2009 Lecture Series

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

Snow Day Activities

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!
  

Come birding at Briar Bush!

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!

Energy conservation workshop scheduled

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.

Thanks for a wonderful Centennial year!

As the year is coming to a close, the Briar Bush Nature Center staff would like to thank everyone for helping us celebrate our Centennial and making it such a great year! We had many volunteers help with events throughout the year, as well as all the regular day-to-day operations they help with. To mark the Centennial, the year was filled with special events to keep the celebration going. We'd like to extend a big thank you to all those who hosted our Centennial events, helped plan them and supported them with donations. We could not have had such a great year without everyone's participation and support.

Best wishes for the new year to all of our Friends!

Bird Seed Sale Price Misprint

Attention!

In the Winter 2009 newsletter there has been a misprint in the bird seed prices. The correct prices are as follows:

Fruit & Berry Buffet (20 lbs.) is $32.40 (members) and $36.00 (non-members)

Peanut Splits (25 lbs.) is $31.95 (members) and $35.50 (non-members)

Safflower (20 lbs.) is $22.05 (members) and $24.50 (non-members)

The Giving Tree

As a non-profit organization, we often look to Friends to support some of our needs. During the holiday season, a "giving tree" is on display in our museum with wish-list items for the coming year posted on ornaments. There are several types of ornaments on the tree, each representing a different cost category for the items. Please look through the list below, and if you are able to provide any of these items (used are okay, as long as in good condition!) the BBNC staff would be greatly appreciative! If you are in the Center, be sure to take a peek! All gift-givers will have their name displayed on a "helping hand" for the rest of the holiday season.

You Choose the Amount (dark blue ornament)

• Grocery store gift cards for summer camp snacks
• Petco gift cards for animal food and supplies
• Michael's gift cards for craft supplies

$1-10 (red stocking ornament)

• Butterfly/insect nets
• Children's nature-themed storybooks
• Large bottles of spray adhesive
• Plastic storage tubs with lids
• Frying pan
  
• Velcro tabs or roll of Velcro
  

$11-25 (light blue ornament)

• Associated Press Style Book
• Two new coffee makers
• Black cardstock for exhibits

$26-50 (indigo ornament)

• Indoor umbrella stand for front entrance

$51-100 (tree-shaped ornament)

• 75 pounds potting soil WITHOUT fertilizer

$100+ (star ornament)

• Koala baby changing table