Briar Bush has had a great run of the monthly staff and volunteer grounds days. Beginning in October, the education staff worked outdoors with volunteers and Friends of Briar Bush board members to accomplish several goals. These included moving an enormous pile of wood chips, getting lots of native plants in-ground before the cold weather arrived, completing more sections of the Nature Playscape and much more. The final one of these grounds days for the year will be on December 3rd from 1-4 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join for as much time as they can committ. Please dress for the weather since we'll be working outdoors.
Thanks so much to all those who have helped! We'd also like to thank the Huntingdon Valley Garden Club, which donated $500 in native plants and even put them in the ground for us!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Great Escape: Cranberries!
On Wednesday, educator Anne-Marie led a curious group of Great Escapers to Double Trouble State Park in Bayville, NJ. The park is home to Double Trouble Historic Village, once a small cranberry growing and packing village. The group was met by Andrew, a historian for the park. With his guidance, the group was given a glimpse of past lives from the intense labor of working the bogs, to the sorting and packing process, as well as life in general in the village. Several of the buildings have been preserved, including living quarters, a school house, the saw mill (cedar was also harvested here) and the packing plant. Inside the packing plant are all the tools and machinery that were used when the village was active. There are still bogs on site which produce cranberries that are used for sauce or dried cranberry products.
After the village tour and the education of how cranberry bogs were worked in the past was a trip a few miles away to active, modern cranberry bogs. The harvest at Double Trouble Historic Village was finished on Tuesday, but the harvest was at its peak in the modern bogs. All stages of the harvest were seen - a bog that had berries but wasn't harvested yet, a bog that was just being flood, a bog that was partially flooding with the machines working to knock the berries off the vines, and a bog that was fully flood with berries knocked off the vines, rounded up and being pumped into a processing truck.
A common question of cranberry harvest is "Do cranberries really grow under water?" Cranberries grow on vines and produce delicate flowers that turn into the berries. All fo the vines are planted to grow in the same director for easier harvesting. Once the berries are ready, the bog, a large square depression in the ground, must be flooded. It is first flood with 1-2 feet of water so that the "knockers" or "beater" machines can begin knocking the berries off the vines. These are tractors with rotating metal loops on the front of the tractor. After the knockers have gone through the bog, it is fully flooded and the berries are gathered. Cranberry harvests can happen in a matter of days, so there was very fortunate timing with this trip!
After the village tour and the education of how cranberry bogs were worked in the past was a trip a few miles away to active, modern cranberry bogs. The harvest at Double Trouble Historic Village was finished on Tuesday, but the harvest was at its peak in the modern bogs. All stages of the harvest were seen - a bog that had berries but wasn't harvested yet, a bog that was just being flood, a bog that was partially flooding with the machines working to knock the berries off the vines, and a bog that was fully flood with berries knocked off the vines, rounded up and being pumped into a processing truck.
A common question of cranberry harvest is "Do cranberries really grow under water?" Cranberries grow on vines and produce delicate flowers that turn into the berries. All fo the vines are planted to grow in the same director for easier harvesting. Once the berries are ready, the bog, a large square depression in the ground, must be flooded. It is first flood with 1-2 feet of water so that the "knockers" or "beater" machines can begin knocking the berries off the vines. These are tractors with rotating metal loops on the front of the tractor. After the knockers have gone through the bog, it is fully flooded and the berries are gathered. Cranberry harvests can happen in a matter of days, so there was very fortunate timing with this trip!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Successful September Workday!
Check out the progress the BBNC staff, board of directors and volunteers made on the playscape and other areas during our September Grounds Day!
RaptorFest 2009
It's October! It's RAPTOR MONTH!
Join us this Sunday, October 4 from 1-4 p.m. to celebrate raptor month at our annual RaptorFest event. It's FREE, it's fun and it's for the whole family. Enjoy raptor-themed crafts, learn all about raptors and birds of prey, discover what owls eat and everyone's favorite - the live raptor program
This year's presentation features Victor Collazo of Skyking Raptor Rescue, a Maple Glen, PA organization. Victor will be at BBNC from 2-3 p.m. with several of his feathered friends. This program is generously sponsored by The Avian Promise.
