Friends of Carpenter’s Woods present Love Your Park Week Spring Fest 2016
(Ellet & Sherman Streets, Mt. Airy 19119)
May 7–14, 2016. Join us for Free Nature Walks & More!
Saturday 5/7, 3:00 pm & Sunday 5/8, 1:00 pm
Looking at Plants: A Plant Appreciation Walk
• Louise Barteau-Chodoff, GROVE Artist & Naturalist
Join Louise Barteau on a walk through Carpenter’s Woods looking at interesting plants and learning about their lives. Part natural history, part beginning plant ID, Louise will share how she has learned to look closely and appreciatively at plants since she began as a volunteer in Carpenter’s Woods 15 years ago. Louise recently received her Advanced Field Botany Certificate from New England Wildflower Society and is eager to share her love and interest in native plants with others.
Tuesday 5/10, 5:00 pm
The Challenges of Being a Plant in Carpenter’s Woods
• Timothy Block, Ph.D., John J. Willaman Chair & Director of Botany, Morris Arboretum
On this plant-focused walk we’ll look at the ecological impacts on the woods of the interactions among factors such as the urban environment, introduced plant species, herbivore feeding preferences, and other pressures placed on a “forest island” like Carpenter’s Woods. We’ll also have an opportunity to answer those “what plant is that?” questions.
Thursday 5/12, 3:00 pm
Nature Walk
• Sarah Low, Field Station Coordinator & Biological Scientist, U.S. Forestry Service
Walk with Sarah to learn about the plants and animals of Carpenter’s Woods and the importance of urban forests, wildflowers, and native plant management.
Friday 5/13, 3:00 pm
A Natural Resource & History Ramble
• Jason Lubar, ISA Cert. Master Arborist, Assoc. Dir. of Urban Forestry, Morris Arboretum
This walk will be led by Jason Lubar, a tree expert who grew up on Ellet Street and whose formative years were shaped by Carpenter’s Woods. The Wood’s tree and natural resource issues will be highlighted, and social, geological, and biological history will be discussed
and questions will be answered. You are encouraged to bring your questions for group discussions. This will be a ramble, not a strenuous hike. All welcome.
Saturday 5/14, 7:30 am • Meet at Wayne Ave. Bus Turnaround
BirdPhilly Bird Walk
• Keith Russell, Audubon Program Manager for Urban Conservation
Sponsored by BirdPhilly & Delaware Valley Ornithological Club
Mid-May is the best time for migrating warblers and Carpenter’s Woods is Philadelphia’s warbler hotspot. Come out and see why Carpenter’s Woods was Philadelphia’s First Bird Sanctuary. BirdPHILLY is a joint initiative between DVOC and Phila. Parks & Recreation.
Beginner to experienced birders welcome! Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Loaner binoculars will be available.
Saturday 5/14, 11:00 am
Finding Reptiles & Amphibians
• Bernard “Billy” Brown, Urban Wildlife Podcast & PA Amphibian & Reptile Survey
Learn about the frogs, toads, snakes, and other reptiles and amphibians that call Carpenter’s Woods home on this family-friendly walk. Billy Brown is the producer and co-host of the Urban Wildlife Podcast as well as the Philadelphia coordinator for the
Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey.
Saturday 5/14, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Tree ID & Ecology Walk
• Ken LeRoy, ISA Certified Arborist, John B. Ward Tree Experts
This walk emphasizes the importance protecting our native trees and plants, some trees that make Carpenter’s Woods special, and how invasive plants threaten them. Learn tree and shrub identification and appreciation of the cosmopolitan forest.
Saturday 5/14, 2:00 pm & 3:30 pm
Meadow & Woodland Plant ID Stroll
• Alfred “Ernie” Schuyler, Ph.D., Curator Emer., Botany, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Hike along the trails with Dr. Schuyler as we learn to identify as many plants as we can. We will use both Latin and common names for individual plants and discuss the characteristics that enable us to identify them. We will also discuss the characteristics of the families to which they belong. Dr. Schuyler has taught adult education courses at the Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation, Wagner Free Institute of Science, and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Bring a field guide if you have one.
Sat. 5/14, All Day
Practical Natural & Native Gardening Answers You Can Use
• Dottie Allison, Penn State Master Gardeners
Dottie will share her personal experiences with native and chemical free gardening on her 1/2 acre of property, planted with 75% natives and represents every possible soil type and growing condition. This enables her to answer your questions about gardening in a variety of situations. Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners help the Extension better serve the home gardening public by answering questions, speaking to groups, participating in civic beautification, maintaining demonstration gardens, and in many other ways. Master Gardeners are willing and able to educate individuals and groups in gardening topics such as plant selection, composting, soil improvement, pest control, vegetable and flower gardening, pruning, and more.
ALL WALKS (except Bird Walk) meet at Ellet Kiosk inside the Woods at Ellet St. trailhead.
