Exploring the Florida Peninsula
2017
“The Vicki Penziner-Matson Fund supported the 2017 Spring Break, natural history field expedition to the central peninsula of Florida. Wendy Tori, Jose I. Pareja, and John Iverson led the trip. Wendy’s and John’s knowledge of and enthusiasm about the Natural History of the area was contagious! “Reptiling” and birding experiences were amazing! Jose’s group dynamic leadership was an added bonus.
The group explored:
- Hart Springs County Park
- Kelly Park
- Wekiwa Park
- Canaveral National Seashore/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Blue Springs State Park
- Ocala National Forest
- Manatee Springs State Park“
“… I feel so fortunate and honored to participate on this natural history trip to Florida, sponsored by the Vicki Penziner-Matson fund because this experiential-based program successfully created a new space for community, inquiry, and learning, which was sincerely impactful and transformative for each of us. I was reminded, yet again, how shared experiences have the sheer power to spark curiosity, self-reflection, learning and teaching among students from various academic, cultural and social backgrounds … “
— LILY FISHLEDER, CLASS OF 2017


Interested in off-campus programs?
The Vicki Penziner-Matson Point Pelee National Park Field Trip in Canada is just one example of the off-campus experiences available to Earlham College students.