Knowing Native Plants
26Apr
Knowing Native Plants: Spring Ephemerals with Mary Anne Borge (Apr. 26, 2025)
Spring wildflowers such as Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) and several species of trillium (Trillium spp.) color the forest floor for a fleeting moment this time of year. Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge to learn why these wildflowers are called spring ephemerals, their life cycles and the animals that disperse their seeds and help with pollination. You'll also learn about companion plants blooming at this same time of year. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, author and educator. She is the editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine, a naturalist and instructor at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and a Pennsylvania master naturalist. She is the team leader for Lambertville Goes Wild, a volunteer organization that successfully led Lambertville to certification as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. On her blog, Mary Anne writes about and illustrates with her photography the importance of native plants to all life. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
26Apr
Introduction to the Art and Science of Nature Journaling with Jack Hobe (April 26, 2025)
Join naturalist-artist Jack Hobe for an introduction to the art and science of nature journaling! Participants will get hands-on experience trying out the six “tools” of nature journaling - Observation, Questions, Connections; and Drawing, Writing and Quantification - while exploring the intersection between the fields of art and science. Each lesson is a short slideshow and lecture followed by an ~ 1 hour field session for practicing our new skills. We will be using the beautiful preserve property as our journaling space – wildflowers and animals abound! *Please note that guests will have to bring their own nature journaling supplies, and will need to dress in outdoor gear that is weather-appropriate.* Hopefully the April showers will cooperate, but natural objects will be provided indoors if the weather doesn’t stay sunny. A list of required and recommended materials for the series will be emailed to registrants beforehand* Each Participant should plan on bringing the following items. Pencil or pen Sketchbook (8.5x11 or smaller) Sack, backpack, or bag to carry sketching supplies Portable color medium, if desired - (colored pencils or a small watercolor) Weather-appropriate outerwear Optional: Prismacolor 20028 non-photo blue pencil - great tool for gesture sketching Small measuring tape - a sewing measuring tape works great Binoculars Magnifying loupe Week 1 - Introduction to Nature Journaling: (April 26) Our nature journaling crash-course begins with an overview of the basic tools journalers use to record their observations and thoughts on paper. Starting with observation, we will use drawing, writing and quantification to thoroughly document our subjects. We will then transition to asking questions and thinking about connections. After taking this class, you will be equipped with a fundamental observational skillset to use throughout the rest of this class and in your everyday life! This program will begin with a short indoor lecture portion, and then transition to an outside sketching session. See the course description for details regarding the appropriate sketching supplies you will need to bring. Week 2 - Questioning Your Questions - Scientific Inquiry (May 3) Our second class will focus on the fascinating application of scientific thinking and methods to natural subjects through a nature journal lens. We will learn how to ask probing and specific questions that are scientifically testable, diving deep into "rabbit holes" of inquiry much as a curious scientist would. Following the scientific method, you will practice coming up with answers to your questions through hypothesizing and further observation. This class will begin with a short indoor lecture portion, and then transition to an outside sketching session. See the course description for details regarding the appropriate sketching supplies you will need to bring. Week 3 - Using Art in Your Nature Journal and Wrap-up (May 10) In our final week, we will cover the basic drawing skills needed to portray the flora and fauna around us on paper! Artistic techniques are an important part of nature journaling, but may be intimidating for first-time nature journalers or folks who don't have much drawing experience. However, art and science are fully compatible disciplines that can take your nature journaling to new heights! For students who may not have as much experience in art or don’t feel that they are very good at drawing, this particular activity will be helpful for developing basic skills to portray a subject on paper. This class will begin with a short indoor lecture portion, and then transition to an outside sketching session. See the course description for details regarding the appropriate sketching supplies you will need to bring. Jack Hobe is a wildlife artist, birder and freelance educator living in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He enjoys sharing the wonder of the outdoors and the practice of nature journaling with the public through nature workshops. Jack uses a small sketchbook and a set of watercolors to portray the flora and fauna around him from life, and enjoys traveling around the Bucks County area to observe our rich natural heritage. He has a Bachelor's in Wildlife and Conservation Science from Oregon State University, and is currently working on a certificate in Natural Science Illustration. Visit Jack's website www.jackhobe.com to see his portfolio, wildlife art products and upcoming workshops. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. Registration Fees: $65 members ($78 non members)
03May
Knowing Native Plants: Late Spring Lovelies with Mary Anne Borge (May 3, 2025)
A lot happens at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve between the burst of spring ephemerals and the peak of flowering shrubs. Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge to learn about the wildlife and landscape value of the later-blooming spring wildflowers, including wood phlox (Phlox divaricata), Eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum), shooting-star (Primula meadia), wood geranium (Geranium maculatum) and the beautiful large yellow lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum) orchid. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, author and educator. She is the editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine, a naturalist and instructor at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and a Pennsylvania master naturalist. She is the team leader for Lambertville Goes Wild, a volunteer organization that successfully led Lambertville to certification as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. On her blog, Mary Anne writes about and illustrates with her photography the importance of native plants to all life. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
17May
Knowing Native Plants: Flowering Shrubs with Mary Anne Borge (May 17, 2025)
