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Guided BioBash: Flora, Fauna, Funga

September 30 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Join us and our partners at French Creek State Park for a collaborative, hands-on nature walk where you’ll learn how to become a community scientist. Using the free iNaturalist app, we’ll stroll around the preserve while capturing photos of local plants, animals, and fungi—and tracking biodiversity in real time. 

This guided event is perfect for beginners and nature lovers of all ages. You’ll learn how to: 

  • Use iNaturalist to record and ID species. 
  • Contribute to real scientific research. 
  • Help stewardship staff (and scientists) monitor wildlife and protect local ecosystems. 

Community science makes a big impact, and anyone can take part. Come explore with us and see how your observations can support conservation efforts in your local community. 

Crow’s Nest Preserve and French Creek State Park are located within the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape, a place-based partnership administered by Natural Lands and funded in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. 

Please note: parking for this event will take place at the lot off Hopewell Road near the Bethesda Church Trail. More details will follow closer to the event. 

When

Date:
September 30
Time:
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Event Category:

Where

Crow’s Nest Preserve
201 Piersol Road
Elverson, Pennsylvania 19520
Directions
View Venue Website

about the property

Crow’s Nest’s forests are filled with oak, hickory, tuliptree, black gum, beech, and maple trees. The preserve’s meadows feature native grasses and wildflowers, while the tradition of Chester County farming continues in areas dedicated to agriculture.

Crow’s Nest is part of Hopewell Big Woods, a vast, unbroken forest about 114 square miles—almost the size of the City of Philadelphia. Just next door, you’ll find French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, making Crow’s Nest part of one of the largest areas of protected land in the region.

parking

Crow’s Nest Preserve has one gravel parking lot with 20 spaces.

visitor hours

Daily, dawn to dusk.

more preserve information

before you go

  • Download iNaturalist app before you arrive to contribute your sightings to our BioBash project. 
  • If you have questions or need help installing an app, please reach out ahead of time. We will send you a recording about how to use iNaturalist. We recommend you spend some time watching this and preparing ahead of time before you leave. 
  • You can also plan to take photos in the field and post them later when you are home. (If you do this, we recommend ensuring you have location enabled on your phone settings for photos.) 
  • All ages are welcome. 
  • Event is rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, please plan accordingly and make a decision based on your comfort level. 

This event is free. Registration is required to reserve your spot. Your online registration signifies acceptance of our terms and conditions (read in full below). Questions? Please contact us.

  • Free for all.
  • $25 – event ticket and year-long membership to Natural Lands
register now

Event Terms and Conditions

Cancellation

Events may be cancelled due to inclement weather or low registration. In that case, we will make every effort to update our website and contact registrants. Note that we cannot offer refunds of paid registrations or ticket purchases, but rest assured that your donation will help us in our work to save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors.

Communication

Natural Lands (and our co-host if applicable) will use the email address you provided here to let you know details about this event and to keep you up-to-date on other news and happenings. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Photography Policy

Attendance at Natural Lands programs and events constitutes consent to be photographed for use in print and electronic media. Images will not be identified using full names without written approval from the individual. Please notify Natural Lands staff if you would prefer that your photo not be used.

Participant Waiver

By registering for this event, I, as the participant, and/or parent or legal guardian of a minor participant, do hereby understand and acknowledge that by participating, in this, or any, Natural Lands’ event or activity, I am agreeing to indemnify and hold harmless Natural Lands, their respective administrators, directors, agents, officers, members, volunteers, employees, other participants, any sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, (each considered one of the “RELEASEES” herein).

I further acknowledge, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of the Program and related Activities and my and/or the Minor’s experience and capabilities, and believe that I and/or the minor are qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activity. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions of participation.

I fully understand that: (a) the Program and related Activities involve risks and dangers of damage to personal property and serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death (“risks”); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my and/or the Minor’s own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Activity, the condition in which the Activity takes place, or the negligence of the “releasees” as aforementioned; (c) there may be other risks and social and economic losses either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages I and/or the minor incur as a result of my participation or that of the Minor in the Activity.

I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue Natural Lands or any of their “releasees” from all liability, claims, demands, losses, injuries, damage to property, or other damages on my and/or the minor’s account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the “releasees” or otherwise, including negligent rescue operations; and I further agree that if, despite this release and waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement I, the Minor, or anyone on the Minor’s behalf makes a claim against any of the Releasees, I will indemnify, save, and hold harmless each of the releasees from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, loss, liability, damage, or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim.

I have read this Agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by registering for this event, and have done so freely and without any inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid, the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.

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find yourself outside

Are you up to the challenge? Explore all 20 of our featured preserves and Stoneleigh: a natural garden, and collect all the code words to receive a Natural Lands “Find Yourself Outside” t-shirt.

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music. without walls.

Rock, roots, and rhythm. No matter what the style, music is better with nature as the backdrop.

So get your groove on this year with Natural Lands at these amazing events!

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pints on the preserve

East Branch Brewing Company will be pouring suds on select Saturdays. Enjoy refreshments with a take-your-breath-away view.

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