Wissahickon Environmental Center

Meeting at Wissahickon Environmental Center (see map here) The center is a short hike down from the Andorra Upper Parking Lot. Please note that there will be a bathroom available at WEC. Winter beckons us to experience her unadorned beauty. What do you notice—the cold against your skin, the stately bare trees in stark contrast to the sky? Or perhaps how the birdsong sounds different now than in the spring? Want to become more intentional with your observations? This program encourages you to slow down and connect with nature, awakening your senses and deepening your bond with Mother Earth. We’ll

Gather at the Treehouse to discuss an environmental themed book of the month Braiding Sweet GrassYou can borrow this book at the Andorra library.

Families can join us for a Winter themed Story time for ages 2-6

Make a last minute holiday hat to wear to your celebrations over the next few weeks!Beginner friendly crochet class to make seasonal hats!

Learn about the history of the winter solstice, and enjoy popcorn and hot ciderLearn about the Winter Solstice which is the shortes day of the year, and celbrate with maple popcorn and hot applecider.

Beginner level crochet, all levels welcome!we will use single and double crochet stiches to learn to make our own blankets!These are skills that help us be more environmentally friendly by using what we have and making a good quality blanket that will last you decades.

Weekly walking group to promote healthy habitsWalk PHL is a Philadelphia Health Department program focused on getting people walking on a regular basis. Meet at the Tree house. Join our staff for a nature walk to focus on being active and exploring the surrounding natural areas. There a Small parking lot by the center you can park at for easier access. Please register using Eventbrite or by emailing us at WEC@Phila.gov

Join us for a discussion about the Best Selling book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer. Pickup your copy at the Andorra Free Library.Join us for a discussion about the Best Selling book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer. Pickup your copy at the Andorra Free Library.This book club is for adults to discuss different environmental topics that are brought up by the different books we read each month.

Families with t2-6 year olds are welcome to attend this nature focused story time and crafting.This Storytime is the 3rd thursday of the month because of Thanksgiving the following thrusday. Families with toddlers can join us for this fall storytime and craft.

Join fellow birders for this guided bird walk to spot migrating birds!For the fall will we be having this migrating bird walks at mulitpe locations throught the season:September 19- Andorra Meadow (Tree House)September 26- Lavender Trail (Chestnut Hill and Seminole)October 3- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)October 10- Upper Roxborough Reservoir (Lare St and Port Royal Ave)October 17- Rittenhouse Town (Ten Box- Forbidden Drive and Lincoln Drive)October 24- Saul Agricultural Fields (Scout House parking lot, Wigard Ave and Henry Ave)October 31- No walkNovember 7- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)November 14- Schuylkill River Trail (Shawmont Ave and Nixon St)November 21-

Homeschoolers can gather at the Treehouse to discover the tracks animals leave in the Fall!

Weekly walking group to promote healthy habitsWalk PHL is a Philadelphia Health Department program focused on getting people walking on a regular basis. Meet at the Tree house. Join our staff for a nature walk to focus on being active and exploring the surrounding natural areas. There a Small parking lot by the center you can park at for easier access. Please register using Eventbrite or by emailing us at WEC@Phila.gov

Help us make homemade apple cider and enjoy cold or mulled cider! Join us around the campfire or in the building for our open house.Help us make homemade apple cider and enjoy cold or mulled cider! Join us around the campfire or in the building for our open house. FREE

Enjoy a walk around Andorra Meadow to enjoy the ripening Crabapples and the birds that feast on them.Enjoy a walk around Andorra Meadow to enjoy the ripening Crabapples and the birds that feast on them. Binoculars are available. Afterwards, join us for fresh apple cider at the Tree House. Please register on Eventbrite.

Use a telescope to see into space, then listen for owlsWe will set up a telescope to view the moon, stars and planets. Then take a quite walk to listen for owls.