The Mid-Atlantic region has a stunning display of spring flowering native shrubs that fill the Preserve and surrounding natural areas with color and fragrance every year. Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge to learn about our native shrubs, their wildlife value and landscape beauty. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, author and educator. She is the editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine, a naturalist and instructor at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and a Pennsylvania master naturalist. She is the team leader for Lambertville Goes Wild, a volunteer organization that successfully led Lambertville to certification as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. On her blog, Mary Anne writes about and illustrates with her photography the importance of native plants to all life. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
24May
Make A Rain Barrel Workshop with Olivia Spildooren (May 24, 2025)
Capturing and reusing rainwater for your gardens with a rain barrel is an easy way of controlling stormwater, reducing local flooding, and saving money on water bills! Join Watershed Institute River-Friendly Coordinator, Olivia Spildooren, and Santino Lauricella, BHWP Education Manager in a workshop where you will construct your own rain barrel plus go home with instructions for installation, maintenance, and appropriate uses. As the River-Friendly Coordinator, Olivia works with residents, schools, businesses, and golf courses to increase their environmental literacy, promote behavior change, and create in-the-ground projects to protect water quality and restore wildlife habitat. She has gained many hands-on experiences designing, installing, or maintaining naturalized detention basins, rain gardens, green roofs, rain barrels, and even constructed floating wetlands. When not working you might find Olivia hiking local woods, pointing at a bird, using iNaturalist to become more of a plant nerd, or playing the violin in her local orchestra. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. Registration Fees: $65 members ($78 non-members)
07Jun
Knowing Native Plants: Focus on Ferns with Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. (Jun. 7, 2025)
There are some native plants, such as ferns, that don’t flower at all. In this popular program, Ed Lignowski, Ph.D., former botany/plant physiology college professor, will teach you to identify many native ferns. He will highlight their evolutionary history and unusual reproductive habits, as well as their natural habitats and usefulness in native plant gardens. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. LACES CEUs are available for this class. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
21Jun
Knowing Native Plants: Invasive Species ID and Management with Mary Anne Borge (June 21, 2025)
What is an invasive plant? What problems do invasive plants cause? Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge to learn the answers to these questions, as well as how to identify the most common and troublesome invasive plant species in the Delaware Valley region. You'll also learn about several alternatives for control of these exotic intruders, many without the use of chemicals. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, author and educator. She is the editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine, a naturalist and instructor at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and a Pennsylvania master naturalist. She is the team leader for Lambertville Goes Wild, a volunteer organization that successfully led Lambertville to certification as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. On her blog, Mary Anne writes about and illustrates with her photography the importance of native plants to all life. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25 If you cannot add the in-person option to your cart, it is sold out!
26Jul
Knowing Native Plants: Meadow Magic with Mary Anne Borge (July 26, 2025)
Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge and discover the Preserve’s 4-acre meadow. This program will introduce you to native plants that thrive in a meadow habitat, including wildflowers, grasses, sedges and rushes. Learn what defines a meadow, the benefits it provides, meadow successional stages, the actions necessary to maintain a meadow and the animals that depend on this type of ecosystem. Find out why it is important to plant native species and avoid non-native ornamentals that may escape from cultivation. Whether you are looking for ideas for your own meadow or want help identifying plants in the meadows where you hike, this program is for you. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, author and educator. She is the editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine, a naturalist and instructor at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and a Pennsylvania master naturalist. She is the team leader for Lambertville Goes Wild, a volunteer organization that successfully led Lambertville to certification as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. On her blog, Mary Anne writes about and illustrates with her photography the importance of native plants to all life. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
23Aug
Knowing Native Plants: Confusing Yellow Composites with Mary Anne Borge (Aug 23, 2025)
Join Preserve Naturalist Mary Anne Borge as we focus on the confusing late summer and fall-blooming yellow composites, including goldenrods (Solidago spp.), sunflowers, coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) and beggar-ticks (Bidens spp.). She will cover the features that make aster family members unique, as well as the relationships these plants have with the insects, birds and other animals that depend on them. Find out which of these species might be good candidates for your own garden. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, author and educator. She is the editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine, a naturalist and instructor at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and a Pennsylvania master naturalist. She is the team leader for Lambertville Goes Wild, a volunteer organization that successfully led Lambertville to certification as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. On her blog, Mary Anne writes about and illustrates with her photography the importance of native plants to all life. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 (if you cannot add to your cart, in-person tickets are sold out) Virtual: $25
20Sep
Knowing Native Plants: Classic Asters and Their Colorful Companions with Mary Anne Borge (Sept. 20, 2025)
