Through the Wild Lens – Photo Contest at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary
2025-11-13, 2025-12-11 | Pennsylvania
Connect with the wonders of nature—and share the magic you see through your lens.
Natural Lands invites photographers of all skill levels to participate in the inaugural “Through the Wild Lens” photo contest, celebrating the beauty, biodiversity, and serenity of Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary in Easton, PA. Whether it’s a fleeting moment of wildlife, a quiet landscape, or a close-up marvel of the forest, we want to see what makes Mariton special to you.
What we’re seeking:
Submit a single, original photo that reflects your unique connection to Mariton. Categories may include (but aren’t limited to):

Landscape photography
Wildlife in action
Macro and detail photography
Environmental storytelling

Let your lens tell the story of Mariton’s wild, subtle, and serene spirit.
Showcase & Celebration:
Selected photographs will be featured in a special gallery exhibit at the Mariton Nature Center, online, and across our social media platforms. The overall winning photo will receive special recognition and will be framed and displayed at the Nature Center for a limited time.
We’ll celebrate with an Open House Showcase on March 18, 2026, where photographers, community members, and nature lovers are invited to enjoy the exhibit and connect with others inspired by the sanctuary.
Deadline to Submit: Friday, February 13, 2026
Questions? Contact Tianna Godsey at Natural Lands. Scroll down for a link to submit and more guidelines/details.
We can’t wait to see what you discover through your wild lens.
Submit your photo and be part of this unique celebration of Mariton’s natural beauty.
PLEASE NOTE: Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary is closed for controlled hunting from November 29 – December 11. We ask you to be respectful during this time. To learn more about why we allow hunting on our preserves, please visit our deer management page.

Art & Connect: Inspired by Nature Exhibit
2025-11-13 11:00 - 18:00, 2025-11-14 11:00 - 18:00, 2025-11-15 11:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | DaVinci Art Alliance, 704 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Presented by Natural Lands’ NextGen Council, Art & Connect: Inspired by Nature is a special, four-day exhibition featuring works that celebrate the natural beauty and biodiversity of eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
Check out the featured artists here.
With a wide array of media—from paintings and mixed media to photography, ceramics, and sculpture—the exhibit showcases how artists of all backgrounds connect with the outdoors, particularly the preserves protected and cared for by Natural Lands.
Whether you’re a nature lover, art enthusiast, or curious passerby, this show invites you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the landscapes that shape our region… and ourselves.
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to join us and be inspired.

Art & Connect: Inspired by Nature Opening Reception
2025-11-13 18:30 - 21:30 | DaVinci Art Alliance, 704 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Join Natural Lands’ NextGen Council for a celebratory evening honoring the opening of Art & Connect: Inspired by Nature, a group exhibition showcasing work by emerging and established artists whose creative visions are rooted in the landscapes and wildlife of eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
Check out the featured artists here.
Mingle with featured artists and NextGen Council members, enjoy light refreshments, and immerse yourself in artwork that reflects deep, personal connections to the natural world. From painting and photography to sculpture and audiovisual work, each piece celebrates the beauty, diversity, and power of preserved open spaces—especially those protected by Natural Lands.
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to join us and be inspired.

Crochet Your Own Ornament Workshop
2025-11-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Join us for a morning of creativity at this crochet workshop led by Stoneleigh staff. Using yarn made from natural materials, you will create three ornaments to bring holiday cheer to your home or gift to a loved one.
This workshop is for experienced crocheters. We’ll provide the materials, patterns, and guidance. Please bring your own crochet hooks. You are also welcome to bring yarn from your own collection, if you prefer.
This class will be held indoors at the Pool House. Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be provided.

Stuart Bogie & Buck McDaniel Concert
2025-11-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Stoneleigh: a natural garden and Bowerbird present a concert featuring composer-clarinetist Stuart Bogie and composer-keyboardist Buck McDaniel, continuing their acclaimed collaboration that began with the 2024 project November Variations.
First conceived in 2024, November Variations began as a series of five improvised concerts at New York’s Church of Our Saviour, recorded live to capture each composition as it unfolded. The resulting five-part album is being released in parts leading up to the 2025 five-concert residency in Manhattan, November 17 – 21.
The duo performs for clarinet and organ, melding contemporary American minimalism, drones, and rapturous melodies. McDaniel’s expansive organ voicings and deft melodic interplay provide a dynamic landscape for Bogie’s clarinet, creating an immersive, horizonless sound.
This November 14th performance at Stoneleigh offers an opportunity to experience the duo’s ethos of stillness, connection, and sonic exploration in two distinct instrumental settings.
About the Artists
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Stuart Bogie was born in Evanston, Illinois. He studied for six Years with Gary Onstad and at the Music Center of the North Shore before attending Interlochen Art Academy and the University of Michigan where he studied with Debra Chodacki. He is the recipient of a Meet the Composer grant, and he composed the score for the Oscar-nominated documentary How To Survive a Plague, featuring performances by the Kronos Quartet. He has written for film, television, commercials, and the stage. He has released nine albums as a leader.
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Buck McDaniel is a composer, conductor, keyboardist, and improviser based in New York City. His music blends the American Minimalist tradition with a personal storytelling practice. McDaniel’s work often explores site, text, and memory, engaging both concert, sacred, and non-traditional spaces with equal depth and curiosity.
His compositions have been performed and broadcast internationally, including on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, BBC Radio 3, WQXR, and NPR’s The Moth Radio Hour. His work appears in Oliver Hermanus’s film The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. A frequent collaborator, McDaniel has worked with artists including Sam Smith, Nico Muhly, Sam Amidon, and Stuart Bogie.

