ASWP
Events Calendar
September, October and November 2009
All events take place at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve unless otherwise indicated. Advance registration is requested for all activities, but is required only where noted. ASWP membership is NOT required to participate, but members do receive discounts for programs charging a fee. Not a member? Join when you make your reservation to enjoy the member discount right away! Call 412-963-6100 to make a paid reservation; email or call 412-963-6100 to register where reservation is not required.
Adult Learning | Special Events | Family Walkabouts | Educators | Scouts | Preschoolers
Adult Lifelong Learning
Wednesday Walks
Wednesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 7, 14, 21, 28
Stroll our footpaths with ASWP
naturalists.
9:00 am
Adult Eco-Series
Forest Succession in Action
Saturday, September 19
Join naturalist Chuck Tague to explore the
fascinating dynamics of ecological succession. Participants will
gain a deeper understanding of native plant function, early fall
foliage, winter survival strategies that begin in late summer,
and the factors that affect the location and structure of western
PA’s forest habitats.
Cost: $5 for members; $10 per nonmember.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Special Topic
How Green Will Your Funeral Be?
Tuesday, September 22
Learn about the options of green burial, from
eschewing embalming and being buried in a green cemetery to being
shot into space. Pete McQuillin, board president of Green Burial
Pittsburgh, will explain the ways available to green up your
departure from the planet. Free.
7:00 pm
Adult Eco-Series
Project Feeder Watch
Saturday, November 14
Project FeederWatch, is a winter-long survey of
birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community
areas, and other locales in North America. ASWP will prepare you
to be a FeederWatcher, supporting our efforts in this important
citizen science project.
Cost: $2 per member; $5 per nonmember.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Adult Eco-Series
Winter Plant Identification
Saturday, December 5
This workshop will assist you in identifying
wildflowers and ferns in winter. Learn creative strategies for
identification in the field and become familiar with useful
identification guides.
Cost: $2 per member; $5 per nonmember
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Piccadilly Herb Club
Flower Arranging for the Holidays
Thursday, November 19
Join Piccadilly Herb Club members as they demonstrate holiday arranging. Please call for demonstration times.
Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
The Western Pennsylvania Mushroom club meets monthly in season at Beechwood. All meetings are open the the general public and are free. Come see what all the fuss is about!
Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
Western PA Landscapes
Tuesday, September 15
ASWP educator Scott Detwiler will review unique
ecological habitats of western PA to help mushroomers develop an
appreciation of the woods we explore.
7:00 pm
Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
Election of Officers & Open Forum
Tuesday, October 20
Club officers will be elected and club members
will share mushroom stories, experiences, and slides. Results of
the club’s photography contest will be announced.
7:00 pm
Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
Cooking with Wild Mushrooms
Tuesday, November 17
Learn interesting methods for cooking wild
mushrooms.
7:00 pm
Educator Workshops
ASWP's Teacher Workshops are offered in cooperation with Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Visit AIU to register.
Perspectives on Penn’s Woods:
A Thoughtful Approach to Teaching Land Use
Saturdays, October 10 and 17
Participants will build an understanding of the
natural communities of western PA and connect this understanding
to environmental issues of our region by utilizing The Leopold
Education Project—Lessons in a Land Ethic curriculum guide,
Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, and supplemental LEP
resources. Bring a bag lunch and dress for indoor and outdoor
activities. Visit AIU to register.
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Joseph Cornell: Sharing Nature With Children
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Joseph Cornell will be offering a one day workshop about sharing nature with children through the Flow Learning™ process. Participants will learn nature games and activities for children from his Sharing Nature with Children series. While here, Mr. Cornell will use the natural habitats of ASWP's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve to explore Flow Learning™. The day will be dedicated to equipping teachers to use the outdoors as a nature classroom. The workshop will meet from 9 am to 4 pm with an hour for lunch. The cost for this one-day workshop is $40. Act 48 credit is available. This event is offered by Winchester-Thurston School. Download the registration form here. Contact Winchester-Thurston at 412-578-3723 or for more information.
Special Events
Applejamm
Saturday, September 26
ASWP’s annual family festival at Beechwood helps you to get to the core of family fun! Make a scarecrow, find a needle in a haystack, enjoy apple foods, and participate in other crafts, demonstrations and educational activities throughout the grounds. Click here for a complete description of AppleJamm activities.
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Parking will be at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church and Shady
Side Academy Senior School. Shuttle service provided.
- Cost: $6 per member; $10 per nonmember; under 2 free
- Reservations are required.
- Register online or call 412-963-6100.
Creatures of the Night
Friday, October 23 or Saturday, October 24
Delight in this non-scary Halloween experience
and trick- or-treat with the animals. Fireflies guide you on a
trailside hike to encounter larger-than-life nocturnal creatures.
Hear the hoot of Great Horned Owl, observe the acrobatics of
Flying Squirrel, prickle your imagination with Porcupine, play
‘possum with Opossum, and create a stink with Skunk!
Snacks, drinks, crafts and story-telling are provided. Come in
costume for twice the fun!
Cost: $6 per member; $10 per nonmember; under 2 free
Reservations are required.
6:30 pm or 7:30 pm
Online Registration is available for Creatures of the Night! Click to Register.
Family Walkabouts
Join us for casual seasonal strolls on Beechwood trails. Appropriate for all ages, 1 to 100.
Fall Foliage Hike
Sunday, October 11
Immerse yourself in the colors of autumn while
learning to identify trees by fall foliage. Cost: $2 for members;
$5 per nonmember
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Talkin’ Turkey
Sunday, November 8
How much do you know about November’s
favorite bird? Hit the trails to spot wild turkeys while
participating in our turkey challenge! Open to toms and hens of
all ages. Cost: $2 for members; $5 per nonmember.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Winter WalkAbout
Sunday, December 6
Join our us on a refreshing hike to discover the
beauty of winter. Cost: $2 for members; $5 per nonmember.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Scouts
Register your troop today for these events specifically dedicated to helping you meet your scout activity requirements
Scout Badge Day
Saturday, October 17
Troops can fulfill requirements towards
nature-related badges, arrows, try-its or other awards for most
levels of scouting. Naturalist-led sessions are scheduled on a
first-registered, first- choice basis. Visit www.aswp.org for a
list of badge offering. For Scouts with Troop Leaders. Cost:
$5.00 per scout. Full payment required to hold
reservation—registration opens September 1.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Bird Study Merit Badge Workshop for Boy Scouts
All About Birds Interest Project Workshop for Girl Scouts
Saturday, December 12
Interested in the fastest-growing outdoor
activity in America? Winter is one of the best times of the year
to bird watch! Bird Study Merit Badge and All About Birds
Interest Projects are fun, easy, and can be earned in one day.
Fee includes instruction, materials, supplies, and lunch. For
Eagle Scout candidates and Cadette/Senior Girl Scouts. Cost: $20
per scout.
Registration required.
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Preschoolers
Fledglings
We share a story and a hike with your child and
you. For ages 3 – 5 years old with adult present.$8 per
member pair; $10 per non-member pair. Reservations Required.
412-963-6100.
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Chattering Chipmunks
Thursday, September 10
CHIP! CHIP! CHIP! Little fledglings will search for these “cheeky” mammals on the trails and learn about their unique behaviors.
A Fly in the Sky
Thursday, October 8
Busy fledglings will discover buzzy fall insects. Discover who’s still out and about and why they are so active!
Budding Artists
Thursday, November 12
Fledglings will explore the shapes, colors and textures of nature to create a masterpiece of their own.