BENEZETTE — The Keystone Elk Country Alliance's conservation education program will reach a major milestone in the coming weeks.
Since taking the job six years ago, Conservation Education Coordinator Ben Pocolove has made it his goal to provide educational programs to students in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, and he hopes to accomplish that goal by the end of March. He said he plans to do so.
Some classes will be taught remotely via the Zoom platform, some will be held at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, and other classes will have KECA instructors providing hands-on instructional support, Pocolove said. He will visit various places for this purpose.
According to the experienceelkcountry.com website, ECVC staff hosts school groups, youth and adult groups, and even civic groups. These conservation education programs educate people of all ages about “elk and other wildlife, the area's natural history, and conservation in general.”
“Last year, we taught more than 38,000 people,” Porcolove said.
Distance learning through KECA began in 2013 and saw increased demand during and after the pandemic.
KECA's “unparalleled distance learning experience has positively impacted more than 23,000 students across the state,” says experienceelkcountry.com.
KECA's conservation education staff will teach using online video conferencing and green screen technology. Participating schools will receive a “moose trunk” one week before their distance learning session to help them get the most out of their distance learning session.
In 2023, KECA educators taught 4,280 students through distance learning programs.
“We have taught this program in 12 other states,” Porcolove said.
In May 2020, KECA's distance learning program received a Stackpole Hall Foundation grant for the purchase of green screen technology equipment. This allows students to get a “bird's eye view” of the center, elk behavior and ecology, and learn about the “importance of elk.” Habitat and Wildlife Protection,” the website states.
Distance learning allows youth and adults alike who are unable to travel to a center in person to experience elk country and learn about elk and local wildlife from wherever they are.
KECA also provides education in nursing homes, and Porcolove said he travels there from time to time.
Pocolove, who has been a school teacher for 22 years, said he is very proud to say KECA has reached this statewide milestone in conservation education.
Pocolove said he plans to hold distance learning programs at Fulton County public libraries and schools in Sullivan County, the last two counties taken off the list, by the end of March.
ECVC also hosts free weekend programs every Saturday and Sunday with a variety of wildlife themes, including black bears, maple syrup making, hiking, and beaver.
Pocolove said some classes will be coming from “quite a distance” to the center for field trips, noting students from Milton Hershey School are scheduled to visit in May.
Last year, more than 6,000 people visited Moose Country for field trips.
Also worth noting is that KECA will be hosting its 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at ECVC on March 30th at 2 p.m. Eggs are hidden on the grounds and along trails for youth to find. Inside the eggs are various sweets and prizes.
To set up a distance learning session with KECA, please email Porkolab at ConEd@kecaus.com or Conservation Education Specialist Hunter Horning at ConEdSp@kecaus.com.
For more information, visit https:// experienceelkcountry.com/ and follow Keystone Elk Country Alliance on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KeystoneElk CountryAlliance
