A pale blue haze appears to hang above the forest floor givin
g the woodland a rather unearthly appearance. Upon closer approach you discover that the blue is from the flowers of Virginia bluebells. These spring wildflowers are in full bloom at Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower area of the Holtwood Environmental Preserve. For more information about Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve go here: http://bit.ly/1NrPSy.
Blooming Bells
April 12, 2012 at 4:35 pm (flowers, Holtwood, native plants, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania, seasons, wildflowers)
A Bloody Secret
March 30, 2012 at 11:55 am (flowers, Montour Preserve, native plants, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania, plants, programs, seasons, wildflowers)
After a short and mild winter and an unusually warm beginning of spring it is no surprise that some of Montour Preserves woodland wildflowers are showing up early this year. One great example of this early bloom is bloodroot which is in full bloom at the preserve. Bloodroot can be recognized by its large white flowers and leaf which wraps itself around the stem in early spring. This showy spring blossom is aptly named for the orangish red sap that flows from the root and stem of the plant which has been used in a variety of ways in the past. Native Americans used bloodroot sap both medicinally and practically for a dye for face painting and clothing, and as a cough medicine. In the early 1980’s bloodroot extract called Sanguinaria, became somewhat famous as a first line of defense against gum disease and some prominent members of the dental community believed this extract to be as influential in plague fighting as fluoride had been to tooth decay. Don’t miss out on the wonders of early spring; remember our woodland wildflower walk is scheduled for Saturday April 28th from 1:30-3:00p.m.
Marvelous Wild Mushrooms
September 23, 2011 at 1:31 pm (Activities, education, Montour Preserve, native plants, nature, outdoors, Pennsylvania, programs, Susquehanna Riverlands)
Learn to identify mushrooms like this one from Bill Russell
Wine & dine
August 25, 2011 at 8:00 am (birds, mammals, Montour Preserve, native plants, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania, plants, seasons, wildlife)
Clusters of dark purple grapes hang hidden below large green leaves. These wild grapes are ripening and disappearing as they do so. Some tumble to the ground, pried loose by a gust of wind. Others are gobbled up by a wide variety of hungry birds, raccoons, opossums, skunks and red foxes. There are few plants that feed as many different species of animals as wild grapes.
Ripening wild grapes
A Touch of Blue
May 4, 2011 at 2:38 pm (Montour Preserve, native plants, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania, plants, seasons, Uncategorized, wildflowers)
Bee is for blue(bells)
Goose Woods Trail at Montour Preserve has the blues. Virginia bluebells are at peak bloom now and creating a patch of pale blue that is striking. Not only do the blossoms attract visitors but the bees are enjoying a sip of nectar from the trumpet-shaped flowers. These flowers should last at least another week or so.
Salem Elementary students learn about forestry at PPL Arbor Day festival
May 2, 2011 at 3:13 pm (conservation, education, native plants, Pennsylvania, recreation, students, Susquehanna Riverlands, trees, wildlife)
Tags: Arbor Day, PA Woodmobile, Riverlands
Fourth graders from Salem Elementary School in Berwick visited the Susquehanna Riverlands last week to recognize Arbor Day and tour the PA WoodMobile.
The PA WoodMobile, a classroom contained in a large walk-through trailer, travels the state to educate students about Pennsylvania’s hardwood forests and is jointly sponsored by the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council, Deer Park Lumber and Pennsylvania Forest Products Association.
Bob Jacques of the state Department of Agriculture described the abundant hardwood trees that grow in Pennsylvania and their role in shaping the history of the state and nation. Students could touch the various hardwood species produced in Pennsylvania and discover more about Pennsylvania’s forest products industry. Students also learned about how wood products are made (think Louisville Slugger bat), how the forest is managed in a sustainable fashion, and how common and unusual forest products can be found in everyday household items.
Eighty students and teachers participated in the event that was organized by PPL.
In the evening, the WoodMobile was opened up for the public to tour and 30 individuals of all ages took advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and learn about forest management and invasive species that threaten PA trees such as the emerald ash borer and Asian long-horned beetle..
