Calendar

If events do not appear after clicking on a tag or a navigation arrow, please use the refresh function on your browser (or F5 on your keyboard) to reload the page.

Apr
21
Sun
Geology and Watershed Walk with TCWA @ Ackermann Nature Preserve
Apr 21 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Explore the ancient and modern environments of the Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve on this (almost) Earth Day walk with the Westmoreland Land Trust and Turtle Creek Watershed Association.  We will explore a hilltop sandstone quarry as well as a modern floodplain.  The walk will be on steep unimproved trails, so wear sturdy hiking shoes and dress for the weather.  Sun screen and insect repellent are strongly recommended.

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
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
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
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
16
Sun
Guided Tour of St. Xavier Nature Preserve @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jun 16 @ 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.

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
7
Sun
Guided Tour of St. Xavier Nature Preserve @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jul 7 @ 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.

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.

Jul
21
Sun
Guided Tour of St. Xavier Nature Preserve @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Jul 21 @ 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.

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.

Aug
4
Sun
Guided Tour of St. Xavier Nature Preserve @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Aug 4 @ 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.

Sep
1
Sun
Guided Tour of St. Xavier Nature Preserve @ St. Xavier Nature Preserve
Sep 1 @ 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.