Training Workshop:
Saturday, February 6, from 7:30 – 9AM at the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association’s Four Mills Nature Reserve, located at 12 Morris Road in Ambler, PA. It will be led by WVWA board member and noted photographer Jamie Stewart. This practice bird survey will prepare novice birders for participation in the Count, teaching you how to identify different bird species and providing tips on filling in the Great Backyard Bird Count forms. Pre-registration is required. Limited to 12 people. Email Info WVWA or call 215-646-8866.

February 13th - Bird Walks:
Philadelphia Zoo: Zoo grounds, 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, from 7:30 – 9:00 AM, led by Keith Russell, biologist and Fairmount Park Outreach Coordinator for Audubon Pennsylvania. Contact Valerie Peckham to register.

Audubon Pennsylvania: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA, from 7:30 – 9:00 AM, led by Tom Reeves, Valley Forge Audubon. Contact Steven Saffier at 610-666-5593, x112 or Steven Saffier to register.

Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association: Four Mills Nature Reserve, located at 12 Morris Road in Ambler, PA - 7:30 – 9:00 AM, led by Jamie Stewart, WVWA board member and noted photographer. Pre-registration is required. Limited to 12 people. Email Info WVWA or call 215-646-8866.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum: 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, - 9:00 AM, led by Deb Beers. Participants should meet at the Visitors Center. For reservations, call 215 365-3118.

For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count, see Bird Source

Upcoming Classes (Audubon at Morris Arboretum)

Audubon Pennsylvania’s: Audubon Advisor Training Series

This series of lectures will introduce participants to the wonderful world of birds, ecological landscaping, and how the two are intricately connected. Efforts to include native plants in the landscape will move a yard to a more sustainable place and provide resources for birds, butterflies, and other amazing members of the natural world. Contrary to common belief, esthetics do not have to be sacrificed in order to experience ecological landscaping (aka: birdscaping).

Participants who take all four classes will be eligible to become “Audubon Advisors”, a volunteer program that offers assistance in backyards in the Wissahickon and Pennypack Watersheds. Advisors work in teams and conduct site visits to help homeowners plan for a more sustainable landscape that protects the watershed and is attractive to birds.

All classes are held at the Morris Arboretum. Conducted in partnership with The Friends of the Wissahickon, the Pennypack Greenway Partnership, and the Morris Arboretum.

Backyard Ecology + Audubon Orientation
Tuesday March 16th, 7-9pm
$25/Morris members $30/non-members

Gardening with Native Plants to Attract Birds and Butterflies
Weds, March 24th, 7-9pm
$25/members, $30/non-members

Attracting Birds to the Backyard
Sat. March 27, 8:30 – 11am
$25/members, $30/non-members

Tree Identification
Sat. April 24, 10:30-12:30pm
$25/members, $30/non-members
More info at: University of Pennsylvania Spring Courses 2010

February 27th Trail Volunteer Day
9 am – 1 pm Come spend the day helping us maintain our beautiful hiking trails at Mill Grove.

March 6th Maple Sugar Festival
9 am – 2 pm

March 20th Riparian Revegetation Day
9 am – 1 pm Join us as we help a stream come back to life! This day includes trash clean-up, invasive plant removal, and native vegetation plantings along Mine Run.

April 17th – 25th 6th Annual Art Show: “Drawn From Nature”
1 pm – 4 pm Come see juried art shown from artists across the region.

May 1st Earth Day / Arbor Day Event
9 am – 1 pm Come join us as we celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day by giving back to nature. We will be planting trees throughout Mill Grove.

May 15th Four Seasons Native Garden Day
9 am – 1 pm Want to know how you can attract birds and other wildlife in your backyard? Join us as we put in a native plant garden that supports wildlife throughout the four seasons of the year!

For a flyer listing the events, click here.