Sound Meditation
2025-11-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Crow’s Nest Preserve, 201 Piersol Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania, 19520
Join our partners Soul Bloom for an evening of supreme relaxation in the restored bank barn at Crow’s Nest Preserve.
Enjoy a full sound bath and yoga nidra meditation to harmonize your body, mind, and spirit.
Please bring pillows and blankets.
Learn more about Soul Bloom.

register now

Mindfulness in Motion
2025-11-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Saunders Woods Preserve, 1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA, 19035
Saunders Woods Preserve is a lovely backdrop for practicing mindfulness in motion. Join instructor Aimée Alegria Barry as she leads you through some relaxing, easy steps of Tai Chi walking to bring together mind and body. She’ll also teach several slow-moving Qi Gong stretches to help deepen your breathing and focus. We hope you’ll leave Saunders Woods feeling calm and centered, ready for the rest of your day.
Can’t make it to this one? View more dates in this series:

Saturday, September 20, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Saturday, October 11, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Saturday, November 15, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

About the instructor: Aimee Alegria Barry from Centaur Tai Chi began studying Yang style Tai Chi and Chi Qi Gong more than 30 years ago. She also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Aimee’s movement background includes dance, Pilates, and therapeutic horsemanship.

Art & Connect: Inspired by Nature Exhibit
2025-11-16 11:00 - 18:00 | DaVinci Art Alliance, 704 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Presented by Natural Lands’ NextGen Council, Art & Connect: Inspired by Nature is a special, four-day exhibition featuring works that celebrate the natural beauty and biodiversity of eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
With a wide array of media—from paintings and mixed media to photography, ceramics, and sculpture—the exhibit showcases how artists of all backgrounds connect with the outdoors, particularly the preserves protected and cared for by Natural Lands.
Check out the featured artists here.
Whether you’re a nature lover, art enthusiast, or curious passerby, this show invites you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the landscapes that shape our region… and ourselves.
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to join us and be inspired.

Take a Hike
2025-11-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Bryn Coed Preserve, Flint Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425
Celebrate National Take a Hike Day with a refreshing weekday walk at Bryn Coed Preserve. Hosted in partnership with American Hiking Society, this outing is a reminder that hiking doesn’t have to mean scaling mountains or hauling gear; it can be as simple as lacing up your shoes and stepping outside.
November’s cooler air and quieter trails offer the perfect backdrop to pause, breathe deeply, and enjoy the season’s beauty. Whether you’re new to hiking or a seasoned trail-goer, this is a chance to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of nature… right in your own backyard.
Take a break from your routine, stretch your legs, and reconnect with the outdoors. You’ve earned it.
Bryn Coed Preserve is 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.

Natural Materials Ornament Workshop
2025-11-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Come enjoy a festive gathering while learning to make holiday ornaments from natural materials. From seed pods to feathers, beech nuts to pinecones, gardens can be a great source of materials for seasonal decorations. Learn how to develop your creative eye for using these natural materials and turn them into something sustainably beautiful under the guidance of Stoneleigh staff.
Participants will make 3 to 4 ornaments during the workshop to take home. All materials provided. Bring your own pruners or snips.
This class will be held indoors at the Pool House.

Silent Sensory Forest Meander
2025-11-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, 240 Sunnyside Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18042
Escape the hustle and bustle for a couple hours and instead immerse yourself in the soothing sights, sounds, and scents of nature.
This unique afternoon experience invites you to step into the peaceful embrace of the forest, guided by the rhythm of your footsteps and the sensory wonders that surround you.
The stroll is perfect for those seeking a calm, reflective experience or anyone wishing to reconnect with nature on a deeper level. All ages and fitness levels are welcome, as the pace is leisurely, with plenty of time to pause and soak in the natural beauty around you.
After the stroll, we’ll pause for a quiet reflection, whether written or drawn, and a voluntary open share before we part ways.

