Workshops & Events
Ecology & Conservation
08May
Thursday Night Nature: From Indigenous Plants to Modern Medicine with Daniella I. Olan, Ph.D. (May 8, 2025)
This lecture explores the journey of traditional plant-based healing into modern medicine. Indigenous communities have long used medicinal plants for holistic wellness. Science has harnessed the power of these plants and traditional knowledge to shape our modern pharmaceuticals. We will discuss the balance between natural remedies and lab-synthesized medicine. See how heritage and wellness come together at Petra Aroma in plant-based healing. Dr. Daniella I. Olan is a pharmacist, herbalist, and entrepreneur dedicated to bridging ancestral plant medicine and modern science. With a background in pharmaceutical research and development, she founded Petra Aroma, a wellness brand inspired by Puerto Rico’s rich herbal traditions. Dr. Olan's work explores the intersection of traditional healing, sustainability, and scientific innovation, empowering communities to reconnect with plant-based wellness. She has trained with renowned herbalists and indigenous healers across the Caribbean and Latin America, integrating holistic and evidence-based practices into her work. Through lectures, workshops, and product development, she champions cultural preservation and sustainable wellness. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.
15May
Thursday Night Nature: Seeding Ecosystems of the Future with Evelyn M. Beaury, Ph.D. (May 15, 2025)
Climate change is impacting the distribution of biodiversity across time and space. Our gardens can be incredibly useful tools to support biodiversity conservation, such as by supporting native plant and wildlife populations and by reducing the spread of invasive species. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of how the climate is changing in the northeast and how it affects species distributions. I will then discuss how gardens can help seed ecosystems of the future. Dr. Beaury, Assistant Curator in the Center for Conservation and Restoration Ecology at the New York Botanical Garden, focuses on the biogeography of global change, namely characterizing the spatial patterns and processes related to the spread of invasive species, climate change, and land-use change. She received her Ph.D. in invasive plant biogeography from UMass Amherst and completed a postdoc at Princeton University, where I explored spatial planning tools for nature-based solutions. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.
22May
Thursday Night Nature: Why Cicadas Matter with Chris Alice Kratzer (May 22, 2025)
Cicadas are large and clumsy insects whose calls are synonymous with "summer" the world over. Learn how cicadas fit into the broader ecosystem and how they serve as a foundational pillar of the natural world. There is so much more to these strange and charming creatures than initially meets the ear! Chris Alice “Alie” Kratzer is an engineer, scientist, entrepreneur, illustrator, and author. She serves as the founder and Director of Owlfly LLC and manages both its engineering and publishing divisions. Alie's newest book is The Cicadas of North America, which offers a glimpse into the lives of some of the world's most delightful insects. Her first book, The Social Wasps of North America, was released in 2022 and established Alie as one of the youngest published field guide authors in history. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.
29May
Thursday Night Nature: Gill Creek Green Infrastructure Solutions Project – Creating and Using Natural Ecosystems for Stormwater Purification with Brad Mudrzynski (May 29, 2025)
Gill Creek and its impoundment Hyde Park Lake are located within Hyde Park in the City of Niagara Falls, New York. The lake has poor water quality and experiences frequent Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which impact aquatic life, prevent recreational fishing, and reduce lake and park aesthetics. This project was designed for the client, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, to intercept and treat approximately 2,000,000 gallons of previously untreated stormwater per year, as well as to provide riparian buffers that will reduce impacts from the surrounding golf course. The project includes creating wetland basins, beneficial reuse of spoil materials for additional wetland establishment, forested buffers with habitat mounds and pools, and establishment of perennial meadows surrounding Hyde Park Lake. The project will start construction in March 2025, and should be substantially complete by May 2025. Brad is a retired farm kid with a master's degree in Environmental Science from SUNY Brockport, a state college in upstate New York. He is a co-founder and partner of Land Ethic Planning & Restoration, a western New York-based environmental consulting firm. He serves as their principal ecologist and specializes in wetland ecology, ecological restoration design, and ecological planning. When he is not tromping through swamps or writing reports, Brad enjoys spending time with his family, tending to his bees, making maple syrup, and drinking coffee. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.) All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.
