Streamlines - Green Valleys Watershed Association

Volume 39, Issue 3
Summer 2004
Streamlines
from Green Valleys Association at Welkinweir
Celebrating 40 years of watershed protection
GVA’s 2nd Annual Walk For Your Watershed
reaches new “high water” mark
People of all ages, for all reasons, joined
in GVA’s second annual Walk For Your
Watershed. While enjoying the trails,
together with our Walk sponsors they
helped make this year’s event even more
successful than our first Walk, bringing
in over $38,000.
We were pleased to have many of last
year’s teams return, including this year’s
winning teams: “Haverhill” and “Martin,
Banks and LeHockey.” Kelly Cullen, a
member of the Haverhill team, from
Chester Springs, had been on the lookout
for the Walk announcement long before
it became public this year. And although
she ended up getting a late start on securing pledges, the Haverhill Team won again
this year with pledges totaling $600!
Congratulations to Team Haverhill for
their magnificent effort in support of our
mission.
After hiking, Walk participants enjoyed
browsing the displays set up near the barn
that covered a broad range of topics including local trail systems, composting
methods, landscaping with native plants,
GVA’s new recycling program with
RecycleFirst, sound environmental cleaning products, local agricultural co-ops,
household water filtering systems, outdoor
recreation gear, fishing opportunities and
volunteer projects. The day also included
a book signing by Jane Kirkland, local
author of the award-winning “Take A
Walk” series for children.
Hikers enjoy the local trails on Walk Day
A well-deserved “thank-you” to all our Walk supporters
A wonderful group of community-based organizations took
part in this event:
Walk participants browse information on display tables
Charlestown Community Supported Agriculture Farm (a
co-op), delicious food at their local market in Phoenixville
and CSA membership opportunities; Chester Springs Pure
Water Systems, indoor water purifying systems; Dame
Juliana League, fly fishing techniques; water quality conditions for trout; Eastern Mountain Sports, outdoor recreational gear; Jane Kirkland, local award-winning author of
Take a Backyard Bird Walk, Take a Tree Walk, and Take a
Walk with Butterflies and Dragonflies; Maysie’s Farm Community Supported Agriculture Farm (a co-op), CSA membership opportunities; Sun & Earth, samples of cleaning
products (highly recommend by GVA); Tom’s of Maine,
300 environmental kits; Warwick Park, guides and invaluable knowledge on local trails and habitat
Prizes this year are were provided courtesy of French Creek Ridge Winery (an assortment of wine), Sun & Earth (a gift package
of cleaning products), Birchrunville Café (a dinner for four), and the Philadelphia Zoo (two admission tickets).
Continued on page 3
GVA Mission
Statement
Protect
the lands and waters of the
northern Chester County region
Educate
the community on
environmental issues
Advocate
environmental guidelines
that will preserve the watersheds of our region
GREEN VALLEYS ASSOCIATION
OF SOUTHEASTERN PA
1368 Prizer Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
Phone: (610) 469-4900
Fax: (610) 469-4990
E-mail: [email protected]
Homepage: http://
www.greenvalleys.org
OFFICERS
President — Don Hans
Vice Presidents — Ed Bacon, Peter
Klose
Treasurer — John Eldridge
Secretary — Stan Stubbe
stewardship
StreamDay Clean-up a success
The 21 volunteers who came out on the morning of May 8th had a gorgeous morning
for the 8th Annual StreamDay clean-up. This year’s trash removal focused on three
of our major watersheds: French,
Pickering and Valley Creek.
Volunteers removed 900 pounds
of trash. This may sound like a lot,
but conditions continue to improve with less and less trash being dumped in and along our precious water resources.
“My feeling was that the
amount of trash was way down
this year….We were pleased
to find that it was not as bad as
years past. I think perhaps we
have made an overall impact
Our Volunteers at the French Creek site: left to right,
Julie Datillo, Colleen Stanton, Kelsey Stanton, Kyle
as the people using and
Evans, Don Cook, Matt Innes, Patty Innes, and Rob
enjoying the stream seem to
be packing out what they bring Innes
in. Less litter out the car
window too, I guess. It was a beautiful morning and we enjoyed ourselves.”
— Greg Leinweber, site coordinator, Pickering Creek
StreamDay is registered with the National Rivers Clean-up Program. We also registered this
program, along with our April Adopt-A-Highway clean-up, with the Great PA Clean-up Program.
