Weekly Schedule

Nature Notes: August 18-24

Hello Nature Lovers,

The last week of August is here, and we're ending the summer with some fantastic programs!

This week, we're focusing on our connection to the environment and giving back. On Monday at 1:00 p.m., join Susie Macrae and Francie Preston for a Mindful Outdoor Experience, a slow-paced walk designed to help you reconnect with nature. On Tuesday, we challenge you to Disconnect to Reconnect and take a gadget-free walk on the trails. Then, on Wednesday morning, lend a hand with Trail Clearing with Jeff Harbison and get a chance to use some power tools.

Don't miss our final Wednesday Evening Program of the season with Nancy Stevenson, who will share her journey of transforming lawns into meadows. As the summer wraps up, you also have one more chance to look for Birds or Apex Predators with Maggie on Thursday at 7:00 a.m.

I can't wait to see you on the trails or in the Nature Center this week!

*All below activities start at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted.

* Canceled activities will be communicated on the Nature Center bulletin board.

Nature Director: Maggie Joyce  917-364-8181 or magpieplpnature@gmail.com

PLP Nature Website: https://sites.google.com/view/onocoperutan/home?authuser=0

Friday, August 22

9:30 am Know Your Trails - Wagner Trail with Ted Daeschler -  Meet at the Nature Center at 9:30 to walk out and back the Wagner Trail. This convenient North Shore trail is full of surprises including rare carnivorous pitcher plants. 2.5 miles total. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes, and please, no dogs.

Saturday, August 23

9:30 am Trail Trekkor Hike: Meet at Nature Center at 9:30, back by noon. Up to 4 miles. Please leave dogs at home. Trails to be determined.

Sunday, August 24

1:00 pm Walk Around the Lake - Join Jeff Harbison and others for an approximately 9 mile walk  (4 1/2 hours) around the lake.  Water refills and snacks will be provided. Meet at the Nature Center. Meet at the Nature Center

Monday August 25

9:00 Pine Tree Award Workshop: Stop by the nature center and learn how to earn your Pine Tree Award. This is a fun, challenging project to help you learn about nature.

1:00 PM Theme Walk: Mindful Outdoor Experience - We invite you to join Susie Macrae & Francie Preston on a slow-paced immersive walk in the woods, with a focus on connection with our surroundings. We’ll take the time to notice the touch of a breeze, the sounds of a stream or birds, the aroma of the pine needles, the texture of the tree bark. We’ll walk in silence, stopping occasionally and coming together at the end to reflect on the experience.

Tuesday, August 26

Anytime today Disconnect to Reconnect: Our high usage of technology and hours of screen time can have negative effects on our health and well-being. Today you are going to disconnect from ALL of your gadgets. As a result you will reduce your cortisol levels, sleep better, and improve your mood. Your assignment is to leave your cell phone at your camp and take an hour-long walk around the Preserve. I recommend the Cary Trail Loop or the Rim Trail.  

Wednesday, August 27

9:30 am Trail Clearing with Jeff Harbison - Trail clearing is a fantastic way to volunteer your time to help out the community while also having fun. Not only do you get to learn new trails and hang out with friends, but you also might get to play with power tools.

8:00 pm Wednesday Evening Program: Creating a Meadow with Nancy Stevenson: Join Nancy Stevenson for a look into the process of turning lawns into beautiful, thriving meadows. What began as a solution for invasive vines and brambles evolved into an ambitious journey. Nancy will share her personal experience and the key steps she took to create her own native wildflower meadow. This program will show how to transform an area, and you’ll see that building a meadow is a dynamic, ever-changing process.

Thursday, August 28

7:00 am Birds or Apex Predators Walk with Maggie:  The summer is coming to a close and soon you will be returning from whence you came. Hopefully you have enjoyed birding with us and will be adding it into your regular routine. I know many birds have gone quiet this summer, but our odds of catching an impressive, usually reclusive animal in its habitat is much more likely in the wee hours of the morning. In the last several walks we have observed an osprey fishing, a bald eagle perching, and a bear walking. Join us and see what we will walk upon this week. 

10:00 pm Cleaning the Nature Center: Come in and help clean up our beloved

Nature Center. We will be cleaning out the tanks and test tubes. 

Friday, August 29

9:30 am Know Your Trails - Upper Toby Loop with Jim Apgar -  Join Jim Apgar on a walk on the Upper Tobyhanna/Scott Property. We will walk approximately a mile on easy terrain. Throughout our walk we will stop and discuss the habitat improvement projects throughout the preserve. These forest management projects promote biodiversity by diversifying the age of our forests. Please wear sturdy footwear, bring water, and as always no dogs.

Have you spotted…

A beaver this summer? A keystone species in Pennsylvania, beavers are fascinating engineers of our waterways. These large, semi-aquatic rodents are known for their ability to build dams and lodges, which create vital wetland habitats for countless other species, from fish and frogs to waterfowl and insects. Their dams slow water flow, reducing erosion and improving water quality.

Beavers are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, which is the best time to see them. Their impressive construction projects and characteristic chew marks on trees are often the most visible signs of their presence. These remarkable animals are a testament to the powerful role a single species can play in shaping an entire ecosystem. Observing their work from a distance is a great way to appreciate these diligent and important animals.