Lehman Township - As the Pocono Environmental Education Center (P.E.E.C.) continues to upgrade and enhance its delivery of environmental education Programs, Jim Rienhardt, PEEC’s Executive Director/CEO recently announced that award winning Naturalist and Educator, John Serrao has joined the PEEC staff. John will provide fifteen nature walks and workshops in 2007 and throughout 2008 that will concentrate on various natural history themes and explore locations within the Delaware Water Gap National Rerecreation Area.

Jim commented on the welcome addition to the PEEC family, “PEEC is very fortunate to be able to add John to the PEEC team.  All of John’s programs are made possible through a generous donation by the Litzenberger Family Foundation.  We thank the family for their wonderful financial support and for providing opportunities for more people to better understand the value of our flora and fauna.” 

John’s first free program is scheduled for Sunday, September 9th from 2-4:30 p.m. and will concentrate on the wonderful Reptiles and Amphibians that can be found in the Poconos.  John’s next program, Nature in Transition, will take place on Sunday, October 28th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. This program will highlight the amazing transformations that take place in the fall in the Pocono Mountains.

If you would like to enjoy a nice evening out and learn about the wonders of nature, then join John on Saturday, November 10 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. during the Animals in Winter Dinner & Program.  This entertaining evening is $10 for PEEC members and $15 for non-members and includes a buffet dinner and John’s program. Pre-registration is required for this evening with John Serrao.

When asked about his new position at PEEC, John said, “I am looking forward to expanding my role at PEEC as their naturalist-educator!  I have been conducting nature workshops at PEEC since l987.  Now I will be emphasizing the wonderful natural areas, as well as the specific flora and fauna throughout the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, via a series of field trips and special programs.  Exploring this area around PEEC will hopefully attract many interested people to this great environmental learning center.”

These natural history programs will continue throughout 2008. The Center will announce next year’s calendar of events this fall.

For more information about PEEC, call (570) 828-2319 or visit PEEC on the web at www.peec.org.