Family friendly
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Getting Lost in Nature, Just Off the Runway
While it seems like an unlikely spot for a wildlife refuge, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum sits in the shadow of Philadelphia International Airport. Here at American’s First Urban Refuge, you will find open water, a freshwater tidal marsh, woodland, and mudflats, all of which entice hundreds of species to stop and rest in their migration, or even to make it a permanent home. Tinicum Marsh is the largest tidal marsh in the commonwealth. It provides nesting grounds for 90 species of birds, and hundreds more have been seen passing through. Visitors can explore the refuge via a ten mile network of trails, including the 3.5-mile Wetland Loop…
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Looking for a Quick, Easy Hike? Zacharias Creek Trail May Be Just What You’re Looking For
The Zacharias Creek Trail is a not-quite 2-mile trail (one way) that runs from Heebner Park to Green Hill Road in Worcester. The mostly wide path offers an easy walk with enough shaded areas to make it comfortable on a hot day. The trail is crushed stone and asphalt with the occasional boardwalk, and has only slight elevation change. It travels along the Zacharias Creek, passing fields and old stone buildings. While it also goes past some neighborhoods, overall the trail is quiet enough that you can hear birds and possibly other wildlife.
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Cynwyd Heritage Trail Links Open Space to City
The Cynwyd Heritage Trail offers interesting views on an accessible trial
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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.…