Join us this Sunday, October 4 from 1-4 p.m. to celebrate raptor month at our annual RaptorFest event. It's FREE, it's fun and it's for the whole family. Enjoy raptor-themed crafts, learn all about raptors and birds of prey, discover what owls eat and everyone's favorite - the live raptor program
This year's presentation features Victor Collazo of Skyking Raptor Rescue, a Maple Glen, PA organization. Victor will be at BBNC from 2-3 p.m. with several of his feathered friends. This program is generously sponsored by The Avian Promise.
Photo by Anne-Marie D'Onofrio - 2008 RaptorFest presenter, Falconer Mike DuPuy
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Friends of Briar Bush welcomes new board members
Wednesday, Sept. 9 was the annual meeting of the Friends of Briar Bush. Prior to the meeting was a potluck dinner with lots of delicious side dishes, main courses and desserts brought by our friends. During dessert, guests enjoyed the guitar playing and singing of local folk musicians Ken Yavit and Donna Ryder.
Finally, the evening ended with the business meeting, during which our newest board members were elected. The following is a list of the current FOBB Board of Directors:
Henry Geyer (President)
Stan Lexow (Vice President)
Kathy Moore (Treasurer)
Lois Reuther (Secretary)
Joe Schlupp (Secretary)
Katy Abbott (term begins in January 2010)
Dr. Leigh Altadonna
Pat Eager
Michele Kaczalek
Brooke Leonard
Norman Marcus
Mary Lynn Monaghan
Janice Park
Marsha Pearson
Henrietta Roberts
Ethan Simon
Rita Stevens
Shiloh Theberge
Marianne Tyson
Diana K. Weiner
Finally, the evening ended with the business meeting, during which our newest board members were elected. The following is a list of the current FOBB Board of Directors:
Henry Geyer (President)
Stan Lexow (Vice President)
Kathy Moore (Treasurer)
Lois Reuther (Secretary)
Joe Schlupp (Secretary)
Katy Abbott (term begins in January 2010)
Dr. Leigh Altadonna
Pat Eager
Michele Kaczalek
Brooke Leonard
Norman Marcus
Mary Lynn Monaghan
Janice Park
Marsha Pearson
Henrietta Roberts
Ethan Simon
Rita Stevens
Shiloh Theberge
Marianne Tyson
Diana K. Weiner
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Painted Lady Eggs!
While checking on the butterfly house on Tuesday, I saw one of our Painted Lady butterflies resting on the leaf of a Thistle plant. Since Thistle does not have flowers, it is not a nectar plant for adults, but instead a host plant for the caterpillars. Painted Ladies lay their eggs on the Thistle so that as soon as the caterpillar hatches from the egg, it can start eating right away.
-Anne-Marie
Check out these awesome pictures!
-Anne-Marie
Check out these awesome pictures!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Fall Children's Series programs just around the corner!
Bring your little ones to Briar Bush for fun, friends and the outdoors!
Remember that if you are an Abington Township resident, you receive 10% off listed prices and if you are a Friends of Briar Bush member, you receive 20% off the listed price.
Nature Sign Language
all ages, with adult
Sundays, 3:30-4:15 p.m.
$10 per family
People everywhere are discovering the benefits of using AMerican Sign Language to communicate with infants. Join guest educator Katy Abbott to learn signs for words and concepts in nature as you explore the museum and trails at Briar Bush. This relaxed and informal program is a great bonding experience for parents and infants.
September 13
October 18
November 8
December 6
Magic Mornings
2-3 year olds with adult
Wed/Thurs/Fri, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
$10/class; $5 per additional child enrolled
Toddlers and adults discover nature together through stories, crafts, games, trail hikes and live animal encounters. Snacks provided. Adjacent classes duplicate curriculum.
September 9, 10 or 11
September 23, 24 or 25
October 7, 8 or 9
October 21, 22, or 23
November 5 or 6
November 19 or 20
December 3 or 4
December 17 or 18
Preschool Pioneers
4-5 year olds
Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m.
$32/4-day series; $24/3-day series
Preschoolers are invited to join us for a month-long series of "back to nature" fun. Programs may include nature hikes, hands-on activities, crafts and animal encounters.
