The Discovery Center

Saturday, September 26, 2026 10:00 AM  12:00 PM The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive Celebrate the Fall Equinox at the Discovery Center on Saturday, September 26 at 10 am by using your nature journals to identify, explore, and sketch the native perennial flowers that provide food and habitat to countless insects, birds, and other wildlife here at the Discovery Center. Turn your observations into action to support healthy habitats by saving and storing their seeds for future planting. No artistic experience is required. Journals will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.

Join us on Friday, July 24 to explore The Discovery Center at night! Glen Foerd and Audubon Mid-Atlantic are leading an evening walk to survey for bats, birds and insects. Enjoy the change from sunset to night, and walk with us around our water walk, trail and tower. We'll have binoculars for people to use, as well as other tools to identify what we find. Lastly, we'll chat about ways we can get involved to maintain our ecosystem here and beyond. This program is a part of our monthly Discovery Day events at the Discovery Center that are co-hosted by

Join Green Philly for an evening in nature as we explore the Strawberry Mansion Reservoir through a guided bird watching tour! With over 170 bird species recorded, you’ll have a chance to spot both year-round residents and we'll search for seasonal visitors including the Orchard Oriole, American Robin, Catbird while walking the scenic trails. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just bird-curious, this is the perfect way to connect with Philadelphia’s urban wildlife, meet fellow sustainability enthusiasts, and learn more about your local watershed.

Join us at the Discovery Center for Canoeing and Conservation! This is a joint program offered by Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) and Audubon Mid-Atlantic (AMA). POBS will offer instruction in basic paddling skills and canoe safety.  Audubon educators will teach participants how to use binoculars to try and catch glimpses of the local flora and fauna that can be found within the Strawberry Mansion Reservoir’s unique urban aquatic ecosystem. As participants make their way around the reservoir in canoes, AMA guides will help spot wildlife and offer some interpretation of the history of the reservoir. POBS will offer coaching

Join artists Yvonne Love and Deirdre Murphy for nature journaling at the Discovery Center. The artists will begin by sharing images from their collaborative artworks that blend birdwatching data with hand painting, cut paper, and collage. Rooted in close observation of the local environment, the workshop invites participants—guided by naturalist insight and artistic prompts—to slow down, notice, and record what they see, hear and feel through drawing, writing, or both, exploring the productive juxtaposition of scientific observation and personal reflection to deepen their relationship to place. No experience or artistic ability is necessary. Pencils and notebooks will be provided or bring your

Discovery Days are monthly events at the Discovery Center that are free and open to the public. These events are co-hosted by Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) and Audubon Mid-Atlantic (AMA). Each month provides opportunities for community members to experience different adventures and activities related to the outdoors. Come visit! In March, POBS will be offering free rock climbing at our indoor rock wall. The activity is suitable for participants of any experience level, including beginners, ages 8 and up. POBS will provide equipment and instruction. Four climbing sessions will be offered over the course of the day on a

It’s been a long winter, so come shake off the cold with queer community and #birdjoy! Join Philly Queer Birders and Audubon Mid-Atlantic as we check out early spring visitors, and perhaps some surprises along the way. We’ll start with some stationary time overlooking the reservoir and then move on to a flat grassy path at a slow pace. Bathrooms are available, as are binoculars, and plenty of parking! The Discovery Center can also be reached by several bus routes and has bike parking out front. We look forward to seeing you there, being together, and finding queer joy in

Interested in exploring the birds who call our backyards home? Did you know that adding more native plants to our environment is one of the best ways to support them? We'll use our nature journals to explore and document the birds and plants they rely on at the Discovery Center this Winter, and make sure they have plenty of food come Spring by winter sowing your very own native wildflower seedlings to take home. This is the second event in our Seed Stewards series. You can attend just one, or come back for future events to trace the seed all

Unleash a wave of local biodiversity and bring our ecosystem to life! Join us at The Discovery Center for an engaging seed-packing party. Get hands-on and become a vital link in supporting the buzzing native pollinators and beautiful local native birds. By preparing seed packets full of thriving native plants, you're directly engineering backyard buffets and critical habitats that ensure their survival. Come plant the future with us and make a tangible impact on your local environment! This is the first event in our Seed Stewards series. You can attend just one or come back for future events to trace

