Barbara Ritzheimer: PA Master Naturalist Volunteer of the Month

After retiring from a career in teaching, Barbara Ritzheimer found a new passion in nature starting with birding at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. What began as an interest quickly grew into a deeper commitment to conservation and education.

Volunteering in the sanctuary’s native habitat garden sparked an interest not only in birds, but also in native plants and pollinators. When Barbara learned about the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program, it felt like a natural next step, and an opportunity to deepen her knowledge and share it with others.

Since becoming a Master Naturalist, Barbara has contributed to a wide range of projects. In addition to ongoing work in the native habitat garden, she serves as a mentor for the Hawk Mountain Young Birders group and assists with educational programs like Naturalist in the Garden and Family Forest Fun. Through these efforts, Barbara continues her lifelong passion for teaching while inspiring others to connect with nature.

Beyond Hawk Mountain, Barbara has also taken on a leadership role as a board member of the Schuylkill County Conservancy. Her work with the Conservancy has included projects at Frog Hollow, now the county’s second park. The organization supports a variety of community programs, including nature walks, woodland stewardship initiatives, outdoor learning days, and youth day camps.

Birding remains a central part of Barbara’s volunteer work. She actively participates in several community science efforts, including the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas, the Christmas Bird Count, the Great Backyard Bird Count, the Big Sit, and winter raptor surveys. These efforts contribute valuable data that helps researchers better understand bird populations and trends across the region.

With 1,763 volunteer hours, Barbara has made an incredible impact through her service. What started as a question how to stay active and engaged after retirement has turned into a meaningful and impactful journey. Through the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program, she has found a way to keep learning, continue teaching, and give back to the environment.

Thank you, Barbara, for your incredible dedication and for all you do to support conservation and community across Pennsylvania!