Hello friends!

August adventures already?!
This summer has been amazing, with adventure and exploration around every corner. We are so appreciative of the hundreds of individuals who have said "AWE yes!" to spending time surrounded by the wonders of the natural world around us.

ο»ΏLet's step into a forest not too far from town:
This week we're taking a special trip over to Gray's Woods Preserve in Patton Township, a beautiful forested area close to town that was just recently conserved permanently by ClearWater Conservancy. If you haven't visited the Preserve yet, the guided hikes this week will be a great way to familiarize yourself with the woods and trails that are open to the public all year.

Check out the Centred Outdoors photo album!
We invite you to check out photos from this season in our online photo album. We'll continue to add photos throughout the summer, too. If you have photos you'd like to add to the album, please email to info@centredoutdoors.org.

We hope to see you for a walk in the park this week!
Bridget Whyte, Adventure Coordinator
ClearWater Conservancy
Questions? Reply to this email or send to: adventure@clearwaterconservancy.org

Upcoming Adventures!
Gray's Woods Preserve
Schedule for July 31 & August 3
1500 Grays Woods Blvd. Port Matilda, PA

A visit to Gray's Woods Preserve offers the sights and sounds of true wilderness without driving too far from town. The 149-acre property was acquired by Patton Township and conserved permanently with an easement held by ClearWater. The Preserve includes vernal pools, forest, and barrens habitat that includes rare vegetation that many animals rely on.

Sunday, July 31
1 and 3 pm: πŸšΆπŸ½β€β™‚οΈ πŸšΆπŸ»β€β™€οΈ Join a 2-mile guided hike with Bridget Whyte, Centred Outdoors Adventure Coordinator. Learn about what makes the Preserve a PA Natural Heritage Inventory Core Area and the sensitive ecosystem that supports rare plant and animal species. Participants will learn about the unique habitats here and how they serve as home for a variety of local critters.


2 pm: 🌳 Wellness activity: Join Master Life Coach Beth Shaha to Nurture Yourself with Nature! During this time, you will be encouraged in the power of presence and guided on a multi-sensory easy walk to heighten your creativity, engage your internal energy and discover endless possibilities. Bring a towel or a mat, something to drink, and an openness to letting the light in.

Wednesday, August 3
6 pm: πŸšΆπŸ½β€β™‚οΈ πŸšΆπŸ»β€β™€οΈ Join a 2-mile guided hike with Bridget Whyte, Centred Outdoors Adventure Coordinator. Learn about what makes the Preserve a PA Natural Heritage Inventory Core Area and the sensitive ecosystem that supports rare plant and animal species. Participants will learn about the unique habitats here and how they serve as home for a variety of local critters.
Prepare for your adventure:

Location & Parking:

What to expect:
  • Hike length: 2.0 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Terrain: Some elevation and uneven terrain; a combination of gravel and wooded trail

Items to bring/ways to prepare for a safe and fun day:
  • πŸ’§ Bring a filled water bottle
  • 😎 Sun protection, including hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
  • πŸ₯Ύ Sturdy footwear recommended
  • πŸŽ’ Child carrier recommended for younger children
  • πŸ‘– Long sleeves and pants and bug repellent for tick and insect bite prevention
  • πŸ• Pets on a leash welcome here, please keep pets on a leash for entire duration of event
  • πŸ“… This destination is open to the public all year
Lederer Park
Sunday, August 7 at 1 and 3 pm
Wednesday, August 10 at 6 pm

Lederer Park is one of three connected areas that make up a sizeable natural area in the midst of bustling State College. Lederer Park, Walnut Springs Park, and Thompson Woods Preserve provide scenic open spaces for residents while supporting the health of local streams and wildlife and reducing impacts from flooding events. Lederer Park has plenty of leisurely walking trails with an impressive arboretum of labeled trees.
Ways you can support endangered monarch butterflies

Monarch butterflies are now officially listed as an endangered species. The good news? There are ways we can all help and support them. Here are some monarch facts and tips:

πŸ¦‹ Monarch butterflies only eat milkweed.
πŸ› Female Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed so their larva can feed on the plant.
🌿There are 11 milkweed species native to Pennsylvania.
🌱By planting milkweed, you can support this amazing species.
πŸ‚ Milkweed seeds can be collected from seed pods in the late summer and planted in the fall before germinating in the spring.
🧊 Milkweed seeds must be cold stratified to germinate, either by wrapping in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator for a few weeks or by planting outside in the fall to spend the winter in the soil.
πŸ‘©πŸ½β€πŸŒΎ Consider visiting a nearby native garden, pollinator garden or meadow, and native nurseries to consider possibilities for native and pollinator-friendly options for your own property.
Consider a donation to ClearWater Conservancy

Your support of ClearWater Conservancy makes Centred Outdoors and so much more possible throughout the year! Thank you for considering a donation to support ClearWater's educational outreach efforts and the projects and programs that protect, connect, restore, and steward the region's natural resources today and for future generations. Your gift keeps our work growing season after season and year after year!
Centred Outdoors is a program of ClearWater Conservancy, made possible with financial assistance from an Environmental Stewardship Fund grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Financial assistance for the program is also provided by the Hamer Foundation, Mount Nittany Health, and community organizations.
ClearWater Conservancy | 814-237-0400 | contactus@clearwaterconservancy.org