|
North Park
Latodami Nature Center
575 Brown Road
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-2170
Interpretive Naturalist Meg Scanlon
Phone: (724) 935-2170
|
|
All About the Story Pole!
Unless specifically noted, all programs are appropriate for any age individual. Some programs may require pre-registration due to limited space or materials. Although our programs are "rain-or-shine," it is recommended to call for up-to-date information on programs due to changes or cancellations to the schedule.
A special note about the North Park Latodami Nature Center facilities: we have no running water, no public telephone, there is a handicapped port-a-john in the parking lot. Parking is limited at the Nature Center Barn; for organized groups we recommend carpooling.
For brochures, nature center and wildlife pictures, neat park features information, and other interesting stuff check out the 
Latodami Nature Center site.
YEAR ROUND (January - December)
|
| DATE/TIME |
2012 EVENTS |
Weekly
Every Thurs.
10 am - Noon |
Thursday Adult Nature Walk
Are you looking to learn more about nature, has your doctor recommended that you start exercising more, would you like to meet new people that enjoy the out-of-doors? Originally started as a program for stroke and heart patients, this nature group has expanded to any interested adult. This informal adult nature group meets rain or shine every Thursday of the year. Local naturalists guide these enlightening, leisurely-paced walks. New nature adventures and discoveries every week.
No need to pre-register, just show up with a smile.
Dress well for outdoor walking. Park and meet at the Ice Skating Rink parking lot off Kummer Road. |
Monthly
Second Tues.
of each month |
Pre-School Children's Hour
Pre-registration required - to be placed on the waiting list for openings, call (724) 935-2170.
This program is specifically designed to introduce young children to the out-of-doors. This class is very hands-on oriented and we spend most of our time outside for every class.Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be actively assisting in teaching/learning process their child. Dress well for outdoor explorations as we do get wet and dirty. Park and meet at the Nature Center Barn. |
Apr. - Oct.
9:30 - 11 am
& 1 - 2:30 pm |
Nov. - Mar.
10 - 11 am
& 1 - 2 pm |
WINTER SEASON (January - March)
Winter programs/activities scheduled weather & conditions permitting! |
| DATE/TIME |
2012 EVENTS |
2/1 - 3/9
Mon. - Fri.
Pre-registration
required
|
Maple Syrup Making Demonstration - (School, scout & private groups - pre-registration required)
Morning, afternoon and after school hours available. Fulfills Forestry Badge for Webelos and Love Maple Syrup Try-it for Brownies. Using “home style” methods, we will show you how to tap the trees, collect and boil down the sap and make it table ready. You will learn everything you need to know so you can make your own maple syrup at home.
Call (724) 935-2170 for more information and group registration. |
2/4
Noon - 2 pm
|
Snowshoe Adventure
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170.
|
Sat. 3/3
10 - 11:30 am
1 pm - 2:30 pm
|
Maple Syrup Making Demonstration - (Public & group programs)
Using "home style" methods, we will show you how to tap the trees, collect and boil down the sap and make it table ready. You will learn everything you need to know so you can make your own maple syrup at home.
Call (724) 935-2170 for more information and group registration.
|
3/10
11 am - 12:30 pm
Sat.
|
Maple Syrup Making Demonstration - at Marshall Township's Elias Frye Barn
(Public & group program)
Pre-registration required.
Call Marshall Township to register for this program: (724) 935-3090 or  register online.
Find out why the season and weather are important to sap production and how to identify trees without their leaves. Using “home style” methods, we will show you how to tap the trees, collect and boil down the sap and make it table ready. You will learn everything you need to know so you can make your own maple syrup at home. Dress well for cold weather. Park and meet at Marshall Township’s Elias Frye Barn located off Knob Road in the Marshall Township Community Park.
|
Pre-order
deadline
extended:
3/21
Pick up date:
4/14
9 am - Noon
|
North Area Environmental Council Seedling Sale - Pre-ordering required.
Great selection of native trees and shrubs for school and scout groups, or to improve wildlife habitat around your home, school or camp. For more information call (724) 935-2170.
Ordered items will be available on the pick up date from 9 am until noon at the Nature Center Barn.
Check the NAEC website for more information.