Discover the vibrant winter birdlife at The Discovery Center in Philadelphia! This is a premier destination for birders, situated along the Atlantic Flyway, making it a crucial migratory stopover for over 200 species. Our expert-led bird walks offer a fantastic opportunity to observe a variety of wintering ducks that flock to the region because the Delaware River rarely freezes completely. Keep an eye out for species such as: Bufflehead Canvasback Common Merganser Hooded Merganser American Wigeon During the walk, participants will also learn how to use eBird, a vital community science tool from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the

 Explore and connect with the native plants that sustain your local birds and ecosystems through nature journaling and nature-based crafts. This month, explore the unique abundance of early Winter in our ecosystem and share the festive spirit of the season with local birds by making decorative pine-cone bird feeders. Involves walking outdoors so dress accordingly. Returning participants are encouraged to bring their journals, but new ones will be provided to first-time guests.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a Green Philly membership is right for you - or just want to meet other engaged, sustainability-minded Philadelphians - this is the perfect chance. Join us for DIY & Dialogue: A Sustainable Screenprinting & Member Mixer on Wednesday, November 12 at 6 PM! Bring your own T-shirt, tote bag (or grab one of our thrifted blanks!) and screenprint a Green Philly design while meeting other sustainability-minded folks. While your creation dries, we’ll group you with guided conversation prompts that spark meaningful dialogue about sustainability - and hopefully a few laughs, too.

Friday, August 22, 2025 3:00 PM  4:30 PM The Discovery Center (map) Google Calendar  ICS Join us for any of four sessions where we will explore the connection between nature and art. Participants will get to create and take home an art project each week. We will be joined by The Clay Studio for our August dates. This programming is free of charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register here!

Join UC Green x Raptor Jawns x Tiny Trekkers to experience the natural beauty of raptors!Join UC Green in partnership with Raptor Jawns and Tiny Trekkers on Saturday, July 26 from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Discovery Center (3401 Reservoir Drive Philadelphia, PA 19121).Experience an awe-inspiring encounter with raptors, learning from local experts Raptor Jawns about these incredible animals.By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: UC Green, PO Box 30738, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US, http://www.ucgreen.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at

The Strawberry Mansion Reservoir has been here for centuries, let’s see what’s inside! Join Bria from Audubon Mid-Atlantic in observing this aquatic ecosystem as the seasons change. Try our rotating activities of testing water chemistry, exploring micro-invertebrates, macroinvertebrate sampling during warmer weather, and observing the waterfowl that visit throughout the year (3 to 4 activities per event). This community science will be collected and utilized for future management. Kid-friendly activities are available, no registration required! This event is designed for small groups and walk-ins; for larger groups, book a private trip here. Lastly, learn about the history of the reservoir

Back by Popular Demand: Join Green Philly for an evening of nature, birds, and connection. Explore the 38-acre Strawberry Mansion Reservoir during a guided bird tour with Audubon Mid-Atlantic. With over 170 bird species recorded, you’ll have a chance to spot both year-round residents and seasonal visitors as you walk the scenic trails. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just bird-curious, this is the perfect way to connect with Philadelphia’s urban wildlife, meet fellow sustainability enthusiasts, and learn more about your local watershed.

Saturday, March 29, 2025 10:00 AM 2:00 PM Discovery Center (map) Google Calendar ICS Come by to the Discovery Center and learn more about organizations within Strawberry Mansion, and neighboring communities, that are working to improve local environmental issues. Resources given will focus on trash pickups, weatherizing the home, property services, community gardens, utilizing green spaces, recreational programs, etc. Organizations include: Ya Fav Trashman, Fair Amount Food Forest, Strawberry Mansion N.A.C., LIHEAP, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Energy Coordinating Agency, Real Life CDC, Brewerytown Garden, Dept. of Environmental Protection, Clean Air Council, Physicians For Social Responsibility, Audubon Mid-Atlantic. These organizations have resources you can

Ready to help solve Philly’s biggest sustainability challenges? Join Green Philly for “Sustainability in Motion,” an interactive event giving you the chance to collaborate with like-minded individuals and take a dive deep into local issues, from waste reduction to climate change. Facilitated by sustainability leaders and local experts, engage in thoughtful discussions around solutions focused on policy, business and communities that impact our everyday lives. Facilitators include: -EcoWurd -Green Building United -Trash Academy -PA Fibershed -The Energy Co-op -Susquehanna Clean Up/Pick Up This program is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute