After 19 years with the Friends of Briar Bush, bookkeeper Lily Abel is retiring at the end of December. Her retirement was celebrated at the annual Holiday Recognition Party on Dec. 8, during which she was presented with an engraved Swiss watch as a gift from the Friends of Briar Bush Board of Directors.
In addition to her duties as bookkeeper, Lily has been instrumental in the success of many Friends of Briar Bush special events, whether it is planning the menu, arranging the catering or organizing supplies. Her lively spirit is a presence that will be missed around the Center, but we know she will enjoy her abundance of free time as she jets off to sunny Florida!
Thank you, Lily, for your dedication and cheer and we wish you health and happiness on your new adventures.
Katy Abbott - Katy and her family moved to Abington from Cleveland, OH in 2006 and had the good fortune of buying a house within walking distance of BBNC. She is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Philadelphia where she spends her time writing grants and overseeing research projects. Katy has been volunteering at BBNC for the past year teaching American Sign Language to families with infants and children. Having just completed a 5-year term on a board of an International Non-profit organization as the Director of Education, Katy is eager to join the board of an organization located in her neighborhood.
Janice Park is the founder of Urban Park Consulting. As an independent consultant, Janice provides consulting services to businesses, the community and educators, using entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage ventures to make positive social change.
Janice started her career on Wall Street as a Marketing Associate for Shearson Lehman Brothers, in 1993.Within 4 years, she earned her title as Assistant Vice President for Greenwich Street Advisors, a fixed-income portfolio management division of Smith Barney Shearson.Janice had the opportunity to join a group of young portfolio managers who ran one of the most progressive socially responsible funds on the street at that time.
In 1996, Janice decided to redirect her career to join a software development start-up company in New York City.Within 3 years, Janice became the Director of Marketing, managing the largest partnership contract, the College Board.As a consultant to the College Board, Logicat, Inc. was responsible for developing educational software programs for secondary schools and developed progressive test preparation software, career and college preparation software, and data tools for school administrators to drive instruction.
In August of 2000, Janice’s passion for education inspired her to join the College Board as the Director of Business Development for collegeboard.com.In 2001, the College Board created the for-profit division of the College Board. As the Director of Business Development, Janice created innovative strategies and programs to effectively use the Internet as an education vehicle.
Janice continued her passion for education advocacy and learned to successfully integrate effective business practices to support education.In 2002, Janice became an education lobbyist for the state of New York and New Jersey for the College Board.She collaborated with school districts and state departments of education improve teaching to increase student achievement, with the focus on supporting underrepresented and low-income students.
One of Janice’s most memorable and meaningful developments with the College Board, was securing a partnership with the NYC Department of Education.The partnership assisted NYC Department of Education secure a $2.4mm federal grant to increase the number of students having access to a rigorous curriculum.This grant initiative opened the door to provide college preparation programs for more students in NYC, giving access to more programs and opportunities for more students, especially those from low-income families.By 2007, this program reached out to every 10th and 11th grade student in the NYC public school system, and still expanding.
Janice has continued to actively support inner-city students and families.In 1996, Janice was the Founder and Director of NYC Student Outreach.This outreach program mentored many inner-city students, bringing exciting learning activities for students through after-school mentoring programs.The program successfully partnered with the IBM Enrichment Program and formed a strategic partnership with high schools in the Bronx.
In 2008, Janice was ready to start a new chapter in her life and decided to find a way to use her entrepreneurial skills towards social good.Her passion for children, the environment, education, desire to have a voice in the community, and engaging in socially responsible advocacy, inspired her to create her own consulting practice.
UrbanPark Consulting continues to support the field of social justice, health, and human services.Janice engages in projects to support: education, youth development, socially responsible advocacy, and sustainable living projects.