29Aug
25th Annual Land Ethics Symposium: Creative Approaches for Ecological Landscaping (Student Ticket)
Symposium Overview Look forward to the 25th year of this not-to-be-missed symposium geared towards landscape architects, designers, contractors, land planners, municipal officials and homeowners. Learn how to create ecologically sound and economically viable landscapes through the use of native plants and sustainable practices. Continuing education credits will be available! 2025 Symposium Speakers David Hughes, RLA, Weatherwood Design: David Hughes is a Registered Landscape Architect and owner of Weatherwood Design LLC, a business specializing in native plant-based garden design and ecological/natural habitat conservation. For 35 years he’s designed and implemented practices that combine human needs with nature’s needs, helping both achieve a functioning and balanced state. Michael McGraw, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Princeton Hydro: Michael McGraw is a Senior Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist. Since 2002, Michael has performed an extensive variety of reptile, amphibian, and avifaunal surveys in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. with a strong emphasis on endangered, threatened, and species of concern. He is currently managing and functioning as a lead biologist on a variety of projects, including wildlife surveys, ecological assessments, threatened and endangered species surveys, population biology research, wetland mitigation, sensitive habitat restoration, FAA-mandated wildlife hazard management plans for airports, land management and site master planning, and regenerative agriculture. Will Ryan, Ph.D., Director of Horticulture and Land Stewardship, Tyler Arboretum Will Ryan is a plant ecologist with over 25 years of experience in ecosystem research and management in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology (under the co-advisement of Doug Tallamy and Roger Latham) and an M.S. in Physical Geography with a focus on ecohydrology. His current role as Director of Horticulture and Land Stewardship at Tyler Arboretum, in Media, PA, involves the care of 100 acres of historic gardens and collections and 550 acres of biodiverse natural areas. In the preceding decade, he served as Senior Ecosystem Scientist at Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects in New York and Restoration Ecologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. His work has focused on landscapes ranging from globally rare grasslands of a few acres to complex landscapes of several thousand acres in the Blue Ridge of VA and Hudson Valley of NY. Among his facets of expertise are conducting baseline ecological conditions documentation, drafting land stewardship plans, and providing design and implementation oversight of ecological restoration projects. In his spare time, he enjoys being a father, biking, hiking, and botanical photography. Donald Pell, Horticulturist - Garden Designer, Donald Pell Gardens For over 30 years, Donald Pell has been reshaping landscapes throughout the Mid-Atlantic US by juxtaposing what we know with the unexpected, creating an endless wonder of visual possibility. An award-winning designer, horticulturist and lecturer, Don has gained prominence by inspiring clients to abandon the ordinary for adventurous, immersive landscapes. Don has taught at Longwood Gardens, and presented at the Delaware Botanical Gardens, to horticultural groups and at conservancy trusts throughout the US. His landscapes have won prestigious awards from the Perennial Plant Association, as well as Gold and Silver Awards for Design from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Nancy Lawson, Founder, The Humane Gardener Nancy Lawson is the author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife and Wildscape: Trilling Chipmunks, Beckoning Blooms, Salty Butterflies, and other Sensory Wonders of Nature. A nature writer, habitat consultant, public speaker, and founder of The Humane Gardener, she pioneers creative wildlife-friendly landscaping methods. Certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional and volunteer master naturalist, Nancy co-chairs Howard County Bee City in Maryland and co-launched a community science project, Monarch Rx, after discovering a little-known butterfly behavior in her own garden. Her habitat and books have been featured in Science Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprah magazine, Entomology Today, Ecological Entomology, American Gardener and on numerous radio shows and podcasts. Her most recent book, Wildscape, received an honorable mention in the American Horticultural Society's national book awards and was a finalist for the 2024 AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books. Learn more about this event For more information, contact our Education Manager, Santino Lauricella, at education@bhwp.org or 215.862.2924 ext. 102.
