Growing Together: An Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 18th (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Saint Xavier Nature Preserve
WLT is teaming up with Seton Hill University students to host an afternoon of interactive Earth Day activities for children, families, and adults alike! Activities include nature scavenger hunts, fishing instruction, soil exploration, seed planting, tree planting and tending, a storywalk, crafts, and more! There will also be live music and food available to purchase. No cost to attend.
Earth Day Watershed Walk
Sunday, April 19th (1:00 – 3:00 PM)
Ackermann Nature Preserve
Hosted by Westmoreland Land Trust & Turtle Creek Watershed Association
Join members of the Westmoreland Land Trust and the Turtle Creek Watershed Association for a celebration of Earth Day at one of Westmoreland County’s hidden gems. Our walk will take us through protected woodlands that were recently inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network, past slopes full of blooming trilliums and down to the waterfall that feeds Blue Dell Run. Please wear appropriate footwear for a trail hike and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and rain gear if the day is cloudy. No cost to attend.
Spring Bird ID Walk
Saturday, May 9th (9:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
Saint Xavier Nature Preserve
Bring your binoculars and we’ll explore the beautiful Saint Xavier property, consisting of sweeping meadows, woodlands, and wetlands, in search of birds with our in-house experts. Then, join Bill Powers, founder and CEO of PixCams live streaming nature cameras, for a demonstration of BirdNET, a real-time acoustic bird classification system. The walk begins at 9:00 and demonstration follows immediately after. No cost to attend.
Twilight Frog Walk
Saturday, May 29th (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
Ackermann Nature Preserve
Aaron is the founder and president of PA Woods and Forests, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the conservation of amphibians, reptiles, and native habitats across Pennsylvania.
Come search for frogs and other creatures under the evening sky. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes – you never know what you might find on a nature walk with Aaron! No cost to attend.
Nature Make & Take Days
June 1 – August 5
Meadowlark Nature Park (Mondays) and Saint Xavier Nature Preserve (Wednesdays)
Stop by the preserves for free nature Make & Take projects for kids and their families. Stay to take a hike on the trails or explore around the preserve. Stay tuned for more details! No cost to attend.
| Dates | Nature Make & Take Themes |
| June 1 & June 3 | Come and explore, make a Nature Journal |
| June 8 & June 10 | Take a bird walk and make a bird feeder |
| June 15 & June 17 | Meet some beneficial bugs and make a Glow-in-the-dark Firefly |
| June 22 & June 24 | Take a Wildflower Walk and make a Wildflower Seed Ball |
| June 29 & July 1 | Learn about trees and leaves and make Watercolor Leaf Art |
| July 6 & July 8 | Get down and dirty with decomposers and make a Mushroom Garden |
| July 13 & July 15 | Go on a Pollinator Scavenger Hunt and make a Butterfly Feeder |
| July 20 & July 22 | Take a frog walk and make a silly Frog Hat |
| July 27 & July 29 | Make a Solar Oven! |
Firefly Fest!
Friday June 26th (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
Saint Xavier Nature Preserve
The fireflies have been abundant the past three years for our annual Firefly Fest, and hopefully, they’ll cooperate again this year! There will be crafts, activities, a campfire, and more! Bring a flashlight – we’ll provide the jars and s’mores! No cost to attend.
Nature Night Owls and Bats
Friday August 14 (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Meadowlark Nature and Art Park
We’re combining these two great programs into one exciting event! Families will enjoy taking an evening nature walk, learning about owls, and making crafts. Then, join Bill Powers at the Schwarz Barn to meet our resident maternity colony of bats! PixCams cameras catch the live action, while echolocation technology allows us to track the bats as they leave the barn to hunt for insects. No cost to attend.
Fall Foliage Walk
Sunday, October 10 (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Ackermann Nature Preserve
Join us for a guided fall foliage walk at Ackermann Nature Preserve with forester Jack Paulik and experience the vibrant colors of autumn up close. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through scenic trails while learning about local trees, wildlife, and the changing seasons.