Jan Program 2025

Join us at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) located at 301 Peninsula Drive on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. in Room 112. Our host, The Regional Science Consortium, a non-profit organization, will speak to us about its mission to promote and enhance our knowledge and understanding of the Lake Erie and Ohio River basins' ecosystems through research and education.

Jeanette L. Schnars PhD, the Executive Director of the RSC, earned a BS degree in Biology with a minor in Marine Science at Penn State University. Upon completing her degree, she worked for the U.S. Geological Survey researching the sea turtle population at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. She continued her studies at the State University of New York in Buffalo and earned a master's degree in science while researching the migration of sea turtles in Costa Rica. Dr. Schnars went on to complete a PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Science at PSU Erie. Dr. Schnars has served as Executive Director of the RSC since 2007. She continues to conduct research on fisheries, turtles, and bacterial contaminations in Lake Erie.

Our other guest host, Jen Salem, a member of the Regional Science Consortium since 2016, graduated from Edinboro University and taught Horticultural Science at Erie High School. Prior to joining the RSC in 2016 she served as TREC's Native Garden Coordinator. She currently manages the Regional Science Consortium plant lab and greenhouses. Ms. Salem is Director of the Weed Warriors of Presque Isle, a volunteer group that removes invasive plant species from Presque Isle State Park. Ms. Salem, who has a background in greenhouse management, perennial production and landscape design, is also the founder of GoNativeErie, an organization that promotes the use of native plant species.

Plenty of free parking is available at the main entrance to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. You can also visit the Gift Shop and view its wonderful treasures.