29Aug
25th Annual Land Ethics Symposium: Creative Approaches for Ecological Landscaping (General Admission)
Symposium Overview Look forward to the 25th year of this not-to-be-missed symposium geared towards landscape architects, designers, contractors, land planners, municipal officials and homeowners. Learn how to create ecologically sound and economically viable landscapes through the use of native plants and sustainable practices. Continuing education credits will be available! 2025 Symposium Speakers David Hughes, RLA, Weatherwood Design: David Hughes is a Registered Landscape Architect and owner of Weatherwood Design LLC, a business specializing in native plant-based garden design and ecological/natural habitat conservation. For 35 years he’s designed and implemented practices that combine human needs with nature’s needs, helping both achieve a functioning and balanced state. Michael McGraw, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Princeton Hydro: Michael McGraw is a Senior Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist. Since 2002, Michael has performed an extensive variety of reptile, amphibian, and avifaunal surveys in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. with a strong emphasis on endangered, threatened, and species of concern. He is currently managing and functioning as a lead biologist on a variety of projects, including wildlife surveys, ecological assessments, threatened and endangered species surveys, population biology research, wetland mitigation, sensitive habitat restoration, FAA-mandated wildlife hazard management plans for airports, land management and site master planning, and regenerative agriculture. Will Ryan, Ph.D., Director of Horticulture and Land Stewardship, Tyler Arboretum Will Ryan is a plant ecologist with over 25 years of experience in ecosystem research and management in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology (under the co-advisement of Doug Tallamy and Roger Latham) and an M.S. in Physical Geography with a focus on ecohydrology. His current role as Director of Horticulture and Land Stewardship at Tyler Arboretum, in Media, PA, involves the care of 100 acres of historic gardens and collections and 550 acres of biodiverse natural areas. In the preceding decade, he served as Senior Ecosystem Scientist at Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects in New York and Restoration Ecologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. His work has focused on landscapes ranging from globally rare grasslands of a few acres to complex landscapes of several thousand acres in the Blue Ridge of VA and Hudson Valley of NY. Among his facets of expertise are conducting baseline ecological conditions documentation, drafting land stewardship plans, and providing design and implementation oversight of ecological restoration projects. In his spare time, he enjoys being a father, biking, hiking, and botanical photography. Donald Pell, Horticulturist - Garden Designer, Donald Pell Gardens For over 30 years, Donald Pell has been reshaping landscapes throughout the Mid-Atlantic US by juxtaposing what we know with the unexpected, creating an endless wonder of visual possibility. An award-winning designer, horticulturist and lecturer, Don has gained prominence by inspiring clients to abandon the ordinary for adventurous, immersive landscapes. Don has taught at Longwood Gardens, and presented at the Delaware Botanical Gardens, to horticultural groups and at conservancy trusts throughout the US. His landscapes have won prestigious awards from the Perennial Plant Association, as well as Gold and Silver Awards for Design from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Nancy Lawson, Founder, The Humane Gardener Nancy Lawson is the author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife and Wildscape: Trilling Chipmunks, Beckoning Blooms, Salty Butterflies, and other Sensory Wonders of Nature. A nature writer, habitat consultant, public speaker, and founder of The Humane Gardener, she pioneers creative wildlife-friendly landscaping methods. Certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional and volunteer master naturalist, Nancy co-chairs Howard County Bee City in Maryland and co-launched a community science project, Monarch Rx, after discovering a little-known butterfly behavior in her own garden. Her habitat and books have been featured in Science Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprah magazine, Entomology Today, Ecological Entomology, American Gardener and on numerous radio shows and podcasts. Her most recent book, Wildscape, received an honorable mention in the American Horticultural Society's national book awards and was a finalist for the 2024 AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books. Learn more about this event For more information, contact our Education Manager, Santino Lauricella, at education@bhwp.org or 215.862.2924 ext. 102.