Join Preserve Naturalist Mary Anne Borge to find out what makes aster family members different from all other plants and their importance to both wildlife and people. You’ll learn about classic asters such as New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) and many other species found in different habitats; some that bloom into November; as well as bonesets (Eupatorium perfoliatum), white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) and mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). Learn which of these species might be good candidates for your own garden. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, author and educator. She is the editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine, a naturalist and instructor at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and a Pennsylvania master naturalist. She is the team leader for Lambertville Goes Wild, a volunteer organization that successfully led Lambertville to certification as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. On her blog, Mary Anne writes about and illustrates with her photography the importance of native plants to all life. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
04Oct
Knowing Native Plants: Trees of the Preserve with Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. (Oct. 4, 2025)
Learn about our native trees that dominate the landscape of forests, homes and municipalities. Former botany/plant physiology college professor Ed Lignowski, Ph.D., will discuss Pennsylvania’s forests, tree growth and development and how to identify the many native tree species of the Preserve. The biological and environmental changes occurring in autumn that provide brilliant seasonal tree colors will be explained. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
01Nov
Knowing Native Plants: From Flowers to Seeds with Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. (Nov. 1, 2025)
How do angiosperms reproduce sexually? Former botany and plant physiology college professor Ed Lignowski, Ph.D., will discuss the life cycle of flowering plants, from pollination to fruit and seed dispersal. The general anatomy of flowers will be covered along with specific examples of native plants that illustrate the many interesting differences in floral structure and function occurring in nature. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 12 hours before the start of the class. If you need help with registration, please email education@bhwp.org. If you need assistance with your membership code, please contact development@bhwp.org. You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting invitation before the program begins and after registration closes. Registration Fees: In-Person: $30 Virtual: $25
Thursday Night Nature
24Apr
Thursday Night Nature: Earth Day: The History and Future of the Planet’s Biggest Day with Mike Weilbacher (April 24, 2025)
On April 22’s Earth Day, an amazing one billion people in 190 countries will pause to commemorate the planet-- planting trees, cleaning shorelines, engaging in teach-ins and sit-ins-- making it the world’s largest non religious holiday. As a historian of Earth Day, Mike Weilbacher’s visually engaging lecture explores the rich and surprising history of the event, with a special focus on Philadelphia’s 1970 week of programming that garnered national attention. From the 1970's past-event passage of a huge raft of legislation, to the birth of curbside recycling in 1990, to today’s global incarnation, Mike looks at the day’s accomplishments-- and peeks into his crystal ball to predict its future. Writer-naturalist Mike Weilbacher is an environmental educator with 40 years of experience teaching through lectures, walks, newspaper essays, theatrical performances and radio. His first book, Wild Philly, features 29 nature walks in the region, plus tons of additional information about nature and the environment. His article on horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds along the Delaware Bay has been recently published in Philadelphia Magazine. Weilbacher travels the area offering lectures, walks and other programs on nature and the environment, talking about issues like climate change and protecting monarch butterflies. He's presented many times at Preserve. A former nonprofit executive director, he’s known to public radio listeners as “Mike the All-Natural Science Guy” on the award-winning children’s radio show “Kid’s Corner” on WXPN, where he has been talking to children about nature and the environment for more than 35 years. Check out his website mikeweilbacher.com for more information. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.
01May
Thursday Night Nature: Young Forests = Biodiversity and Healthier Ecosystems with Dan Duran, Ph.D. (May 1, 2025)
Frequently, conservationists and others have led us to treasure older forests more than other ecosystems. Open-field habitats and young forests, however, hold significantly more biodiversity than closed-canopy forests. Those younger forests are often undervalued and less protected. Dr. Dan Duran will sketch some of the differences in these habitats, give us an overview of the conservation issues, and discuss ways that listeners can get involved in helping to create and maintain early successional forest and edge habitats. Dr. Daniel P. Duran is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Rowan University as well as the Naturalist for Scotland Run Park, a 1300-acre nature preserve at the edge of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. He has published research papers on agricultural entomology, biodiversity, molecular phylogenetics and climate change. Dr. Duran has described 17 new species of insects and plants, previously unknown to science. He received a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Stockton University in 1998, an M.S. in Entomology from University of Missouri in 2002, and a Ph.D. in Evolution and Ecology from Vanderbilt University in 2010. In between his degrees, he has also worked for the Natural History Museum, London, UK and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Dr. Duran is a co-author of the book "A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada, 2nd Edition". Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.
08May
Thursday Night Nature: From Indigenous Plants to Modern Medicine with Daniella I. Olan, Ph.D. (May 8, 2025)
This lecture explores the journey of traditional plant-based healing into modern medicine. Indigenous communities have long used medicinal plants for holistic wellness. Science has harnessed the power of these plants and traditional knowledge to shape our modern pharmaceuticals. We will discuss the balance between natural remedies and lab-synthesized medicine. See how heritage and wellness come together at Petra Aroma in plant-based healing. Dr. Daniella I. Olan is a pharmacist, herbalist, and entrepreneur dedicated to bridging ancestral plant medicine and modern science. With a background in pharmaceutical research and development, she founded Petra Aroma, a wellness brand inspired by Puerto Rico’s rich herbal traditions. Dr. Olan's work explores the intersection of traditional healing, sustainability, and scientific innovation, empowering communities to reconnect with plant-based wellness. She has trained with renowned herbalists and indigenous healers across the Caribbean and Latin America, integrating holistic and evidence-based practices into her work. Through lectures, workshops, and product development, she champions cultural preservation and sustainable wellness. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.