Creek Critter Crawl
2026-08-21 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Saunders Woods Preserve, 1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA, 19035
Join us for an interactive family outing at Saunders Woods Preserve. Dive into the fascinating world of creek creatures as you explore the stream teeming with tiny critters. Discover how these little animals live, survive, and what their presence reveals about the health of our waterways.
This hands-on experience is designed especially for curious kids age 5 and up, alongside their grown-ups. Get ready to uncover the secrets beneath the water’s surface and enjoy a day of discovery in nature.

Accessible Golf Cart Tour
2026-08-21 11:00 - 11:45, 2026-09-18 11:00 - 11:45, 2026-10-16 11:00 - 11:45 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Designed for guests with limited mobility who otherwise might not be able to join a longer tour, these monthly Home & Garden tours on a golf cart will be an intimate 45-minute excursion led by a knowledgeable member of Stoneleigh’s staff. The tour includes dazzling displays of native plants, stately trees, and historical landscapes by the Olmsted Brothers that have been thoughtfully reimagined into a beautiful and biodiverse haven for people and wildlife—all from the comfort of a golf cart.
Cart tours have a limited capacity of five people. All guests joining the cart tour must have a ticket.

Volunteer - Care for Nature
2026-08-22 08:00 - 10:30 | Binky Lee Preserve, 1445 Pikeland Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425
Love nature and want to lend her a helping hand? Grab gloves and join fellow volunteers in nurturing nature. Good fun (and dirt) is guaranteed! Natural Lands cares for more than 23,000 acres and 120 miles of trails, and we couldn’t do it without volunteers like you.
Volunteering with Natural Lands is a great way to learn more about the natural world, give your time to a great cause, and connect with enthusiastic, like-minded people.
The health and safety of staff and volunteers is our highest priority during this volunteer event. Please review “before you go” details.
Capacity is limited for this small-group event. If you sign-up, please show up. If you need to cancel, please let us know so another volunteer can attend. All are welcome, ages 12 and up. Minors ages 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult and registered in the same transaction with their guardian.

Home and Garden Tour
2026-08-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Enjoy dazzling displays of native plants, stately trees, and historical landscapes by the Olmsted Brothers that have been thoughtfully reimagined into a beautiful and biodiverse haven for people and wildlife.
The spectacular Tudor Revival Main House—which is usually only open for special events—is also included in the tour, so don’t miss this opportunity for a peek inside the former home of three prominent Main Line families.

Edible and Medicinal Plant & Tree ID Walk
2026-08-22 14:00 - 16:30 | Bryn Coed Preserve, Flint Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425
Join us for an engaging and educational walk around the preserve, where you’ll learn to identify native trees and other plants, and discover their edible and medicinal uses. Throughout the walk, we’ll focus on the ethics, ecology, and conservation of these valuable natural resources, helping you connect more deeply with the land.
By the end of the walk, we hope you’ll have gained a greater understanding of the natural world and the steps we all can take to protect it.
Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or new to exploring plants and trees, this experience will strengthen your connection to the environment. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about the plants and trees thriving at the preserve.
About the instructor: Max McCormick is an educator and creator currently residing in Cincinnati with frequent visits and class offerings in Chester County. A former forestry technician for the USDA and a certified arborist, Max is a tree nerd, ecology lover, ethical forager and wildcrafter, home-herbalist, and all-around plant and nature enthusiast. Max is also certified in permaculture design, and is a maker, artist, and community organizer. Follow Max on Instagram @intothetrees.green for fun plant quizzes and facts, and current offerings.

Volunteer - Give Back to Nature
2026-08-23 08:00 - 10:30 | ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320
Love nature and want to lend her a helping hand? Grab gloves and join fellow volunteers in nurturing nature. Good fun (and dirt) is guaranteed! Natural Lands cares for more than 23,000 acres and 120 miles of trails, and we couldn’t do it without volunteers like you.
Volunteering with Natural Lands is a great way to learn more about the natural world, give your time to a great cause, and connect with enthusiastic, like-minded people.
The health and safety of staff and volunteers is our highest priority during this volunteer event. Please review “before you go” details.
Capacity is limited for this small-group event. If you sign-up, please show up. If you need to cancel, please let us know so another volunteer can attend. All are welcome, ages 12 and up. Minors ages 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult and registered in the same transaction with their guardians.

The Summer Garden: A Creative Writing Workshop
2026-08-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Spend some time during the slower pace of summer exploring the natural beauty of Stoneleigh. During this workshop, we’ll make quick forays from Stoneleigh’s air-conditioned Pool House into the gardens, noting the lush beauty of the plants in the height of the growing season. We’ll return to the oasis of the Pool House to write, taking inspiration from the adjacent gardens, which include bog gardens flanked by arborvitae, white pines, and hemlocks. Join us to revel in the final days of August with reading, writing, and some cool drinks.
About the instructor: Catherine Staples teaches creative writing in the English and honors programs at Villanova University. Her latest book of poetry, VERT (Mercer University Press, 2024), is available at Main Point Books in Wayne.

