Education
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The Eastern Hemlock: A Pennsylvania Treasure
On June 22, 1931, the Pennsylvania legislature declared the Eastern Hemlock the official state tree. This affirmed the belief of Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, otherwise known as the “Father of Pennsylvania Forestry” that “If Pennsylvania were to select one tree as characteristic of our state, nothing would be better than the hemlock.” The Eastern Hemlock was for well over a century, a major part of the commonwealth’s economy. At its peak, more than a billion boards of hemlock were harvested each year for use in building homes. Hemlock bark also served as a source of tannic acid to tan leather by PA’s early settlers and through the late 1800s. Known…
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Can You Tap a Tree? Learning About Maple Sugaring in Southeastern PA
While southeastern PA may not be the powerhouse maple producer that New England is, we certainly have our share of sugar maple trees. And we also have cold weather, which is a necessary component of making maple syrup. Maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees (sugar maples tend to be the best variety). Tapping a tree is a relatively simple process, but determining the right time for optimal flow can’t be predicted too far in advance. Since the sap tends to flow best when nights are below freezing and days are in the 40s, February and March are often the best months to collect sap in this…
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Explore the Garden Electric at this Year’s Philadelphia Flower Show
The Philadelphia Flower Show reminds us that spring is just around the corner
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Join in at These Earth Day Celebrations
Did you know? While April 22 is officially Earth Day, from the very start, Philadelphia chose to make the celebration last longer. The first city to celebrate Earth Week, the City of Brotherly Love planned events from April 16 to 22, 1970. During that time, tens of thousands of people showed up, with the largest gatherings on Independence Mall and the Belmont Plateau. This year offers plenty of opportunities to give back by volunteering with cleanups or planting projects. Check with your favorite nature center, park or environmental group to see what they need. In the meantime, here are a few larger celebrations to take your family to this month.…
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The “Nest Best Thing” in Montgomery County, New Audubon Museum Has Something for Everyone
The new museum at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove seamlessly blends art and nature into an education center that is sure to create a new generation of birders. The result of 15 years of planning, the new jewel in the Mill Grove site demonstrates the best possible result of a public/private collaboration. Funding for the museum came from local and state government as well as contributions from private individuals and foundation supporters. Representatives from the local and national Audubon Societies as well as local officials were actively involved in the planning process which has been well thought out and executed. With a design reminiscent of a bird…
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It’s Never Too Soon to Learn About the Outdoors
It is no secret that kids love the outdoors and that there are a multitude of benefits to spending time outdoors for us all. There are of course the physical health benefits associated with regular exercise and exposure to fresh air and sunshine, but also mental benefits, such as improved mood and reduced stress. Studies have shown that there are also academic benefits, that being outdoors increases our capacity to learn and pay attention and may result in increased confidence and self-esteem. This isn’t news to environmental educators or to the founders of schools that promote spending time in nature and learning through doing, rather than sitting at a…
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This Weekend: Hikes, Birds and Prepare to Get Lost
You may be planning on eating too much next week, making this weekend a good time to get outside and walk. The following area organizations have activities planned this weekend. Remember to check their websites for details, as some require pre-registration and some charge fees. On Saturday morning, you can head to Churchville Nature Center or John Heinz Wildlife Refuge to explore the area with birding experts, or participate in Beginning Birding for Adults at Palmyra Cove Nature Park. On Sunday afternoon, the staff at Rancocas Nature Center will teach you about the eight species of owls that over-winter in New Jersey. Rancocas Nature Center and Natural Lands Trust (NLT)…
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11 Things to Do Outside This Weekend
Looking for something to do this weekend? Here’s a list of outdoor activities to choose from. For more information, you can go to our calendar, or better yet, to the sponsoring organization’s website. Note that some of these activities involve a fee and some require you to register in advance. Go for a walk Churchville Nature Center will have its regular morning bird walk Saturday morning or you can head to Palmyra Cove Nature Park for a naturalist-led family walk in the park (reserve your spot in advance). Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) will also have a bird walk on Sunday morning (register in advance). If you are up for more…