The amount of trash GVA removed under these two programs this spring totaled 1,260 pounds.
Adopt-A-Highway
Residents on “our” stretch of Pughtown Road between Hollow Road and Kimberton
Road should be pleased to know that there are now 360 pounds less trash in their
Executive Director—Catharine Swan
neighborhood thanks to our GVA volunteers. We collected 24 bags of assorted litter
Director of Watershed Advocacy —
from the roadside, each bag weighing about 15 pounds, and we had a great time doing
John Hoekstra
it. There is something very satisfying about starting the day at the break of dawn and
Director of Welkinweir— Victoria
knowing that by 8:30 a.m., when the
Laubach
rest of the neighborhood is just about
Director of Education — Jennifer
to stir, you have already accomplished
Kupp
your first good deed of the day. Thanks
Administrative Assistant — Heidi
to John Hoekstra for his years of dediGoss
cation to this important program and
Webmaster — Virtual Farm Creative
for keeping it alive and strong. If you
Editor— Pamela Baxter
have not had a chance to share in the
fun – which it
truly is – I
Streamlines, our quarterly newsletter, highlights
highly recomlocal and regional activities focusing on water
mend you join
resource conservation and preservation. If there are
us next fall.
water resource issues you would like to learn more
— Catharine Adopt-A-Highway volunteers show off the
rewards of a morning’s work
Swan
about through our newsletter, contact Catharine
Swan, Executive Director, at 610-469-4610.
STAFF
Page 2
GVA celebrates 40 years of protecting northern Chester County’s watersheds (1964-2004)
stewardship
Partners in environmental stewardship
Before you toss your old cell phone, call us
You are now just a phone call away from
being able to keep your old cell phone,
inkjet cartridges and laser toner cartridges
out of a landfill. GVA has entered into a
partnership with RecycleFirst to recycle
these commonly discarded items, with a
portion of the proceeds going to GVA as
part of our “Cash for Your Trash” program.
RecycleFirst has given us postage-paid
bags for cartridges and folding boxes for
cell phones so all you have to do is call
us, pick up the mailers you need and put
them in the mail at no cost to you.
Barcoding identifies GVA as the donor
organization.
A mailing label for cell phones will ship
up to 35 pounds of phones, so encourage
your friends, family members and coworkers to recycle their phones and send
them off together.
Keeping these items out of our landfills is
important. An inkjet printer can be found
in almost every home in America with a
computer and the number grows daily. The
average person uses over five cartridges
per year and over 80% of these end up in
the trash. Less than 50% of the millions
of laser cartridges produced are recycled.
A new laser cartridge uses an average of
three quarts of oil to produce and adds 2.5
pounds of industrial grade plastic to the
waste stream. Cell phones and accessories contain hazardous waste including
PBTs, lead, bromine and PBDEs.
Most people upgrade to a new cell phone
every 1-½ years or less, and throw the old
one away. In 2002 alone, 200 million cell
phones went out of service and into the
trash. Sitting in a landfill, inkjet and laser
cartridges will be around for at least ten
centuries!
For mailers, you may also contact local
RecycleFirst representative Anne Smith at
[email protected]. Interested businesses may also visit www.
recyclefirst.com. Call GVA at 610-4694900 for the User Name and Password.
Cicada outbreak
may benefit
Pennsylvania birds
According to Steve Hoffman, director of
bird conservation for the Pennsylvania
Audubon Society, the glut of cicadas from
this year’s Brood “X” emergence in late
May should provide a great opportunity
for bird watching this summer. With an
increase in food, birds can spend less time
foraging and more time protecting their
young,” says Hoffman. “The young will
leave the nest fat and sassy.”
An increase of healthy young will mean
an increase in the bird population, which
translates into more bird-watching opportunities. However, according to Hoffman,
the increase will be temporary. Food is
not enough to maintain an increase in
numbers. Without enough quality
habitat, bird populations will level out
next year.
Walk thanks (from page 1)
We are very grateful to Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust and Earth Care, our principal event sponsors. We appreciate their
support and recognize their environmental leadership in the community. Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust is diligently committed to protecting the environment and has demonstrated this
through their on-going support of GVA since 1998. For two consecutive years, they have been GVA’s Principal Walk Sponsor.
Earth Care was also a major walk sponsor last year.
We also thank PA American Water Company for use of their
water tank, and Clemens Family Market, Kimberton Whole
Foods, and Superfresh Family Market for delicious oranges.