Join fellow birders for this guided bird walk to spot migrating birds!For the fall will we be having this migrating bird walks at mulitpe locations throught the season:September 19- Andorra Meadow (Tree House)September 26- Lavender Trail (Chestnut Hill and Seminole)October 3- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)October 10- Upper Roxborough Reservoir (Lare St and Port Royal Ave)October 17- Rittenhouse Town (Ten Box- Forbidden Drive and Lincoln Drive)October 24- Saul Agricultural Fields (Scout House parking lot, Wigard Ave and Henry Ave)October 31- No walkNovember 7- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)November 14- Schuylkill River Trail (Shawmont Ave and Nixon St)November 21-

Weekly walking group to promote healthy habitsWalk PHL is a Philadelphia Health Department program focused on getting people walking on a regular basis. Meet at the Tree house. Join our staff for a nature walk to focus on being active and exploring the surrounding natural areas. There a Small parking lot by the center you can park at for easier access. Please register using Eventbrite or by emailing us at WEC@Phila.gov

Join fellow birders for this guided bird walk to spot migrating birds!For the fall will we be having this migrating bird walks at mulitpe locations throught the season:September 19- Andorra Meadow (Tree House)September 26- Lavender Trail (Chestnut Hill and Seminole)October 3- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)October 10- Upper Roxborough Reservoir (Lare St and Port Royal Ave)October 17- Rittenhouse Town (Ten Box- Forbidden Drive and Lincoln Drive)October 24- Saul Agricultural Fields (Scout House parking lot, Wigard Ave and Henry Ave)October 31- No walkNovember 7- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)November 14- Schuylkill River Trail (Shawmont Ave and Nixon St)November 21-

people who want to learn to crochet can join Krista for this beginner friendly class to create a pumpkinplease bring some size 4 yarn, stuffing if you are an advanced crocheting and think you might finish within the class, hooks will be available to borrow, and patterns will be provided to take home.familiarize yourself with chains, single crochets, slip stiches, and increases .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk6ubHyyQLY

Weekly walking group to promote healthy habitsWalk PHL is a Philadelphia Health Department program focused on getting people walking on a regular basis. Meet at the Tree house. Join our staff for a nature walk to focus on being active and exploring the surrounding natural areas. There a Small parking lot by the center you can park at for easier access. Please register using Eventbrite or by emailing us at WEC@Phila.gov

We will do an experiment on leaves to be able to see their pigment, and take a walk to learn to ID trees and their leaves.We will do an experiment on leaves to be able to see their pigment, and take a walk to learn to ID trees and their leaves. We will also make a tree and leaf guide with rubbings that we make from leaves we gather.

Weekly walking group to promote healthy habitsWalk PHL is a Philadelphia Health Department program focused on getting people walking on a regular basis. Meet at the Tree house. Join our staff for a nature walk to focus on being active and exploring the surrounding natural areas. There a Small parking lot by the center you can park at for easier access. Please register using Eventbrite or by emailing us at WEC@Phila.gov

guided walk in the nearby woods in search of owl sights or soundsGuided walk in search of sights and sounds of owls. Learn about owls that inhabit thw Wissahickon. All are welcome to attent children must be able to walk in silence .

Join fellow birders for this guided bird walk to spot migrating birds!For the fall will we be having this migrating bird walks at mulitpe locations throught the season:September 19- Andorra Meadow (Tree House)September 26- Lavender Trail (Chestnut Hill and Seminole)October 3- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)October 10- Upper Roxborough Reservoir (Lare St and Port Royal Ave)October 17- Rittenhouse Town (Ten Box- Forbidden Drive and Lincoln Drive)October 24- Saul Agricultural Fields (Scout House parking lot, Wigard Ave and Henry Ave)October 31- No walkNovember 7- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)November 14- Schuylkill River Trail (Shawmont Ave and Nixon St)November 21-

Go on a walk to explore the history of the area, in hopes of finding signs of the pastJoin Tony for a history walk of the Andorra natural area in search of signs of the past

All are welcome to join us for a short walk and the making of your own nature journalsNature walk and making your own nature journal to show what you find. Materials will be provided for you as well as prompts on what to write about.

