Knowing Native Plants
Knowing Native Plants: Meadow Magic
Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge and discover the Preserve’s 4-acre meadow. See native meadow plant species, including wildflowers and grasses, and learn about meadow successional stages as well as some of the animals that depend on this habitat. Find out why it is important to plant native species and avoid some popular non-native ornamentals that have escaped from cultivation. Presentation/discussion will be followed by outdoor tour. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, writer, and educator. She is a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a contributor to Butterfly Gardener magazine, and a volunteer at the Preserve for more than 10 years. She shares her fascination with nature through her writing and photography on her blog, www.the-natural-web.org. Advance registration suggested. Professional CEUs are available.
Knowing Native Plants: The Amazing Aster Family Part 1, Classic Asters and Their Colorful Companions
Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge to find out what makes aster family members different from all other plants, and learn their importance to both wildlife and people. During the outside portion of the class, we'll look for these plants, and signs of the relationships they have with the insects, birds and other animals that depend on them. Presentation/discussion will be followed by outdoor tour. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, writer, and educator. She is a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a contributor to Butterfly Gardener magazine, and a volunteer at the Preserve for more than 10 years. She shares her fascination with nature through her writing and photography on her blog, www.the-natural-web.org. Advance registration suggested. Professional CEUs are available.
Knowing Native Plants: The Amazing Aster Family Part 2, Confusing Yellow Composites
Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge as we focus on the late summer and fall blooming confusing yellow composites, including goldenrods, sunflowers, coneflowers and beggar-ticks. During the outside portion of the class, we'll look for these plants and signs of the relationships they have with the insects, birds, and other animals that depend on them. Attending ‘The Amazing Aster Family Part 1: Classic Asters and Colorful Companions’ prior to this class is recommended, but not required. Presentation/discussion will be followed by outdoor tour. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, writer, and educator. She is a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a contributor to Butterfly Gardener magazine, and a volunteer at the Preserve for more than 10 years. She shares her fascination with nature through her writing and photography on her blog, www.the-natural-web.org. Advance registration suggested. Professional CEUs are available.
Exploring Nature
Collections Walk: The Fern Trail
Dr. Edgar Wherry planted nearly 100 species of native ferns during his tenure at the Preserve. Over the years, their numbers have dwindled but many beautiful examples remain. Take a walk with local fern expert Janet Novac to explore the Fern Trail while learning its colorful history and our ongoing restoration efforts.
Summer Nature Play Day
Come join us for an afternoon of play in nature! Our Visitor Center will be filled with FUN and thematic self-guided activities, art projects, and opportunities for a guided hike. This is a drop-in, family program. Fees: Members FREE; Non-member $3 (includes Preserve admission)
Creek Exploration
Come explore Pidcock Creek to see firsthand the benefits our native plants have on aquatic creatures. Ages 7 and up. Program will be canceled in the event of rain.
Moth Madness with Elena Tartaglia, Ph.D.
Join Elena Tartaglia, Ph.D., to explore nighttime nature! This program is a prelude to the citizen science project, National Moth Week, held July 20 - 28, 2019. We will start the program with a presentation about the important role of moths in the ecosystem and then head out for up-close observation of the fascinating insects, which will be attracted to a black light in our meadow. All ages and experience levels are welcome.
North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Butterfly Count
Come for an all-day event focusing on our fluttering friends. Why count butterflies? It helps scientists piece together the big picture of the distribution and population size of each species counted, including changes over time. And it's fun! You will learn to identify the different types of butterflies and the native plants that they utilize at the Preserve. Please bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens, and a field guide, if you have one. Make sure you have plenty of water, snacks, and appropriate sun protection. Join us for all or part of the day; all experience levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced butterfliers. Please meet the group at the Visitor Center.
Mornings in the Meadow
Native bees and butterflies gather nectar or pollen from milkweeds, mints, bonesets and coneflowers. Take a guided tour of our 4-acre meadow to learn about native warm season grasses, meadow ecology and plant-pollinator interactions. This vigorous walk leaves from the Visitor Center. Ages 10 and up.
Family Bug Safari with Pam Newitt
Bring the whole family to look for bugs! Join naturalist Pam Newitt for a hands-on educational program all about insects. We will find out where insects live and what they eat. As part of your program fee, you will get a bug box in which to keep the bugs you find. We will build an insect zoo to get a close-up look at our arthropod friends, then release them all at the end of the program. Ages 5 and up.
