Workshops & Events
Ecology & Conservation
10Jul
The Ecology of Native Plants with Jason Goldman (July 10, 2025)
This presentation is a deep dive exploration of native plant gardening. We'll learn all about the ecology of native plants and animals, and understand the importance of these often hidden connections between them. It is forged out of a need for a deeper understanding of native plant gardening and will take the audience on an exploration of the natural world right here in our own backyards. You’ll leave this talk wanting to plant native everywhere! Jason Goldman is a naturalist, garden designer and ecological presenter. Growing up in New Jersey, he has always had an appreciation for the natural world. With a degree in ecology and a passion for educating others, Jason strives to empower others and help them become more environmentally conscious. Jason has presented at numerous garden clubs and public libraries. 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. The 2025 Thursday Night Nature series was made possible thanks to get generous support of the Giving Arm of BLBB Charitable.
17Jul
Summer Intern Extravaganza with Kelly Shannon (July 17, 2025)
Every summer, the Preserve is proud to offer internship opportunities to some up-and-coming industry professionals. Each intern comes to the Preserve with a unique set of skills and interests. Throughout the summer, they experience all of the Preserve’s offerings and align their interests with their learning. Join us to discover a little more about this year's intern, Kelly, and see what natural wonders have captured her interest this season. Topics to be announced. Kelly Shannon graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a degree in Environmental Science. During her time in college, she explored a variety of internships — from hands-on work with native plants to researching ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), and banding other birds such as barn owls (Tyto furcata), sora rails (Porzana carolina), Virginia rails (Rallus limicola), and terns. While working with birds was an unexpected and rewarding experience, it was her time at a native plant nursery that had the most lasting impact and solidified her passion for ecological restoration. Originally from Maryland, Kelly recently made the move to Philadelphia and is beyond excited to plant roots (literally), kick off her career, and cross paths with amazing, passionate people along the way! 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. The 2025 Thursday Night Nature series was made possible thanks to get generous support of the Giving Arm of BLBB Charitable.
19Jul
North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Butterfly Count 2025
Join us for a citizen science extravaganza 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, and how they change over time. It is also a lot of fun! Join Mary Anne Borge, Preserve naturalist, who will teach you to identify the different butterflies we encounter and the native host plants they depend on for nectar and caterpillar food. 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 morning; all experience levels are welcome, from beginners to seasoned butterfliers. 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. Registration is required for this event.
24Jul
Seeing the Forest for the Bees: habitat elements for native bees in deciduous forests with Kass Urban-Mead (July 24, 2025)
Did you know that there are over 4,000 different wild bee species in the United States? Most are solitary, don't live in hives and don't even make honey. These wild, native pollinators have long relationships with our beloved wildflowers, providing important pollination services which ensure the stability of many of our favorite fruits, nuts and vegetables. Although we usually think of wild pollinating bees in our gardens, flower patches and meadows, that is not the only place they can be found! In the northeastern United States, up to two-thirds of our wild bee species use forested habitats for at least part of their life cycles. For example, some are specialized to only collect pollen and nectar from spring ephemerals on the forest floor, while others nest in rotting logs and leaf litter deep in the woods. Did you know that bumble bees (Bombus spp.)— beloved on your roses and garden plants — love nesting in the forest? Join us for an adventure exploring how wild bees use the woods —from the leafy forest floor to the tippy top of the canopy! We will connect these to some practical suggestions for forest stewardship that benefit pollinators. Kass's doctoral work in the Cornell Entomology Department characterized the wild bees active in early spring forests and forest canopies, and how the movement of bees between forests and orchards can support orchard pollination. Kass grew up raising 4-H dairy goats in the Hudson Valley. She completed a master’s at Yale Forestry, worked for a summer at the Arnold Arboretum and did ecological research in southern France. In her position with the Xerces Society, Kass Urban-Mead provides technical assistance on pollinator conservation in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. As part of this work, she assists with planning, designing, installing and managing habitats for pollinators and other beneficial insects, particularly in forested habitats. Kass also works with staff and research partners to develop technical guidelines and provide training on pollinator conservation practices. 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.
