One Pennsylvania champion of nature to be well aware of is the famous conservationist, marine biologist and writer Rachel Carson, from Springdale near Pittsburg. Through meticulous research, she wrote the influential book Silent Spring in 1962, which called attention to the overuse of industrial chemicals like DDT and their harmful effects on the environment. Among the many reasons to be thankful to Rachel Carson over the last 50 years, is that the Bald Eagle has made a recovery from endangered to threatened status on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species list.

A father and son team of naturalists, John Bartram and his son, William Bartram, were both botanists from the Philadelphia area. Young William accompanied his father on many extended trips from New York to Florida in the early 1700's. Both of these Bartrams are known for their extensive collections and illustrations of plants found on their journeys. A piece of the history of this land, like the Franklinia tree that was planted at Strawberry Hill, may have been lost without the carefully recorded observations made by these early botanists.

The well-known John James Audubon, after whom the National Audubon Society is named, traveled in 1803 from abroad to live at his father's farm at Mill Grove, in what is now Audubon, Pennsylvania, near Valley Forge. Audubon became a world renowned ornithologist and painter of the birds of North America; his paintings were recognized for placing the birds as found in their natural habitats. Our own local chapter of the national organization that was started in 1905, is the South Mountain Audubon Society, which continues to meet regularly and welcomes new and returning participants.

Out of Mifflin County came Joseph T. Rothrock, considered the "Father of Forestry" in Pennsylvania. The long walks through the forests of his childhood became the foundation from which he later worked to protect and establish restorative measures for the ravages of forestry that were common during his time, and from which even his own family prospered. With thanks to Rothrock, many acres of land were acquired as the beginnings of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests.

These are just a few of many advocates of nature from Pennsylvania, most of whom, in their youth, had support from their families to enjoy and respect their surroundings. The seeds that were planted allowed them to flourish into great naturalists and to create measures that would later allow for the protection and preservation of the natural world they so cherished.

To learn more about how and why to expose your child, and yourself, to the wonders of nature, join Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve for a viewing of the film "Mother Nature's Child" on Friday, January 20th at the Ragged Edge Coffee House in Gettysburg from 7:00-9:00 PM.