Passport to Nature
We are teaming up with our friends at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to offer a day of adventure in nature. Stop by the Preserve's Visitor Center to pick up your passport and map. On the trails, you will explore the Preserve in new and different ways, including creek exploration, birding, an insect hunt, geocaching, and viewing miniature wonders up close. This program is a drop-in event; registration is requested but not required. It will be canceled in the event of thunderstorms. Please check our website, BHWP.org, for cancellation information on the day of the event. Registration fee is "per family."
Butterfly Walk with Mary Anne Borge
Join Naturalist Mary Anne Borge for a stroll through the Preserve and learn about the butterflies’ wonderful world. From tiger swallowtails to monarchs, discover which winged wonders live here, who is just passing through and the native plants that support them. Mary Anne Borge is a naturalist, photographer, writer, and educator. She is a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a contributor to Butterfly Gardener magazine, and a volunteer at the Preserve for more than 10 years. She shares her fascination with nature through her writing and photography on her blog, www.the-natural-web.org.
Mornings in the Meadow
Native bees and butterflies gather nectar or pollen from milkweeds, mints, bonesets and coneflowers. Take a guided tour of our 4-acre meadow to learn about native warm season grasses, meadow ecology and plant-pollinator interactions. This vigorous walk leaves from the Visitor Center. Ages 10 and up.
Book Discussion: Gathering Moss – A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses
Beyond their scientific notoriety, mosses possess a kind of lyrical splendor that author Robin Wall Kimmerer unravels with enchanting elegance. Read Kimmerer’s book, Gathering Moss, available at the Twinleaf Book & Gift Shop, then join Naturalist Monica Flint for a discussion and a walk to visit our enchanting moss garden. Advance registration required by Aug. 8.
Bat Chat with Matthew Wund, Ph.D.
Bats are incredible creatures. They are excellent parents and insect-eating machines. They also play a valuable role in our ecosystem. Join Matthew Wund, Ph.D., and discover the species of bats that call Pennsylvania home, the challenges they face, and the important services they provide. Indoor presentation followed by an outdoor bat hike, where participants will use bat detectors to listen to echolocation calls. Matthew Wund is an Associate Professor of Biology at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey. 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. Dr. Wund's 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.
Nature Play Day
Come join us for an afternoon of play in nature! Our Visitor Center will be filled with FUN and thematic self-guided activities, art projects, and opportunities for a guided hike. This is a drop-in, family program. Fees: Members FREE; Non-member $3 (includes Preserve admission)
Dragonfly I.D. Workshop
Learn about the fascinating world of dragonflies from one of the masters in the field. Mike May, Ph.D., will teach you about the basics of what members of the Odonata family are, their life cycles and behavior, and give you an inside glimpse into his research. Program includes a presentation indoors and a journey outside to search for adult and larva dragonflies. Binoculars are helpful but not required. This program is geared for adults. Mike May grew up in Florida and began collecting insects at a young age. His interest in dragonflies peaked in graduate school at the University of Florida where he earned his Ph.D. He spent three years on postdoctoral appointments in Panama and the University of Illinois. He retired from Rutgers University in 2012 but still keeps up research on dragonflies. He is coauthor of two books: Damselflies of North America and A Manual of the Dragonflies of North America, and author/co-author of more than 60 scientific papers. He also is a member of the editorial board of The International Journal of Odonatology and is deeply involved in the Xerces Society’s Migratory Dragonfly Project (www.migratorydragonflypartnership.org). Advance registration required by Aug. 10.
Mornings in the Meadow
Native bees and butterflies gather nectar or pollen from milkweeds, mints, bonesets and coneflowers. Take a guided tour of our 4-acre meadow to learn about native warm season grasses, meadow ecology and plant-pollinator interactions. This vigorous walk leaves from the Visitor Center. Ages 10 and up.
Fall Morning Bird Walk
The Preserve's diverse variety of native plants offers migrating birds a smorgasbord of fruits and the insects they attract. Join us as we search the woods for warblers, thrushes, and other species and learn about the plants that help fuel their flight.
Milkweeds & Monarchs
Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. Without it, they cannot complete their life cycle. The good news is that planting milkweed is one of the easiest ways that each of us can make a difference for monarchs. Join Education Coordinator Kelly Joslin and learn about the monarch life cycle and their migration. You will also learn which plants to add to your yard to provide nectar for adults and serve as hosts for caterpillars.
