Talks, Walks, & Lectures
Educational programs at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve cover a wide range of topics that include the identification, ecology, and biodiversity of native plants; basics of botany; and how to use native plants, trees & shrubs in the garden and landscape.
Knowing Native Plants
01Mar
Knowing Native Plants: Trees in Winter with Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. (Mar. 1, 2025)
Saturday, March 1 - 1:00 pmFrom $25.00
Although this time of year the trees are dormant, they exhibit many interesting botanical features. Ed Lignowski, Ph.D., will explain how to identify native deciduous trees and shrubs using buds, twigs, fruit, bark and shape as your only clues. Discover what these trees are doing to prepare for spring and how flowing sap is used to make maple syrup. Additional Information: Online registration for this program closes 2 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
22Mar
Knowing Native Plants: Signs of Spring with Mary Anne Borge (Mar. 22, 2025)
Saturday, March 22 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
DUE TO FORECASTED WEATHER THIS PROGRAM IS MOVING TO FULLY VIRTUAL One of the most exciting sights to behold is your first flower of the spring season. Meet the early flowering plants—including snow trillium (Trillium nivale), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) and hepatica (Hepatica spp.)—and learn how they have adapted to this potentially harsh time of year. We will attempt to identify spring-blooming species from shoots just beginning to poke through the soil. 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. If you are unable to select the in-person option, it means all slots have been filled. The virtual option has no slot limit, however. 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
Knowing Native Plants: Spring Ephemerals with Mary Anne Borge (Apr. 26, 2025)
Saturday, April 26 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
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
03May
Knowing Native Plants: Late Spring Lovelies with Mary Anne Borge (May 3, 2025)
Saturday, May 3 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
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)
Saturday, May 17 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
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
07Jun
Knowing Native Plants: Focus on Ferns with Ed Lignowski, Ph.D. (Jun. 7, 2025)
Saturday, June 7 - 1:00 pmFrom $25.00
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)
Saturday, June 21 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
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)
Saturday, July 26 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
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)
Saturday, August 23 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
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)
Saturday, September 20 - 10:00 amFrom $25.00
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)
Saturday, October 4 - 1:00 pmFrom $25.00
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)
Saturday, November 1 - 1:00 pmFrom $25.00
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
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Exploring Nature
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Nature and Art
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