“This is a corner of heaven here,” wrote American poet Gerald Stern in his poem In Carpenter’s Woods. And indeed it is!
Carpenter’s Woods, part of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park system, is located in the northwestern part of the city. Preserved from development in 1916 specifically because of its importance to a wide variety of resident and migratory bird species, Carpenter’s Woods is part of a global network of places recognized by the National Audubon Society and BirdLife International for its value to bird conservation.
Besides woodpeckers and warblers, Carpenter’s Woods is a nature-lover’s delight, filled with toads and butterflies, wild mushrooms and skunk cabbage, and so much more. Active during all seasons, you can enjoy walking the trails, sledding, or, as Gerald Stern wrote, just laying “for hours with my eyes closed listening to the great sounds.”
Carpenter’s Woods is preserved and maintained as an ecologically important natural area and public resource by the Friends of Carpenter’s Woods. Through their voluntary efforts, the Friends provide ongoing maintenance, educational programming, and public information about Carpenter’s Woods.
We are the only group dedicated to Carpenter’s Woods!
Volunteers at work. Photo by Linda Goschke
FoCW, now over ten years old, is dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of Carpenter’s Woods as an ecologically important natural area and public resource.
We currently have over 100 active members subscribing to our mailing list. In addition we get scores of volunteers from across the city and region.
To join FOCW, please email us at: info@focw.org.
