Natural Lands

Autumn Avian Adventures
2025-10-16 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Hildacy Preserve, 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, Pennsylvania, 19063
Natural Lands’ diverse habitats sustain a variety of avian species. We’ll look for migratory and resident birds, including songbirds, raptors, and more.
Bring your binoculars and join naturalist and Natural Lands Preserve Manager Mike Coll for an early evening walk around one of our preserved open spaces.
Can’t attend this one? Check out these other walks:

Saturday, September 13, 8:00 – 10:30 AM, Bryn Coed Preserve (Chester Springs)

Thursday, September 18, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Hildacy Preserve (Media)

Friday, September 26, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Sadsbury Woods Preserve (Coatesville)

Thursday, October 2, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Green Hills Preserve (Mohnton)

Thursday, October 2, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Saunders Woods Preserve (Gladwyne)

Saturday, October 4, 8:00 – 10:30 AM, Crow’s Nest Preserve (Elverson)

Tuesday, October 7, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, ChesLen Preserve (Coatesville)

Thursday, October 9, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Summerhill Preserve (Newtown Square)

Saturday, October 11, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Willisbrook Preserve (Malvern)

Tuesday, October 14, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, Stroud Preserve (West Chester)

Thursday, October 16, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Hildacy Preserve (Media)

Saturday, October 25, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, Peacedale Preserve (Landenberg)

Volunteer - Give Back to Nature
2025-10-18 09:00 - 11:30 | Hildacy Preserve, 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, Pennsylvania, 19063
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.

Volunteer Day at Sadsbury Woods
2025-10-18 09:00 - 11:30 | Sadsbury Woods Preserve, 443 Old Wilmington Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320

Fall Festival & Connect with NextGen
2025-10-18 13:00 - 17:00 | Stroud Preserve, 454 North Creek Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19382
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at Stroud Preserve as we celebrate the crisp autumn season with our NextGen Council.
Our inaugural Fall Festival brings together a selection of local artisans and vendors in Stroud’s charming barnyard space, the perfect setting for an afternoon of community, creativity, and cheer.
Festival highlights:

Local artisans & vendors*: Explore handmade goods, unique crafts, and locally sourced products from talented artisans and vendors in the community.

All ages craft corner: Enjoy creative activities for all ages, including pressed flora/funga designs, flower crowns, and other festive seasonal crafts.

Costume contests: Dress you and your furry friend (well-behaved, leashed pets only) in your seasonal best and join us for a costume contest (Pets, Children, and Adults) including a fun Masquerade Hike at 4:15 PM.

Live music: Enjoy the soothing sounds of local acoustic guitarist Anna Spackman (performing from 2:00 – 4:00 PM). Preview her music here.

Food truck: Grab a bite to eat from Buddy’s Burgers, Breasts, and Fries, offering a variety of tasty treats, including veggie options.

Craft beer truck & cider: Animated Brewing Co. with local craft beers, and family-owned Dressler Estate with homemade ciders from Downingtown.

This is a family-friendly, community-centered event, and we can’t wait to share it with you! Whether you’re shopping, crafting, or enjoying some live music, there’s something for everyone.
*Interested in vending? Sign up here. (Deadline: September 18, 2025)

Cancelled: The Art of Animals: Children’s Workshop with Illustrator
2025-10-18 14:30 - 15:15 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
This event is cancelled. Please join us for a future event.
Learn about a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis as illustrator Kate Garchinsky reads The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat, a gorgeous and lyrical picture book. Follow a year in Otis’ life as he learns to be a hunter, escape predators, and find a mate. Vibrant illustrations celebrate the beauty of these mysterious, nocturnal creatures as readers learn important facts through an engaging story.
After reading the book, Kate will lead an interactive, bat-themed art or craft project. All craft materials will be supplied. Copies of the book will be available for purchase on-site.
This workshop is intended for children in grades kindergarten through 5. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
About the instructor: Kate Garchinsky is a children’s book illustrator, teaching artist, and nature educator specializing in wildlife nonfiction. She illustrated the award-winning Secret Life series by Laurence Pringle, including The Secret Life of the Red Fox and The Secret Life of the Sea Otter. An Eckelberry Artist Fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Kate blends science, storytelling, and hands-on creativity to help learners of all ages connect with nature through art.
Learn more about Kate and her work on her website: https://penguinart.com/

Volunteer - Nurture Nature
2025-10-19 09:00 - 11:30 | Bryn Coed Preserve, Flint Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425
Love nature and want to lend her a helping hand? 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, and pre-registration is required. If you sign-up, please plan to participate. If you need to cancel, please let us know so another volunteer can attend. All are welcome, ages 12 and up. Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Adult(s) and the Minor(s) for whom they are responsible, should register in the same transaction.

Yoga in the Garden
2025-10-19 10:15 - 11:15, 2025-10-26 10:15 - 11:15, 2025-11-02 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 - Fall Gardening
2025-10-21 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-23 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-28 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-11-04 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.

