Calendar

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Apr
6
Sat
Spring Clean-up Volunteer Day @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Apr 6 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Volunteer with the Westmoreland Land Trust! 

Join Americorps Service Members Sarah Poklembo and Dominic Demangone for a spring clean-up at WLT’s newest nature preserve. Tools, gloves, and light refreshments will be provided

Apr
10
Wed
Guided Bird Walk with Dr. Jim Kellam @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Apr 10 @ 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
1
Wed
CANCELLED – Birding Talk on “Spring Migration” by Dr. Andy Mack @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
May 1 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

PLEASE NOTE – THIS TALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED, BUT MAY BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE.  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
PROCEEDING AS PLANNED “Spring Migration” Bird Walk @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
May 4 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am

Ornithologist Dr. Andy Mack will lead a “Spring Migration” bird walk rain or shine (except for very heavy rain or thunderstorms) 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.

CANCELLED DUE TO FORECAST OF RAIN WLT Volunteer Work-day @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
May 4 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

The May 4th 2024 Volunteer Work-day is cancelled due to the forecast of rain.  Thanks very much for your interest.  We hope to have your assistance on another day!

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.

Jun
1
Sat
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
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
12
Wed
Birding Talk on “Breeding Birds” by Dr. Andy Mack @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jun 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Calling all local birders! Ornithologist Dr. Andy Mack will present a birding talk on “Breeding Birds” at the Bellbrook headquarters of the St. Xavier Nature Preserve. This evening lecture will be followed on Saturday, June 15, by a guided bird walk from 7:00 to 10:00 AM through the fields and forests of St. Xavier.  This is the second of four “Birds Across the Seasons” paired events presented by Dr. Mack.  All events are open to the public and free to attend.

Jun
15
Sat
“Breeding Birds” Bird Walk @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jun 15 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Following his Wednesday evening lecture, ornithologist Dr. Andy Mack will lead a “Breeding Birds” guided birding walk this Saturday 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.

Jun
30
Sun
POSTPONED TO SUNDAY – Guided Firefly Walk @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jun 30 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Due to the current weather forecast of a 75% chance of thunderstorms on Saturday night, we have postponed our firefly walk to tomorrow (Sunday, June 30) at the same time.

Join us for a magical evening of firefly watching at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Latrobe. Learn about firefly life cycles and how to identify our Pennsylvania native species by their flash patterns, then take an evening nature hike to see how many you can count. The walk is free and open to the public. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. Any cancellations due to weather will be announced on the Westmoreland Land Trust website and Facebook page.

Jul
6
Sat
Westmoreland Nature Explorers – Bees, Bugs, & Butterflies @ Hempfield Township Park
Jul 6 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Come to Hempfield Township Park for the second in a series of family-friendly nature workshops designed for children from 5 to 12 years old along with an accompanying adult.

In this session, we’ll explore the wonderful world of bugs! Think like an entomologist and learn to identify insects, arachnids, and bugs. We’ll go on an Insect Safari and check out our discoveries using digital microscopes and field guides. We’ll finish up by making some amazing insect art to take home.

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.

Jul
13
Sat
Guided Tree Walk @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jul 13 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join WLT’s AmeriCorps Service Member Sarah Poklembo for a morning walk through St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Latrobe.  The grove still contains many historic trees that were planted for the former St. Xavier Academy, while other historic trees can be viewed along the path to St. Xavier Cemetery. This guided walk will be slow-paced, but will involve some gentle slopes and uneven walkways. Please wear good walking shoes and sunscreen.

Jul
20
Sat
Westmoreland Nature Explorers – Weather, Water, Wind @ Hempfield Township Park
Jul 20 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Come to Hempfield Township Park for the third in a series of family-friendly nature workshops designed for children from 5 to 12 years old along with an accompanying adult.

Look up at the sky? Can you identify the different kinds of clouds, and do you know what they can tell us about forecasting the weather? Make a mini cloud in a jar, experiment with giant bubbles, make bubble art, and compete in a Water Cycle Relay Race – but watch out, this might get wet!

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.

Aug
3
Sat
Westmoreland Nature Explorers – Be a Botanist! @ Hempfield Township Park
Aug 3 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Come to Hempfield Township Park for the fourth 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.

Botany is the scientific study of plants. Visit the discovery table and go on a plant scavenger hunt. Use digital microscopes to explore inside a seed and examine the parts of a flower up-close. Experiment with a seed dispersion helicopter and make-and-take home your own handmade seeded bookmark.

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.