Owl Prowl
2025-11-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Crow’s Nest Preserve, 201 Piersol Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania, 19520
Whooo wants to learn more about Pennsylvania’s owls? Dawn White, owner and certified environmental educator with Indian Run Environmental Education Center (IREEC) will present an exciting program with live, non-releasable owls. Discover their unique adaptations for survival.
After the presentation, we’ll take an owl prowl around the preserve by flashlight and call for Screech and Great Horned Owls.
IREEC promotes knowledge and stewardship of Pennsylvania wildlife and its ecosystems through traveling educational programs that include live animals, all of which are native to the United States.
This event is made possible by the
Cassandra O. and Dennis B. Lacey Performance Series.
Crow’s Nest Preserve is 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.

#OptOutside with Natural Lands
2025-11-28 10:00 - 11:30 | ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320
Ditch the mall, skip the screens, and opt outside with us this Black Friday at ChesLen Preserve. Instead of navigating crowded stores, take a walk on the wild side surrounded by fresh air, scenic trails, and the peace that nature provides.
Make this the year you start a new post-holiday tradition, one rooted in gratitude, movement, and the beauty of open space.

Outdoors Online: Prose and Poetry with Villanova Student Writers
2025-12-04 18:30 - 19:45 | https://wp.natlands.org/event/proseandpoetry-virtual-2025-1204/
Stoneleigh serves as inspiration for nature lovers, birders, gardeners, naturalists, and artists. For Villanova University’s Nature Writing Workshop, Stoneleigh has become an outdoor classroom.
From the bog garden and wildflower meadow to the wildlife hedge—home to foxes and the hidden beginnings of a stream—these diverse landscapes have inspired poetry, storytelling, and conversations about nature, habitat, and biodiversity.
Please join us at the semester’s end as students share their poetry and prose. Grab a drink, get comfortable with a laptop (or smartphone), and join the program via Zoom.
This is a virtual event. The Zoom link will be shared in the confirmation email.

Cold Moon, Crackling Fire - waitlisted
2025-12-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Stroud Preserve, 454 North Creek Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19382
This event is sold out! Register for the waitlist below.
Step into the stillness of a winter night and experience the magic of the Cold Moon at Stroud Preserve. Named by the Mohawk people to honor the arrival of deep winter, December’s full moon casts a silvery glow across quiet fields and sleeping forests.
We’ll embark on a guided moonlit hike, breathing in the crisp night air and soaking up the serene beauty of the season. Afterward, gather around a glowing campfire to warm your hands, sip hot beverages, and enjoy cozy seasonal treats.
Let the chill of winter bring you closer—to nature, to the moment, and to one another.

First Friday Frolic
2025-12-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Meng Preserve, 226 Mine Hill Rd, Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, 19473
Take a hike with Natural Lands. Together, we’ll get to know other outdoor-loving friends during one of the best seasons at the preserve. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, the trails offer a mix of challenges and rewards for all levels.
We’ll make a few stops along the way to point out preserve highlights and the land management strategies we use to enhance wildlife habitat and facilitate public use.
Meng Preserve is 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.

Winter Wreath Workshops
2025-12-05 13:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-06 13:30 - 15:30 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Nothing brings warmth to a home in winter like a homemade wreath. Join Stoneleigh staff for a guided workshop to create your own festive wreath using fresh greens and other natural materials from Stoneleigh’s diverse plant collections.
We’ll provide the materials, detailed instructions, and guidance so that you can walk away with a gorgeous wreath fit for your front door. Please bring gloves, pruners, and a bit of creative energy. We recommend bringing a large box for transporting your new creation home.
This class will be held indoors at the Carriage House.

