A dozen or more times, I’ve driven by and ignored the entrance to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on the threshold of Presque Isle in Erie. I recently visited Erie for the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, hosted at Erie’s Hilton Garden Inn, and the TREC was on our agenda. Of all that happened, it was my biggest surprise.

Although I’ve visited Presque Isle several times, I confess my ignorance. I didn’t realize it made Erie a natural harbor, and “the gem of the Great Lakes.” At the TREC I learned that Presque Isle is French for “almost an island.” I found out that Presque Isle is not only the most visited state park in Pennsylvania, it outpaces both Yellowstone and Yosemite with more than 4 million visitors annually. (Don’t let that hold you back from visiting because there’s plenty of room for more).

I also discovered that more migrating birds fly through Presque Isle than anywhere else in the state, so it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. Bring your camera!

I also learned that Lake Erie is at the heart of Great Lakes maritime history. It has more shipwrecks than any other Great Lake, with an ongoing project to document all of them. And it was the turning point in the War of 1812, where Commodore Oliver Perry created a fleet of ships on Presque Isle and then used them to wrest control of Lake Erie from the British. (Read about Perry–he has plenty more heroics.)

Presque Isle has lots of wildlife other than birds. With so much surrounding water and ponds, it provides habitat for many aquatic species. It also holds an abundance of white-tailed deer, though they are rarely seen because of the dense cover. Coyotes number officially about ten, although a DCNR officer told me he thinks the total number is closer to thirty and there are at least three dens. The song dogs are often heard, but seldom seen. And wild turkeys are common. (Although the park holds a deer hunt to keep whitetail population in check, and a waterfowl hunt from designated blinds, turkeys are not hunted at all.)

The TREC is a great place for anyone to visit. Families with children will make discoveries together. Every home school group should visit because it’s a valuable learning opportunity. To make the most of it, call ahead and ask for a tour guide. Also request a behind-closed-doors tour of the on-site research facility, as our group did. If your timing is right, you’ll get insight into the research being done to keep Presque Isle pristine, beautiful, and open to all.

What else is there? Too much to name, but you’ll get to climb the 75-foot-high observation tower, interact with the exhibits, and peruse the gift shop where almost 100 local artists display their creative work and give you the opportunity to take home something beautiful and unique.

One disappointment was learning that the Pennsylvania State Legislature is considering a bill to put wind turbines in Lake Erie off the Pennsylvania shoreline. Ohio has already rejected a similar proposal, and Pennsylvania must do the same.

Construction will stir up pollutants in the lakebed, likely interfere with bird migration routes, and certainly diminish the value of this pristine, unique, and sensitive location. Whatever you think of wind turbines, Presque Isle is not the place for them. The fact that Pennsylvania has such a small lake shoreline makes it a high value area, but it’s easy for legislators elsewhere in the state to overlook this treasure instead of protecting it. Please contact your state representative and senator to oppose House Bill 254 paving the way for wind turbine construction.

Presque Isle is loaded with history, science and recreation for everybody. By now you’re ready to go, but the first step to planning your visit is to do an internet search of “DCNR Presque Isle events” to see what’s going on there and the TREC. The cost? Both Presque Isle and the TREC is open year-round and admission is free, including interactive exhibits at the TREC, its glass-enclosed tower, and orientation movie.

What could be a better daytrip from anywhere in western Pennsylvania or western New York? Better yet, grab a hotel for an extended stay because there is always more to see. Once you’ve been there, you’ll want to go back and take someone who hasn’t seen it. That’s what I plan to do.

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When “The Everyday Hunter” isn’t hunting, he’s thinking about hunting, talking about hunting, dreaming about hunting, writing about hunting, or wishing he were hunting. If you want to tell Steve exactly where your favorite hunting spot is, contact him through his website, www.EverydayHunter.com. He writes for top outdoor magazines, and won the 2015, 2018, and 2023 national “Pinnacle Award” for outdoor writing.

Photo Support: LakeErieCreature.jpg

Caption: Science is fun at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, and the fun also includes some of the myths and legends about Presque Isle and Lake Erie. (Photo courtesy of Steve Sorensen)