Thursday September 11th, 6pm – 9pm

Join us for an educational evening in the Griffin & Howe Dining Room with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, as we host a seminar by Keystone Elk Country Alliance!

Represented by the Conservation Education Coordinator Ben Porkolab, Keystone Elk Country Alliance will be presenting the success story of Pennsylvania’s elk herd – from extirpation of the native elk herd in the 1860s, to the restoration efforts and current status of this majestic animal. He will also provide information on the Keystone Elk Country Alliance and elk hunting in Pennsylvania.

This is the seventh class in our new ‘Griffin & Howe After Hours’ series, where we host a monthly educational social gathering on the second Thursday of every month. These events will feature expert speakers, including professional hunters, world-class outfitters, renowned firearms specialists, biologists, and conservationists. Our knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer all your questions, with extended access to our showroom for all your sporting needs. Join us for an evening of camaraderie, insights, and exclusive opportunities to deepen your knowledge and appreciation of the sporting tradition.

About Keystone Elk Country Alliance

The Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) is a Pennsylvania based 501(c) non-profit wildlife conservation organization. KECA operates and manages the Elk Country Visitor Center and the surrounding property in Benezette, Pennsylvania to benefit the future of Elk Country, and the enjoyment of hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Their mission is to conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s elk country for future generations, which they accomplish through conservation education, habitat enhancement and permanent land protection. Visitors can enjoy conservation education programs, a 4D story theater, their new ECCO Building (Elk Country Campus Outdoors Building) which is available for programs and events, the interactive displays and diorama in the heart of the Visitor Center, as well as the hundreds of wild elk that call the property surrounding the Visitor Center home.

About Ben Porkolab

KECA’s Education Coordinator Ben Porkolab grew up near Kane, PA spending most of his time hunting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. He earned a scholarship to attend the Safari Club International’s Wildlife Leadership School in Jackson Hole Wyoming while in high school, before attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania and obtaining his Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. After graduation, Ben taught elementary school for two years in the bush country of Alaska followed by a year in Nevada. During this time, he also worked his summers as an Orvis endorsed fishing guide in Alaska, before returning to his roots in the hills of Pennsylvania where he took a teaching position in nearby Cameron County. While there, he involved himself in many conservation education programs such as ‘Trout in the Classroom’ – a pheasant egg hatching program, a co-ed program with the Cameron County Conservation District, working with 4H, programs with the local gardening club, and working closely with the Cameron County Outdoor Youth Association and National Archery in the Schools Program. Ben has also taught Hunter-Trapper Education with the PA Game Commission for the past sixteen years. Now living in St. Marys, Ben continues to find himself in the woods, and on the rivers and streams.

$60 per person (plus applicable NJ sales tax). All materials, drinks and appetizers are included.

Cancellation Policy: Must contact us to cancel 10 days prior to class to receive full refund, or 72 hours prior to class to receive a 50% refund (minus credit card processing fees and applicable NJ sales tax). Any cancellations made less than 72 hours before the class date cannot be refunded.