18Sep
Mornings in the Meadow September 18, 2024
Nectar and pollen from our native meadow plants such as the aster family and goldenrods (Solidago spp.) fuel the lives of our native pollinators throughout autumn. Join one of our seasoned naturalists for a guided tour of our 6.4-acre meadow to learn about meadow ecology and plant-pollinator interactions. The naturalist leading this invigorating walk will meet participants at the James Moore Pavilion. For ages 10 and up. Rick Anderson has been a Preserve naturalist for over 13 years and has led guided meadow walks for the past 5 years. He’s a scout merit badge counselor for nature, forestry and environmental science. He and Paula Walter have volunteered together at local schools, teaching students about watersheds, water quality and ecosystems. Anderson hosted a public video recording on our meadows, showcasing the ecosystem of wet, moist and dry areas that each support different plant and animal communities. Paula Walter is a property steward and naturalist for several Bucks County education organizations. She has worked to install, maintain and monitor both large scale and backyard meadows. Walter is an advocate for the importance of meadows in a healthy environment and finds the Preserve’s meadow ecosystem both fascinating and beautiful. This is her third year for leading meadow walks with Rick Anderson. Price: $8
21Sep
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (September 21, 2024)
“The forest is the therapist. The guide opens the doors.” – M. Amos Clifford Led by Sharon Lohse, nature therapy walks are a unique, immersive, slow-paced experience with proven health benefits. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing and led by a certified nature and forest therapy guide, you will explore the land of the Preserve and awaken your senses to its sounds, beings, textures and beauty. This experience is different than a hike or naturalist walk. You will be invited to move slowly, wander, pause, observe and reflect. The emphasis is on unplugging, calming the mind and engaging with the natural world. Many studies have shown that this type of experience in nature reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels and blood pressure, increases energy, enhances sleep, increases natural killer disease-fighting cells and provides an overall sense of well-being. Sharon Lohse is a psychiatric nurse with certificates in horticultural therapy, mindfulness and forest therapy. Her love of plants, trees, flowers and people is the root of her business, Mindful in Nature. She has been a certified guide since January 2019 and very much enjoys bringing people and plants together. She has transformed her yard into a horticultural masterpiece, winning the Garden of Distinction Award in the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society’s annual garden contest. In the process, she discovered how happy people felt after walking her garden trail, which led Lohse to Delaware Valley University. Patty Kleiner is a certified forest therapy guide and a Preserve naturalist. She has had a lifelong affinity for the outdoors and enjoys sharing the healing power of nature with others. An avid photographer of the natural world, her work has been selected for inclusion in the Phillips Mill photography exhibition. Pre-registration for this program is required by Wednesday, September 12, 2023. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
19Oct
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (October 19, 2024)
“The forest is the therapist. The guide opens the doors.” – M. Amos Clifford Led by Sharon Lohse, nature therapy walks are a unique, immersive, slow-paced experience with proven health benefits. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing and led by a certified nature and forest therapy guide, you will explore the land of the Preserve and awaken your senses to its sounds, beings, textures and beauty. This experience is different than a hike or naturalist walk. You will be invited to move slowly, wander, pause, observe and reflect. The emphasis is on unplugging, calming the mind and engaging with the natural world. Many studies have shown that this type of experience in nature reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels and blood pressure, increases energy, enhances sleep, increases natural killer disease-fighting cells and provides an overall sense of well-being. Sharon Lohse is a psychiatric nurse with certificates in horticultural therapy, mindfulness and forest therapy. Her love of plants, trees, flowers and people is the root of her business, Mindful in Nature. She has been a certified guide since January 2019 and very much enjoys bringing people and plants together. She has transformed her yard into a horticultural masterpiece, winning the Garden of Distinction Award in the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society’s annual garden contest. In the process, she discovered how happy people felt after walking her garden trail, which led Lohse to Delaware Valley University. Patty Kleiner is a certified forest therapy guide and a Preserve naturalist. She has had a lifelong affinity for the outdoors and enjoys sharing the healing power of nature with others. An avid photographer of the natural world, her work has been selected for inclusion in the Phillips Mill photography exhibition. Pre-registration for this program is required by Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)