The Black Run Preserve serves as an ideal outdoor environmental education site for learners of all ages.
Recent educational projects have included:
- Semi-annual water quality monitoring of the Black Run with Marlton middle school students. This interactive learning experience introduces the students to the importance of our headwaters to the Rancocas creek, our water supply and the local plants and animals.
- Ambassadors lead bimonthly guided hikes designed to enhance learning and understanding about the Pinelands environment.
- A summer Hikes for Tykes program to introduce young children to the outdoors and foster love and respect for nature.
FBRP Education Team:
John Volpa
As a NJ Public School teacher from 1975-2012, John Volpa brings a wealth of experience to the Education Program. John taught primary grades K-4, special education, and Gifted and Talented classes before moving to sixth grade and focusing upon environmental science. After retiring from the classroom, John was the Director of Education for Pinelands Adventures in Shamong. As a life-long Pinelands resident, he continues to share his knowledge of the Pine Barrens as a FBRP Ambassador.
Ron Pugh
Ron is a 53+ year resident of Evesham Twp; father of four boys; a veteran (U.S. Army); a retired (35 years) Vocational Counselor specialist with the NJ Department of Labor, with a master’s degree in education. As a United States Soccer Federation Youth Coach, and a State level Referee for 30+ years, he was inducted into the South Jersey Soccer Hall of Fame. Ron was a former LL Bean employee, and, as an instructor for their Outdoor Discovery School, he led several seminars on Outdoor and Nature topics and was a frequent guide on their hiking and biking trips, among other responsibilities. In his spare time while raising his four boys, Ron was also Cub master for the local Cub Scouts for fourteen years. Ron’s lifelong passion is nature and the outdoors, including birding and nature photography. Ron is a huge asset to the BRP participating in ambassador led tours, trail management and a variety of BRP projects.
Susan Pettijohn
Sue is a retired Speech-Language Pathologist with over 40 years of experience working with children in educational settings. She has a Master of Arts Degree from Temple University and NJ Department of Educational Supervisor Education. Sue is currently an ambassador for the Friends of Black Run Preserve, a hiking leader for the Outdoor Club of South Jersey and participates in horseshoe crab rescue through the Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River. Sue is an outdoor enthusiast and is dedicated to studying, exploring, preserving, and teaching others about our nature.
For more information contact dane@blackrun.org