Insect Safari for Kids
2026-08-26 10:15 - 11:15 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Bugs are all around us. Underground, in the air, underwater… they’re everywhere! Despite their small size, insects are among the most important animals on the planet, supporting our ecosystems from the ground up. Stoneleigh is home to many different insects, from tiny beetles to giant dragonflies.
Kids, grab your favorite adult and join us on an insect safari in the garden as we search for bugs of all sorts. We’ll learn about their fascinating relationships with plants, humans, and each other. Afterward, you’ll be ready to embark on an insect safari in your own backyard.
This program takes places outdoors and is intended for kids aged 3 to 8 but older siblings are always welcome to join in the learning.

Sound Meditation
2026-08-28 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

Summer Barn Concert & Potluck
2026-08-29 18:00 - 21:00 | Crow’s Nest Preserve, 201 Piersol Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania, 19520
Heartsongs & Harvest
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 Anna Spackman.
We invite you to bring a dish to share and enjoy a potluck dinner with fellow guests before the concert.

About the artist: Anna Spackman delivers a soulful acoustic performance with songs that will linger in audience’s heads and hearts. After performing her early songs at the Steel City Open Mic as a teenager, she moved to Oregon for several years, soaking up indie, folk, and R&B influences of the local music scene. Having returned to Phoenixville, Anna has shared the stage with Amy Correia, Lucy Kaplansky, and Chris Pureka. Anna’s soaring vocals and complex musical landscapes pay tribute to songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, and Ani DiFranco. Anna has four albums and one EP available on all streaming services, and bonus tracks up on her Bandcamp. Her newer songs explore hope and resilience in the face of oppressive systems, and seek to connect us back to ourselves and one another.

Volunteer - Nurture Nature
2026-09-02 09:00 - 11:30 | Crow’s Nest Preserve, 201 Piersol Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania, 19520
Love nature and want to lend her a helping hand? Grab gloves and join fellow volunteers in removing invasives, nurturing native plants, or restoring habitat. Projects vary, but good fun (and dirt) is guaranteed! Natural Lands cares for more than 23,000 acres and 120 miles of trails, and we couldn’t do it without volunteers like you.
Volunteering with Natural Lands is a great way to learn more about the natural world, give your time to a great cause, and connect with enthusiastic, like-minded people.
The health and safety of staff and volunteers is our highest priority during this volunteer event. Please review “before you go” details.
Capacity is limited for this small-group event. If you sign-up, please show up. If you need to cancel, please let us know so another volunteer can attend. All are welcome, ages 12 and up. Minors age 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult and registered in the same transaction as their guardian.

Edible and Medicinal Plant & Tree ID Walk
2026-09-04 17:30 - 19:30 | ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320

Explore: Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research
2026-09-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, 170 Possum Hollow Rd, Newark, DE, 19711
Go behind the scenes at Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research to learn how injured and orphaned wild birds are given a second chance. Participants will explore the facility, meet the experts who provide lifesaving care, and gain insight into the rehabilitation process from intake to release. This educational visit offers a rare look at the challenges and triumphs of wildlife rescue, perfect for curious nature lovers of all ages.

Home and Garden Tour
2026-09-12 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-09-26 10:30 - 12:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Enjoy dazzling displays of native plants, stately trees, and historical landscapes by the Olmsted Brothers that have been thoughtfully reimagined into a beautiful and biodiverse haven for people and wildlife.
The spectacular Tudor Revival Main House—which is only open for special events—is also included in the tour, so don’t miss this opportunity for a peek inside the former home of three prominent Main Line families.

Pints on the Preserve
2026-09-12 15:00 - 19:00, 2026-10-10 15:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-14 13:00 - 17:00 | ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320
East Branch Brewing Company will be pouring suds at the Lenfest Center pavilion. Enjoy refreshments with a take-your-breath-away view.

Pair your pint with a…
…hike! ChesLen Preserve includes nearly 1,300 acres and more than 14 miles of trails to explore.
…picnic! Bring a picnic to enjoy with your favorite pint.
…fun time with friends! Bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy a get together with friends and family on the Lenfest Center’s back deck or the covered pavilion.
*Small snacks will be available for CASH-ONLY purchase.*
Join us on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from April through November.

Volunteer - Garden Tenders
2026-09-14 09:00 - 11:30 | ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320

Beats & Brews
2026-09-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Binky Lee Preserve, 1445 Pikeland Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425
music. without walls
Join us for a magical early-fall evening where music, nature, and community come together beneath crisp autumn skies. Enjoy live music from Grateful Dead–inspired jam band Zendog surrounded by the glow of sunset and stars.

Nature at its best: Breathe in the cool evening air, watch the sun dip below the horizon, and soak up early fall vibes.
Make it cozy: Bring your favorite blankets or lawn chairs and get comfortable—layer up, relax, and enjoy the music as the night unfolds.
For a great cause: Feel good knowing your evening supports a mission dedicated to protecting open space and connecting people with nature.
Food and Drink: Warm up with local favorites available for purchase, including:

Craft beer from East Branch Brewing Company
Local cider and wine from family-owned Dressler Estate
Delicious food truck fare (stay tuned…)

Don’t miss the chance to rock our Natural Lands inspired tie-dye merch at the event. Purchase in advance.

*Please Note: Due to the timing of this event, Binky Lee Preserve will close to the public early at 2:00 PM.
