This annual unique series of workshops helps participants better understand their native environment and find practical ways to replicate ecological health and diversity in their own landscapes and property.
One of the field studies teaches participants the practical steps to developing a pollinator meadow and the ecological importance of these ecosystems. Photo by Kathy McClure.
Environmental Field Studies is an eight-part series of hands-on workshops held in Beaver County - take a deep dive into the ecological importance of sustainable gardening and land management! The material will be accessible and memorable with in-the-field learning exercises, taught by down-to-earth instructors with real-world expertise. You’ll leave with a practical understanding for improving your own property and knowledgeably interacting with your environment.
2024 series schedule:
- 4/13: Controlling Early Season Invasive Species Register here!
- 4/27: Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers Register here!
- 5/18: Identifying Common Trees of Pennsylvania Register here!
- 6/1: Fern Identification Hike Register here!
- 7/6: Pollinators at Sahli Nature Park Register here!
- 8/3: Growing a Native Pollinator Meadow
- 8/17: Controlling Late-Season Invasive Species
- 9/7: Landscaping with Native Plants
Registration pages for each class will be linked on this site as soon as they are live!
The field studies are held from 9 am to 12:30 pm at various sites around Beaver County, including local parks and Master Gardeners' private properties. Most of the field studies have two options for participating, depending on level of physical ability, one being a shorter and flatter walk for those with limited mobility, and the other being a longer hike on uneven ground. Please note that both walk options require a participant's independent movement.
Discover the magic of spring ephemeral wildflowers during the second field study, like the Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) and Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) seen here. Photo by Lyndsay Feather.
During the Fern ID field study, you'll learn an easy, practical method for identifying common regional ferns (such as Cinnamon Fern, Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, seen here) as well as the unique roll these plants play in the ecosystem. Photo by Kathy McClure.
Managing invasive species can feel terribly overwhelming; both field studies classes will help you determine how to control the species on your own property, such as the Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) vine seen here. Photo by Karlyn Wilson.
