Natural Lands

Insect Safari for Kids - cancelled
2025-08-20 10:15 - 11:15 (America/New_York) | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
This event is cancelled due to rain.
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 event is made possible with generous support from
The Kulicke Fund.

Volunteer - Summer Gardening
2025-08-21 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-08-26 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-08-28 08:30 - 11:30 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Did you know more than 40,000 plants thrive at Stoneleigh: a natural garden? Grab gloves and join staff and fellow volunteers in weeding, planting, mulching, and other seasonal garden projects.
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 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, and pre-registration is required. 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. Children age 12-14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Summer-sational Nights
2025-08-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
There’s just nothing like a summer evening. We invite you to enjoy the outdoors at Stoneleigh this summer during extended garden hours every third and fourth Fridays of the summer months. Tell your friends; pack a picnic, a chair or blanket, and your favorite beverage; and join us. The garden unfolds throughout summer with colorful blooms, entrancing wildlife, towering trees, and inspiring vistas.
Registration is encouraged but not required. In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified via email of cancelations.

Yoga in the Garden
2025-08-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Relax the mind and strengthen the body with an all-levels yoga class and meditation session guided by Christina Fittipoldi in the tranquil setting of Stoneleigh. The gentle pace will allow us time to linger in poses and build a deeper connection to the body using our breath.
Please bring a mat, water bottle, and any props you may like to use.

Home and Garden Tour
2025-08-23 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.

Volunteer - Give Back to Nature
2025-08-24 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.

Self-Led Biodiversity Bashes
2025-09-01, 2025-09-08 | Pennsylvania
Initiate your own exploration of the great outdoors at one of our preserves, open from dawn to dusk. Some preserves are only open six days a week (one day reserved for rest; please check the website before you visit).
Once you upload your photo discovery to iNaturalist, it will automatically appear in our “project,” which allows Natural Lands staff, volunteers, and scientists to see what species are present at our preserved open spaces. This will further educate future land management practices, and augment our knowledge of the rich biodiversity living at these special places.
This initiative will last throughout the month of September, but that doesn’t mean community science comes to an end. Any time you are visiting our preserves, you are welcome to take as many photographs as you would like and submit them to iNaturalist.
We ask that you do not harm any of the flora, fauna, or funga that you encounter or study on these Biodiversity Bashes. Please practice the Leave No Trace policy and only take photos as souvenirs. We also ask that you remain on-trail at all times, and do not enter sensitive habitat areas.

Volunteer - Fall Gardening
2025-09-02 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-04 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-09 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-11 08:30 - 11:30 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085

Volunteer - Nurture Nature
2025-09-03 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.

First Friday Frolic: Then & Now - sold out
2025-09-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Diabase Farm Preserve, 55 Street Road, New Hope, Pennsylvania, 18938
This event is sold out. Please join us for a future event.
Join current Preserve Manager Preston Wilson, past Preserve Manager Jack Stefferud, and Events Coordinator Tianna Godsey for a guided hike at Diabase Farm Preserve. Together, we’ll get to know other outdoor-loving friends 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.

First Friday Organ Concert - cancelled
2025-09-05 12:00 - 12:45 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
This event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Please join us for a future event.
The Organ Historical Society (OHS) and Natural Lands present First Friday Organ Concerts in the Main House at Stoneleigh: a natural garden. These noontime concerts feature Stoneleigh’s mighty Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. Local organists will perform a selection of sweeping musical pieces surrounded by the elegant beauty of the Tudor-revival style home. Come for the music and stay for the beauty of the garden sure to dazzle with autumnal color.
Be sure to check out the other dates for this spring’s First Friday Organ Concerts series:
September 05, 2025
October 03, 2025
November 07, 2025

Volunteer - Nurture Nature
2025-09-06 09:00 - 11:30 | Stroud Preserve, 454 North Creek Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19382

Late-Summer Wildflower Wander
2025-09-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Crow’s Nest Preserve, 201 Piersol Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania, 19520
Join us for a guided walk along the northern trails of Crow’s Nest Preserve, where the fields are bursting with late-summer blooms, including New England aster, white turtlehead, closed bottle gentian, blazing star, swamp milkweed, Virgin’s Bower, flat-topped goldenrod, ironweed, and Joe-Pye weed.
This is one of the most vibrant and rewarding times of year to experience the preserve’s wildflowers.