Art, Health & Nature
07May
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (May 2025 – All)
This program has a tiered pricing system that allows you to pay what you wish. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THIS CLASS WILL BE HELD IN THE AUDITORIUM IN THE VISITOR CENTER Join Priscilla Hayes, Preserve naturalist and certified yoga teacher, for gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems. On your mat each week, you will notice the small—or not so small—changes in yourself: the community of your body, mind and spirit. Each session will include breath exercises, yoga poses and gentle self-care exercises/meditations. Create an intimate awareness of your body and self surrounded by the mosses and plants as they provide you lovely fresh air and peace. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props (a block and a strap are recommended). Priscilla Hayes was inspired to become a yoga teacher after she experienced the benefits of yoga firsthand, in both healing and developing flexibility after a knee replacement. Wanting to pass those same benefits on to others, she completed teacher training at Honor Yoga in 2018 and did her first year and a half of teaching there, as well as additional training in various yoga specialties. Hayes left to pursue her passions of yoga in nature and of inspiring others to engage in a daily home practice. She has been teaching in the moss garden at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve since late spring 2020 (with a winter break). Since August 2020, she has been posting approximately half-hour sequences combining yoga with other self-care practices at Home Practice Breaks, https://www.facebook.com/homepracticebreaks, which can be accessed at any time for free. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props. By registering for this program, I agree and understand that there are inherent risks to being in the out of doors (e.g. ticks, poison ivy, uneven terrain). I release Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, Inc. (BHWP), its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all claims that may arise from my participation in this program, including but not limited to injury, illness, loss of life or property damage. I have notified the staff of any medical conditions of which they need to be aware. With my initials, I also authorize BHWP to publish, display or use all photographs in which I appear, without limitation.
07May
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (May 7, 2025)
This program has a tiered pricing system that allows you to pay what you wish. Join Priscilla Hayes, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve volunteer naturalist and certified yoga teacher, for gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems. On your mat each week, you will notice the small—or not so small—changes in yourself: the community of your body, mind and spirit. Each session will include breath exercises, yoga poses, and gentle self-care exercises/meditations. Create an intimate awareness of your body and self surrounded by the mosses and plants as they provide you lovely fresh air and peace. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props (a block and a strap are recommended). Priscilla Hayes was inspired to become a yoga teacher after she experienced the benefits of yoga firsthand, in both healing and developing flexibility after a knee replacement. Wanting to pass those same benefits on to others, she completed teacher training at Honor Yoga in 2018 and did her first year and a half of teaching there, as well as completing additional training in various yoga specialties. She left to pursue her passions of yoga in nature and of inspiring others to engage in a daily home practice. She has been teaching in the moss garden at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve since late spring 2020 (with a winter break). Since August 2020, she has been posting approximately half-hour sequences combining yoga with other self-care practices at Home Practice Breaks, https://www.facebook.com/homepracticebreaks, which can be accessed at any time for free. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props.
09May
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse and Patty Kleiner (May 9, 2025)
“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, May 17, 2023. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
14May
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (May 14, 2025)
This program has a tiered pricing system that allows you to pay what you wish. Join Priscilla Hayes, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve volunteer naturalist and certified yoga teacher, for gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems. On your mat each week, you will notice the small—or not so small—changes in yourself: the community of your body, mind and spirit. Each session will include breath exercises, yoga poses, and gentle self-care exercises/meditations. Create an intimate awareness of your body and self surrounded by the mosses and plants as they provide you lovely fresh air and peace. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props (a block and a strap are recommended). Priscilla Hayes was inspired to become a yoga teacher after she experienced the benefits of yoga firsthand, in both healing and developing flexibility after a knee replacement. Wanting to pass those same benefits on to others, she completed teacher training at Honor Yoga in 2018 and did her first year and a half of teaching there, as well as completing additional training in various yoga specialties. She left to pursue her passions of yoga in nature and of inspiring others to engage in a daily home practice. She has been teaching in the moss garden at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve since late spring 2020 (with a winter break). Since August 2020, she has been posting approximately half-hour sequences combining yoga with other self-care practices at Home Practice Breaks, https://www.facebook.com/homepracticebreaks, which can be accessed at any time for free. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props.