September 8, 15, 22 and 29
October 6, 13, 20 and 27
November 10, 17 and 24
December 1, 8, 15 and 22
Junior Birders Club
All Grades
Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
*field trip 3:45-5:15 p.m.
$8/class; $12/field trip
Do you enjoy watching our feathered friends? Join us for a hike through BBNC trails or another local birding site to search for birds and their habitats. Bring binoculars and a field guide if possible, though we can provide them if needed. This program is best suited for children who can read.
September 17*
October 15
November 19*
December 17
No School? Cool!
2009-2010 school year
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
A program designed to help parents on days when school is closed but work is not! Pack a lunch; snack will be provided. Individual trips described below.
Animal Keeper for a Day
Monday, September 28
$45
Children will work together with our Animal Care Supervisor to provide daily care for all of Briar Bush's resident animals. In the afternoon, we will visit a local zoo to learn about exotic animal care.
That's Creepy!
Tuesday, November 3
$65
A kitchen full of cockroaches! A wall covered in human skulls! We will visit two of the creepiest places in Philadelphia - The Insectarium and the Mutter Museum.
Winter in the Woods
Monday, December 28-Thursday, December 31
$45/day or $150/4 days
Children will have a (snow)ball spending thier winter break at Briar Bush. Each day will include the best of camp activities including indoor and outdoor activities, animal encounters, games and crafts. Parents, you can register for each day individually to fit your schedule.
Additional No School? Cool! Trips:
Monday, March 1
Monday, April 5
Tuesday, May 18
Remember that if you are an Abington Township resident, you receive 10% off listed prices and if you are a Friends of Briar Bush member, you receive 20% off the listed price.
Nature Sign Language
all ages, with adult
Sundays, 3:30-4:15 p.m.
$10 per family
People everywhere are discovering the benefits of using AMerican Sign Language to communicate with infants. Join guest educator Katy Abbott to learn signs for words and concepts in nature as you explore the museum and trails at Briar Bush. This relaxed and informal program is a great bonding experience for parents and infants.
September 13
October 18
November 8
December 6
Magic Mornings
2-3 year olds with adult
Wed/Thurs/Fri, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
$10/class; $5 per additional child enrolled
Toddlers and adults discover nature together through stories, crafts, games, trail hikes and live animal encounters. Snacks provided. Adjacent classes duplicate curriculum.
September 9, 10 or 11
September 23, 24 or 25
October 7, 8 or 9
October 21, 22, or 23
November 5 or 6
November 19 or 20
December 3 or 4
December 17 or 18
Preschool Pioneers
4-5 year olds
Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m.
$32/4-day series; $24/3-day series
Preschoolers are invited to join us for a month-long series of "back to nature" fun. Programs may include nature hikes, hands-on activities, crafts and animal encounters.
September 8, 15, 22 and 29
October 6, 13, 20 and 27
November 10, 17 and 24
December 1, 8, 15 and 22
Junior Birders Club
All Grades
Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
*field trip 3:45-5:15 p.m.
$8/class; $12/field trip
Do you enjoy watching our feathered friends? Join us for a hike through BBNC trails or another local birding site to search for birds and their habitats. Bring binoculars and a field guide if possible, though we can provide them if needed. This program is best suited for children who can read.
September 17*
October 15
November 19*
December 17
No School? Cool!
2009-2010 school year
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
A program designed to help parents on days when school is closed but work is not! Pack a lunch; snack will be provided. Individual trips described below.
Animal Keeper for a Day
Monday, September 28
$45
Children will work together with our Animal Care Supervisor to provide daily care for all of Briar Bush's resident animals. In the afternoon, we will visit a local zoo to learn about exotic animal care.
That's Creepy!
Tuesday, November 3
$65
A kitchen full of cockroaches! A wall covered in human skulls! We will visit two of the creepiest places in Philadelphia - The Insectarium and the Mutter Museum.
Winter in the Woods
Monday, December 28-Thursday, December 31
$45/day or $150/4 days
Children will have a (snow)ball spending thier winter break at Briar Bush. Each day will include the best of camp activities including indoor and outdoor activities, animal encounters, games and crafts. Parents, you can register for each day individually to fit your schedule.
Additional No School? Cool! Trips:
Monday, March 1
Monday, April 5
Tuesday, May 18
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