Join fellow birders for this guided bird walk to spot migrating birds!For the fall will we be having this migrating bird walks at mulitpe locations throught the season:September 19- Andorra Meadow (Tree House)September 26- Lavender Trail (Chestnut Hill and Seminole)October 3- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)October 10- Upper Roxborough Reservoir (Lare St and Port Royal Ave)October 17- Rittenhouse Town (Ten Box- Forbidden Drive and Lincoln Drive)October 24- Saul Agricultural Fields (Scout House parking lot, Wigard Ave and Henry Ave)October 31- No walkNovember 7- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)November 14- Schuylkill River Trail (Shawmont Ave and Nixon St)November 21-

Weekly walking group to promote healthy habitsWalk PHL is a Philadelphia Health Department program focused on getting people walking on a regular basis. Meet at the Tree house. Join our staff for a nature walk to focus on being active and exploring the surrounding natural areas. There a Small parking lot by the center you can park at for easier access. Please register using Eventbrite or by emailing us at WEC@Phila.gov

Tots welcome to join us for a story and a nature related craft!Families can bring their toddlers to our Forest Friends Story time and craft.

Join fellow birders for this guided bird walk to spot migrating birds!For the fall will we be having this migrating bird walks at mulitpe locations throught the season:September 19- Andorra Meadow (Tree House)September 26- Lavender Trail (Chestnut Hill and Seminole)October 3- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)October 10- Upper Roxborough Reservoir (Lare St and Port Royal Ave)October 17- Rittenhouse Town (Ten Box- Forbidden Drive and Lincoln Drive)October 24- Saul Agricultural Fields (Scout House parking lot, Wigard Ave and Henry Ave)October 31- No walkNovember 7- Houston Meadow (Houston Playground, Grakyn Lane)November 14- Schuylkill River Trail (Shawmont Ave and Nixon St)November 21-

Nature Book Club for adults that meets monthly to discuss important environmental topics.Nature and environmental-themed book discussion at the environmental center 3-4pm. This group will meet every month to discuss a new book. Tea will be offered. This is geared for adults. There can be a Google Meet link if you can't physically join in person if you request it at WEC@phila.gov.You can borrow the books at any Philadelphia free library!https://catalog.freelibrary.org/Record/2665888https://www.pbsbooks.org/event/climate-conversation-with-author-ben-goldfarb/

Home School families can attend this outdoor education program about local Insects! Geared towards ages 7-13Home School families can attend this outdoor education program about local Insects! Geared towards ages 7-13. We will use sweep nets, magnifiying boxes, and field guieds to collect and identify beetles, bugs, grasshoppers, and any other insects we may find.

Weekly walking group to promote healthy habitsWalk PHL is a Philadelphia Health Department program focused on getting people walking on a regular basis. Meet at the Tree house. Join our staff for a nature walk to focus on being active and exploring the surrounding natural areas. There a Small parking lot by the center you can park at for easier access. Please register using Eventbrite or by emailing us at WEC@Phila.gov

S'mores over the campfire, games to play, and explore the tree houseCome up to the tree house for s'mores over the campfire, boardgames to play, and explore the treehouse.

Come and try out Aqua-Marooned, the group game that gets you out and exploring nature using quick wit, physical skill, and creativity!Come and try out Aqua-Marooned, the group game that gets you out and exploring nature using quick wit, physical skill, and creativity! Best for children ages 9 and up.

After breeding on rowhouse rooftops, Philly's Common Night-hawks form small flocks and forage together for insects at dusk over open areas.After breeding on rowhouse rooftops, Philly's Common Night-hawks form small flocks and forage together for insects at dusk over open areas. We will look for early fall migrants in this production birding hot spot.

Fall is here! Join birding expert Tony Croasdale on a walk that coincides with prime warbler migration season back to the tropics.Fall is here! Join birding expert Tony Croasdale on a walk that coincides with prime warbler migration season back to the tropics.