Read the news release.
|
SPRING SEASON (April - June)
|
| DATE/TIME |
2012 EVENT |
4/14
2 pm - 4 pm |
Amazing Amphibians with Terry Laux
Bring the whole family today and learn all about the wonderful world of amphibians. Naturalist and Herpetologist, Terry Laux, will lead us on a discovery hike to locate and discuss species found in our area. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
5/5
10 am - Noon |
Good Dogs in the Park with Sheri Gintner
Join Dog Behaviour Consultant, Sheri Gintner, for this information and fun, dog friendly nature walk. Bring your furry best friend along to learn how to keep you and your dog safe in a variety of commonly occurring situations and encounters in public parks. For more information about Sheri visit Good Dog Behavior.
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
5/5
2 pm - 4 pm |
Apple Blossoms and Orioles
A friend once told me that when the apple trees bloom you will find that the orioles and grosbeaks have returned to our region. Come today to celebrate the return of spring as we explore our newly restored apple orchards. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
6/1
9 am until
classes are full |
Registration Day for Summer Young Naturalist Programs
By telephone lottery at (724) 935-2170, starting at 9 am. Limit of 3 children per call. No age exceptions.
These hands-on, outdoor experiences, investigations and adventures are designed to develop a lifelong appreciation and interest in our environment and an awareness of our relationship with the natural world.
Age groups will be on the following dates:
6 & 7 years - July 16, 17, 18
8 & 9 years - July 23, 24, 25
10 & 11 years - July 30, 31, August 1
12 & 13 years - August 6, 7, 8
14 & 15 years - August 20, 21, 22 |
6/2
10 am - Noon |
Wildlife Art with Shirley Mutz
Young and old alike will enjoy painting a bird and butterfly wood cutout under the direction of Naturalist and artist, Shirley Mutz. No special skills required and all materials will be provided for this art program. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
AUTUMN SEASON (September - December)
|
| DATE/TIME |
2012 EVENT |
9/15
10 am - Noon |
Wetlands and Watersheds
Clean water is vital to all life. Learn how water travels through the Pine Creek watershed and how important it is for all of us to preserve and protect this valuable resource. Dress well, as we will follow the headwaters of the Braille Trail, down Grom Run, to the North Fork Tributary of Pine Creek through to the Wahdo:Gwas Wetland. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
9/15
2 pm - 4 pm |
Wahdo:Gwas Wetland Inventory
Meet at the North Dakota Education Pavilion on Pearce Mill Road. Assist in ongoing research by helping to document the great diversity of plant and animal life in our new wetland. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
10/6
9 am - Noon |
Arboretum Service Day
Meet at Grant Grove on Wildwood Road. Assist today with our second annual service day in memory of Naturalist, Esther Allen. We will be removing smothering overgrowth from select areas throughout this unique site that was one of Esther’s favourite North Park destinations. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
10/6
1 pm - 3 pm |
Arboretum Tour with Dianne Machesney
Meet at Grant Grove on Wildwood Road. Join Master Gardener, Dianne Machesney for a guided tour of this unique North Park feature. Unusual and rare tree and wildflower species can be found in this 25 acre site. Visit Penn State’s Master Gardener Program for more information. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170.
|
10/18
10 am - Noon |
Thursday Adult Nature Walk Fall Foliage Hike
Meet at the Ranch House on Kummer Road. Walkers will enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this fall walk along woodland trails around the Golf Course. Dress well as the program is rain or shine. Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170 |
10/18
1 pm - 2 pm |
Thursday Adult Nature Walk Presentation
Meet at the Ranch House on Kummer Road. We will be celebrating the 42nd year of this walking group with a slide show presentation of flora, fauna and fascinating features of North Park.
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
11/3
10 am - Noon |
Native American Story Pole and Story Telling
Learn the history of Native Americans in North Park and how the Story Pole came to call North Park its home. Lee Dingus (Seneca), of Echoes of the Four Directions, will be presenting the stories of the Snohomish Nation, of the west coast, of the four footed, winged and of our other brothers and sisters that are carved on the Story Pole, as well as Seneca stories. Story Poles were a tool to educate the young to teach morals and respect of all life.
More information -
Echoes of the Four Directions
North Park’s Story Pole and its creator
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170.
|
11/3
1 pm - 3 pm |
Native American Flute and Display
Learn about the cultural history of the Seneca and Cherokee Nations through the use of historical, cultural and educational displays, including: baskets; tools; snowshoes; games; beads; pottery; drums; rattles; and much more. Come to hear the sounds of the winged ones as you relax and meditate to the sounds of the Cherokee flute. Lee Dingus (Seneca) and Earl Dingus (Cherokee) of Echoes of the Four Directions will present this program.