Heartsongs & Harvest: A Winter Potluck Concert
2025-12-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Crow’s Nest Preserve, 201 Piersol Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania, 19520
Join us at Crow’s Nest Preserve’s beautifully rustic barn for a special evening of music, food, and community. This cozy winter gathering will feature an intimate performance by Edie Carey, a Colorado-based singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice, heart-grabbing songs, and engaging presence. With her blend of folk, Americana, and thoughtful storytelling, Edie draws listeners in with songs that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.
We’ll be gathering in the preserve’s heated barn, a comfortable and welcoming space that offers the perfect setting for a house-concert-style show. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to her music, Edie’s performances are known for creating a sense of connection, warmth, and authenticity. As much a part of her show as the music itself, Edie’s wry humor makes audiences feel as though they’ve just spent an evening with a very close friend.
We invite you to bring a dish to share and enjoy a potluck dinner with fellow guests before the concert.
“Edie Carey’s ‘The Veil’ is a direct hit to the solar plexus…jaw-dropping lyricism…” – The Independent
About the artist: Edie Carey has been touring internationally since 1999, singing alongside Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile and appearing on Public Radio International’s syndicated Mountain Stage as well as Cayamo, Telluride Bluegrass, and Newport Folk Festivals. Her lullaby project with award-winning songwriter Sarah Sample won Best Children’s Album in the 2015 Independent Music Awards, and she was a featured vocalist along with Lisa Loeb on the 2020 Grammy-Winning ensemble All the Ladies. Americana Highways called her 2022 solo studio release The Veil “one of the best of the year” and Basic Folk listed it as #4 on their “Top 10 of 2022” alongside Grammy-nominees Anais Mitchell and Aoife O’Donovan. In the fall of 2024, she released Lantern In The Dark: Songs of Comfort and Lullabies, her 2nd duo album with Sarah Sample. Their first ever co-written song, “In My Arms,” recently won 2nd place in the Children’s category of the 2024 International Songwriting competition, along with Grammy nominees Fyütch and Lucy Kalantari.
courtesy of Edie Carey

Peace Present: Mini Wellness Retreat
2025-12-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Hildacy Preserve, 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, Pennsylvania, 19063
As the holiday season approaches, how can you find ways to stress less, enjoy more, and replace feeling overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude?
Take some time for yourself to find steadiness and ease at our mini wellness retreat at Hildacy Preserve.
During the session, Christina Fittipoldi will lead a gentle yoga movement, accessible for all, and breathwork practice to support self-awareness.
If weather permits, there will be time for exploration and reflection of the preserve. We will explore the beauty of Hildacy with a moving meditation connecting us to nature to soothe our souls.
Finish your morning with a sound bath with singing bowls played on and off the body for deep relaxation, and grounding offered by certified vibrational sound practitioner Mindie Hung. The singing bowls grant the mind the opportunity to disconnect to turn inward.
About our instructors:
Christina Fittipoldi: Completed a 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training in May 2015 and began teaching a wide variety of asana movement at multiple studios. Eager to dive deeper, she completed the 300-hour teacher training at Main Line Yoga Shala in December 2019 entitled “Agni Moksha.” She enjoys guiding students mindfully through safe and responsible movement using body and breath awareness, allowing students to journey within.
Mindie Hung: In 2017, she became a certified vibrational sound therapy practitioner with the Vibrational Sound Association after her own healing journey began while experiencing the power of sound healing. Since then she has had many clients report feeling a deeper sense of connection to self, feeling more relaxed, better sleep and overall well-being. Some benefits of sound healing include improved mental focus, reduced stress and anxiety as well as improved mood.

Outdoors Online: Science of Spiders
2025-12-09 18:30 - 19:30 | https://wp.natlands.org/event/spiders-online-2025-1209/
Join us for a fascinating webinar exploring the incredible world of spiders—their biology, behavior, and the vital roles they play in ecosystems.
Our partner, Julie Travaglini with Allegheny Land Trust, will explore how these often-misunderstood arachnids hunt, build webs, and contribute to natural pest control.
Whether a seasoned naturalist or just spider-curious, this session will deepen your appreciation for these eight-legged wonders.
Grab a warm drink, get cozy with a blanket, charge your laptop (or smartphone), and join the program via Zoom.
About the instructor:
Julie is the Senior Director of Education and Curriculum for Allegheny Land Trust’s. In her role, she creates hands-on STEM and place-based lessons for children and adults alike as well as providing state accredited professional development for educators.

Home for the Holidays
2025-12-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-13 13:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-14 13:30 - 15:30 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
The gardens at Stoneleigh steal the show from spring to fall, but in wintertime, the warmth of the Main House beckons. During this exclusive holiday “open house,” explore the spectacular Tudor Revival-style mansion while it is decked with nature-inspired decorations.
Stroll through the home, indulge in seasonal beverages and tasty treats, and enjoy musical performances from local choirs, instrumentalists, and organists in a festive and cozy setting.
Can’t make it at this date/time? Find the rest of the scheduled tours below:

Saturday, December 13, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Saturday, December 13, 1:30 – 3:30 PM

Sunday, December 14, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday, December 14, 1:30 – 3:30 PM

Saturday, December 20, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday, December 21, 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Sold Out - Home for the Holidays | Behind the Scenes Tour + Inspiration Explained
2025-12-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
This event is sold out. Please join us at a future event.
Get a first-hand look at the magic behind Stoneleigh’s beloved holiday open house. Each year, Stoneleigh: a natural garden is transformed for the season, with beautiful, natural decorations crafted from materials gathered on-site.
For one day only, Natural Lands members are invited to an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour to see how our dedicated team brings the holiday spirit to life in the historical Main House.