17May
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse and Patty Kleiner (May 17, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
21May
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (May 21, 2025)
This program has a tiered pricing system that allows you to pay what you wish. Join Priscilla Hayes, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve volunteer naturalist and certified yoga teacher, for gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems. On your mat each week, you will notice the small—or not so small—changes in yourself: the community of your body, mind and spirit. Each session will include breath exercises, yoga poses, and gentle self-care exercises/meditations. Create an intimate awareness of your body and self surrounded by the mosses and plants as they provide you lovely fresh air and peace. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props (a block and a strap are recommended). Priscilla Hayes was inspired to become a yoga teacher after she experienced the benefits of yoga firsthand, in both healing and developing flexibility after a knee replacement. Wanting to pass those same benefits on to others, she completed teacher training at Honor Yoga in 2018 and did her first year and a half of teaching there, as well as completing additional training in various yoga specialties. She left to pursue her passions of yoga in nature and of inspiring others to engage in a daily home practice. She has been teaching in the moss garden at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve since late spring 2020 (with a winter break). Since August 2020, she has been posting approximately half-hour sequences combining yoga with other self-care practices at Home Practice Breaks, https://www.facebook.com/homepracticebreaks, which can be accessed at any time for free. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props.
24May
Make A Rain Barrel Workshop with Olivia Spildooren (May 24, 2025)
Capturing and reusing rainwater for your gardens with a rain barrel is an easy way of controlling stormwater, reducing local flooding, and saving money on water bills! Join Watershed Institute River-Friendly Coordinator, Olivia Spildooren, and Santino Lauricella, BHWP Education Manager in a workshop where you will construct your own rain barrel plus go home with instructions for installation, maintenance, and appropriate uses. As the River-Friendly Coordinator, Olivia works with residents, schools, businesses, and golf courses to increase their environmental literacy, promote behavior change, and create in-the-ground projects to protect water quality and restore wildlife habitat. She has gained many hands-on experiences designing, installing, or maintaining naturalized detention basins, rain gardens, green roofs, rain barrels, and even constructed floating wetlands. When not working you might find Olivia hiking local woods, pointing at a bird, using iNaturalist to become more of a plant nerd, or playing the violin in her local orchestra. 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. Registration Fees: $65 members ($78 non-members)
28May
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (May 28, 2025)
This program has a tiered pricing system that allows you to pay what you wish. Join Priscilla Hayes, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve volunteer naturalist and certified yoga teacher, for gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems. On your mat each week, you will notice the small—or not so small—changes in yourself: the community of your body, mind and spirit. Each session will include breath exercises, yoga poses, and gentle self-care exercises/meditations. Create an intimate awareness of your body and self surrounded by the mosses and plants as they provide you lovely fresh air and peace. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props (a block and a strap are recommended). Priscilla Hayes was inspired to become a yoga teacher after she experienced the benefits of yoga firsthand, in both healing and developing flexibility after a knee replacement. Wanting to pass those same benefits on to others, she completed teacher training at Honor Yoga in 2018 and did her first year and a half of teaching there, as well as completing additional training in various yoga specialties. She left to pursue her passions of yoga in nature and of inspiring others to engage in a daily home practice. She has been teaching in the moss garden at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve since late spring 2020 (with a winter break). Since August 2020, she has been posting approximately half-hour sequences combining yoga with other self-care practices at Home Practice Breaks, https://www.facebook.com/homepracticebreaks, which can be accessed at any time for free. Safe social distancing will be practiced throughout each session, and participants are asked to bring their own mats, a blanket, and any other props.
13Jun
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse and Patty Kleiner (June 13, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
21Jun
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse and Patty Kleiner (June 21, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
11Jul
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (July 11, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
19Jul
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (July 19, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
08Aug
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (August 8, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
16Aug
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (August 16, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
12Sep
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (September 12, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
20Sep
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (September 20, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
10Oct
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (October 10, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
18Oct
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (October 18, 2025)
“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. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)