Exploring Nature
08Jan
Winter Lecture Series: Monarch Butterflies: Kings of Migration with Mike Weilbacher (Jan. 8, 2023)
Every year, monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus)—those showy, Halloween-colored beauties—engage in one of nature’s most extraordinary feats: flying to a very few secluded mountain valleys in Mexico. After wintering, they begin a perilous journey north, sometimes taking generations to return to Pennsylvania. And in the fall, they start over again. How do they accomplish this remarkable task? Why did it even evolve? The monarch is also among the most endangered butterflies, their numbers in a steep decline in recent decades—for surprising reasons. Mike Weilbacher shares this butterfly’s unique story, weaving up-to-date science with folk legend and Aztec myth. You’ll gain a new appreciation for the king of butterflies and learn innumerable ways you can help this amazing creature. Naturalist Mike Weilbacher is executive director of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia’s Roxborough section. An award-winning environmental educator for 40 years, Weilbacher writes a weekly column for the Roxborough Review and is well known to public radio listeners as “Mike the All-Natural Science Guy” on the live children’s radio show “Kid’s Corner” on WXPN. Mike will be joining us in-person for this program. Program Fee: $18 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) The 2023 Winter Lecture Series is brought to you, in part, thanks to the generous support of the Bucks County Foundation.
08Jan
2023 Winter Lecture Series
Shake off the winter doldrums with our annual Winter Lecture Series. This popular series features presentations by regionally renowned experts on eight Sundays in January and February from 2 to 3 pm. Knowledgeable lecturers address a wide range of topics related to natural history, biodiversity, ecological gardening, native plants, native wildlife and more. All lectures will host virtual and in-person attendees with the same admission price. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 2 hours before the start of the class. An email with the virtual Zoom Webinar link will be sent after registration closes. The link will come from education@bhwp.org. The 2023 Winter Lecture Series is brought to you, in part, thanks to the generous support of the Bucks County Foundation.
15Jan
Winter Lecture Series: Pawpaws to the People with Chris Chmiel (Jan. 15, 2023)
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), the North American native tree that produces the largest edible fruits—once nearly forgotten—has seen a dramatic resurgence in popularity. While you may not see the fruit on grocery store shelves, you may be lucky enough to pick one up at your local farmers market or receive one from a friendly neighbor. Chris Chmiel, founder of the Ohio Pawpaw Festival, will present a general overview of the pawpaw and discuss its cultural significance and history. He will share his experiences with Integration Acres, currently the world's largest pawpaw processor and purveyor of pawpaw products. In addition, Chmiel will talk about this fruit’s cult-like following and the Ohio Pawpaw Festival, the world's largest of its kind. Chris Chmiel attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and graduated with a specialized studies degree, "Wholistic Transition to Sustainability." He started Integration Acres in 1995 and the Ohio Pawpaw Festival in 1999. He is also currently serving as an Athens County commissioner. Chris will be joining us virtually for this program. Program Fee: $18 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) The 2023 Winter Lecture Series is brought to you, in part, thanks to the generous support of the Bucks County Foundation.
22Jan
Winter Lecture Series: Preserving Culture Through Gardening with Justin Trezza (Jan. 22, 2023)
South Philadelphia is home to a large refugee population. Once settled, these immigrants created the Growing Home Gardens. This community garden addresses concerns of nutritional deficiencies seen in newly arriving refugees and was created to afford newcomers with the opportunity to grow culturally relevant crops and to feel rooted in their neighborhood. Justin Trezza will discuss his role in maintaining the garden. Justin Trezza joined the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) as its director of community gardens program in 2017 after working with several agroecological and grassroots organizations. He works closely with his team, including the City Harvest initiative, to support community and cooperative gardens throughout Philadelphia. For the last 15 years, he focused on equitable and sustainable food systems locally and internationally with a focus on Central America. Prior to working with the PHS, Trezza served as the executive director of Norris Square Neighborhood Project and as program director for Sustainable Harvest International. Justin will be joining us in-person for this program. Program Fee: $18 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) The 2023 Winter Lecture Series is brought to you, in part, thanks to the generous support of the Bucks County Foundation.
29Jan
Winter Lecture Series: Healing Power of Plants: The Roots of Horticultural Therapy with Laura DePrado (Jan. 29, 2023)
Plants have universal appeal. Plants do not judge. Plants are used in sickness and in health, in celebration and in sorrow. We cook with them. We wear them as clothing. What is it about our need to connect to nature? Join Laura DePrado, horticultural therapist/consultant, to learn about horticultural therapy–also known as therapeutic horticulture or social therapy–its history, application in human health and well-being, and evidence base. Laura DePrado is a horticultural therapist, HTR, B.S. and HT certificate recipient, author, journalist and photographer, specializing in connecting people and plants for human health and well-being. DePrado is the founder, president and owner of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC, which provides customized activities and programs using plants to impact social, physical and psychological well-being. She has traveled the world studying the ancient use of plants in health and medicine. She is a three-time national presenter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) and recipient of the AHTA Alice Burlingame Humanitarian Award. Laura will be joining us in person for this person. Program Fee: $18 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) The 2023 Winter Lecture Series is brought to you, in part, thanks to the generous support of the Bucks County Foundation.
05Feb
Winter Lecture Series: Healing Power of Plants: Forest Medicine with Amanda Crooke (Feb. 5, 2023)
Before the dawn of modern medicine, humans turned to the fields and forest for a reprieve to what ailed them. Explore the medicinal powers of precious forest herbs such as black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum spp.) and spicebush (Lindera benzoin). We will discuss the uses of these plants in traditional and modern herbalism, as well as explore sustainability issues with these plants and discuss alternative herbal options. Amanda Crooke is the herbalist and owner of Locust Light Farm in Titusville, NJ. She has worked with herbs as a farmer, a medicine-maker and herbalist for eight years, and has offered classes both on her farm and online for all levels of experience. She is the herbal pharmacy teacher at David Winston’s Herbalist Training Program and has a private clinical practice. Amanda will be joining us in person for this person. Program Fee: $18 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) The 2023 Winter Lecture Series is brought to you, in part, thanks to the generous support of the Bucks County Foundation.