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
12/29
7:30 - 11:30 am
and/or
1 pm - 4 pm |
Christmas Bird Count
Meet at the Rose Barn on Pearce Mill Road to take part in the ongoing research to document winter birds in North Park. No experience necessary. For more information about this important research project, check out the National Audubon Society website.
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. |
Special Group Programming
To schedule your group, call (724) 935-2170.
Scheduling for programs for the year 2013 will begin September 1, 2012.
Programs (subjects relative to Pennsylvania) are available to school, scout, public and private groups by special request September through May, Monday through Friday, morning, afternoon, and after school hours, on or off site (northern Allegheny County).
Most of these programs can accommodate special needs persons and/or wheelchairs. Most programs will assist teachers in providing to their students the new state-mandated environmental education and ecology standards for Pennsylvania and are specially adapted for your classroom needs.
A reminder about Latodami Nature Center facilities: we have no running water; no public telephone; there is a handicapped port-a-john in the parking lot. Parking is limited at the Barn; for organized groups we recommend carpooling.
Programs available though Latodami Nature Center include:
- Apples - Classroom apple activities and field investigations of Latodami Farm's remnant and restored apple orchards.
- Box and Wood Turtles - Detailed in-class and field investigation on the Eastern Box Turtle and Wood Turtle. Also, information on and opportunities to become involved in (no spelling suggestions) new Box and Wood Turtle Research Project. Offered spring and fall.
- Butterfly Meadow - Classroom and field explorations on regional species of butterflies and the special habitats they require.Offered spring and fall.
- For the Birds - Classroom and field exploration on birds of the region and of efforts in North Park to provide critical habitats for nesting and migrating species.
- Grassland Ecosystem - A hands-on field program on the restoration and ecology of a vanishing Pennsylvania habitat.
- Owls - A detailed in-class and field investigation on native owl species of Pennsylvania. Pre, field, and post trip programs for schools include: Adopt-an-Owl activities, classroom food rearing opportunities, live barn owl webcam access, power point presentation, artifacts, pellet dissections, Barn Owl Barn tour, Night Owl Hike.
- Wetlands - A hands-on detailed field program on the wetland ecosystem (yes, we get wet!)
- Vernal Pools - Hands-on detailed field program on life in and around vernal pools. Offered spring and fall.
Other Program Titles:
- These are special subject areas, relative to Pennsylvania, with detailed investigations into each; features, adaptations, changes, interrelationships, etc.
- Forest Study
- Wetland Study
- Fish Study
|
- Reptile Study
- Amphibian Study
- Pond Study
|
- Bird Study
- Stream Study
- Tree Study
|
- Insect Study
- Mammal Study
- Specific Animal Study
(one species in detail)
|
- Field/Meadow/Grassland Study
|
- The following, relative to Pennsylvania, are general, broad topic programs, providing a lot of information without going into great detail:
- Maple Syrup Making Demonstrations - February and March only.
- Night Hike - Nocturnal creatures and sensory exploration.
- Star Parties - Exploring the night sky with eyes, binoculars and telescopes.
Schools & Home-Schools:
Programs can be developed to meet curriculum needs for students of any grade level, from one hour classroom presentations to all day outdoor field experiences. Special habitat and trail adoption programs are available to schools and classrooms. Teacher training workshops are also available.
Private:
Private group programming can be developed to meet the interests of the group (e.g.: garden club, nursing/senior home). Volunteer opportunities abound.
Scouts:
Programs are available to Daisy, Brownie, Girl, Cub and Boy Scouts that are looking to accomplish activities that are in their handbooks (e.g.: achievements, electives, badges, try-its, etc.). These active hands-on outdoor programs are usually one hour to two hours in length. Individual and group service projects are available (e.g.: Silver, Gold, Eagle, Hornaday). I am a Boy Scout Merit Badge Councilor for Bird Study, Dog Care, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Insect Study, Mammal Study, Nature, Reptile and Amphibian, Soil and Water Conservation.
Call (724) 935-2170 for more information on our volunteer opportunities, service projects, special adoption programs and more!