Two of nature’s nighttime creatures are being celebrated this month for their contributions to the local ecosystem, and the public is invited to participate.
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National Moth Week
A variety of activities are planned locally for National Moth Week, which takes place from July 20-28.
Moths are an underappreciated type of pollinator that outnumbers butterflies 10 to 1, said Melissa Reckner, a member of the Westmoreland Pollinator Partners. Reckner is also the program manager at Penguin Court in Laughlintown, where several local events are taking place.
“I hope people participate to learn more about moths, so that their perceptions may change,” she said in an email. “The upcoming events are a perfect way to see moths up close and foster an appreciation for them.
“Ultimately, I want people to support all pollinators, but especially moth species, which are an important part of the food web.”
On Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Penguin Court will host its July book club discussion on “Meetings with Moths” by Katty Baird, whose book describes a trip to Scotland where the author searched for and documented various moths across the island.
Leading the discussion will be Reckner and Maureen Tuttle, a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist and retired librarian. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided, or guests can bring their own. Tickets to the book club meeting can be purchased online at the Penguin Court website.
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On Friday, July 26, from 8:30 to 11 p.m., Penguin Court is also hosting a “Mothing Night,” where the public can learn about creating a moth-friendly habitat at home. Experts from the Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector will lead the outdoor activity, setting up “mothing sheets” to attract moths for identification, explaining why moths are important pollinators and sharing tips on how to attract moths at home. This activity is limited to 30 participants and all ages are welcome, but children must be supervised by an adult. Tickets for the Mothing Night activity can be purchased at the Penguin Court website.
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier is planning a similar Moth Night on Aug. 17, from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Reservations for that event can be made at the museum’s website.
Frog Week
Frogs and toads are also often overlooked for their contributions to the environment, but Aaron Capouellez, founder and president of Pennsylvania Woods and Forests, is working to change that through an annual “Frog Week” media series offered on YouTube and social media.
This year’s “Frog Week” series of videos, podcast interviews and in-person educational programs will be released from July 29 to Aug. 5 through Woods and Forests Media, the nonprofit organization’s media brand.
The videos show work that Capouellez and other Pennsylvania Woods and Forests volunteers were doing from February and July to both identify and preserve frog habitats in a seven-county area, including Somerset.
“Part of the goal of Frog Week is to uncover where some of these species still exist,” Capouellez said, adding that the mission also means rescuing frogs, toads and other amphibians from busy roadways and saving endangered tadpoles, which are then raised in school classrooms and released back into their natural environment.
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He also must be careful not to divulge exactly where the amphibians’ habitats are to protect them from people who would take them out of their environment for harmful reasons.
“Our work focuses on environmental stewardship, education, conservation and hands-on activity. We want people to care about these animals,” he said.
The Woods and Forests media playlist also includes videos featuring ambassador amphibians Ace and Wellsboro, and posts on animal care and frog conservation.
In addition to the series of media presentations posted online, Frog Week activities will include a Frog Walk from 8:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. July 31 at Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 PA-381 in Rector, near Ligonier. Capouellez will lead participants in a sunset walk around the reserve to listen for and identify the types of frogs living on the property and how they are important to the ecosystem. All ages are welcome to attend, but children must be accompanied by an adult. People can register for the Frog Walk at the Powdermill Nature Reserve website.
Through the Pennsylvania Woods and Forests nonprofit organization, Capouellez offers “Critter Talks” to schools, libraries, church groups, nursing homes and other groups who are interested in learning more about amphibians and the organization’s conservation efforts. Information on that program is available on its website.
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