ASWP Events
Calendar
July 2010
Our summer programs take place at three locations: Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Todd Nature Reserve and the Butler-Freeport Trail access on Monroe Road (Map) near Todd. Please read descriptions carefully.
Beechwood Wednesday Walks
Stroll our footpaths with ASWP naturalists.
9:00 am
No reservations needed-simply show up!
Good Morning Todd!
Saturdays, July 3, 17, 31
Patrol the reserve on an exhilarating morning hike with our Todd Naturalist.
Ages: All
Free
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
9:00 am
No reservations needed-simply show up!
Babes in the Woods: Meadow Meanderings
Wednesday, July 7
Play in nature is being recognized as an important part of a childhood development and well-being. Parents and toddlers will delight in using sight, sound, touch and smell to discover meadow life. Strollers/Baby Backpacks welcome.
Ages: 3 and under, with parent or guardian
$2 per member pair; $5 per nonmember pair
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel
10:00 am—11:00 am
Reservations required
An Evening with Invasives at Todd, Part 1
Wednesday, July 7
Discover the natural histories and control methods of invasive plants at Todd Nature Reserve, then get your hands dirty while trying some techniques! Each program in the series will focus on one invasive species. Bring work gloves and sturdy shoes.
Ages: Adult
Free
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
6:00 pm—8:00 pm
Reservations requested
Important Bird Area Monitoring Walk at Butler-Freeport Trail
Saturday, July 10
Beginner and novice birders are invited to sharpen their skills as part of our Important Bird Area (IBA) field-monitoring project.
Ages: All
Free
Monroe Rd. Butler-Freeport Community Trailhead, Sarver, Butler County (Map).
8:00 am
No reservations needed-simply show up!
Adult Eco-Series: Phylum Arthropoda
Saturday, July 10
Discover the world’s largest classification of animals, and develop important field identification skills. Arthropod and insect identification aids will be provided. 2 Act 48 hours.
Cost: $2 per member; $5 per nonmember
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel
10:00 am—12:00 pm
Reservations requested
Pond Dipping at Todd
Saturday, July 10
Explore the chemistry and biology of the pond habitat. Wear shoes that can get muddy!
Ages: All
$2 members; $5 nonmembers
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Reservations required
Family WalkAbout: Watershed Hike
Sunday, July 11
Follow a drop of water through the water cycle, with stops at our pond, streams and wetlands.
Ages: All
$2 for members; $5 per nonmember
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Reservations requested
Nature Journaling at Todd
Sunday, July 11
Hear inspirational passages from the journals of various wildlife writers, and experience nature journaling for yourself. All materials will be provided.
Ages: All
$2 members; $5 nonmembers
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Reservations required
Outdoor Discovery Camp: Treasure Hunters Week
Monday—Friday, July 12-16
There’s treasure in them thar hills! Do you have the skills to find it? Well, we’ll brush up your map-reading skills, teach you how to read a nature riddle, and show you how to find a trail that’s hidden. You just have to decipher the clues. And the treasure? You find it, you keep it! But watch out! There are "trail blocks" around every bend! This week includes a trip to Todd Nature Reserve, and an outdoor grill-out lunch.
Ages: K—5th grade graduates
$225 members; $275 nonmembers (scholarships available)
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel
9:00 am--3:00 pm
Reservations required; visit aswp.org for downloadable brochure
Important Bird Area Monitoring Walk at Butler/Freeport Trail
Wednesday, July 14Beginner and novice birders are invited to sharpen their skills as part of our Important Bird Area (IBA) field-monitoring project.
Ages: All
Free
Monroe Rd. Butler-Freeport Community Trailhead, Sarver, Butler County (Map)
8:00 am
No reservations needed-simply show up!
Twilight Investigations at Butler/Freeport Trail
Wednesday, July 14
Ever wonder what goes on in the forest when the sun goes down? Come find out as we venture into summer twilight.
