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PVAS Monthly Program: Nature’s Classroom: The Legacy of Hog Island

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society welcomes Laurel Schwartz, PVAS’s Watershed Coordinator and Camp Director!

PVMN Continuing Education Eligible

This in-person program is free and open to the public.  All ages are welcome to attend.

PARKING: Both Shepherdstown City parking and Shepherd University Campus parking are available.

  • A map of city parking is here. Meters are not enforced after 6 pm. Spots along High Street are recommended.
  • A map of campus parking is here. You may park in any of the Red lots. C and A are closest to the Byrd Center. Part of B lot is gated, but you may park in any spots near the Facilities building that are not behind the gate.

SCHEDULE

  • 6:30 PM: Social time with light refreshments. In order to reduce waste, we are asking that people bring their own mugs. 
  • 7:00 PM: Presentation begins!
  • 8:00 PM: Approximate end of the program – though it may last longer depending on questions and discussion!

We will also be offering this program virtually! Here is the Zoom link so you can join in from home.  If you are not able to attend live, in-person or virtually, you can view a recording of the Monthly Program presentation later! We typically post the recording within several days.

Presentation Description –

After a recent trip to National Audubon’s Hog Island Audubon Camp on the coast of Maine, PVAS staff member, Laurel Schwartz, is eager to share all about her experience at Educator’s Week. Join us to learn about Hog Island’s rich history, the inspiring Atlantic Puffin conservation story, and the camp’s ongoing legacy of sharing nature with teachers. Hog Island has been an anchor in the lives and careers of many environmental educators through the ages. During this presentation, Laurel will share her plans to engage local students and campers in new and exciting ways and some of her most memorable takeaways from the camp week.

About the Presenter:

Laurel Schwartz is a PVAS Program Specialist. Since September 2021, she has managed PVAS’s 4th Grade Watershed Program. Additionally, she is the Audubon Discovery Camp Director.

Laurel is a lifelong Jefferson County resident and Shepherd University graduate.  She graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Sustainable Resource Management. During the summers between the school year, she worked as a seasonal Park Ranger for both the National Park Service, at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and the Army Corps of Engineers, at Loyalhanna Lake Recreation Area. After graduation, Laurel served an AmeriCorps year (2019-2020) with us as an Environmental Educator.  Through this role, she fell in love with youth education and nature interpretation. After her AmeriCorps year, Laurel worked for Virginia Tech as a Soil Science Research Associate and a Jefferson County Substitute Teacher.

In her free time, Laurel can be found hiking, spending time with her dogs, relaxing in a hammock, or in the kitchen trying out new recipes.

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