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February 2020
Owl Prowl SOLD OUT
We’ll learn all about their fascinating characteristics before going on a hike to listen and look for signs of these exceptional hunters.
Find out more »March 2020
Moonglow Hike (SOLD OUT)
Explore the forest in a new way on a guided full moon hike along our trails. Use specialized UV flashlights to find out what glows in the forest, learn about the features of the moon by peering through telescopes, and end the night by sharing myths and legends about the nighttime forest, constellations, and other stellar objects. Headlamp/flashlight and good hiking shoes are recommended. Please register soon space is limited.
Find out more »May 2020
CANCELED – Spring Wildflower Walk
From trout lily to cohosh to shooting stars – as winter turns into spring, our forest comes alive with an abundant display of beautiful wildflowers. Where is the best spot to see Virginia bluebells? When does trillium begin to emerge? Join Executive Director Mike Weilbacher on a hike along the Ravine Loop – the single best place to see wildflowers here. After the hike, make sure to check out our Spring Native Plant Sale.
Find out more »October 2020
Halloween Hikes – SOLD OUT
FRIDAY NIGHT IS SOLD OUT Calling all animal detectives! An animal has been causing a ruckus at the nature center, but which one: the raccoon, the fox, or the owl? Our longest-running and most treasured annual festival is back, with a safer twist. Hike along magical mystery-filled trails, collecting clues and examining suspects to help us crack the case. Before or after your hike, enjoy nature-inspired crafts and activities, a meet-and-greet with friendly nocturnal animals, and a ghostly scavenger hunt.…
Find out more »Halloween Hikes – SOLD OUT
SATURDAY NIGHT IS SOLD OUT Calling all animal detectives! An animal has been causing a ruckus at the nature center, but which one: the raccoon, the fox, or the owl? Our longest-running and most treasured annual festival is back, with a safer twist. Hike along magical mystery-filled trails, collecting clues and examining suspects to help us crack the case. Before or after your hike, enjoy nature-inspired crafts and activities, a meet-and-greet with friendly nocturnal animals, and a ghostly scavenger hunt.…
Find out more »November 2020
Fall Night Hike – SOLD OUT
Take a walk under the light of the moon as we listen for the nocturnal animals, gaze at the craters and seas of the moon through a telescope, and use specialized UV-flashlights to see the forest in a whole new way. Space is limited; registration is required. Masks are required and temperature checks will be conducted prior to the start of each program. Please bring a flashlight and dress for the weather. $5 members; $10 non-members
Find out more »April 2021
Mushrooms and Moths by Moonlight
Join us for an evening centered on nocturnal biodiversity for this year's City Nature Challenge! We'll search for biofluorescent fungi, lichens, and insects as we make our way through dense areas of the forest. Along the way we will also listen for nocturnal birds, reptiles, and amphibians to record and identify using iNaturalist. Once we return to the center, we'll check our moth tent to hopefully see a great diversity of night time pollinators stopping by to say hello. The…
Find out more »May 2021
Spring Night Hike
Welcome the first days of spring with a walk along our moonlit trails as we discover the forest in a whole new way. On this guided hike, we’ll look and listen for the nocturnal animals while taking in the beauty and peacefulness of the forest at night. The hike will begin at the Visitor Center. Participants should bring a flashlight. We’ll hike rain or shine so please dress for the weather. Space is limited; registration required. Masks are required throughout…
Find out more »Spring Fungi Hike with the Philadelphia Mycology Club
Morels, chicken of the woods, and oyster mushrooms–with the temperate weather and rainy days of spring, the forest starts to come alive with different varieties of fungus. We’ll go on a slow hike, focusing on fungi biodiversity and citizen science, but there is always a chance that wild edibles will be found along the way. Registration is required. Due to COVID, space is limited so please let us know if you register and can no longer attend. Masks are required…
Find out more »October 2021
Watershed Walk
Did you know that the Delaware River Watershed covers over 12,000 miles and provides drinking water to over 15 million people? Pick up a kit and take a self-guided, one-mile hike along our trails, stopping at various staffed activity tables along the way. This event is part of River Days in collaboration with the Alliance for Watershed Education. Event is free but registration is required.
