Workshops & Events
Ecology & Conservation
11Aug
Lessons Learned: Helpful Hints on your Journey into Native Plants with Tom Knezick and Fran Chismar (Thursday Night Nature, August 11)
Over the years, Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick have interviewed some of the brightest minds in ecology and the native plant world. We are constantly reminded of the larger issues in our ecosystem, yet sometimes forget many of the small lessons we learn every day. Tom and Fran share some of their favorite lessons learned over their time on the Native Plants, Healthy Planet podcast to help make this native plant journey enjoyable. Nature is resilient and always finds a way – so will you. Fran Chismar likes to talk — and with over 30 years of nursery industry experience, Fran has a lot to talk about. He insists he is not an expert on anything, but knows just enough about everything to be dangerous. Fran brings his experience with music podcasting, and joins it with his industry knowledge in restoration and native plants, to help guide you through Native Plants, Healthy Planet. Tom Knezick is naturally inquisitive, and his role as production analyst requires him to pull things apart and figure out how and why they work. Coupling this with growing up on a native plant nursery and his love of podcasts is what makes Tom a natural host for Native Plants, Healthy Planet. All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)
18Aug
From Enthusiast to Restorationist: A Naturalist Journey with Mark Brownlee (Thursday Night Nature, August 18)
Mark will share his journey from being a homeowner interested in native plants to becoming a principal with ArcheWild, an ecological restoration firm. This journey features high aspirations and deep disappointments. Each experience has produced valuable insights into how anyone can rapidly progress from feeling helpless to being empowered and confident in restoring a native ecosystem on their own property. Mark Brownlee is a principal with ArcheWild, a science-based ecological restoration firm. Mark also functions as the head ecologist for WildLawn, a regional firm dedicated to applying ecological restoration principles in the home landscape. Mark frequently provides training to landscape architects and civil engineers throughout the mid-Atlantic. All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)
25Aug
Lyme Disease and other Tick-borne Diseases in Pennsylvania with Maria Luisa (Malu) Tejada, M.D. (Thursday Night Nature, August 25)
Lyme disease is one of the most commonly known tick-borne illnesses. In 2019, 34,945 confirmed and probable cases were reported to the CDC. This lecture aims to give participants practical information on what to look for in terms of signs and symptoms of Lyme disease for early diagnosis and treatment, as well as preventative techniques. While this presentation will focus mostly on Lyme disease, other tick-borne diseases of interest for Pennsylvanians will be covered. Malu received her Medical Degree from the University of Geneva, Switzerland and her Master’s in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. She is currently the human health expert of the Vector-borne Disease team at Penn State Extension. ***Note: This lecture is not intended to provide medical advice, nor will it provide the participants with diagnostic skills. It is also not meant to address specific health issues you may have. If you have any concerns regarding your health, we encourage you to reach out to your healthcare provider.*** All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time. Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)
Art, Health & Nature
17Aug
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (August 17, 2022)
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.
19Aug
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (August)
“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 a certificate in horticultural therapy, mindfulness and a certificate in 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 Sharon to Delaware Valley University. She learned about Horticulture as a science and how to incorporate nature and plants into the lives of special populations in order to improve their health and spirits. Pre-registration for this program is required by Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
24Aug
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (August 24, 2022)
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.
31Aug
“Wild” Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature (August 31, 2022)
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.
23Sep
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (September)
“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 a certificate in horticultural therapy, mindfulness and a certificate in 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 Sharon to Delaware Valley University. She learned about Horticulture as a science and how to incorporate nature and plants into the lives of special populations in order to improve their health and spirits. Pre-registration for this program is required by Friday Sept. 16, 2022. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)
14Oct
Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience with Sharon Lohse (October)
“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 a certificate in horticultural therapy, mindfulness and a certificate in 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 Sharon to Delaware Valley University. She learned about Horticulture as a science and how to incorporate nature and plants into the lives of special populations in order to improve their health and spirits. Pre-registration for this program is required by Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Admission: $35 ($28 with member discount)