Please carpool as much as possible and RSVP to the person indicated by the day before the trip so we can contact you in case of changes. Unless otherwise indicated, all directions are based on starting in Lancaster City. For further details and contact information, see the newsletter.
Summer 2025 Field Trips
June 14 (Saturday) 9:30am - noon
The Great Marsh / Northern Chester County
Leaders: Kevin Weir and John Thomas
Kevin Weir and John Thomas will scout out the site together with a representative from the Great Marsh Institute. Any changes, as well as directions, will be sent out via email on June 8 or 9.
For more information: https://greatmarshinstitute.org/about/ .
RSVP: If you plan to go, please contact John Thomas.
July 15 (Tuesday) 9am - noon
Demonstration Idea Gardens at the Penn State Trial Gardens
Leader: Eudora Roseman
The Southeast Agricultural Research & Extension Center (SEAREC) showcases various garden types, including ones concentrating on butterflies, native plants, raised beds, and vegetables and herbs. This summer there will be a very special raised bed garden designed by Luci Steele, who decided it would be a good idea to use one of the raised beds to educate the public about our namesake, Gottfried Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg (Henry). Her criteria for including plants were these: 1) they should be ones that he first described or that were later named in his honor, and 2) they should be accessible in this area (not an easy task). She obtained plants from various sources and has been busy planting and tending the plot, which has a Muhlenberg oak (Chinquapin) as the centerpiece. Some of the plants should be blooming by the time of our outing in mid July. There will also be a biographical sign about Muhlenberg. Although we will concentrate on the Muhlenberg bed (near the main house) and the wildflower meadow (down and to the right of the parking area) there will also be time for wandering around to check out other areas. Meet in front of the main house (straight ahead as you go inthe driveway).
For more information: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/lancaster/idea-gardens .
For those who are unable to attend this outing, but would like to see the display, the gardens are open to visitors from June through August 31, dawn to dusk. The PSU open house date for those who would like to visit in the evening, when Master Gardeners will be present to explain the beds, is July 7/17 from 6-8.
Directions from Park City on Harrisburg Pike: From Park City, go west on Harrisburg Pike, which becomes Main St. in Landisville. At the first main intersection, turn right onto Church St., which becomes Landisville Rd. After 1 mi., turn left onto Spooky Nook Rd., then immediately right onto Shenk Rd. After 0.8 mi. turn right on Erisman Rd, pass through the covered bridge, then almost immediately turn right onto Auction Rd. Turn left almost immediately into the extension property. Parking is available on the grassy lawn to the right as you come in the driveway.
August 16 (Saturday) 9:30am - 11:30am
Muhlenberg Meadows
Leaders: Tim Draude and Kevin Weir
Our annual walk around the Muhlenberg Meadows will take place when wildflowers are in prime condition as host plants for butterflies. This will be a wonderful opportunity to identify both plants and butterflies in the meadows.
Directions: From Lancaster City, go south on US 222 for about 0.8 miles. Turn left on Golf Rd. (first left after Buchmiller Park, which is on the right) and go 0.6 miles. Meet at the grass parking area on the right side of Golf Rd., just past the intersection with Exhibit Farm Rd.
Late August or Early September
Lock 12 in York County
We've not been to Lock 12 in at least five years, so newer members will have an opportunity to become acquainted with this wonderful area, where all sorts of plants pop out between the boulders. The site is just a few minutes from where the Norman Wood Bridge crosses over into York Co.
More details later!