Find out more »Schuylkill Saturday: Self-Guided Nature Exploration for Families
From the colorful autumn leaves to the fresh snow of winter to the budding flowers of spring and summer, discover the beauty and wonder along our trails in every season through this FREE weekly self-guided program. Pick up a nature exploration kit at our Visitor Center and then hit the trails with your family to complete the activities inside. Explorer kits can be picked up anytime between 10:00-12:00 on a first-come, first-served basis. Explorer kits have activities in them that…
Find out more »November 2021
Reconnection – A Healing Hike
How can nature help us heal? We welcome members of the African-American community to join us for a hike along the Schuylkill Center’s trails towards our new art installation and sanctuary, Al Mudhif. The walk will be followed by a tea ceremony, meditative stretching and breathing exercises, allowing us to harness the power of nature to heal ourselves from traumas that are unique to the Black experience. This hike is about one mile long on unpaved trails. Space is limited;…
Find out more »Full Moon Hike
Take a walk under the light of the moon as we listen for the nocturnal animals, gaze at the craters and seas of the moon through a telescope, and use specialized UV-flashlights to see the forest in a whole new way. Space is limited to 20; registration is required. Please bring a flashlight and dress for the weather.
Find out more »February 2022
Owl Prowl
Mysterious and silent, owls have intrigued people for generations with their elusive nature, hunting prowess, and physical beauty. Although these nocturnal creatures are rarely seen, with careful attention, traces of them can be found throughout Pennsylvania forests and fields. We’ll learn all about their fascinating characteristics before going on a hike to listen and look for signs of these exceptional hunters. The beginning portion of the program will be held inside where masks will be required regardless of vaccination status.…
Find out more »March 2022
Family Full Moon Hike
Take a walk under the light of the moon as we uncover the unique adaptations that allow nocturnal animals to find mates, escape predators, and catch prey. Through fun games and interactive challenges, we’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the creatures that thrive in the stillness and darkness of the forest at night. This program is best suited for families with children between the ages of 4-12 years old. Space is limited to 30 participants. Registration is required. Please…
Find out more »In Color Birding
Spot nature’s feathered species along our trails with Philadelphia-based In Color Birding Club. Offered alongside the gallery exhibition LESS IS MORE: The Nature of Letting Go, this outing will begin with a grounding in community and include periods of silence for reflection as well as joyful interactions with nature, birds, and each other. The outing is specifically for the BIPOC community. All access needs will be accommodated; please let us know. As space is limited to 40 participants, registration is…
Find out more »Tree ID Hike
Bare forests and trees void of their characteristic leaves, flowers, and seeds can make winter a challenging time for tree identification, even for the most experienced of naturalists. Join environmental educator Sam Bucciarelli to learn tips and tricks to help with your winter tree identification skills. Examine bark, buds, and tree shapes as we walk along our trails, learning to recognize trees based on these traits alone. Program will be entirely outside so please dress for the weather and wear…
Find out more »April 2022
Nature Hike using iNaturalist
Become a community scientist as we hike through the forest to identify plants, birds, insects, and more. Start out by learning how to use iNaturalist, an app that uses community observations as a way to help scientists better understand species’ populations. Then hit the trails on a guided hike as we chart what we see and learn about the plant, animal, and fungal species that call our forest home. Program is best suited for preteens, teens, and adults. Participants should…
Find out more »May 2022
Spring Wildflower Walk – CANCELED
If “the earth laughs in flowers,” as wrote Emerson, then this walk will leave you guffawing as we visit stands of trout lily, trillium, shooting star, Virginia bluebells, cohosh, and more. In an annual tradition, Executive Director Mike Weilbacher takes you down the Ravine Loop to visit these ephemeral beauties and share the extraordinary life stories. Space is limited to 25 participants. Registration is required. This event is canceled due to weather and low enrollment.
Find out more »