Serpentine Barrens Tour at Serpentine & Willisbrook Preserves
2025-10-21 10:00 - 23:30 | Willisbrook Preserve, Titans Cricket Ground, 110 Line Rd, Malvern, Pennsylvania, 19355
Join us for an enlightening tour of the Serpentine Barrens at Serpentine & Willisbrook Preserves, hosted by our expert Willisbrook Preserve Manager Erin Smith. This special event is designed specifically for Willistown Township residents who may be unfamiliar with this unique and fascinating ecosystem.
For ages 12 and up. Space is limited – participants must be comfortable walking along wooded trails. Please leave your four-legged friends at home.
Rain date: To Be Announced.
Park at the gravel lot parallel to the soccer fields at 139 Line Road, Malvern. (Watch for Parking & Event signs).

register now

Nutrition: Walk & Talk with Main Line Health
2025-10-21 10:30 - 11:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
In partnership with Main Line Health, Natural Lands is pleased to present a walk through the garden led by Carolyn Farhy, MS, RDN, LDN, from the Community Health and Outreach office at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Enjoy a pleasant stroll around Stoneleigh’s paved, ADA-accessible paths while learning about the benefits of a plant-based diet, strategies to incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your diet, and tips for boosting your energy.
To register, please visit: Main Line Health

Tree Drawing for Beginners Workshop Series
2025-10-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Registration is closed. Class began on October 1, 2025.
Join artist Henry Martin for this four-session class at Stoneleigh designed for anyone who enjoys the natural world and wants to explore it more deeply through drawing. This is a basic drawing class highlighting (but not limited to) trees. The first week’s class will focus on paying attention to our perceptions through artistic exercises. In the second week, we will analyze the structure of the plants we draw. The remaining weeks will allow us to explore the fun and joy we have with drawing, with opportunities for self-directed focus and subjects.
Session 1: Wednesday, October 1, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Session 2: Wednesday, October 8, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Session 3: Wednesday, October 15, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Session 4: Wednesday, October 22, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

Silent Sensory Forest and Meadow Meander
2025-10-22 16:30 - 18:00 | Peacedale Preserve, 160 Peacedale Road, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, 19352
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.

Autumn Avian Adventures - CANCELLED
2025-10-23 16:00 - 17:30 | Saunders Woods Preserve, 1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA, 19035
This event is cancelled. Please join us for a future event.
Natural Lands’ diverse habitats sustain a variety of avian species. We’ll look for migratory and resident birds, including songbirds, raptors, and more.
Bring your binoculars and join naturalist and Natural Lands Preserve Manager Mike Coll for an early evening walk around one of our preserved open spaces.
Can’t attend this one? Check out these other walks:

Saturday, September 13, 8:00 – 10:30 AM, Bryn Coed Preserve (Chester Springs)

Thursday, September 18, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Hildacy Preserve (Media)

Friday, September 26, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Sadsbury Woods Preserve (Coatesville)

Thursday, October 2, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Green Hills Preserve (Mohnton)

Thursday, October 2, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Saunders Woods Preserve (Gladwyne)

Saturday, October 4, 8:00 – 10:30 AM, Crow’s Nest Preserve (Elverson)

Tuesday, October 7, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, ChesLen Preserve (Coatesville)

Thursday, October 9, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Summerhill Preserve (Newtown Square)

Saturday, October 11, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Willisbrook Preserve (Malvern)

Tuesday, October 14, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, Stroud Preserve (West Chester)

Thursday, October 16, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Hildacy Preserve (Media)

Saturday, October 25, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, Peacedale Preserve (Landenberg)

Native Pollinators of Pennsylvania | Light Bites + Presentation SOLD OUT
2025-10-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Event is sold out. Please connect with us at another event.
“Pollinators” is a term that has gained massive popularity as our knowledge and understanding of their importance has grown. Unfortunately, many people only associate this term with popular pollinators, such as European honeybees and butterflies. But there’s so much more to the world of pollinators!
Sip, snack, and discover the vital world of native pollinators that don’t usually get the spotlight during this casual evening presentation with Stoneleigh Engagement Manager Samantha Nestory.
This event is exclusive to Natural Lands members and their guests, whose support has a truly meaningful impact on our day-to-day priorities for saving open space, caring for nature, and connecting people to the outdoors and each other.

Autumn Avian Adventures - CANCELLED
2025-10-25 08:30 - 11:00 | Peacedale Preserve, 160 Peacedale Road, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, 19352
Event is cancelled. Please connect with us on another outdoor adventure.
Natural Lands’ diverse habitats sustain a variety of avian species. We’ll look for migratory and resident birds, including songbirds, raptors, and more.
Bring your binoculars and join Mike Niven, volunteer team leader for Natural Lands’ crew of volunteer bird surveyors, for a morning walk around one of our preserved open spaces.
Can’t attend this one? Check out these other walks:

Saturday, September 13, 8:00 – 10:30 AM, Bryn Coed Preserve (Chester Springs)

Thursday, September 18, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Hildacy Preserve (Media)

Friday, September 26, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Sadsbury Woods Preserve (Coatesville)