Behind every great event is a great committee – in this case,
Pam Brown, Don Cook, Jane Nadelson, Jody Reinbold, Sue
Huet-Singer, and Alan Smith. I’d especially like to thank GVA
Board Member, Don Cook, for his outstanding support and leadership, and Jane Nadelson, of JNDesigns, who for two years has
designed the brochures, posters, and t-shirts for Walk For Your
Watershed and served as a key contributor in the coordination of
this event.
Volunteers on the day of the Walk were Ed Bacon, Sharon Davis,
Katie Green, Heidi Goss, Don Hans, John Hoekstra, Jen Kupp,
John MacPhee, George Martin, Bob Molzahn, Margaret Perina,
Alan Smith, Carol and Stan Stubbe and Linda Stockmen-Vines.
The Winners! Team Haverhill pauses for a moment of recognition
GVA celebrates 40 years of protecting northern Chester County’s watersheds (1964-2004)
Page 3
new members
Special Thanks to GVA Supporters
Our gratitude to the following supporters, whose generous memberships and
financial gifts over the past few months made our work possible.
New Members
Nancy A. Ash
Ken and Lisa Barto
Christi Barton
William and Patricia Beards
Joe and Sharon Berman
Ben and Charlene Briggs
Christine Brogan
Debbie Buckwalter
William T. Campbell
Andrew and Mary Beth Capaldo
Keith Carter
Shawn Eagle
Lois Fury
Russell and Amber Gofus
Dale and Jennifer Haines
Stephen and Julie Kalis
Michael and Erica Logar
Celia Martin
Matt McGonigle
Nancy McMonagle
Lisa R. Parks
Simon Phillips
Richard and Maureen Pomeroy
Rich and Maryellen Raymond
Stephen and Lori Rhoads
Michael J. Ritchie
Patricia Rugh
Barbara Shaw
Jeffrey T. Sloan
Marcy Stanson-Marsh
Michele Thomas
David and Emily Warner
Cheri Hinchman Widzowski
Nicole Zeh
Special contributions
The Philadelphia Foundation
Green Valleys Association is pleased to
announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant
from the Malinda R. Farrow Fund of The
Philadelphia Foundation for general
operating, to support our watershed stewardship and educational programs. These
funds will enable us to continue our
effort to engage the community in environmental issues and to develop new and
exciting educational programs for our
members and the public so we all can
learn how to be good environmental
stewards. We are grateful to The Philadelphia Foundation for their continuing
support of Green Valleys Association.
The Huston Foundation
Many thanks to The Huston Foundation for
supporting our Phoenixville After School
Environmental Programs for a second year.
Their $3,500 contribution is greatly appreciated. (See article on page 7.)
Join GVA or Renew Your Membership Today!
Name ____________________________________
_________________________________________
Address __________________________________
City __________________________ State ______
ZIP ________ Phone ______________________
Township ________________________________
Watershed ________________________________
Email ____________________________________
o
I would like to volunteer time to GVA.
BASIC MEMBERSHIPS
Basic Membership includes quarterly newsletter, notice of events and
programs, access to Welkinweir grounds, reduced rate to special programs
(including summer environmental camp) and fishing with a GVA permit.
o Family Membership
o Individual Membership
$50.00
$35.00
(Individual Membership and higher, save $5 and renew for two years.)
o
Sr./Student Membership
$25.00
SPECIAL MEMBERSHIPS
o
Naturalist ........................................................................... $100.00
Includes basic membership, plus hummingbird feeder
o
Dues and contributions are tax-deductible. Green Valleys
Association is a registered charitable organization. A copy
of the registration and financial information is availabale
by calling 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply
endorsement.
Environmentalist .............................................................. $250.00
Includes all benefits of Naturalist, plus bluebird house
Please make checks payable to Green Valleys
Association. Visa accepted—please call office.
Steward ........................................................................... $1,000.00
Includes all of the above benefits plus a “tribute tree” planted on
the Welkinweir property in your name
Page 4
o Protector ............................................................................. $500.00
Includes all benefits above plus bluebird feeder
o
GVA celebrates 40 years of protecting northern Chester County’s watersheds (1964-2004)
welkinweir
from Victoria Laubach, Director of Welkinweir
New plantings at Welkinweir
We received a donation of some beautiful plant material this spring from Chuck Feld,
of Birmingham Gardens.
