon Widger Cornell (Citizen Science Project)

4. Linda Frye BSP Board Member (Cavity Nests Display)

5. PA Game Commissioners (Managing wildlife and its habitat for current and future generations)

6. Doris Hoffman BSP Store (Bluebird Clothing, Hats, Books, Mugs, Sparrow Traps, Nest Boxes, and many other Gifts Items for Sale.)  Visit our online store at www.thebsp.org

2010 Annual Bluebird Society of PA Conference

Penn Stater Hotel – 215 Innovation Boulevard, Penn State Pa. 16803

http://www.pshs.psu.edu/pennstater/pshome.asp

Bird and nature fans are invited to join members of the Bluebird Society of PA for Annual Bluebird Society of PA Conference on March 19 and 20, 2010 at the Penn Stater Hotel, State College, PA.  This event is open to the public and offers an opportunity for families, students, and people of all ages to discover the wonders of Bluebirds and other cavity-nesting species.

Educational offerings at the conference include presentation by the BSP President, Harry Schmeider, The Fledgling Experience, Fred Senderoff, Ducks Unlimited and Marcus Schneck,  a nature writer with The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, columnist & Author. Attendees will learn all about bluebirds habits and what is needed to attract bluebirds and other secondary cavity nesters to their backyards, gain practical information about providing food sources for bluebirds and how to deal with bluebird predators and pests. In addition, learn how to help preserve the wonderful waterfowl – the Wood Duck. The conference ends with an illustrated program about nature travel across Pennsylvania.  Vendors offering wildlife items for purchase and informational pamphlets will be present at the conference.

The Conference fee is $35  per person including Continental Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday.

The BSP provides a vital link in the protection and propagation of the Eastern Bluebird as well as providing educational activities related to bluebirds, birding and conservation.  Members monitor and conduct research related to bluebirds, other cavity-nesting species, food sources, habitat, and trails.

For more info on Conference Contact Harry Schmeider  harryschmeider@gmail.com or 724 285 1209 or visit the BSP Website at www.thebsp.org

Holiday Inn Harrisburg/Hershey located in Grantville, PA

Wow! What a Conference it was, I had an awesome time, each day was packed with tours, and speakers,great food,and parties in the evening. Auctions, raffles and awards,meetings,swimming,and much more. I arrived on Wednesday and stayed 4 nights. I met so many people I could never remember all their names. All across the United States and Canada all speaking English, but all with  a different accent of their own. It truly was an awesome experience. All coming together with the same interest, helping bluebirds and all their feathered friends. If you would like to view some photos of the event I have some posted on my website at  ambassadorforthebluebirds.com Click on My Photos,  and enjoy.

Harry Schmeider -  Butler County Pa.

http://www.thebsp.org/NABSconf2009-Current.pdf

Contact person is Kathy Clark, Conference Chair and President of the BSP   717-695 0700  / KCBSP@aol.com