Biodiversity Bash: Stoneleigh Bioblitz
2025-09-06 11:00 - 14:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Curious who lives at Stoneleigh (besides all the beautiful native plants)? Come help us celebrate, discover, and document wildlife biodiversity at our garden. With native plants as the foundation, Stoneleigh is working to build a garden that is both beautiful and biodiverse. Continued sightings of species never previously seen at Stoneleigh tell us our efforts are working.
Join us as we continue to discover the different organisms that the garden supports: invertebrates, fungi, mammals, reptiles, birds, and more. You’ll enjoy guided walks, make discoveries and observations that help grow our understanding of Stoneleigh’s biodiversity, and participate in community science while enjoying a day in the garden.
Biodiversity Bash Guided Walk Schedule:

11:00 – 11:45 AM, Bird Walk; Insects and More; Fungi Fun

12:00 – 12:45 PM, Bird Walk; Insects and More; Fungi Fun

1:00 – 1:45 PM, Bird Walk; Insects and More; Fungi Fun

Guided walks will meet and leave from the Pool House.
Beyond this schedule, self-guided biodiversity walks and scavenger hunts as well as other learning opportunities will be available throughout the day. Visit the Orientation Station at the Pool House to get started.

Edible and Medicinal Plant ID Walk - SOLD OUT
2025-09-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Bryn Coed Preserve, Flint Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425
This event is sold out. Please join us for a future event.
Join us for an engaging and educational walk around Bryn Coed 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 Bryn Coed.
About the instructor: Max McCormick is an educator and creator currently residing in Cincinnati with frequent visits and class offerings in Chester County. Former forestry technician for the USDA and 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 - Care for Nature
2025-09-07 09:00 - 11:30 | 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.

Yoga in the Garden
2025-09-07 10:15 - 11:15 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Relax the mind and strengthen the body with an all-levels yoga class and meditation session guided by Christina Fittipoldi in the tranquil setting of Stoneleigh. The gentle pace will allow us time to linger in poses and build a deeper connection to the body using our breath.
Please bring a mat, water bottle, and any props you may like to use.
About our instructor:
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.

Volunteer - Garden Tenders
2025-09-08 09:00 - 11:30 | ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320

Silent Sensory Forest & Meadow Meander
2025-09-10 16:30 - 18:00 | Green Hills Preserve, 553 Gunhart Road, Mohnton, Pennsylvania, 19540
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 meadows and 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.

Through the Wild Lens – Photo Contest at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary
2025-09-11 | 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.

Wine and Wander
2025-09-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Join us for an exclusive, after-hours tour featuring two of our favorite things: plants and wine. Led by Stoneleigh Director Ethan Kauffman and sommelier Michele Gargiulo, take an evening stroll through the garden and enjoy a specially curated sampling of four different natural wines. Learn about the flavor profiles and unique characteristics of each wine, all while exploring the spectacular beauty of Stoneleigh along the way. Register early for this sought-after event, back by popular demand.

Outdoors Online: Fall and Winter Gardening for Wildlife
2025-09-11 18:30 - 19:30 | https://wp.natlands.org/event/wildlifegardening-online-2025-0911/
Gardens are habitats all year round. How can you sustain wildlife in your yard over winter? Learn tricks and tips to make sure your property is a winter wonderland for native wildlife.
Our partner, Julie Travaglini with Allegheny Land Trust, will explore the benefits of preparing our gardens for the fall and winter seasons.
Grab a refreshment, get cozy, charge your laptop (or smartphone), and join the program via Zoom.
About our 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.

Guided BioBash: Flora, Fauna, Funga
2025-09-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, 240 Sunnyside Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18042
Join us 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.

Sound Meditation
2025-09-12 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