31Jul
What happens when a critical conservation decision is based on a flawed model? With Kevin Shoemaker, Ph.D. (July 31, 2025)
In November 2023, a colleague and Shoemaker discovered serious errors in a population model for gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), a declining species that inhabits longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems in the southeastern USA. This model played a key role in the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision to deny the gopher tortoise federal protection status under the Endangered Species Act across much of its range. Once corrected, this model predicted severe population declines across the range, suggesting that the listing decision would have been different had the corrected model been available to policymakers at the time of the decision. This incident made us realize how easily flawed models can influence conservation decisions and how difficult it is to change course once a policy decision has been made. Although it can be challenging to generalize from a single case, these experiences can help pave the way for science-based conservation decisions that are less prone to error and more transparent. Dr. Kevin Shoemaker is an Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where he serves as director of the Applied Population Ecology lab. Kevin's research encompasses a diverse range of species, focusing on the application of quantitative methods to inform wildlife conservation and management. Kevin received his Master's and Doctoral degrees at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where his dissertation research focused on the conservation of bog turtle metapopulations in New York. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University from 2012 to 2015. Kevin has expertise in wildlife ecology, biostatistics, and population modeling. 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. The 2025 Thursday Night Nature series was made possible thanks to get generous support of the Giving Arm of BLBB Charitable.
07Aug
The Mojave Desert Seed Bank: supporting a diverse ecosystem into the future with Patrick Emblidge (August 7, 2025)
Ecosystems across the nation are suffering from development, altered fire regimes, irresponsible recreation and climate change. As a result of these threats, land managers have a tremendous need for native plant seed to restore degraded landscapes. However, seeds of the right species are often not available at the right time to match restoration needs. In this talk, we will discuss the foundational importance of plants to the ecosystem, what is needed for successful restoration, and explain the details and ethics of seed banking. Seed banking serves as an insurance policy for the future, supporting the land stewardship work of the Mojave Desert Land Trust. Patrick Emblidge is an ecologist with a passion for understanding and conserving the flora, fauna, and habitats of arid lands. His first introduction to the Mojave Desert was during his Master’s Degree program, studying Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) habitat suitability and thermal ecology in the red cliffs of southwestern Utah. Following his graduate program, he spent 8 years at the United States Geological Survey in Las Vegas, primarily focused on desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) movement ecology and contact network research. Patrick is the Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Plant Conservation Program Manager, where he oversees its native plant nursery and seed bank. 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. The 2025 Thursday Night Nature series was made possible thanks to get generous support of the Giving Arm of BLBB Charitable.
14Aug
Digital Floristics: Assessing Floral Information with the help of AI with John Kartesz, Ph.D. (August 14, 2025)
Born in Western Pennsylvania, Dr. Kartesz was introduced to the field of natural history at an early age through his close association with the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, PA. After receiving his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Biology from West Virginia University, in 1987 Dr. Kartesz earned his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Nevada, Reno and thereafter accepted a position at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. In 1980, Dr. Kartesz published the first comprehensive Checklist of the United States, Canada and Greenland, which was updated and republished in 1994. In 1999, he published the Synthesis of the North American Flora, which was the first attempt to provide a state-level atlas and accompanying morphological database for the vascular plants of North America. In 2010, he published his county-level North American Plant Atlas for the vascular flora and the first internet-based Flora of North America. 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. The 2025 Thursday Night Nature series was made possible thanks to get generous support of the Giving Arm of BLBB Charitable.
21Aug
Permaculture for Homeowners: Designing a Sustainable Perennial Garden with Brent Deisher (August 21, 2025)
Discover how permaculture principles can empower you in designing a beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance home garden centered around perennial plants. This accessible lecture breaks down the permaculture design process into simple steps, focusing on creating a resilient ecosystem in your backyard. Discover how to incorporate perennials for long-lasting beauty and reduced maintenance, while also promoting biodiversity, conserving resources, and cultivating a thriving outdoor space that benefits both you and the environment. Brent Deisher, of Princeton Permaculture, specializes in introducing homeowners to the principles of permaculture, with a particular focus on designing sustainable gardens that utilize perennial plants. He empowers individuals to create ecologically sound and low-maintenance landscapes that are both beautiful and productive. Brent's guidance streamlines the permaculture design process, making it accessible to anyone who wants to establish a thriving perennial garden that enhances their home and contributes to a more sustainable environment. 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
11Jul
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse and Patty Kleiner (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)
16Jul
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (July 16, 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.
19Jul
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse and Patty Kleiner (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)
23Jul
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (July 23, 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.
30Jul
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (July 30, 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.
08Aug
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse and Patty Kleiner (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 and Patty Kleiner (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 and Patty Kleiner (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 and Patty Kleiner (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 and Patty Kleiner (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 and Patty Kleiner (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)