DIANA K. WEINER is a horticulture consultant and lectures to groups around the country. She recently joined the staff of the Friends of High School Park as the Restoration and Volunteer Manger for this 11-acre native plant sanctuary in Elkins Park, PA. She also coordinates the volunteer program for and lives at Meadowbrook Farm, the historic estate of philanthropist J. Liddon Pennock, in Abington Township, PA. It is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Before coming to Pennsylvania and Meadowbrook Farm in 2006 she was the Superintendent of Parks and Grounds for the Historic Hotel of America, Mohonk Mountain House, whose 2200 acres include trails and carriage roads, 15-plus acres of show gardens, 300 acres of grounds, greenhouses, a garden gift shop, flower shop and a 9-hole Scottish-design golf course.
For 16 years she served as the Community Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator through CornellUniversity for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County, NY.
Diana is a Certified Nursery Professional, judges for the national beautification program America in Bloom, the Dutchess County Fair, Sullivan Renaissance, and other national contests. She is a member of the Garden Writers Association of America, The International Plant Propagators Society, the Perennial Plant Association and the American Horticultural Society.She currently sits on the board of Briar Bush Nature Center and the Meadowbrook Bird Sanctuary. She enjoys writing, cooking, antiques and shade gardening. She has a degree in Agronomy from the StateUniversity of New York at Cobleskill.
The annual Volunteer of the Year award, given to an outstanding Briar Bush Nature Center volunteer, was given a new name in time for the 2009 presentation. The Doris Dale Volunteer of the Year award was so named for one of the original Friends of Briar Bush board members and long-time BBNC volunteer. Among other valuable contributions, Doris Dale spent many years keeping Friends memberships up-to-date, sending each member handwritten notes.
The 2009 Doris Dale Volunteer of the Year award was presented at the annual Volunteer and Donor Recognition Party on Dec. 8. Recipients were Jay Viola, an adult volunteer who works with Montgomery County youth, and Ani Schug, a youth volunteer who has spent the past two summers doing grounds work and assisting with summer camps as a Camp Aide.
The Briar Bush staff was very excited to choose these two well-deserving volunteers who have put in countless hours.
For the first time, the 2009 Doris Dale Volunteer of the Year award was given to two recipients: an adult and a youth volunteer. Executive Director Dede Long (left) presents the newly renamed award to Jay Viola (center) and Ani Schug (right).
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!
Thank you to all of those who supported the Friends of Briar Bush with the 19th annual Feather Our Nest silent auction and gala. The event was successful in raising funds to support the programs and projects at Briar Bush and in the community.
A new feature during this year’s auction was “Fund the Need.” Guests were asked to make pledges toward specific projects: the butterfly house and the nature playscape. There will be continual costs of plants and butterflies for the house, and a few large items remaining to complete the playscape.
Despite questions regarding the state of the economy, many donations were received for the auction, ranging from small price items to beautiful jewelry and even an entire Thanksgiving dinner from Whole Foods for the live auction.
The staff and board members are incredibly thankful to all those who donated, supported or were involved in the success of the auction in any way. Without members, volunteers and supporters, we could not accomplish all that we do!
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!
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
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
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
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
Late in the summer, there is still a lot of new life emerging at Briar Bush. Take a look at these recent photos of life at the pond and in our butterfly house. Click on the photos in the slide show to view them full size and read the captions.
Only a few more weeks and kids will be out of camp and into the classroom. What are you doing to prepare your kids to go back to school? There are many eco-friendly choices you can make, so take note!
Lunch - Instead of picking up a package of brown paper bags, buy your child a reusable lunch box. To go inside that lunch box, pick up an ice pack to keep food cold; inexpensive plastic cuttlery (try a discount store) that can be washed and reused; some small plastic containers to store food; a plastic sandwich container; and a thermos or reusable water bottle.
What does this reduce? - By using plastic containers, you do not have to use foil, wax paper or plastic bags. The heavier weight, reusable plastic cutlery eliminates the need to buy boxes and boxes of one-use plastic cutlery that ends up in trashcans. With a reusable lunch bag, you can pack a lunch that will stay cold and can spare a few trees.
Food - Foods like applesauce, yogurt, Goldfish crackers, pretzels and pudding are common in children's lunches. Buy the large jar of applesauce or large container of yogurt. Make the pudding yourself from a box of powdered pudding mix and milk you already have at home. Choose the bulk size box of crackers or pretzels instead of the small bags. Pick up the large bottles of juice and use that reusable water bottle or thermos everyday.