Heptacodium (Seven Sons Flower) – This Chinese native has very fragrant white
blossoms in August, followed by showy red calyxes.
Kousa Dogwood, “Kirkpatrick’s Select,” a weeping variety; and “Wolf’s Eyes,” a
variety with white variegated leaves.
Styrax americana (American Snowbell). This is a favorite native plant of Chuck’s
that deserves to be more widely planted. It forms a large shrub/small tree, with a
profusion of dainty white bells in mid-spring.
Halesia “Silver Splash” is a gold and white variegated version of the native
Carolina Silverbell that was discovered at Tyler Arboretum in Media.
A weeping Cephalotaxus (Weeping Plum Yew). This yew looks similar to other
yews, but is said to be deer resistant.
We have also added a native redbud ‘Forest Pansy’, known for its burgundy-colored
foliage, and two unnamed rhododendrons, a yellow flowered and a peach flowered,
bred by Dr. Fred Winter. The yews in front of the living room window that were
heavily damaged by deer browse and this winter’s harsh weather have been replaced
with ‘Vardar Valley’ boxwood. In addition to its beautiful blue-green foliage, it is very
hardy and deer have not eaten boxwoods here. Our plant-labeling project continues,
including many of the new additions.
Unusual plants for sale
Chuck Feld has propagated some of the unusual plants here at Welkinweir, including
Franklinia, Cunninghamia, Hinoki cypress, dwarf Japanese crytomeria, and double –
flowered dogwood, which were sold at our Annual Perennial Sale on June 5. If you
could not attend the sale please call Vik at 610-469-7543 to inquire what is available
and place an order.
Plants always make great gifts and the proceeds from this sale continue the restoration
of the gardens here. A tree planted at Welkinweir in honor of a loved one provides the
recipient with a lasting tribute.
New Welkinweir Visitor Guide
Our new visitor guide and map have been printed. The new guide highlights with
photographs many of the special plants, places, and sights to see at Welkinweir. The
map has also been updated and will be available in a downloadable format from the
GVA website. Many thanks to Jane Nadelson, of JNDesigns for her work in putting
this together and to the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau for providing
the funding for this project.
Parking and the Pavilion
The construction you see near the Barn is for a porous pavement parking area, funded
by the DEP. Porous paving prevents runoff, allowing rainwater to recharge the groundwater. Work continues on the Pavilion, which should be completed by the end of June.
Weeping European
Beech
Welkinweir’s Weeping European Beech is
the basis for a recently formed partnership between GVA, Troop 95 of the Boy
Scouts of America (BSA), and the Home
Depot Stores in Pottstown, Downingtown,
and Frazer.
Bryce Muhlenberg, of Troop 95 in
Cedarville, was searching for an Eagle
Scout project. When he heard about the
severe soil compaction beneath our Weeping European Beech (a.k.a. The Magic
Tree) and its potentially life-threatening
consequences, he knew what his project
would be. Working with GVA’s staff and
volunteers and with advice from Bartlett
Tree Experts, Bryce devised a two-step
project: first, to reverse the soil compaction that has already occurred; second, to
prohibit foot traffic on the tree’s root zone
by providing visitors a boardwalk placed
over a 4" layer of wood chips. Bryce
designed and constructed a platform
elevated 4 inches off the ground that forms
a continuous path from one side of the
tree’s canopy to the other.
The Boardwalk is a series of interlinking
platforms constructed with materials generously provided by the managers of the
local Home Depot Stores in Pottstown,
Downingtown, and Frazer and is in harmony with GVA’s environmental concerns. Thanks to their generous contribution of materials and to the vision and hard
work of Bryce Muhlenberg and Troop 95,
visitors to Welkinweir will hopefully continue to enjoy and appreciate this magnificent tree.
Look for photos of the completed project
in the next newsletter!
Rental Opportunities
The Welkinweir estate house is available
for rental by individuals, organizations
and businesses for retreats, meetings,
weddings or parties, both during the
week and on weekends. For information,
call the GVA office at 610-469-4900.
