Calendar

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May
1
Wed
Birding Talk on “Spring Migration” by Dr. Andy Mack @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
May 1 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Calling all local birders! Ornithologist Dr. Andy Mack will present a birding talk on “Spring Migration” at the Bellbrook headquarters of the St. Xavier Nature Preserve. This evening lecture will be followed by a Saturday morning bird walk through the fields and forests of St. Xavier.  This is the first of four “Birds Across the Seasons” paired events presented by Dr. Mack.  All events are open to the public and free to attend.

May
4
Sat
“Spring Migration” Bird Walk @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
May 4 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am

Following his evening lecture, ornithologist Dr. Andy Mack will lead a “Spring Migration” bird walk through the grounds of the St. Xavier Nature Preserve. The walk is free and open to the public, and all participants are welcome whether or not they attended the evening lecture.  Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.

WLT Volunteer Work-day @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
May 4 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Volunteer with the Westmoreland Land Trust! 

The staff of the Westmoreland Land Trust invites all interested volunteers to join them for a morning of environmental restoration work at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve. This morning’s work will focus on the historic grotto and the trails around it, relicts of the days when the nature preserve was once a boarding academy run by the Sisters of Mercy.  Please wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

May
11
Sat
Spring Birding Nature Walk @ Ackermann Nature Preserve
May 11 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am

Join us for a spring bird walk at the Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve in North Huntingdon Township.  The forested slopes and open floodplain of this secluded property are a good place to see many of our native birds as well as the occasional spring migrant.  This guided walk will be slow-paced, but will involve clambering down some steep sections of trail. Please bring binoculars and wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

May
13
Mon
Green Gathering – Ecology Games & Conversation @ Schwarz Farm Future Nature & Art Park
May 13 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join the staff of the Westmoreland Land Trust for a free board game night.  Explore Schwarz Farm Future Nature and Art Park and learn how to play ecology-themed games like Wingspan, Ecologies, Mariposas, and more!

May
15
Wed
Guided Bird Walk with Dr. Jim Kellam @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
May 15 @ 7:30 am – 8:15 am

Join Dr. Jim Kellam of Saint Vincent College to observe spring birds at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve.  Please bring binoculars, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather.

May
17
Fri
Westmoreland Land Trust Board of Directors Meeting @ Westmoreland Conservation District Barn
May 17 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
May
25
Sat
Evening Frog Walk @ Ackermann Nature Preserve
May 25 @ 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Join AAron Capouellez of PA Woods and Forests for a twilight frog walk at the Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve in North Huntingdon Township.  The vegetated floodplain of this preserve is home to many native amphibians, and spring is when you can hear them best.  This guided walk will be slow-paced, but will involve clambering down some steep sections of trail. Please wear sturdy waterproof shoes and bring a flashlight or headlamp.

Jun
1
Sat
WLT Volunteer Work-day @ Schwarz Farm Future Nature & Art Park
Jun 1 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Volunteer with the Westmoreland Land Trust! 

The staff of the Westmoreland Land Trust invites all interested volunteers to join them for a morning of environmental restoration work at Schwarz Farm Future Nature and Art Park. This morning’s work will focus on our pollinator garden, treeline, and farmhouse.  Please wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Evening Frog Walk @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jun 1 @ 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Join AAron Capouellez of PA Woods and Forests for a twilight frog walk at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Latrobe.  The wetlands and riparian slopes of Monastery Run in this preserve host many native amphibians, and spring is when you can hear them best.  This guided walk will be slow-paced, but will involve walking through some wet areas. Please wear sturdy waterproof shoes and bring a flashlight or headlamp.

Jun
2
Sun
Guided Tour of St. Xavier Nature Preserve @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jun 2 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Take a guided tour of the 248-acre St. Xavier Nature Preserve as well as Bellbrook, the former guesthouse of the Sisters of Mercy convent and St. Xavier Academy.  Tours are offered twice a month throughout the summer.

Jun
3
Mon
“Bugs and Buds” Nature Program @ Mt. Pleasant Public Library
Jun 3 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Explore the fascinating world inside a pollinator garden as we take a
deeper dive into our Wildflowers and Pollinators Westmoreland Nature backpack.

Love them or hate them — bugs are amazing creatures! We’ll find out what makes a bug a bug, and learn about the important role insects play in growing our favorite flowers, fruits and vegetables.

We’ll use digital microscopes to look inside seeds, sing some buggy songs, and make a nature notebook to take home and keep exploring. To finish up, libraries can choose to go outside on an Insect Safari, or to stay inside and make-and-take home wildflower seed balls.

Jun
7
Fri
“Bugs and Buds” Nature Program @ Mt. Pleasant Public Library
Jun 7 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Explore the fascinating world inside a pollinator garden as we take a
deeper dive into our Wildflowers and Pollinators Westmoreland Nature backpack.

Love them or hate them — bugs are amazing creatures! We’ll find out what makes a bug a bug, and learn about the important role insects play in growing our favorite flowers, fruits and vegetables.

We’ll use digital microscopes to look inside seeds, sing some buggy songs, and make a nature notebook to take home and keep exploring. To finish up, libraries can choose to go outside on an Insect Safari, or to stay inside and make-and-take home wildflower seed balls.

Jun
8
Sat
Westmoreland Nature Explorers – Be a Better Birder @ Hempfield Township Park
Jun 8 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Come to Hempfield Township Park for the first in a series of family-friendly nature workshops designed for children from 5 to 12 years old along with an accompanying adult. Each session will explore the Westmoreland Land Trust’s Nature Backpacks, which are available for you to checkout at the HTAC desk.

In this session, we’ll explore the Birds backpack and examine real feathers and nests, learn to use binoculars and field guides to identify our local backyard birds, sing a few bird songs, build a birdfeeder, and make a unique piece of feather art.

Note: preregistration with Hempfield Township is required, with a fee of $15.00 per student. Registration opens on May 1st for Hempfield Township Residents and May 8th for non-residents.  Deadline is 7 days prior to each date.

Jun
10
Mon
Green Gathering – Ecology Games & Conversation @ Schwarz Farm Future Nature & Art Park
Jun 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join the staff of the Westmoreland Land Trust for a free board game night.  Explore Schwarz Farm Future Nature and Art Park and learn how to play ecology-themed games like Wingspan, Ecologies, Mariposas, and more!