What does this reduce? - When you buy a larger container, you're eliminating the waste of those single-use plastic containers which often can't be recycled. In Abington, only #1 and #2 plastics are recycled. Many pudding, applesauce and yogurt containers are #5 plastic. The large yogurt containers can be used for storage at home once empty. One large box of crackers or pretzels eliminates the waste of many small bags, and one large bottle of juice reduces the juice box/pouch and straw waste that is created every single day.
Supplies - Choose recycled options when possible - looseleaf paper, notebooks and binders. Pick up a package of mechanical pencils and refillable lead, or regular pencils that are made from reycled wood. If your child still has school supplies left over from last year, use them! A new school year doesn't mean you have to purchase a new box of crayons. If it's time for a new backpack, purchase one from a company that offers a lifetime warranty. That way, when the bottom starts to wear out, a zipper breaks or the straps start to detach, all you have to do is mail it back to the company and wait for your repaired bag to be returned to you. Kids also like to pick out products with their favorite TV or movie characters, but the love of that character only lasts so long. Instead, direct your child toward something that has a fun, colored pattern on it that will appeal to him or her for more than one season or school year.
What does this reduce? - Where do all those old school supplies eventually end up? Sometimes the trashcan, sometimes in a massive collection in your home. Teach your child the importance of using something until it is gone - only then is it necessary to replace it with something new. When a backpack wears out, it probably ends up in the trash. But if you purchase a brand such as L.L. Bean or Eastpack, you've just bought that bag for life and almost all of the regular wear-and-tear problems will be fixed for free - all you pay is the postage to send it back to the company! Not only will you be reducing waste by not purchasing excess supplies, you'll also be saving money, which makes everyone happy. Set aside the money that would have been used to purchase a new backpack or lunchbox and use it toward a fun day with the family.
Teaching your child the value of reducing waste, reusing what you already have and recycling what you can will last forever. Habits begin early - good or bad. If you teach your child the good habits, there will be less room for the bad.
The clock is ticking to get a spot in our summer camps! More than half are already full, and others only have a couple of spots left. Don't miss out on the best day camp in the Philadelphia area, as voted by YOU (see previous post)!
Here's where we still have availability, as of Thursday, June 25:
Details for all of these camps can be found by visiting our Summer Camp website or by calling Briar Bush at 215.887.6603
Don't forget that Abington Township residents receive a 10% discount off our advertised camp price, and Friends of Briar Bush members receive a 20% discount. Memberships - either a family level at $40 or an individual level (in child's name) at $25 - pays for itself when you sign up for camp!
Join the Native Americans for a day of fun. There will be Native American crafters, storytelling, face painting, food and dancers from around the country. Also included in the event will be a 1500s era Lenape Village with fire-making, cooking and family life.
Date: Saturday, July 25 and 26 Time: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (on 25th); 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (on 26th) Location: Core Creek State Park - 901 E. Bridgetown Pike, Langhorne, PA 19047 Phone: (215) 757-0571 Cost: $6 adults, $4 students and seniors, $3 children 4-12, free for children under 4
Celebrate the Sun on June 7 served not only as the time to honor Doug Wendell, Director of Abington Township Parks & Recreation, with the esteemed Griscom Award, but it also was the date of the official opening of our new butterfly house!
The house has been constructed with generous support from the Asplundh Foundation, Abington Township and the Friends of Briar Bush, and was constructed by ThinkGreen LLC. It is stocked with native host and nectar plants to support Painted Lady and Monarch butterflies, and their caterpillars. The butterflies in the house have all been released by Abington School District second-graders, who spend part of their spring raising butterflies in the classroom and witnessing the process of metamorphosis. Later in the season, we hope to have Monarch butterflies as well. Because butterflies that are bred and raised in captivity should not be released into the wild, Briar Bush will accept butterflies not only from the school, but also from families that may raise butterflies at home, but not have a release location. All butterflies will be provided with a safe habitat including a water source, flowers for nectar, a fruit feeding station and host plants for caterpillars.
