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Members - be on the lookout for the Conservancy's latest issue of our
biannual magazine, "The Watershed: News from the Perkiomen."
It's at the printer now and should be in your mailbox soon!
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Cross Currents
August 2017
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Message from the Director
Pine Barren Firsts!
I remember the cartoons of my childhood... you know the ones... those cartoons where the main character whether it's a duck, a dog, a rabbit, or a coyote wanders into some forest of doom and is immediately eaten by a large carnivorous plant with gnashing teeth and a nasty attitude. While I didn't see any gnashing plant teeth, this past week I had the opportunity to join Sue Mrugal on her scouting trip. Sue was scouting for the Conservancy's upcoming Botany By Boat program, which will be held in the New Jersey Pine Barrens on Saturday, September 9.
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Inspecting a pitcher plant!
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Again, we didn't see any man-eating plants, but we did see a host of carnivorous plants that use intoxicating potions, sticky traps and lethal toxins to seize their prey. We saw dense pockets of orchids and even Turk's Cap Lilies. As we glided along the serpentine route through the marsh, painted turtles slid from their perches to hide in the brackish depths, Ospreys soared overhead, and swallows flitted inches above the reeds. If you want to experience something out-of-the-ordinary, I would suggest signing up for this trip. Batsto Lake is an easy place to paddle and a great place to rekindle your inner child. I hope to see you there!
Thanks and see you OUTSIDE!!
Ryan Beltz
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The second annual Perk to Pub takes place on Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 8 am to 1 pm.
The ride starts at Green Lane Park, follows the Perkiomen Trail for 13 miles, and finishes with a pub party at the Appalachian Brewing Company in Collegeville. Also, at the end of this event, we'll select the winner of the Trifecta kayak raffle!
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Fall Interns Needed!
Calling all college students or recent graduates
with an interest in the environment and conservation!
We are currently looking for interns to assist our conservation team this fall (Late August through November).
Interns will work on a variety of projects including native plantings, past project maintenance, stormwater management projects and other grant projects.
This is an intensive and physically demanding 10 week 15 hours per week program where interns will be given the opportunity to gain hands on experience in the field of conservation, restoration ecology, invasive species management and environmental education. Interns must live locally and have a reliable form of transportation. This is an unpaid position.
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Native plants provide a plethora of benefits to our local environment!
They help filter water, provide habitat, benefit pollinators, and so much more.
This fall, the Conservancy is excited to introduce our first annual
Perkiomen
Plant-A-Thon to be held September through November!
During our Plant-A-Thon,
we will strive
to plant at least 5,000 native trees, shrubs
and herbaceous plants throughout the 362 square mile Perkiomen Creek
Watershed. Not only will our local environment reap the benefits of receiving these native plants, but our watershed community has the opportunity to feel rewarded and revitalized by volunteering during our planting events!
You definitely won't want to miss this watershed wide initiative!
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Celebrate With Us!
A Night for Conservation Benefit is our annual dinner and largest fundraiser of the year! This year's event is Thursday, October 12 from 5:30 - 9:00 pm at RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve.
Start your evening at the cocktail hour mingling and listening to the music of the Ken Battista Band. Bid on unique Silent Auction items such as a decorated rain barrel, bat house, Al Fresco Dinner Party for 6, a native sweetbay magnolia tree and more! Try your hand at PWC's Favorite Wines ring toss - new this year.
Continue the evening in the ballroom where you will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner, hear about the Conservancy's conservation highlights and celebrate our award winners - the wonderful people and businesses that care about protecting and conserving our natural resources.
Grab some friends, family and coworkers and join us for an evening dedicated to conservation! We look forward to seeing
you there!
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Congratulations to the first graduates of our PA Master Naturalist class!
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August 7 through August 11
4 openings in our Summer Explorers camp still available for children who have completed
Kindergarten or 1st grade.
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Saturday, August 19
Time: 9:30 am.
Thanks in part to our members, the walk is free.
N
o advance registration is required.
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Saturday, September 9
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: New Jersey Pine Barrens
Fee: $20 Members/$25 Nonmembers
Explore the wildflowers, trees and aquatic plants of the Pine Barrens by canoe with our guide, Susan Mrugal, MS, RLA, Temple University.
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After school program for children from
preschool to third grade.
One Day Sessions:
Fee: $15
September 11,19, and 27 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm
October 5 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm
October 7 from 10:00 - 11:30 am.
Full Week (4 day) Session:
Fee: $60
October 16 - 19 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm
All sessions will be held at the Conservancy.
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