The Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society Presents. . .
Resource Operations
Workshop - 2012
This workshop is designed for parks and recreation field staff, public works maintenance personnel,
natural resource technicians, school maintenance staff, park resource students and park professionals.
October 18th, 2012
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Cabela’s
100 Cabela Drive
Hamburg, PA
Registration:
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Pesticide Credits in Categories 7, 10, 14 and Core Pending Approval
Sponsored by the Park Resource Branch of the PA Recreation & Park Society
in conjunction with KAFMO (Keystone Athletic Field Managers’ Organization) PA Chapter of STMA.
This has been printed with 100% recycled paper.
Speakers
Daniel Barringer
Daniel is the Invasives Management Coordinator for the Media,
Pennsylvania-based Natural Lands Trust. Mr. Barringer has 20
years of land management experience with Natural Lands Trust
and currently manages the 600-acre Crow’s Nest Preserve near
Elverson, PA. Daniel entered the field of natural area management through the field of horticulture. He holds a B.A. in English
from Haverford College, completed an internship at Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and continued his horticultural training at Longwood Gardens. Daniel gives lectures to
garden clubs and environmental groups about the impact and management of invasive plants and has been a speaker and moderator
at the conferences of the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council.
Chris Lessig, CPSI, CPRP
Chris has over twenty years of experience in park maintenance on
both the local and county level. Currently employed in the private
sector, Chris continues to work with local agencies on various
aspects of park maintenance. He has been a Certified Playground
Safety Inspector for 15 years and has taught this course for over
four years. Having worked on both the maintenance and
administration of parks and playgrounds, Chris brings a unique
perspective to the program.
Mike Hopstetter
Mike has over 20 years of experience in the outdoor power equipment business. Before coming to Stihl, Mike worked as a dealership manager, factory product specialist and Territory Manager for
John Deere. At Stihl, Mike serves as a Territory Manager providing trainings, attending trade shows and helping dealers grow their
businesses.
Drew Gilchrist
Drew recently became the SE PA Regional Adviser for the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Previously
Drew worked for the Natural Lands Trust, in various capacities
including Preserve Manager, Assistant Director Stewardship,
Regional Director of Land Protection and most recently, the
Director for the Center of Conservation Landowners. At the Trust,
he managed the protection of 11,700 acres of important natural
areas in eastern Pennsylvania through conservation easement and
fee simple acquisitions and led the organization’s efforts to
provide sound and practical land management advice and
instillation of best management practices for private and public
landowners. As of July 1st of this year, he began work as a private
consultant. Drew has a BS in Geography from Penn State and
attended a Master’s program in Geography and Natural Resource
Management at the University of Wyoming. Drew is also the
President of the PA Association of Conservation Districts.
Brian O’Neill
Brian has a BSBA degree from American University in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation in 1973, Brian’s first job was with
Weeds, Inc. He never left. Weeds, Inc. specializes in weed
control, both contact and herbicide sales. They work throughout
the Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Western states. Brian is a
licensed applicator and a consultant in 25 states. For the past 15
years, Weeds, Inc. has been planting native warm season/cool
season grass and wildflower mixes on various projects throughout
the Mid-Atlantic states. Weeds, Inc. has coordinated with many
corporate clients to help get their facilities Leed Certified by way
of installing low maintenance flora.
Workshop Schedule - Cabela’s
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Track 1 - Chain Saw Applications Training
Mike Hopstetter, Northeast STIHL, Territory Manager
This course is designed for participants from all experience
levels. Topics include: Chain Saw Maintenance, Inspection
of the Safety Features of the Saw, Proper Chain
Sharpening, Personal Protective Equipment, Falling Techniques and Proper Fuel Usage.
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this workshop,
you will have a better understanding of chain saw safety
and techniques to help establish a working plan regarding
chain saw applications.
Track 2 - Playground Maintenance
Chris Lessig, CPSI, CPRP
This two-part workshop will introduce participants to the
various aspects of playground maintenance. The afternoon
field exercise will examine a local playground to examine
the playground
structures.