Thursday, October 2, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Green Hills Preserve (Mohnton)

Thursday, October 2, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Saunders Woods Preserve (Gladwyne)

Saturday, October 4, 8:00 – 10:30 AM, Crow’s Nest Preserve (Elverson)

Tuesday, October 7, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, ChesLen Preserve (Coatesville)

Thursday, October 9, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Summerhill Preserve (Newtown Square)

Saturday, October 11, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Willisbrook Preserve (Malvern)

Tuesday, October 14, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, Stroud Preserve (West Chester)

Thursday, October 16, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Hildacy Preserve (Media)

Saturday, October 25, 8:30 – 11:00 AM, Peacedale Preserve (Landenberg)

Volunteer - Care for Nature
2025-10-25 09:00 - 11:30 | Gwynedd Preserve, 640 Swedesford Road, North Wales, Pennsylvania, 19454

Volunteer - Care for Nature
2025-10-25 09:00 - 11:30 | Binky Lee Preserve, 1445 Pikeland Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425

Volunteer - ChesLen Community Tree Planting - FULL
2025-10-25 09:00 - 12:00 | ChesLen Preserve, 1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320
This event is full. Please join us for a future event.
Be part of a transformative reforestation effort at one of our most beloved preserves. Roll up your sleeves and help us plant 500 native trees during this all-hands-on-deck effort at beautiful ChesLen Preserve. Enjoy the crisp fall air, work shoulder to shoulder with fellow volunteers who share your commitment to nature and know your time and energy will make a lasting impact.
Pre-registration is required. If you sign-up, please plan to participate. If you need to cancel, please let us know so another volunteer can attend. All are welcome, ages 12 and up. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Adult(s) and the Minor(s) for whom they are responsible, should register in the same transaction.

Home and Garden Tour
2025-10-25 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.

Astronomy Night: Stargazing - SOLD OUT
2025-10-25 17:00 - 20:00 | Gwynedd Preserve, 640 Swedesford Road, North Wales, Pennsylvania, 19454
This event is sold out. Please join us for a future event!
Join members of the Chesmont Astronomical Society for an evening of skywatching in one of the scenic open fields at Gwynedd Preserve. The event begins about an hour before sunset, creating a beautiful transition from golden hour into nightfall.
As darkness sets in, telescopes will be available to observe planets, stars, and deep-sky objects. With the Orionid Meteor Shower peaking just a few days earlier, we may even catch some lingering meteors streaking across the sky.
Bring a blanket or chair, dress for cooler evening temps, and enjoy a relaxing evening under the stars.
Eager to get into the hobby of stargazing, but not sure where to begin? There are a limited number of spots available if you would like to bring your own scope for assistance from club members. Available for pre-assembled, visual telescopes ONLY.
Rain Date: October 26, 2025

Stories and Poetry: A Reading with Sally Saunders
2025-10-26 14:00 - 16:30 | Pennsylvania
Poetry invites us to look more closely at the world, both large and small.
Sally Love Saunders will join us at the barn at Idlewild Farm to share her new book. She will also feature poems that she has written about her longtime home, now Idlewild Farm Preserve.
Attendees will have the opportunity to write down and share their own poems and inspired thoughts—or just come and listen.
Light refreshments will be served.

Volunteer - Fall Gardening - CANCELLED
2025-10-30 08:30 - 11:30 | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
This event is cancelled due to a rainy forecast.
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.

Volunteer - Nurture Nature
2025-11-01 09:00 - 11:30 | Stroud Preserve, 454 North Creek Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19382
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.

Nature as Healer: A Writing Workshop - Sold Out
2025-11-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Gwynedd Preserve, 640 Swedesford Road, North Wales, Pennsylvania, 19454
This event is sold out. Please join us for a future event.
“The people cannot be healed until the land is healed. The land cannot be healed until the people are healed by the land.” – Martin Prechtel
Nature can be a great healer for the heartaches we all experience along our journey. Join Naila Francis, founder of This Hallowed Wilderness, for a writing workshop to explore the restorative power of nature.
Together, we will walk through the shady woods and sunny meadows of Gwynedd Preserve, listening to our inner voices, on this inspiring nature immersion that also invites us into reciprocal relationship with the land and our more-than-human kin.
Bring a notebook and a writing instrument for this workshop. (We will also have some available.)
You will be invited to share whatever you wish in a “sacred circle,” but this is not required. The intent of this event is to bring people together, whatever their losses and struggles, and to connect with others and the natural world at their own comfort level.
Our stroll through the woods will be silent, followed by some meditative time in the Betz Memorial Garden, and quiet reflection.
Please save the rain date in the event of inclement weather: Sunday, November 2, 1:00 – 3:00 PM.
About our instructor: Naila is a grief coach and death midwife who companions people on their grief journey through multiple spaces and practices, including meditations in nature and the written word.

Volunteer - Care for Nature - Full
2025-11-02 09:00 - 11:30 | Binky Lee Preserve, 1445 Pikeland Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, 19425
This event is full. Please join us for a future event.
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.
