Nature Buddies
Sep15
Nature Buddies: Nuts to You!
The comical ways of bushy-tailed tree planters. Nature Buddies programs include a story, an outdoor walk and a take-home craft. This program is appropriate for ages 3 through 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Walks are weather dependent; please dress for the weather. Registration required by the Wednesday prior to each program. »
Sep29
Nature Buddies: Nature’s Recyclers
Explore a rotten log and discover the roles played by the unsung heroes of nature—the decomposers. Nature Buddies programs include a story, an outdoor walk and a take-home craft. This program is appropriate for ages 3 through 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Walks are weather dependent; please dress for the weather. Registration required by the Wednesday prior to each program. »
Oct13
Nature Buddies: Sensational Seeds
Discover the magic of the “sleeping” seed. Nature Buddies programs include a story, an outdoor walk and a take-home craft. This program is appropriate for ages 3 through 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Walks are weather dependent; please dress for the weather. Registration required by the Wednesday prior to each program. »
Oct27
Nature Buddies: Fall into Autumn
Fall in love with fantastic fall foliage! Nature Buddies programs include a story, an outdoor walk and a take-home craft. This program is appropriate for ages 3 through 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Walks are weather dependent; please dress for the weather. Registration required by the Wednesday prior to each program. »
Nature Explorations
Aug23
Bat Chat
Session I: Wednesday, Aug. 16 (rain date Aug. 17) Session II: Wednesday, Aug. 23 (rain date Aug. 24) Please register for each session separately. Bats are incredible creatures. They are excellent parents, are insect-eating machines and have valuable roles in our ecosystem. Join Matthew Wund, Ph.D., to discover the species that call Pennsylvania home, the challenges they face and the important services they provide. Indoor presentation followed by outdoor bat hike where participants will get to use bat detectors to listen to echolocation calls. For ages 6 and up. Matthew Wund is an associate professor of biology at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. His expertise in bats stems from his graduate work at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he earned his Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology. His dissertation focused on how bats modify their echolocation calls in different foraging situations, such as hunting within dense woods or in open spaces. He’s excited to share his knowledge and passion during the bat chat. »
Sep16
Nature at Night
Nocturnal nature is full of beauty and mystery and September is a great time to explore the Preserve and discover the fascinating life history of creatures big and small. Bring a flashlight or headlamp and we will search the meadow for signs of nocturnal nature, including the most industrious of them all—spiders! For ages 6 and up. »
Sep23
Fall Nature Play Day
This family-friendly event will include self-guided activities and an art project in the Visitor Center with a focus on nature’s recyclers. Come explore hands-on stations about healthy soil, see a composting demo and explore what lives in leaf litter. Our grounds will be open to explore during this drop-in day. Bring your family, friends and neighbors. »
Sep30
Woodland Fairy Tales
Don your fairy wings and join us for a magical afternoon as we journey through Penn’s Woods to help the plants and animals of the Preserve. Use natural materials to create a special shelter for our woodland fairies. Program includes a story, art project and snack by the pond. For ages 3 - 8 with an adult. Adults free with children's admission. Advance registration by Sept. 28. »
Oct28
Woodland Pumpkin Hunt
Take a magical journey in the woods though the eyes of Mousekin as he and the plants around him prepare for the coming winter. We’ll search for food and watch for predators, then find our own “golden house” to decorate and take home. For ages 3 - 8 with an adult. Adults free with child's admission. Advance registration with payment by Oct. 24. »
Nov17
Owl Prowl
Session I: Friday, Nov. 17, 7 - 8:30 pm Session II: Saturday, Dec. 9, 7 - 8:30 pm Please register for each program separately. Join us for an after-hours hike as we search for these nocturnal birds. We'll start indoors and discuss how to identify the species we may see or hear. Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk through wet trail conditions. For ages 8 and up. Space is limited. Advanced registration required. »
Dec09
Owl Prowl
Session I: Friday, Nov. 17, 7 - 8:30 pm Session II: Saturday, Dec. 9, 7 - 8:30 pm Please register for each program separately. Join us for an after-hours hike as we search for these nocturnal birds. We'll start indoors and discuss how to identify the species we may see or hear. Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk through wet trail conditions. For ages 8 and up. Space is limited. Advanced registration required. »