Learning Outcomes: Safety Surfacing, Audits &
Inspections, Risk Control Overview, Playground Maintenance, Playground Hazards & Priorities, Commonly Found
Playground Hazards
Track 3 - Recertification
(PDA credits: 7, 10, 14 & core pending approval)
9:30 am “Managing Invasive Plants for Parks”
Daniel Barringer, Natural Lands Trust
Parks are not fully protected unless they also are
managed for the natural features that first
motivated preservation. Invasive plants can change
community structure, composition and ecosystem
processes on these lands in ways that may not be
anticipated or desirable. Active management can
minimize these negative impacts. Learn how your
staff and volunteers can approach the problem of
invasive plants.
10:30 am “Meadows 101”
Drew Gilchrist, DCNR
Large areas of mowed turf in parks and storm
water basins are a fact of life for many parts of
Pennsylvania. This session will focus on strategies
and techniques for creating meadows to enhance
green parks while at the same time reducing
maintenance and staff costs, improving wildlife
habitat, improving groundwater infiltration and
water quality in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
The session will focus on the benefits of meadows,
methods of establishment, a review of common
desired native species, mowing schedules, undesirable species, invasive plant management through
mowing and use of herbicides and ways to extend
the presented concepts to naturalize storm water
basins.
1:00 pm “Tips on Installing & Retrofitting
Native Meadows and Other Natural Areas”
Brian O’Neill, Weeds Inc.
Brian will be discussing the selective use of
herbicides and integrated pest management in order
to restore and retrofit areas into native and natural
areas. He will also review the installation of new
native meadows.
Resource Operations Registration Form - 2012
Group registrations available by contacting PRPS
Name_____________________________________________
Title______________________________________________
Agency____________________________________________
Address___________________________________________
City _______________________ State ___ Zip____________
Email _____________________________________________
Phone (____) ______________________________________
Fax (_____) _______________________________________
Special Assistance Required ________________________
(Please attach an explanation)
I have read the cancellation policy
Please choose which track you will be attending.
Chain Saw Applications Training - Track 1
I have permission from my agency to participate in the “hands-on”
portion of the training. yes no Initials: ______
Playground Maintenance - Track 2
Pesticide Recertification Courses - Track 3
PRPS member
Non-member
$55
$70
Total
$_______
My check, payable to PRPS, is enclosed.
Bill my agency at the address listed above or list below.
(Members Only)
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Bill my credit card Visa MC AMEX Discover
Card # ____________________________________________
Exp. date____________________________________________
Cardholder’s Signature_______________________________
________________________________________________________
Return registration form to:
PA Recreation & Park Society
2131 Sandy Drive, State College, PA 16803-2283
OR
FAX: 814-234-5276
Register online at www.prps.org.
Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society
2131 Sandy Drive
State College, PA 16803-2283
814-234-4272
www.prps.org
Return Service Requested
General Information
Cabela’s
100 Cabela Drive
Hamburg, PA 19526
(610) 929-7000
 Follow Route 78 to
Route 61
 Follow Route 61
North approx. 1/2 mile
 Turn left onto Cabela’s Drive
Tuition includes:
 Morning and afternoon sessions in your choice of 3
tracks
 Entrance in door prize drawings
 Lunch - provided for chain saw track; $10 voucher for
other tracks
 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
 Pesticide credits - applied for in categories 7, 10, 14
and core
Cabela’s Hamburg, PA Retail Store is located just off I-78
at Route 61. The workshop meeting rooms are on the
second floor beside the furniture section.
Registration Deadline Thursday, October 11th, 2012
Registrants will be notified if the workshop is cancelled or
re-scheduled. Confirmations are sent via email. If the
workshop or session has less than 15 registrants, it may be
cancelled or rescheduled.
PLEASE register early!
Schedule:
8:30 am - 9:30 am
9:30 am - 11:30 am
11:30 am - 11:45 am
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Registration
Educational Sessions
Door Prize Raffle
Lunch, travel to on-site locations
Educational Sessions/
On-site sessions
Sessions are rain or shine! Please dress accordingly!
www.prps.org
Cancellation Policy
If a cancellation is made two weeks prior to the first day of
the course, the registration fee less a $20 processing fee
will be refunded upon return of any course materials sent to
the registrant. Persons cancelling after the two-week cutoff will receive a PRPS credit certificate adjusted for the
cost of course materials, meals and other costs incurred by
PRPS. All cancellation requests must be made in writing
and mailed, faxed or emailed to PRPS.