Terry Wentz
Encyclopedia
Terry Wentz was a Pennsylvania State Parks Manager who served with the state for 34 years at four locations throughout South Central, Pennsylvania including Canoe Creek State Park
, Trough Creek State Park
, and Warriors Path State Park
. He is most noted for his work in progressive management and environmental education
. He founded Waxwing Associates, an Eco-tourism company that also provided wildlife management consulting and grant writing services. Terry Wentz is noted for his work with the largest little brown bat
colony east of the Mississippi River, which is located in an abandoned church at Canoe Creek State Park
. His conservation efforts have also resulted in further protections for the endangered Indiana Bat
s which reside in Canoe Creek State Park
in an abandoned mine. Terry Wentz is noted as one of the founding members of Rails To Trails of Central Pennsylvania. His efforts in acquiring grants for land helped to establish the Lower Trail
. He also served time in Vietnam
as a Dog Handler for the United States Army
assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. Terry Wentz was also a Past President of the Juniata Valley Audubon Society, and served on the Juniata Valley Audubon Board for over a decade. He helped develop a benefit horse ride trail for Dreams Go On, and organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding sessions to adults and children who are physically challenged, receive mental health, behavioral health or family therapy services..
was named after Terry Wentz. On May 15, 2011, the first ever Annual Terry Wentz Memorial Hike will be held at Canoe Creek State Park
.
Terry also won the American Trails, Trail Worker of the Year, Award in November 2010. The honor was awarded posthumously to his wife, Debbie.
Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Frankstown Township in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is 12 miles east of Altoona, the nearest city. Canoe Lake, at , is the focus of recreation at the park and is open for fishing year round. Canoe Creek State Park is a half mile off U.S....
, Trough Creek State Park
Trough Creek State Park
Trough Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Cass, Penn and Todd Townships, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The majority of the park is in Todd Township along Pennsylvania Route 994, east of the unincorporated village of Entriken. Huntingdon is the nearest...
, and Warriors Path State Park
Warriors Path State Park
Warriors Path State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Liberty Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is named for the Great Indian Warpath that was used by the Iroquois in war raids with the Cherokee and other tribes. Warriors Path State Park is surrounded on three...
. He is most noted for his work in progressive management and environmental education
Environmental education
Environmental education refers to organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function and, particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and ecosystems in order to live sustainably. The term is often used to imply education within the school system, from primary to...
. He founded Waxwing Associates, an Eco-tourism company that also provided wildlife management consulting and grant writing services. Terry Wentz is noted for his work with the largest little brown bat
Little brown bat
The little brown bat is a species of the genus Myotis , one of the most common bats of North America...
colony east of the Mississippi River, which is located in an abandoned church at Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Frankstown Township in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is 12 miles east of Altoona, the nearest city. Canoe Lake, at , is the focus of recreation at the park and is open for fishing year round. Canoe Creek State Park is a half mile off U.S....
. His conservation efforts have also resulted in further protections for the endangered Indiana Bat
Indiana bat
The Indiana bat is a medium-sized mouse-eared bat native to North America. It lives primarily in eastern and midwestern states and in parts of the south of the United States. The Indiana bat is gray, black, or chestnut in colour and is 1.2–2 inches and weighs about 1/4 an ounce...
s which reside in Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Frankstown Township in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is 12 miles east of Altoona, the nearest city. Canoe Lake, at , is the focus of recreation at the park and is open for fishing year round. Canoe Creek State Park is a half mile off U.S....
in an abandoned mine. Terry Wentz is noted as one of the founding members of Rails To Trails of Central Pennsylvania. His efforts in acquiring grants for land helped to establish the Lower Trail
Lower Trail
The Lower Trail is a 16.5 mile, smooth crushed stone rail trail that follows the Juniata River in West-Central Pennsylvania from Flowing Springs to Alfarata. The is owned and maintained by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania...
. He also served time in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
as a Dog Handler for the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. Terry Wentz was also a Past President of the Juniata Valley Audubon Society, and served on the Juniata Valley Audubon Board for over a decade. He helped develop a benefit horse ride trail for Dreams Go On, and organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding sessions to adults and children who are physically challenged, receive mental health, behavioral health or family therapy services..
Dedications
On October 2, 2010, the Canoe Creek Environmental Center, at Canoe Creek State ParkCanoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Frankstown Township in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is 12 miles east of Altoona, the nearest city. Canoe Lake, at , is the focus of recreation at the park and is open for fishing year round. Canoe Creek State Park is a half mile off U.S....
was named after Terry Wentz. On May 15, 2011, the first ever Annual Terry Wentz Memorial Hike will be held at Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Frankstown Township in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is 12 miles east of Altoona, the nearest city. Canoe Lake, at , is the focus of recreation at the park and is open for fishing year round. Canoe Creek State Park is a half mile off U.S....
.
Awards
The Bureau of State Parks honored Wentz's longstanding work with bluebirds with a posthumous Cavity Nesting Monitor of the Year award.Terry also won the American Trails, Trail Worker of the Year, Award in November 2010. The honor was awarded posthumously to his wife, Debbie.
External links
- Altoona Mirror Obituary
- Terry Wentz Biography on Waxwing Associates
- Flight Of The Bat - Green Works Radio
- Rails To Trails - Board of Directors Information
- Centre Daily Times Obituary - Terry Wentz
- Altoona Mirror - For the Birds
- The Alleghenies Birding Tips
- Lehman Engineers Trail Ride 2009 to Benefit Dreams Go On 2009
- The Pittsburgh Press - Conservation Day Scheduled
- Altoona Mirror - Local man's commitment honored
- Wentz, Founding Member of Rails to Trails, Honored
- Late park manager to be honored at state park building dedication