Ages: All
$2 for members; $5 for nonmembers
Monroe Rd. Butler-Freeport Community Trailhead, Sarver, Butler County (Map)
7:00 pm—9:00 pm
Reservations required
Family Walkabout at Todd
Thursday, July 15
Hit the trails at Todd in search of signs of summer. Learn activities you and your child can try on your next outdoor adventure! Bring your own picnic lunch and join us on the cabin porch after the program.
Ages: All
$2 members; $5 nonmembers
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
9:00 am—11 am
Reservations required
Stream Safari at Todd
Sunday, July 18
Get your feet wet as you discover the flora and fauna that thrive in and around the water. Learn how scientists use the animals they find to determine if their watershed is healthy. Participants must wear creek shoes.
Ages: All
$2 members; $5 nonmembers
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Reservations required
Outdoor Discovery Camp: Kids Versus Wild Week
Monday—Friday, July 19-23
What would you do if you found yourself dropped into the western Pennsylvania woods, and you had to make it home? Could you hike back home—all day, carrying what you need on your back? How about build a wilderness shelter to keep you 100% dry during a storm? And could you make a meal safely over an open fire? Our plants and animals survive in the wild every day (we’ll learn how), and maybe you could too. And for one special day, you will experience the daily life of the Eastern Woodland Indian, learning how someone your age lived here before the 1900s. This week includes an outdoor grill-out lunch and a canoe/kayak adventure (Special waiver will be needed to participate).
Ages: K—5th grade graduates
$225 members; $275 nonmembers (scholarships available)
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel
9:00 am--3:00 pm
Reservations required; visit aswp.org for downloadable brochure
Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club: Craft Workshop
Tuesday, July 20
Bonnie Davis and the WPMC Workshop Team will present on this year’s mushroom craft project
Ages: All
Free
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel
7:00 pm
No reservations needed-simply show up!
Water Quality at Todd
Wednesday, July 21
Discover water quality testing techniques and how to employ them as we survey the waterways at Todd. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy!
Ages: Adult
$2 members; $5 nonmembers
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
6:00 pm—8:00 pm
Reservations required
Important Bird Area Monitoring Walk at Todd
Saturday, July 24
Beginner and novice birders are invited to sharpen their skills as part of our Important Bird Area (IBA) field-monitoring project.
Ages: All
Free
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
8:00 am
No reservations needed-simply show up!
Todd Conservation Day
Sunday, July 25
Practice stewardship in your own backyard! Clear and maintain trails, remove invasive plant species, participate in native plantings and more*! Dress for the weather and bring gloves and clippers (if you have them). This is a great opportunity for families and organized groups to work together to conserve the natural world!
*actual projects to be determined
Ages: All (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Free
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
1:00 pm—4:00 pm
Reservations required
Natural History for Educators
Tuesday, July 27 through Friday, July 30
Introduce yourself to the biological diversity of western Pennsylvania as a thematic learning tool for integrating environment and ecology concepts into your curriculum. This 4-day content-deepening seminar will provide background information on our region’s flora and fauna and the significance of these organisms to the health of the ecosystem. Learn how and why these organisms survive here, and the roles that plants and animals play in a natural community. Identify species in the field, employing the resources and strategies that naturalists use. You will daily explore the fascinating habitats of Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve and learn about other natural sites as valuable local resources. Dress for the outdoors and bring a bag lunch each day. 2 credits/30 Act 48 Hours
Audience: K-12 Educators
AIU Course--Fee charged
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel
8:30 am—4:30 pm
Visit aiu3.netfor information and registration.
Full Moon Hike at Todd
Wednesday, July 28
Learn about the physical and behavioral adaptations of nocturnal wildlife as you explore the reserve after dark. Along the way, we’ll discuss our own physiological processes that can both assist and limit us in adapting to the night.
Ages: All
$2 members; $5 nonmembers
Todd Nature Reserve, Sarver, Butler County
8:00 pm—10:00 pm
Reservations required
Aquatic Macro-invertebrates at Todd
Saturday, July 31
Discover the structure, function and ecology of these important aquatic organisms. Learn how to sample and identify species in the field and analyze your findings against the health of the ecosystem.
Ages: Adults
$2 members; $5 nonmembers
Todd Nature Reserve, Butler County
2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Reservations required