North Country Trail Association
Butterfly and Nature Weekend
September 12 to 14, 2003

Tom Pawlesh: Leader

Tom Pawlesh received his BS Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.  He has flown a variety of aircraft from corporate jets to airliners both international and domestically, and currently works for US Airways.

Tom has had an interest in the natural world since his youth and uses photography to share his love of nature.  Tom is a widely published wildlife and nature photographer, his images have appeared in most nature and photography magazines, including: WildBird, National Wildlife, Birds and Blooms, Florida Wildlife, Keystone Outdoors, Birder’s World, Popular Photography and Outdoor Photographer.  His photographs also regularly appear in calendars such as: The Nature Conservancy, The Ocean Conservancy, Audubon and Hallmark Cards.

Tom gives slide shows of his travels and wildlife photography to libraries, camera clubs, nature centers and elementary school classes.  He has appeared on television, radio talk shows and has been a butterfly wrangler and technical advisor for the children’s TV show, The Magic Woods.  Tom lives in Jefferson Hills, PA with his wife Marina and daughter Maggy.             

This program will be held at the North Country Trail headquarters in Moraine State Park at the Davis Hollow Outdoor Center.  There is a limited number of people that can stay at the Davis Hollow Outdoor Center and the cost is $55 for the weekend, there are also hotels and camping in the area.  It is not required to participate in the entire program, for people that want to attend a slide show or help in tagging, a small donation will be required to offset the cost of materials.  This is an excellent opportunity for adults and children  to learn about the Monarch butterfly and do hands on field work.

For more information contact Bob Tait at the North Country Trail Field Office, 724-290-4141,  or check out the Butler Outdoors Club web site. Also check out the Monarch Watch web site. 

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Tentative Schedule

FRIDAY SEPT 12

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.	Get Acquainted
8:00 to 8:45 p.m.	Slide Show — Metamorphosis to Mexico: The Life of the Monarch Butterfly
	Tom will discuss the life history of the Monarch butterfly from egg to caterpillar to the adults incredible migration to the trans-volcanic mountains of central Mexico.  The highlight will be breathtaking images from Tom’s trek high into the Mexican mountains to photograph millions of Monarch butterflies.  Monarch tagging procedures will also be discussed in preparation for the next days field work.  Live specimens of Monarch butterfly eggs, caterpillars and chrysalids will be on hand to observe all weekend.

SATURDAY SEPT 13

8:00 to 9:00 a.m.	Slide Show — The Butterflies of Western Pennsylvania
	Tom will use his photographs to help in the identification of common butterflies that will be encountered in the field.
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.	Field Work
	We will be participating in the Monarch Watch tagging program through the Entomology Department of the University of Kansas.  Participants will catch and tag Monarch butterflies and enter time, sex, weather conditions and other pertinent information on data sheets.  In 2001 four Monarch butterflies that Tom and his family tagged in their backyard were recovered in Mexico, a trip of over 1869 miles!!
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.	Lunch
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.	Field work
	Those interested may continue tagging Monarch butterflies or spend free time hiking, fishing etc.
4:30 to 8:00 p.m.	Free Time/Dinner
8:00 to 9:00 p.m.	Slide Show — Land of the Ice Bear
	Tom will give a slide presentation on his trip to Churchill, Canada The Polar Bear Capital of the World. Churchill is located on the western shore of Hudson Bay and is on the polar bears fall migration route.

SUNDAY SEPT 14

	Get Acquainted
8:00 to 9:00 a.m.	Slide Show and Lecture — How to Photograph Butterflies and Nature
	Tom’s butterfly images have been featured in calendars by At-A-Glance, Audubon and Hallmark Cards and on screen savers and greeting cards.  Learn some simple techniques to produce  stunning wildlife photographs.
9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.	Field Work
	Continue Monarch tagging activities and butterfly photography instruction.