White Clay Creek Educational Programs NGT

Fall 2009

WHITE CLAY CREEK PRESERVE WEB SITE click here or scroll down

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Sunday, Sept. 13 – FUNGI: PENNSYLVANIA’S HIDDEN TREASURES – Mushroom Walk – 1PM

This is the weekend to celebrate everything about MUSHROOMS! What better place to go in search of local wild mushrooms than right here in the White Clay Creek Preserve!

Join us for an informative program all about mushroomsand a walk in the woods with Ray Hollback, our resident fungi guide. We will be searching for chanterelles among other autumn mushrooms. Come join us to enjoy fall at the Preserve.

Today we will meet at the Yeatman Station Road turn-about for our fall wildflower walk with our wonderful Botanist Helen Preiss. The area we’ll walk has been selected for its richness and variety of flowers for the date. Come join us to appreciate nature’s last splash of color that the good earth of the Preserve produces before we turn to winter’s brown coat.

After a mere five years of waiting since the beaver abandoned their wonderfully developed beaver pond, they are back! Earlier this summer water accumulation in the old pond area raised suspicions that the beaver

had moved from the creek back to the original pond area, but new ‘mud packing is very obvious. Join us this afternoon for a walk and exploration of just what the beaver are up to and watch for other up-coming programs as well.

Wednesday, Sept. 23 – 6:30 PM – Hike For Health – Meet at Parking Lot #1

This is a moderate paced hike covering 3 to 4 miles in about 1 ¼ hr. We will start at Parking Lot #1 today, hike the north section of the Penndel Trail and loop back. This is an opportunity to stay in shape with friends. Come join us!

Saturday, Sept. 26 –!0 AM to 2 PM –Grand Opening of Laurel Woods Trail : National Public Lands Day

All across the country people are gathering to volunteer, work, enjoy and celebrate our parks and open space on National Public Lands Day. Just north of the White Clay Creek Preserve in New Garden Township the Laurel Woods Trail will have its grand opening. It is part of an extraordinary effort to link communities through Greenways for hiking and biking in the Tri-state area of PA, DE and MD. All are invited today to see and explore the new Laurel Woods Trail between 10AM and 2 PM.

There will be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10:30 AM and guides will be available to share points of interest including the historic railroad, native plants and bird life. Entrance to the Trail is near the intersection of Laurel Heights Road near the intersection with Penn Green Road. Volunteers have put forth an incredible effort to construct this trail beginning just 5 months ago! This is a beautiful unique piece of land set aside for all to enjoy and a perfect example of what Greenways, Open Space and Public Lands is all about. Rain Date: Sunday, Sept. 27th

Sunday, Sept. 27 – Hiking the Penndel Trail – 1 PM – We will meet at Parking Lot #1 to hike the Penndel Trail which is the longest of our trails in the White Clay Creek Preserve. You will be free to hike as far as you would like.1 mile, 2miles, 3 miles and do the return hike. The complete Trail length is 6 to 7 miles. We’ll be hiking at a moderate pace, so allow 3 hrs for the hike and bring water.

This hike will be a moderate paced hike covering 3 to 4 miles in about 1 1/4 Hr. We will start at Park Office Parking Lot today, hike the some of the Penndel trail and loop back. This is an opportunity to stay in shape with friends. Come join us!

Join Dave Panichelli, our avid birder, for some fascinating fall bird watching. Let’s see what birds are passing through our way this week. We’ll begin at the Meeting House at 8 AM.

We will meet at the London Tract Meeting House for our fall wildflower walk with our wonderful Botanist Helen Preiss. The area we walk will be selected for its richness and variety of flowers at that date. Come join us to appreciate nature’s last splash of color that the good earth of the Preserve produces before we turn to winter’s brown coat.

In the 1760's Mason & Dixon surveyed the long disputed PA-MD border, placing marker stones every mile. This program will begin with a brief introduction to the history of the 'Line' at the "Post Marked West ” . We will then visit a few significant markers involved in the "Drawing of the Line". This tour includes a few moderate hikes and proper footwear is recommended. Sun screen and insect repellent are recommended for all outdoor programs.

We will be keeping our ears wide open as we take an evening stroll in search of owls in the night. Dave Panichelli, an avid White Clay Creek Fly Fisher and wonderful birder will be leading us on this adventure into the night. Come join us. We’ll begin at the Park Office Parking Lot at Sunset.