Knowing Native Plants
27Aug
Knowing Native Plants: The Amazing Aster Family: Confusing Yellow Composites with Mary Anne Borge (Aug 27, 2022)
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 SOLD OUT Virtual: $25
24Sep
Knowing Native Plants: The Amazing Aster Family: Classic Asters and Their Colorful Companions with Mary Anne Borge (Sept. 24, 2022)
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
08Oct
Knowing Native Plants: Trees of the Preserve with Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. (Oct. 8, 2022)
Learn about many of our native tree species in the glory of their fall color with former botany/plant physiology college instructor Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. Do you know which native tree was originally used to flavor root beer? Or why leaves change color? This class will cover these topics and more, as well as provide tips on how to identify the trees of the Preserve, both deciduous and evergreen. 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 SOLD OUT Virtual: $25
05Nov
Knowing Native Plants: From Flowers to Seeds with Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. (Nov. 5, 2022)
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
11Aug
Lessons Learned: Helpful Hints on your Journey into Native Plants with Tom Knezick and Fran Chismar (Thursday Night Nature, August 11)
Over the years, Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick have interviewed some of the brightest minds in ecology and the native plant world. We are constantly reminded of the larger issues in our ecosystem, yet sometimes forget many of the small lessons we learn every day. Tom and Fran share some of their favorite lessons learned over their time on the Native Plants, Healthy Planet podcast to help make this native plant journey enjoyable. Nature is resilient and always finds a way – so will you. Fran Chismar likes to talk — and with over 30 years of nursery industry experience, Fran has a lot to talk about. He insists he is not an expert on anything, but knows just enough about everything to be dangerous. Fran brings his experience with music podcasting, and joins it with his industry knowledge in restoration and native plants, to help guide you through Native Plants, Healthy Planet. Tom Knezick is naturally inquisitive, and his role as production analyst requires him to pull things apart and figure out how and why they work. Coupling this with growing up on a native plant nursery and his love of podcasts is what makes Tom a natural host for Native Plants, Healthy Planet. All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)
18Aug
From Enthusiast to Restorationist: A Naturalist Journey with Mark Brownlee (Thursday Night Nature, August 18)
Mark will share his journey from being a homeowner interested in native plants to becoming a principal with ArcheWild, an ecological restoration firm. This journey features high aspirations and deep disappointments. Each experience has produced valuable insights into how anyone can rapidly progress from feeling helpless to being empowered and confident in restoring a native ecosystem on their own property. Mark Brownlee is a principal with ArcheWild, a science-based ecological restoration firm. Mark also functions as the head ecologist for WildLawn, a regional firm dedicated to applying ecological restoration principles in the home landscape. Mark frequently provides training to landscape architects and civil engineers throughout the mid-Atlantic. All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)
25Aug
Lyme Disease and other Tick-borne Diseases in Pennsylvania with Maria Luisa (Malu) Tejada, M.D. (Thursday Night Nature, August 25)
Lyme disease is one of the most commonly known tick-borne illnesses. In 2019, 34,945 confirmed and probable cases were reported to the CDC. This lecture aims to give participants practical information on what to look for in terms of signs and symptoms of Lyme disease for early diagnosis and treatment, as well as preventative techniques. While this presentation will focus mostly on Lyme disease, other tick-borne diseases of interest for Pennsylvanians will be covered. Malu received her Medical Degree from the University of Geneva, Switzerland and her Master’s in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. She is currently the human health expert of the Vector-borne Disease team at Penn State Extension. ***Note: This lecture is not intended to provide medical advice, nor will it provide the participants with diagnostic skills. It is also not meant to address specific health issues you may have. If you have any concerns regarding your health, we encourage you to reach out to your healthcare provider.*** All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)
Exploring Nature
17Aug
Mornings in the Meadow Aug. 17, 2022
Nectar and pollen from our native meadow plants fuel the lives of our native pollinators throughout the summer. The variety of milkweeds, mints, bonesets and coneflowers also serves as the ideal nursery for their progeny. Join our seasoned naturalists for a guided tour of our 6.4-acre meadow to learn about native warm-season grasses, meadow ecology and plant-pollinator interactions. The naturalist leading this invigorating walk will meet participants at the Pavilion at 9 am. For ages 12 and up.
31Aug
Mornings in the Meadow Aug. 31, 2022
Nectar and pollen from our native meadow plants fuel the lives of our native pollinators throughout the summer. The variety of milkweeds, mints, bonesets and coneflowers also serves as the ideal nursery for their progeny. Join our seasoned naturalists for a guided tour of our 6.4-acre meadow to learn about native warm-season grasses, meadow ecology and plant-pollinator interactions. The naturalist leading this invigorating walk will meet participants at the Pavilion at 9 am. For ages 12 and up.