GVA celebrates 40 years of protecting northern Chester County’s watersheds (1964-2004)
Page 5
education
Camp Director’s
Update
Wow! Where did Spring go? I can’t believe it’s time for camp already! As GVA’s
new Camp Director, I’m very excited to
get things underway, as are all of our
terrific returning camp counselors. There
are 8 weeks of camp, and several weeks
have already filled up for certain age
groups. There are still spots available,
however, so call me today if you want your
child to experience the wonders of
Nature and the Outdoors at Camp
Welkinweir. Weekly themes include:
Pennsylvania’s Animals, Outdoor
Survival, Art from Nature, Pond and
Stream Study and Native American
Culture. Photo Sleuths, for ages 12-14, is
available for one week only.
I’d like to send out special thanks to all of
you who have donated to our camp scholarship fund this year. Your contributions
combine to help five kids come to Camp
Welkinweir this summer who wouldn’t
have otherwise been able to have this
experience. Thanks also to Montgomery
County Special Needs Children’s
Foundation and to Creative Health
Services, Inc. for sponsoring an additional
four children.
Call for volunteers
The Education Department is recruiting
Assistant Environmental Educators to
help teach groups of kids on a wide variety of topics during the upcoming school
year. We would especially like to have a
college student who can work up to 15
hours per week as an Environmental Education Intern. Payment for this fun job will
be the teaching experience you will gain
and the smiles on the faces of kids who
are excited to learn about nature. For more
information and to request an application,
call Jen, GVA’s Education Coordinator:
610-469-8646.
Educational Programs
Ecology Clubs – Phoenixville Environmental Program
Phoenixville Middle School students, along with science teacher Kyle Worrell,
conducted a survey of the street trees around a block near their school. Based on the
trees’ size and condition, the students determined that the trees save each residence
nearly $600 per year in heating and cooling costs and storm water capture. The group
delivered informational pamphlets to the houses on the block and presented the project
at the Philadelphia Zoo on Earth Day.
Phoenixville High School students, with the guidance of science teacher Tommy
Gamble, have tackled a variety of projects. They have mapped and spread wood
chips onto a 6,000 square foot area of the High School courtyard where they will plant
a native species meadow next fall to attract insects, birds, and other wildlife. As the
year wraps up, the students are having fun choosing the plants they want to include in
this meadow. Finishing touches are being applied in the adjacent courtyard, where a
gazebo and pond were built and the remainder of the trees and shrubs are being planted.
Another big project for the environmental science students at the high school was
learning the Foss Kit procedure for teaching Elementary School Students about
insects. During two weeks in May, all 200 second graders in the Phoenixville Area
School District came to the high school, where Mr. Gamble’s students taught the
visitors all about ants, spiders, pill bugs, and aquatic insect life. The big kids did a
great job of engaging the little ones, who learned a lot and had a fun field trip
experience.
Landscape Conservation
GVA thanks Pete Moscufo, from Piedmont Design, for leading our two-day “Conservation Landscape” workshop at Owen J. Roberts School in March. Piedmont Design
has an outstanding reputation for their work in ecological restoration and management. They have partnered with GVA on several DEP funded site restoration
programs, two of which were visited by DEP Secretary Katie McGinty. In the workshop, Mr. Moscufo advised participants on home landscape management practices
that work with nature to reduce pollution and foster habitat for wildlife. The workshop was well attended and confirmed that we could offer similar workshops on an
on-going basis if there is continuing interest from members in learning more about
landscape conservation. Please let us hear from you!
PECO Teacher Workshop at Welkinweir
PECO Energy and Green Valleys Association announce a training opportunity for
teachers in grades K-12: Keystone Aquatic Resources Education. This 2-day workshop, developed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, is designed to
provide teachers with an understanding of Pennsylvania’s streams and ponds and the
creatures that live there. The K.A.R.E. workshop features introductions to hands-on
outdoor and classroom activities that teach students about Pennsylvania’s watersheds
and aquatic resources. The workshop will be held July 28 & 29, from 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. on our beautiful Welkinweir property. There is a $15 fee and breakfast will
be provided both days. Participants will also receive two curriculum guides. The Chester
County Intermediate Unit will provide 14 hours of ACT 48 credit for an additional
$25 to interested educators. Space is limited, so call Jen today for registration information: 610-469-8646.
GVA celebrates 40 years of protecting northern Chester County’s watersheds (1964-2004)
Page 7
Help celebrate GVA’s 40th Anniversary at our Annual Picnic
September 12, 2004, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m!
Habitat loss impacting our local
American Kestrels
by Marilyn Michalski
Education wish list
• Small copier for the barn
• Bird song clock for the barn
Our smallest falcon, the American Kestrel
or Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius),
typically nests in cavities in trees or in
deserted woodpecker holes, but because
of habitat loss, the kestrel is losing
natural nesting sites. Fortunately, kestrels
will also nest in a large box with an entry
hole of 3 inches in diameter. This gives
us the opportunity to help.
Early this spring, I donated a kestrel nesting box to Green Valleys Association. It
has been mounted in the meadow at the
eastern end of the main pond, but has no
residents yet. I will be monitoring the box
regularly and will provide updates on any
activity.
Kestrels have been known to nest near
barns, adjacent to towns, close to homes
in the country, and at the edges of parks.
Several successful nesting boxes have
been mounted on telephone poles. However, in addition to appropriate nesting
sites, kestrels needs open space.
Ideally, a large open field should extend
out in front of the nesting box.
• Weather station supplies
Checking the boxes during the nesting season is essential in order to keep destructive species out. The proliferation of
House Sparrows, European Starlings, and
Gray Squirrels is a major problem,
because these species threaten our most
desirable birds. If a nest box is taken over
by a non-native species (House Sparrow
or Starling), block up the entry hole or call
someone who will know what to do.
• The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
If you are interested in helping to preserve kestrel populations by putting a nesting box on your own property, feel free to
contact me at 610-933-0497, or send an
email to [email protected]. Another option is to purchase a ready-made
kestrel nesting box from Coveside Conservation Products, in Falmouth, Maine,
1-800-326-2807.
Green Valleys Association
1368 Prizer Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
• Nature books & stories (please, no
talking animals)
• Environmental education activity books
& curriculum guides
• Canvas totes with long straps for transporting lesson/craft/game materials
• Canopy for tabling events
• Comfy chair for sick or injured campers
CORRECTION: In GVA’s Spring
2004 newsletter, the subtitle for the
“Success for Two Streams” article
should have read: Consideration to
upgrade Lower French Creek and
Beaver Run to Exceptional Value
accepted.
Nonprofit Orig.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Birchrunville, PA
Address Service Requested
GVA celebrates 40
years of protecting
northern Chester
County watersheds!
(1964-2004)
Printed on recycled paper
x
July, 2004
Calendar
July
July 4, Sunday
Birchrunville Parade – 2:00 p.m.
July 16, Friday
Family Fun Friday: “Fireflies: Nature’s Fireworks Display.” 7:00-8:30 p.m. at
the Welkinweir Barn. Bring a clear container with holes in top. Members: $3 per
person or $9 per family. Non-members: $5 per person or $15 per family. Call Jen
to pre-register: 610-469-8646.
July 28-29, Wed/Thur GVA & PECO Energy’s Teacher-Training Workshop. PECO Energy Company
and GVA are offering an exciting workshop: Keystone Aquatic Resources
Education. Pre-registration required. Meet at the Welkinweir Barn. Cost $15 per
participant. Act #48 credits hours available for extra $25. Call Jen Kupp at (610)
469-8646 for additional information.
August
August 7, Saturday
Adopt-A-Highway clean–up. Concerned residents will meet at 7:30 a.m. to clean
up a two-mile stretch of Pughtown Road. Please meet at the corner of Pughtown
Road and Hollow Roads with work gloves, heavy footwear, water bottle. Rain or
shine. Volunteers needed.
August 13, Friday
Family Fun Friday: “End of Summer Celebration.” 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the
Welkinweir Barn. Today is the last day of Camp, so we are having a party! Our staff
will be there, as well as special guest, local children’s author and naturalist Jane
Kirkland. Campers and their families are invited, along with all of our GVA
members for an evening of fun as we say good-bye to summer. This program is
free to all! Call Jen to pre-register: 610-469-8646.
September
Sept 1, Wednesday
Birdseed/Bulb Sale Begins
Sept 11, Saturday
Bird Walk: “Beginning Birding” with Tom Reeves from 8:00 - 10:00 am. Meet at
the Welkinweir Barn and bring your friends and family! This is a free program.
Sept 12, Sunday
GVA’s Annual Picnic, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Welkinweir Grounds (no rain date).
Sept 16-17, Thur/Fri
Kinder-Nature Club begins: “Busy, Busy Bee.” Weekly program for 3 to 6-yearolds. Two program start times: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. $8 Members/ $10 NonMembers. Pre-registration required. Call (610) 469-8646 to register or to receive a
program flyer.
Sept 23-24, Thur/Fri
Kinder-Nature Club, Second Session: “A Time for Seeds.” Weekly program for 3
to 6-year-olds. Two program start times: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. $8 Members/
$10 Non-Members. Pre-registration required. Call (610) 469-8646 to register or to
receive a program flyer.
Sept 30, Thursday
Kinder-Nature Club, Third Session: “Water, Water Everywhere.” Weekly program
for 3 to 6-year-olds. Two program start times: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. $8
Members/ $10 Non-Members. Pre-registration required. Call (610) 469-8646 to
register or to receive a program flyer.
GVA celebrates 40 years of protecting northern Chester County’s watersheds (1964-2004)
October
Oct 1, Friday
Kinder-Nature Club, Third Session: “Water, Water Everywhere.” Weekly program
for 3 to 6-year-olds. Two program start times: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. $8
Members/ $10 Non-Members. Pre-registration required. Call (610) 469-8646 to
register or to receive a program flyer.
Oct 2, Friday
Adopt-A-Highway clean–up. Concerned residents will meet at 7:30 am to clean
up a two-mile stretch of Pughtown Road. Please meet at the corner of Pughtown
Road and Hollow Roads with work gloves, heavy footwear, water bottle. Rain or
shine. Volunteers needed.
Oct 6, Wednesday
GVA Birdseed/Bulb Sale orders due.
Oct 6, Wednesday
Annual GVA Dinner, 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Oct 7-8, Thur/Fri
Kinder-Nature Club. Fourth Session: “Fly Away or Stay?” Weekly program for 3
to 6-year-olds. Two program start times: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. $8 Members/
$10 Non-Members. Pre-registration required. Call (610) 469-8646 to register or to
receive a program flyer.
Oct 8, Friday
Family Fun Friday: “Welkinweir Star Party: Wonders of the Autumn Sky.”
(Rain Date Oct 9.) Join GVA & the ChesMont Astronomical Society for an evening
of stargazing. Members: $3 per person or $9 per family. Non-members: $5 per
person or $15 per family. Call Jen to pre-register: 610-469-8646.
Family Fun Fridays
This may sound like a new program, but really we’ve just given
a name to our already popular evening family events, such as
Owl Prowls, Save the Stars, and Storytelling, all held at our
Welkinweir Barn. Members pay $3 per person or $9 per
family. Non-member prices are $5 per person or $15 per
family. Check our calendar pages in this issue for upcoming
program dates and information.
Coming this fall . . . Adult Lecture Series!
Join us at the Welkinweir Estate House as guest
speakers engage our brains on topics such as local
geological history, Pennsylvania wildlife and more!
An uncommon geology
A look at a geologic map of southeastern Pennsylvania reveals
something quite strange about our immediate neighborhood:
we are wedged in between rocks that are 500 million years or
older, both our northern and southern borders. In between, the
rocks are only 200 million years old! Why is it that there is this
30-mile wide break and how did it form? What connection does
this have with our watershed? For the answers, keep an eye out
for information on an upcoming talk about our local geology
by GVA member Alan Smith.
Birding for Beginners
“Beginning Birding” with Tom Reeves, September 11, 8:00
to 10:00 a.m. Are you a young person who might be interested
in birding and want to learn the basics? Are you an adult who
has always wanted to learn about birds but perhaps felt nervous
about going on a bird walk with a bunch of experienced birders?
Are you an experienced birder with family members who want
to learn about what you do? If you answered yes to any of these
questions, then this is the Bird Walk for you! Join us as we
discuss the different parts of a bird, listen to and learn tricks to
remember different bird calls, learn how to use binoculars, and
more! Meet at the Welkinweir Barn and bring your friends and
family! This is a free program.
Kinder Nature Club
We’ve made a few improvements in the fall Kinder Nature Club
session that will make this popular program even better:
Thursdays will be for 3- and 4-year-olds with a grown-up. Fridays will be for 5- and 6-year-olds on their own. Both days
offer the choice of a 10-11:30 a.m. class or a 1-2:30 p.m. class.
Prices remain the same at $8 per class for GVA members, and
$10 for non-members. Each class consists of a fun educational
activity, a story, an exploration hike, a craft and a light snack.
Classes are held every week for 6 weeks, starting September
16th & 17th. Space is limited, so call Jen today at 610-469-8646
to register for this fun Club!
Please visit www.greenvalleys.org to learn more about our future programs.