The house will be open to visitors Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 12-2 p.m. A staff member will be at the house to assist you.
Naturalist-Author "Wildman" Steve Brill has been leading foraging tours in parks throughout the Northeast since 1982. Kids & grown-ups alike are invited to sign up for the hike that will take place at Pennypack Farm (Horsham) on Tuesday, August 18. The walk starts at 1 p.m. and will last approximately 2 hours. Cost is $20/adult and $10/child.
Email Mike Hobbs at education@pennypackfarm.org or call (215) 646-3943 to register. All registrations must be received by Saturday, July 18.
Come learn with the best about native, edible foods that are growing in your own backyard!
The Friends of High School Park, High School Road, Elkins Park, is seeking volunteers to contribute to the ongoing native plant restoration at High School Park: May 16, 10 a.m. to noon; May 17, 1 to 3 p.m.; May 30, 10 a.m. to noon; May 31, 1 to 3 p.m. All work parties begin at the shed, located near Montgomery Avenue. Wear long pants and long sleeves, and bring work gloves if you have them, otherwise they will be provided. Groups welcome, call Gina at 215-782-8082 for details.
Spring has sprung! How can you tell? At Briar Bush, we can tell because our ferns are growing taller each day, butterflies are fluttering through the meadow, bees are buzzing and the sun is shining warmly upon us.
All of this means we're also getting closer to the opening of our new butterfly house! Construction has been completed and the next step is to plant all of the plants that will help our butterflies and caterpillars grow, and installing the new exhibits.
Abington School District second graders grow butterflies in their classrooms every year to learn about the life cycle and observe the the process of metamorphosis. Once the plants are in and the caterpillars have become butterflies, the second graders will be coming to release their Pink Lady butterflies into our house. We are so excited to be able to provide a safe place for these butterflies to live and for all of you to come visit them.
The official ribbon-cutting for the house will be during Celebrate the Sun, the annual fund-raising event when we present a special individual with our Griscom Award. That event will be Sunday, June 7. For more information about Celebrate the Sun, call the Center at 215-887-6603.
If you raise butterflies at home and are interested in more information about releasing them into our butterfly house, please call us for details. Because many butterflies each species-specific plants, we are only able to sustain certain types of butterflies.
Briar Bush Nature Center had a GREAT turn-out for our free Earth Day celebration on April 19 - over 200 visitors!!! Thank you so much to all those who came to participate in our activities and appreciate the world of wonders we work so hard to preserve for your enjoyment. The weather was perfect for spending the day outside and everyone enjoyed the free, environmentally-friendly gifts they received after participating in all of the activities.
Even though Earth Day is over, don't stop celebrating! Be sure you are caring for our Earth every day and in every way :)
The Abington Environmental Advisory Council and Shade Tree Commission is celebrating Earth Day during the entire month of April. Join them during one of the many volunteer opportunities for the "Great Abington Clean-up." Volunteer hours will be reported to the "Great PA Clean-up."
(meet by sign near 1600 Amity Road and Sherwood Road)
Events: Tree planting, Tree City USA award, park cleanup, flower garden planting, invasive plant removal
Celebrate one of Abington's newest parks: Jackson Park in Meadowbrook.
The EAC and Shade Tree Commission celebrate Arbor Day each year with a tree planting in April. The trees are planted in a public open space that needs beautification or greening. The celebration includes planting trees and flowers, a brief dedication, and light refreshments. The public is invited to join in the free celebration and learn more about trees. If you are interested in volunteering for Arbor Day, please contact us at eac.abington@gmail.com
Bats have an image problem and Musical Mark is out to change that! Musical Mark is a children’s singer-songwriter who has built a multi-media show around his recently completed CD of bat songs. Come see his program that both entertains and educates children about bats. The one-hour show, best for children in grades one through six, will feature special lighting effects, fog machines, costumes and theatrics. After the show, Musical Mark will be available for autographs, photos, etc.
