Saturday, February 7

9:00am - 1:00pm

Your purchase helps the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association protect the environment in your community. Place your order by Friday, January 30th, for pickup on one of these two days. Download Winter09BirdSeedFlyer.pdf for an order form and seed descriptions.

Wednesday, February 11

7:00pm

Bees play a critical role in the pollination of fruits and vegetables, but recently, the hives have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Jim Bobb, President of the Pennsylvania State Beekeeper's Association will explain this plague and discuss what it takes to get started with the captivating art of beekeeping.

• Location: WVWA Four Mills Barn, 12 Morris Rd, Ambler

• RSVP requested at 215-646-8866 or info@wvwa.org, limited seating available.

• Free

Sunday, February 22

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Take a guided walk through the sugar bush to learn about maple sugar, from sap to sugar. End your walk at WVWA’s historic headquarters where you’ll enjoy a snack with syrup and a cup of hot chocolate.

• Park: Ambler Post Office, Butler Ave; 5 minute walk over the Butler Avenue bridge to the Green Ribbon Preserve.

• Level: Easy; steps up and down to cross three foot bridges

• Pre-registration: $5 per person or $15 per family

• Day of event: $10 per person, $20 per family

• Raindate: March 1

Saturday, February 28

10:00am - 11:30am

Jamie Stewart, WVWA board member and noted photographer, will demonstrate the basics of Photoshop Elements. Topics will include storing your photos, histogram use, color correction, cropping and targeting your file for your intended output. Please bring sample images you would like to explore on USB memory stick or CD. The class will participate in a group discussion of possible solutions. Possible follow-up class: March 14, 2009

• Location: WVWA Four Mills Barn, 12 Morris Rd, Ambler

• Class limit: 20 participants

• Fee: $25 WVWA members / $35 Non-members

Wednesday, March 11

1:00pm - 2:30pm

Combine your passion for jewelry and nature! Jane Kilduff will demonstrate creating wearable jewelry using plant material. She’ll share her techniques for designs, construction and faux finishes. Jane will tell stories about the lighter side of entering the Jewelry Class in the Artistic Group of the Philadelphia Flower Show. Jane is a member of the Wissahickon Garden Club and a Garden Club of America Flower Arranging Judge.

• Upstairs at WVWA, 12 Morris Rd, Ambler

• Class limit: 20 participants

• $25 WVWA Members / $30 Non-members

Sunday, March 15

2:00pm

Hear the fascinating history of Philadelphia’s water supply and the historic struggle between industrial growth and environmental health. Ed Grusheski, General Manager of the Philadelphia Water Department’s Public Affairs and the Director of the Water Works project, tells the story of the life, death and rebirth of the Schuylkill Watershed. Following the lecture, take a tour of the interior and exterior of this beautiful building.

• 640 Waterworks Dr, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art

• RSVP requested at 215-646-8866 or info@wvwa.org

• Free

Thursday, March 26

7:00pm

Mills were once the industrial backbone of this region. While many have been destroyed, this area still boasts a variety of mills. Dale H. Frens, an architect specializing in architectural restoration and restoration technology, has restored several local mills. His passion for mills is evident in his captivating talk about mill restoration, including WVWA ’s Evans-Mumbower Mill.

• Upstairs at WVWA, 12 Morris Rd, Ambler

• RSVP requested at 215-646-8866 or info@wvwa.org

• Free

Sunday, March 29

1:00pm

Enjoy the diversity of the beautiful Armentrout Preserve. We encourage people to bring their well-behaved dogs. Walk with or without the dogs.

• Park at the end of Beale Rd, off of Penllyn Pk, Whitpain (Map)
• Level: Easy
• Free

Thursday, April 2

7:00pm

Philadelphia is home to many historical sites, as well as old and historic trees. Arborist Ken LeRoy will define the species, approximate age and character of specific trees in the Philadelphia area. He’ll trace the roots of what was happening when the tree was young. Ken, a Horticulturist Emeritus of the Morris Arboretum and owner of LeRoy Tree and Landscape Company, is an extremely knowledgeable and lively speaker, which will make for a memorable evening.

• At Temple Ambler's Learning Center on Meeting House Rd

• RSVP requested at 215-646-8866 or info@wvwa.org

• Free

Saturday, April 4

9:00am - 12:00pm

Join us at our Briar Hill Preserve on Saturday, April 4 to help us restore a section of trail (Map). We'll be removing invasive plants and replanting with native trees and shrubs. For more information contact Bob Adams at 215-646-8866 or bob@wvwa.org.

Sunday, April 19

1:00pm - 4:00pm

After a brief slide show about the Mill’s history, you will take a guided tour to learn more about how the mill worked and what life was like in this area in previous centuries. After the tour you can browse in the museum and see artifacts from the Mill’s archaeological dig. See our Evans Mill page for more information.

Sunday, April 19

2:00pm - 3:00pm

What happens when creeks flow over their banks? Where do ducks sleep? Why is the ground soggy? What is a vernal pond and who has been visiting there? Why do frogs and toads need different habitats? Wetlands often reveal nature’s most interesting secrets when we take a closer look. Enjoy a hands-on lesson about the important role that wetlands play in our environment.