Witness the incredible diversity of insects in Andorra Meadow. We will use sweep nets, magnifying boxes, and field guides to collect and IDWitness the incredible diversity of insects in Andorra Meadow. We will use sweep nets, magnifying boxes, and field guides to collect and identify beetles, bugs, and butterflies.Geared towards teens and adults

Learn the basics of tree ID. What’s a compound leaf, a broad-leafed tree, etc.? What are some of the more common trees in Wissahickon Park?Learn the basics of tree ID. What’s a compound leaf, a broad-leafed tree, etc.? What are some of the more common trees in Wissahickon Park? Learn to identify at least 5 to 10 types and then make a small tree id journal from the leaves you collected. Geared towards families

What are some of the more common edible plants in the Park and what parts are edible? Take a walk focused on what can be responsibly foragedWhat are some of the more common edible plants in the Park and what parts are edible? Take a walk focused on what can be responsibly foraged. Pick leaves of Spicebush and brew up a tea at the Tree House. Geared towards adults and children 8 and up.

Come join us for a fun day of discovering the wonders of creek life - from critters to plants, we'll explore it all together!Creek Life ExplorationCome join us for a day of adventure at the Wissahickon Environmental Center! Dive into the fascinating world of creek life as we explore the wonders of the water. Get your hands wet and discover the creatures that call the creek home. From tiny insects to slippery fish there's so much to see and learn about. Have fun looking for the small life that lives in Wissahickon Creek and use outdoor microscopes to get a

We will use a kick net to collect macroinvertebrates and seine for fish. Then, we will use magnifying lenses, microscopes, and field guidesWe will use a kick net to collect macroinvertebrates and seine for fish. Then, we will use magnifying lenses, microscopes, and field guides to identify what species we find. This is geared towards adults and also teens who are interested.#philly#creek #teens #adults

A walk and talk about the necessity of forest restoration and the importance of natural lands stewardship and then a restoration workshop.Gather at WEC for a walk & talk about the necessity of forest restoration and the importance of natural lands stewardship. Then we will provide the work gloves, tools, and training for a restoration project nearby. Wear sturdy shoes that tie and clothes that can get dirty. Lead by Susannah Beckett, a WEC educator with many years experience in forest restoration.

This field training teaches participants to participate in the PA Breeding Bird Atlas. It will demonstrate how to identify signs of bird breThis field training teaches participants to participate in the PA Breeding Bird Atlas. It will demonstrate how to identify signs of bird breeding and how to code those observations in eBird.Please have an eBird account and download it on your smartphone if you have one

In celebration of Philadelphia’s Love Your Park Week learn the science of plant identification and some tipsJoin us for a May Tree ID Hike! In celebration of Philadelphia’s Love Your Park Week. Learn the science of plant identification and some tips on identifying native and invasive trees in the Andorra Natural Area of the Wissahickon. Susannah Beckett has worked in forest restoration and native plant gardening for many years. Slow paced, approx 1 mile hike. Moderately difficult.

Join Friends of the Wissahickon and Tree House staff as we tackle land restoration projects on the grounds of the Tree House.Join Friends of the Wissahickon and Tree House staff as we tackle land restoration projects on the grounds of the Tree House. We have plenty of invasive vines and bushes to tackle! Gloves and tools will be provided. Please wear old, closed toed shoes or boots. Let's help improve our beloved forest!

Enjoy participating in this quest to identify the most species in a city as Philadelphia competes in iNaturalist's City Nature Challenge.Enjoy participating in this quest to identify the most species in a city as Philadelphia competes in iNaturalist's City Nature Challenge. We will have identification stations for finding fungi, trees, wildflowers, micro-life, creek life, birds, and more staffed by knowledgeable naturalists. Begin your quest at the information station located on Forbidden Drive outside Cedars House, 200 W Northwestern Ave. The identification stations will be at the pavilion across from Cedars House, inside the Tree House, the Tree House grounds, and

Join us for a hike through the nearby woods in search of spring ephemeral flowers—the plants that flower before the trees leaf-out.Join us for a hike through the nearby woods in search of spring ephemeral flowers—the plants that flower before the trees leaf-out. Many of these plants will "disappear" before summer. Learn some of the unique characteristics of beautiful, native plants.