The show will be held in the Visitors’ Center at Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust: 2955 Edge Hill Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. Pre-register by calling the Trust at 215-657-0830 during business hours or by emailing lsteele@pennypacktrust.org.
The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, with its mission of enhancing the health of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek and its 29 miles of drainage land, is holding a two-day ethical electronics recycling event.
Recycle your items for $1/pound at Cedarbrook Middle School (300 Longfellow Road in Wyncote) on March 28 and 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Accepted electronics include: TVs, computers, monitors, keyboards, drives, cables, cords, peripherals, copiers, printers, cartridges, fax machines, scanners, laptops, stereo equipment, speakers, CD and DVD players, telephones, remote controls, VCRs, projectors, digital cameras, PDAs, speakers, radios, answering machines, camcorders, electric typewriters, video game systems, pagers, microwaves, toasters, ink cartidges, USB media and media like zip disks, audio tapes and floppy diskettes.
Not sure what the kids are going to do this summer? Sign up for a BBNC summer camp! Our camps are designed for appropriate age groupings with activities to be fun, challenging and educational for each group. We offer half-day camps for the little ones, full-day camps for the older kids and new this year, BEFORE and AFTER care!
As with all public programs, Abington Township residents receive a 10% discount off listed price, and Friends of Briar Bush (members) receive a 20% discount off listed price.
Camp descriptions can be found in your newsletter or on our website.
We will have an information session for parents on Thursday, May 14 at BBNC at 5 p.m.
Our camps fill up fast, so check out this year's options (new camp themes!) and sign up today! Each age group has several options to choose from!
Older kids: If your teen needs service hours or wants to work with younger kids this summer, consider being a Camp Aide. Training sessions are June 22-24 and June 29-July 1. All responsible rising 7th graders and above are welcome to apply!
Any volunteers who are interested in leading seasonal hikes, please come to a training at BBNC on Monday, March 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. The training will be led by senior educator Jeff Moore.
The Great Escape trip to Laurel Hills Cemetery will take place WEDNESDAY, April 29.
Philadelphia's Underground Museum: Laurel Hill Cemetery (Program #69) Philadelphia, PA Wednesday, April 29 ~ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. $55 (Abington Twp. residents receive 10% discount; FOBB receive 20% discount)
One of the few cemeteries designated as a National Historical Landmark, Laurel Hill is the final resting place of war veterans, Titanic passengers and hundreds of the famous (and not-so-famous) people who helped shape the creation of Philadelphia and the world. We will enjoy a personalized tour through this unique historical resource. Buy lunch.
The Montgomery Newspapers group is doing its annual Reader's Choice survey and there are a couple categories in which Briar Bush is eligible. Please take a minute to check it out and vote!
It's a blustery day at Briar Bush, but clinging to the branch of a small tree we found a tiny bat! The hibernating visitor was most likely an Eastern Pipistrelle, a widespread small bat in Pennsylvania. Bats hibernate for the entire winter, eating nothing at all and occasionally moving to find a stable temperature just above freezing. With the strong winds that we recently had, a large, dead tree fell on the side of the Briar Bush property and it's possible that this small bat had been hibernating in a crevice of the tree. Thanks to Craig, our Naturalist Assistant, the bat is now safely inside a bat box to spend the rest of the winter.
BBNC Senior Naturalist Mark Fallon hosts volunteer Grounds Days for you to help with plantings, weeding, trail maintenance and any other outdoor work to be done at BBNC.
Here are the upcoming dates for this spring: Thursday, February 19 ~ 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 ~ 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, March 5 ~ 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 ~ 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, April 2 ~ 3-5 p.m. Monday, April 6 ~ 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 ~ 10 a.m.-noon Friday, April 17 ~ 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 ~ 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 7 ~ 3-5 p.m.
Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring your water bottle. For more information or to RSVP, please call the Center at 215.588.5077
Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators presents:
Connecting Today's Kids with Nature - A Policy Plan Eliza Russell - National Wildlife Federation Director of Education Programming
Tuesday, March 10 @ 7 p.m. Linderman Library Room 200 @ Lehigh University - Bethlehem, PA Light Refreshments & Free Admission
"The phrase 'go outside and play' sums up the summer experiences that many adult Americans fondly remember. But today's kids rarely hear these four words. The sad reality is that American childhood has moved indoors. Meanwhile, our kids face an epidemic of childhood obesity and a troubling disconnect with nature."
Eliza Russell will share solution to connect our children to nature, and ourselves at the same time. She will offer encouragement for parents to take action within our communities, at the state level, and at the national Level. - Kevin Coyle, Vice President for Education at NWF
Information: Gail Hill at ghill@co.bucks.pa.us or 215.345.7860
With all this snow outside, don't think nature is hiding! Winter is still an exciting time outdoors, and there is plenty to do and see.
Take a walk through your yard or a local park to look for animal tracks in the snow. Draw a picture of them. Can you identify what animal left the tracks? What direction was in going? What does that animal eat? Was it chasing another animal?
To attract birds, make your own feeder. Tie a string to the top of a pine cone, and roll smear the cone with Crisco or peanut butter. Then roll the pine cone in bird seed. Hang it from a tree in your yard and watch the birds as they come to feed!
From outdoors or indoors, do a little bird watching. Even though it's chilly, the birds are still out, especially if you have feeders to attract them in your yard (like the pine cone feeder!). How many different types of birds did you see? What sizes were they? What color feathers did they have? Can you identify them?
With all that snow on the ground, there is plenty of building materials! Forget about the traditional snowman - make some imaginary creates! Create your own world in the snow.
Take a nature walk to look for animal habitats. Without leaves in the trees, it is much easier to see nests. Did you know birds aren't the only animals to makes nests in trees? Squirrels do too! How many nests did you see? How big were they? Were they up high or low in the tree branches? Do you know what kind of trees the nests were in?
Play a game of explorer outside! What are some really cold places? What do people do in those places? What kinds of animals live there? Pretend you are exploring one of these cold places.
Whatever you decide to do on these cold days, have fun!
On the second Wednesday of every month, Briar Bush Nature Center volunteers gather at noon for the Brown Bag Lunch, a quick business meeting and a nature-oriented presentation by a staff member or volunteer.
Jennifer Sherwood, a BBNC volunteer and avid birder, will be hosting a birding hour beginning at 11 a.m. on the days of the Brown Bag Lunch. Walk the trails or get comfy on a rocking chair in the warm bird observatory, and bring your camera or binoculars. Some recent guests have included the cardinal, tufted titmouse, chickadee and red-tailed hawk. No RSVP is necessary - just meet in the museum at 11 a.m.
Remaining Brown Bag Lunch dates include: Feb. 11, March 11, April 8 and May 13. Drinks and some snacks are provided - just bring your lunch! Anyone interested in becoming more involved at Briar Bush is welcome to attend!
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, D-13, will host several energy conservation workshops in Montgomery County this January, where experts from Montgomery County Weatherization Works will offer tips and strategies on how people can lower their overall energy use and save money on heating costs this winter.
Workshops will be held Jan. 16, 10:30 a.m., at the Abington Township Public Library, 1030 Old York Road, Abington.
For more information, or to RSVP, contact Schwartz's Jenkintown office at 215-517-6572. These workshops are free and open to the general public. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.
Briar Bush Nature Center is a 12-acre urban sanctuary located in Abington, PA. It is maintained and operated by the non-profit organization Friends of Briar Bush and Abington Township. The museum, pond and bird observatory are open 7 days a week (except for major holidays). Our hours are 9-5 (M-Sa.) and 1-5 (Su.). Our trails are open during daylight hours. Visit our website at www.briarbush.org for more information about our programs.
After 19 years with the Friends of Briar Bush, bookkeeper Lily Abel is retiring at the end of December. Her retirement was celebrated at the annual Holiday Recognition Party on Dec. 8, during which she was presented with an engraved Swiss watch as a gift from the Friends of Briar Bush Board of Directors.
