Crow’s Nest: A Fall Full of Events
By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager.
We have an exciting lineup of family events scheduled this fall including arts, wellness, and nature programs at Crow’s Nest Preserve. First on the calendar is an Autumn Equinox Yoga and Sound Meditation in partnership with Soul Bloom. This will be held on Saturday, September 23 from 5 – 7 pm.
Photo provided by Kristen Brower
Kristen Brower will lead a yoga session followed by a relaxing sound meditation. This session is open to all levels of experience. Bring a mat, blanket & pillow, journal, and warm clothes. The event will be in the barnyard garden, weather permitting, and in the barn if not. Register for this event directly through Soul Bloom here.
Photo provided by Kristen Brower
At the end of September we turn to Plein Air painting with Karen Weber. This painting style, literally “outdoors,” captures a place and time and is not constrained by the traditional rules of studio painting.
On Saturday, September 30 from 10:00 – 12:00, Karen offers a lecture and demonstration that makes use of Crow’s Nest’s scenery. You do not need any of your own materials for this format of program as you watch Karen work.
Valley Milkhouse in Oley by Karen Weber
Ideal for both beginners and experienced painters, Karen will share tips including what kind of equipment you need, materials she uses, choosing a location, simplifying the scene, things to consider such as changing light, weather conditions, bugs, curious onlookers and more!
Where Chiques Creek Meets the Susquehanna by Karen Weber
Karen will paint a painting on location during the demo and questions from the audience are of course welcome! You will go away from this demo feeling more confident about trying out Plein Air painting for yourself with the knowledge of what how to get started, resources you will need and what you can leave at home.
Bunn in Chucks by Karen Weber
Karen does more than Plein Air painting and is known for her playful juxtaposition of animals and everyday things. Her work can be seen at Art Plus Gallery in West Reading and at galleries elsewhere in our region. I encourage you to check out her website, karenweberfineart.com. This is where I go to see things that make me happy.
Tenant House 2023 by Karen Weber
In her preparation for this program Karen painted the Crow’s Nest Tenant house as seen from the garden and visitor center this summer (above). The program will take place outdoors here near the visitor center. You can register for this on our events page here. This event is made possible by the Cassandra O. and Dennis B. Lacey Performance Series.
Photo: Daniel Barringer
As the weather grows cooler and trees change color, we’ll turn to another subject at the preserve: rocks—we have ’em. We’ll repeat our popular Geology Rocks! hike in our Deep Woods part of the preserve, and maybe even venture into Warwick Woods, on a walk guided by West Chester University professors emeriti Lee Ann Srogi and Tim Lutz. Keep in mind that we’re right next to a quarry and parts of what is now the Deep Woods in the preserve were the source of blocks used to pave Philadelphia streets, and that geology profoundly impacts what plant communities will grow on a site. We’ll hold Geology Rocks! on Saturday, October 28 from 1 – 3 pm. You can find more details and register here.
Photo: Daniel Barringer
And one more: We plan to repeat the popular Owl Prowl led by Dawn White of Indian Run Environmental Education Center. Join us on the evening of Friday, November 3, from 7:30 – 9 pm for a live animal demonstration followed by a nighttime walk in the woods to listen for the calls in the wild. For more details and registration click here. This program is made possible by the Cassandra O. and Dennis B. Lacey Performance Series.
We’re excited about these programs and hope you’ll join us for one or more of them!