Fall Morning Bird Walk
The Preserve's diverse variety of native plants offers migrating birds a smorgasbord of fruits and the insects they attract. Join us as we search the woods for warblers, thrushes, and other species and learn about the plants that help fuel their flight.
Nature at Night
Nocturnal nature is full of beauty and mystery. 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 creatures of them all: spiders!
Fall Morning Bird Walk
The Preserve's diverse variety of native plants offers migrating birds a smorgasbord of fruits and the insects they attract. Join us as we search the woods for warblers, thrushes, and other species and learn about the plants that help fuel their flight.
Nature Play Day
Come join us for an afternoon of play in nature! Our Visitor Center will be filled with FUN and thematic self-guided activities, art projects, and opportunities for a guided hike. This is a drop-in, family program. Fees: Members FREE; Non-member $3 (includes Preserve admission)
Fall Morning Bird Walk
The Preserve's diverse variety of native plants offers migrating birds a smorgasbord of fruits and the insects they attract. Join us as we search the woods for warblers, thrushes, and other species and learn about the plants that help fuel their flight.
Growing Native Plants
Spout Spot Gardening Workshop with Jenny Rose Carey
Join Jenny Rose Carey, Senior Director at PHS Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown and author of Glorious Shade, (Timber Press, 2017) at this informative workshop. Homeowners often overlook the potential beneath their downspouts. Let author Jenny Rose show you how to transform this area into a beautiful garden in this new workshop for homeowners. You’ll leave with a basic design plan and a list of plants to help you carry out your plan. Jenny Rose Carey is a renowned educator, historian, and author, and the senior director at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown. She previously worked at Temple University for over a decade, first as an adjunct professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and then as director of the Ambler Arboretum. Jenny Rose has been lecturing nationally and internationally for many years and her gardens have been featured on the PBS series "The Victory Garden," in the Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, Green Scene magazine, and the Pennsylvania Gardener.
Growing Native Plants: Behind-the-Scenes Nursery Tour
Join Preserve Nursery Manager Jake Fitzpatrick for a walk-through of the Preserve's growing area. Normally closed to all visitors, this is your chance to see how we grow our precious native plants. Learn how we propagate seeds and care for our native perennials all year long. You will also pot a native perennial to take home!
Growing Native Plants: Behind-the-Scenes Nursery Tour
Join Preserve Nursery Manager Jake Fitzpatrick for a walk-through of the Preserve's growing area. Normally closed to all visitors, this is your chance to see how we grow our precious native plants. Learn how we propagate seeds and care for our native perennials all year long. You will also pot a native perennial to take home!
How to Fight Plants with Plants – Chemical-Free Methods for Removing Invasives Workshop with Nancy Lawson
You’ve decided to start a native plant garden for the good of the animals and the environment. Learn how to go native without the use of chemicals—and without overwhelming yourself—through innovative, humane and sustainable planting and cultivation strategies. Nancy Lawson is the author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife. A columnist for All Animals magazine, Lawson founded Humane Gardener, an outreach initiative dedicated to cultivating compassion for all creatures, great and small, through animal-friendly landscaping methods. After an early career in newspaper journalism, she led the creative teams behind the award-winning print and digital magazines of The Humane Society of the United States.
Milkweeds & Monarchs
Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. Without it, they cannot complete their life cycle. The good news is that planting milkweed is one of the easiest ways that each of us can make a difference for monarchs. Join Education Coordinator Kelly Joslin and learn about the monarch life cycle and their migration. You will also learn which plants to add to your yard to provide nectar for adults and serve as hosts for caterpillars.
Meadowscaping 101 Workshop with Catherine Zimmerman
This workshop will cover meadow site preparation, design, planting and maintenance. It includes a tour of the Preserve’s meadow, as well as the opportunity to purchase plants to get started on your meadowscape!
Growing Native Plants: Behind-the-Scenes Nursery Tour
Join Preserve Nursery Manager Jake Fitzpatrick for a walk-through of the Preserve's growing area. Normally closed to all visitors, this is your chance to see how we grow our precious native plants. Learn how we propagate seeds and care for our native perennials all year long. You will also pot a native perennial to take home!
Growing Native Plants: Seed Collection with Jason Ksepka
Take advantage of the expertise of Preserve Curator Jason Ksepka and learn how to collect seed from the plants in your own backyard. This class will take you through the steps needed to successfully and responsibly collect native plant seeds. Timing of seed collection, as well as techniques and supplies suggested for seed storage and cleaning, will also be covered. Participants will take home a packet of native seeds.