- 1 read
A -The Leadership
Robert Mercer, Director of the Silver Lake Nature Center
Title: Director-Naturalist
Robert Mercer is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Parks and Recreation administration with an emphasis in Resource Management - Environmental Education. He was employed by the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation as Director of the Silver Lake Nature Center in 1975. Since then, he has taken a tiny 1.5 staff nature center and built it up to a small center with 3 full-time and 4 part-time staff.
Mercer is also active with the Bristol Rotary, Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, Association of Nature Center Administrators (serving on the national board from 1991 to 1998 and again from 2003 to 2009), and Association of Conservation Executives. In addition to his time working in the Nature field, Mercer has done some extensive traveling, venturing to all but four states in the contiguous United States, five Canadian Provinces, Costa Rica (twice), and Belize.
B - The Organization:
Website Address: Silver Lake Nature Center
Mission Statement
The Silver Lake Nature Center creates opportunities for the natural habitats of Silver Lake to inspire students of all ages and abilities with the wonder and beauty of this living treasure. Through education, recreation, research and advocacy, we attract new friends to Silver Lake and its watershed, and together preserve this priceless heritage for generations to come.
We will be recognized in our community as friendly and inviting, providing a range of educational and environmentally-oriented recreational programs that serve all people.
About Us
Visiting Silver Lake Nature Center, a 235-acre "natural treasure" in the heart of the southern portion of Bucks County, is an experience to be savored, not rushed. It's a place where lush foliage, accessible wetlands, and rich woodlands abound. Where Pennsylvania rare and threatened animal and plant species like the Red-belly Turtle, Southern Leopard Frog, and the Maryland Meadow Beauty find refuge and flourish peacefully. Where people of all ages can explore and enjoy a special part of our world. Visitors enjoy 4 miles of trails that traverse each of the major habitats. A half mile handicapped accessible section of trails allows everyone to experience the wetlands, forest, and meadow.
C - GREEN 10-Qs
1. What childhood, personal, or career eco-experience inspired your current work?
Camping with the family. A professor in college who opened my eyes to the complexity of nature.
2. Who inspires you in our Philadelphia community?
Friends, family, staff, and volunteers.
3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
The development of the Silver Lake Nature Center into a valuable community resource, my involvement as a leader within professional societies Association of Nature Center Administrators and the Association of Conservation Executives.
4. What is one of your favorite Philly eco-activities, products, or services?
SEPTA - great way to get downtown.
5. What is one of the things that you regularly do to make your life more eco-friendly?
Turn the water off when soaping up and driving like I have an egg between my foot and the gas pedal.
6. What would you change about your home or office to make it more eco-friendly?
Geothermal
7. What would you change about Philly to make it more eco-friendly?
Have the Philadelphia Water Company sell the "heat" in their water pipes for closed loop geothermal heating and cooling.
8. What book, movie, or TV show would you recommend people to read or watch?
Turn off that damn TV and read Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv.
9. In addition to your family and friends, what three people living or dead would you take to live with you for a decade on a deserted island?
The Professor from Gilligan's Island; he had a solution for everything. The people I really would like to have met and known I would not want to waste their time for ten years on a deserted island!
10. What quote (with source) or your own words of wisdom would you like to share with our readers?
"To a person uninstructed in natural history, his country or sea-side stroll is a walk through a gallery filled with wonderful works of art, nine-tenths of which have their faces turned to the wall." - Thomas Henry Huxley
The Silver Lake Nature Center is open from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, however the Park and Trail are open every day from sunrise to sunset. For more information on the Nature Center and its upcoming events, visit their website, or feel free to contact Mr. Mercer personally at ramercer@co.bucks.pa.us.