Celebrate Arbor Day at the Riverlands
April 27, 2011 at 12:50 pm (Activities, conservation, history, native plants, nature, outdoors, Susquehanna Riverlands, wildflowers)
Two great programs are being held this week at the PPL Susquehanna Riverlands! The PA Woodmobile is coming to town to celebrate Arbor Day. Stop by to tour this hands-on exhibit about the forest products industry and stay for the 5:00 program about the history of Penn’s Woods. On Sunday, Dr. Montgomery will lead a walk through the wetlands to look for spring wildflowers. With the warmer temperatures this week, these colorful signs of spring are popping up everywhere!
I hope you can join us for one or both of these programs.
Arbor Day Woodmobile
Thursday, April 28
3-6 p.m. Exhibit Opened
5-6 p.m. Penn’s Woods Program
Susquehanna Energy Information Center
Presenter: The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Hardwoods Development Council and with the support of the state’s hardwoods industry. The trailer and truck are provided by Deer Park Lumber Inc. of Tunkhannock, Pa.
This Arbor Day the Riverlands is hosting the Pennsylvania Woodmobile, a traveling exhibit that provides information on the state’s forest resource and the state’s forest products industry. Tour the woodmobile from 3-6 p.m. to learn how the forests of Pennsylvania have shaped the history of the state and nation, find out how today’s forest differs from 100 years ago, touch the various hardwood species produced in Pennsylvania and see how deer affect today’s forest. Find out more about Pennsylvania’s forest products industry, see how products are made, learn how the forest is managed in a sustainable fashion, and experience how common and unusual forest products touch our lives every day. At 5 p.m. a formal presentation about the history of Penn’s woods as well as information about some of the invasive threats to our woodlands will be given. For more information, please call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com.
Wildflowers in Bloom
Sunday, May 1
1:30-3 p.m.
Wetlands Cottage
Presenter: Jim Montgomery, Ph.D.
Nothing says spring more than the appearance of the first big bloom of wildflowers. Take a stroll through the Riverlands with Jim Montgomery as he discusses wildflower identification, natural history and folklore. We will meet at the Wetlands Cottage and head out to the trail from there. The path is reasonably flat and easy, but weather-appropriate clothing and waterproof footwear are strongly recommended. For more information, please call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com
Woodland Dilemma
April 26, 2011 at 3:33 pm (birds, flowers, migration, Montour Preserve, native plants, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania, plants, wildflowers)
Dutchman's breeches look like miniature pantaloons hanging in the breeze.
This time of year it is difficult to know whether to look down or up. On the forest floor spring woodland wildflowers are lovely treasures with brand new blossoms. Trout lily, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, Virginia bluebells are a few that are blooming now along Goose Woods Trail at Montour Preserve. This weekend these wildflowers should reach peak bloom. Overhead, recently returned birds are showing off their colors. Several species of warblers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and the first Baltimore orioles add both sight and sound to woodlands that have wakened from their winter dormancy.
Susquehanna Riverlands to host the PA Woodmobile for Arbor Day
April 19, 2011 at 1:22 pm (conservation, education, native plants, outdoors, Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Riverlands)
Tags: Arbor Day, PA Woodmobile, susquehanna riverlands
This Arbor Day PPL is hosting the Pennsylvania Woodmobile, a traveling exhibit that provides information on the state’s forest resources and the state’s forest products industry. Check it out from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands.
Tour the Woodmobile to learn how the forests of Pennsylvania have shaped the history of the state and nation. Find out how today’s forest differs from 100 years ago, touch the various hardwood species produced in Pennsylvania and see how deer affect the forest. You can also discover more about Pennsylvania’s forest products industry, see how products are made, learn how the forest is managed in a sustainable fashion, and experience how common and unusual forest products touch our lives every day.
At 5 p.m. a formal presentation about the history of Penn’s woods as well as information about some of the invasive threats to our woodlands will be given. This free program will be held at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center. For more information, please call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com. For directions, please visit www.pplpreserves.com, click on “Susquehanna Riverlands” then select “Directions.”
Looking for fun on a rainy day…?
April 15, 2011 at 1:11 pm (Activities, conservation, education, energy, Hiking, insects, Lake Wallenpaupack, mammals, music, native plants, nature, outdoors, plants)
Tags: conservation, Earth Day, environment, Lake Wallenpaupack
Rain or shine … join us at the 13th annual Pike-Wayne Earth Day Festival at PPL’s Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free and fun for all ages!
Reduce, reuse and recycle!
