As we gear up for the Fall 2025 Confluence on Saturday, September 27 at the Laurelville Retreat Center, we’re thrilled to introduce the remarkable individuals leading this year’s hands-on biodiversity trail experiences. Each of our guides brings deep knowledge, field expertise, and a passion for sharing the vital connections between healthy ecosystems and clean water. Whether your interest lies in forests, reptiles, birds, or invasive species—this year’s trails have something for everyone.
Mike Doucette, Service Forester for Westmoreland, Allegheny, and Somerset Counties with the Bureau of Forestry, will lead the Forest Trail. Mike works directly with private landowners to help manage woodlands using sustainable forestry techniques. He’s a SUNY-ESF graduate with degrees in Forest Resources Management and Forest Technology and has experience in managing invasive species like the spotted lanternfly. Mike is also an avid outdoorsman and serves on Pennsylvania’s Wildland Fire Crew.
Joining him is Eric Oliver, Mined Land Reforestation Specialist with Green Forests Work. Eric’s work focuses on restoring thousands of acres of deforested land—once lost to mining—back to native Appalachian forest using the Forestry Reclamation Approach. With a strong background in Earth Science and GIS, Eric also serves as caretaker of the Plummers Hollow Private Nature Preserve. His perspective offers a compelling look at what it means to heal the land—and water—after industrial impact.
For those curious about herpetology, David Antis will guide the Amphibian and Reptile Trail. David coordinates the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS) for Washington County, part of a state-wide effort to track and protect Pennsylvania’s cold-blooded residents. The project, backed by the PA Fish & Boat Commission and other conservation agencies, relies on citizen scientists and community data to map the health and habitats of our state’s amphibians and reptiles.
Interested in invasive species and native plants? Follow Emily Sachs, horticulturist at Fallingwater, along the Invasive Species Trail. Emily has a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Chatham University and brings a creative lens to ecological restoration. She works daily to preserve the beauty and function of local ecosystems through her stewardship of one of southwestern PA’s most iconic landscapes.
Finally, bird lovers won’t want to miss the Bird Trail with Dr. Jim Kellm, professor of Ornithology and Wildlife Biology at Saint Vincent College. Jim’s career spans research on woodpeckers, crows, and songbirds, and he trains student teams for the World Series of Birding. He also runs a summer Ornithology Camp and is currently training to work with raptors for educational outreach. Expect a truly immersive experience as he guides you through the bird-rich canopies of Laurelville.
These trail leaders embody the spirit of Confluence—dedication to land, science, and community. Don’t miss your chance to learn from them up close, in the very environments they work so hard to protect and restore.
This isn’t just a field day—it’s a chance to connect, get inspired, and join a larger movement for biodiversity and clean water in Pennsylvania. Register now and be part of the Fall 2025 Confluence experience.
