Bowman’s Hill Preserve Hosts Naturalist, Interpretive Guide Training, Other Programs

The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in Bucks County will host a diverse series of special events over the next few months, including an interpretive guide certification, naturalist training and native plant workshops as well as a deer drive.  Here are the details--

-- November 3-6: Certification Workshop for Interpretive Guides: Bowman’s Hill, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, is offering a professional certification course for individuals who deliver interpretive programs or have public contact at interpretive sites. It combines both the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical skills in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors. Deadline for registration October 23.  $310 for NAI members, $360 for non-NAI members.  Click Here for details.

-- November 7: Knowing Native Plants: From Flowers To Seeds. How do angiosperms reproduce sexually?  Get the answer to that question by discussing the life cycle of flowering plants from pollination to fruit/seed dispersal. Join Instructor Ed Lignowski, Phd. to learn about the various types of native plant fruits and examples of how they provide nutrition for wildlife. Presentation/discussion followed by an outdoor tour. $15 for Preserve members, $20 for non-members. Call to register: 215-862-2924.  Click Here to check the Calendar for more details.

-- December 12: Deer Drive. Volunteers ages 13 and up are needed to help us escort deer out of our fenced woodland. This is NOT a hunting event. During recent repairs to our deer fence, several deer gained access to our woodland.

Deer pose a threat to our plant collection and so we seek 80 to 100 people to participate in the Deer Drive. The group will walk in a continuous line across the property and encourage the deer to leave through our gate.

Participants should dress for the weather and for walking through and over brush, briars, rocks and streams. Bring a water bottle and snack. Rain or shine. Check-in, including liability waiver begins at 8:30 at the Pavilion. Orientation begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

After the drive we'll return to the Pavilion to share stories around a warm fire. Event concludes at 11:00 a.m.

Advance registration is required, but the event is free. Contact Trish McGuire by sending email to: mcguire@bhwp.org or 215-862-2924. Groups are welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.

-- January 7: Naturalist Training. Are you interested in learning more about the Preserve and its unique plant collection? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge of the natural world with others? Become A Volunteer Naturalist!

Naturalists engage our visitors in discussion of the importance of biodiversity, preservation of native habitat, ecology of flora and fauna and the history of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. In addition to leading tours, Naturalists assist with education programs, events and fundraisers at the Preserve.  Naturalists also receive invitations to group activities such as field trips, lunch-and-learn programs, potluck lunches and more.

Naturalists must be members of the Preserve and complete a training series that includes: Orientation, five Core Naturalist Training Sessions, and our Knowing Native Plants Series of eleven classes. Training begins on January 7, 2016.

Classes are generally twice per month. Candidates will be required to shadow experienced volunteers and conduct “tandem” tours until fully trained. Volunteer Naturalist Guides are responsible for leading at least 5 tours or programs per year after completion of training.

There is a $200 fee for the 16 classes, materials and study guides that are part of this program. 
For information and registration package for this event, contact Trish McGuire by sending email to: mcguire@bhwp.org.

For more information on programs, initiatives and many other events, visit the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve website.  Questions should be directed to: Jennifer Pennington, Membership & Communications Coordinator, by sending email to: pr@bhwp.org or call 215-862-2924.