• Best for Elementary-age children and families
• WVWA’s Four Mills Preserve, 12 Morris Rd, Ambler
• $5 per person / $15 per family

Monday, April 20

7:30pm

Learn how to make your yard attractive to birds by mimicking nature. Stephen Kress, Vice-President for Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society and instructor for the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, will give specific planting tips using native plants. He will also focus on the symbiotic relationship between birds and natural plantings. This program is given in partnership with Audubon of Pennsylvania and Springside School.

• Springside School, 8000 Cherokee St, Philadelphia

• RSVP requested at 215-646-8866 or info@wvwa.org

• Free

Saturday, April 25

9:00am - 12:00pm

Over 250 volunteers are scheduled to clean sections of the Wissahickon Creek, its tributaries and the Green Ribbon Trail. Following the clean up, the volunteers are invited to a “Talkin’ Trash” picnic at the Ft Washington State Park, Militia Hill, with food donated by Whole Foods of North Wales. To volunteer please e-mail: info@wvwa.org or call Bob at 215-646-8866 ext. 14; let us know the size of your group.

Sunday, April 26

8:00am - 10:00am

Join WVWA ’s birding experts, Jamie Stewart and Amy Johns for a birding walk in Fairmount Park. All levels are welcome; bring binoculars and a birding book.

• Educational Walk
• Meet on Forbidden Dr at Bells Mill Rd in Chestnut Hill;
• Level: Easy
• Free

Wednesday, May 6

6:30pm

Join WVWA for an evening with fellow members and conservationists at the Ambler Theater.

• Reservations are requested
• Fee

Friday & Saturday, May 8 & 9

All Day

Teams of birders comb the Wissahickon Watershed in this friendly competition identifying as many species of birds as possible within a two-day time period. The birders collect pledges to raise funds for the Association. Following the birding, the tired but excited birders meet at WVWA’s headquarters to share their finds and stories at a casual cocktail party. Birders and teams of all skill levels are welcome to join this event.

Saturday, May 9

10:00am - 11:00am

Take a tour of the Evans-Mumbower Mill. This historic 19th century gristmill gives us an understanding of what life was like in rural Pennsylvania. See a DVD program of the history of local mills. Learn how the mill was powered by simple machines still in use today! Try grinding wheat, hoisting a bag and making butter from cream.

• Best for Elementary-age children and families
• Evans-Mumbower Mill, Swedesford Rd and Township Line Rd, Upper Gwynedd (Map)
• Fee: $5 per person / $15 per family

Tuesday, May 12

1:00pm - 2:30pm

Discover the magical beauty of WVWA ’s Camp Woods with Morris Arboretum’s Dr. Ann Rhoads, one of the world’s foremost authorities on native Pennsylvania plants. This hidden woodland is home to stately trees, native shrubs and invasive plants.

• Class Limit: 15 participants
• Park: Located at the end of Miles Drive, off Lewis Lane, Whitpain (Map)
• Fee: $25 member / $30 non-member

Sunday, May 17

1:00pm - 4:00pm

After a brief slide show about the Mill’s history, you will take a guided tour to learn more about how the mill worked and what life was like in this area in previous centuries. After the tour you can browse in the museum and see artifacts from the Mill’s archaeological dig. See our Evans Mill page for more information.

Sunday, May 31

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Walk north on a beautiful section of the Green Ribbon Trial, from Penllyn Woods Park in Lower Gwynedd up to Rt 202 and back again.

• Park in the parking lot in Penllyn Woods Park at the end of Township Line Rd, off Penllyn-Blue Bell Pk, Lower Gwynedd
• Level: Easy to moderate, stepping stones, natural trail
• Free

Sunday, June 7

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Visit five environmentally focused gardens in Lower Gwynedd. Each garden offers a unique perspective and creates a beautiful landscape on a standard suburban property. Visit a sustainable garden designed to attract wildlife, conserve water and showcase native plants. Discover a modern day victory garden incorporating organic-based principles. Learn how to create an environmentally friendly garden with limited time and budget. Experience a property that beautifully embraces the watershed into a suburban yard. You’ll get many ideas that can be incorporated into any yard!

• Park near the 400 block of Gwynedd Valley Drive, Lower Gwynedd (Map)
• Pre-registration required
• $20 members / $25 non-members

Sunday, June 21

1:00pm - 4:00pm

After a brief slide show about the Mill’s history, you will take a guided tour to learn more about how the mill worked and what life was like in this area in previous centuries. After the tour you can browse in the museum and see artifacts from the Mill’s archaeological dig. See our Evans Mill page for more information.

Wednesday, June 24

6:30pm

Visit our Tex Mex 5K page.

Sunday, July 19

1:00pm - 4:00pm

After a brief slide show about the Mill’s history, you will take a guided tour to learn more about how the mill worked and what life was like in this area in previous centuries. After the tour you can browse in the museum and see artifacts from the Mill’s archaeological dig. See our Evans Mill page for more information.

Sunday, August 16

1:00pm - 4:00pm

After a brief slide show about the Mill’s history, you will take a guided tour to learn more about how the mill worked and what life was like in this area in previous centuries. After the tour you can browse in the museum and see artifacts from the Mill’s archaeological dig. See our Evans Mill page for more information.