Peace Valley Nature Center

This Giving Tuesday, Help Revitalize Our Trails and Gardens! Your support can bring new life to our beloved trails and gardens, creating spaces where nature thrives and visitors connect with the outdoors. Every donation helps restore habitats, enhance accessibility, and ensure a beautiful, sustainable environment for all to enjoy. Join us in preserving these treasures for future generations—give today to make a lasting impact! 🌿✨ Head to the link in our bio to donate today.

This holiday season, don't forget to take some time out of your busy schedule to walk with friends - your brain and body will thank you! According to Harvard Medical School, walking, especially with loved ones, "gives your heart and lungs a workout and boosts overall health." So call a friend, bundle up, and hit the trail! You'll be glad you did🥾🌞 Check out the article linked in our bio for more information.

Today we're hitting the trails instead of the shops, and we invite you to #optoutside as well! Tell us about your outdoor fun in the comments below🫶

On this day of gratitude we want to thank YOU - our community! Whether you are a volunteer, teacher, board member, donor, program participant, or a student - you make Peace Valley Nature Center great. You remind us every day how important and rewarding it is to create a community around a shared passion for the outdoors. Thank you for your support!

Believe it or not, one of our favorite native trees for pollinators is in bloom. American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) blooms in late fall, producing delicate, spidery flowers that burst forth like nature's firework display. Their blooms provide a crucial nectar source for pollinators when many other plants have finished flowering. This late-season nourishment is vital for the survival of these insects. Witch Hazel seeds provide a food source to a variety of woodland birds like jays, chickadees, woodpeckers, titmice, and nuthatches. Fun fact - Witch Hazel has a unique seed dispersal mechanism. Its seed capsules explode open, shooting seeds up to 30 feet away! Talk about a natural catapult! In addition to providing food for wildlife, this small but mighty tree has an extensive root system that helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. This is particularly beneficial for maintaining the health of waterways and protecting aquatic habitats by reducing sediment runoff. #PlantNative #TreesforWildlife

Our team is hard at work this week! With the help of Penn Trails, we are doing major trail repairs along Lenape Trail and Pine Path. Can't wait to share the results with our community!

The Full Moon Walk series is your opportunity to explore the park after dark! This educational walk is all about our closest celestial neighbor and how it affects life on earth, both human and otherwise. Click the events link in our bio for more information or to register.

It was a lovely night for a full moon walk! If you haven’t yet, go outside and check out tonight’s super moon 🌕. And if you missed this Full Moon Walk but would like to join us next month, head to the events link in our bio.

As the days grow shorter, we have the beauty of the winter and our upcoming solstice hike to look forward to. This walk invites moments of reflection and a celebration of the quiet magic as the sun begins its gradual return. Register through the events link in our bio.

We took advantage of the extremely low lake levels and ventured out to Cormorant Island in Lake Galena for a trash cleanup. Check out what we saw along the way!

Discover the wonder of nature with your little ones at Peace Valley Nature Center! Our engaging programs, Babes in the Woods and Fledgling Flock, are specially designed for babies and toddlers. Experience the joy of outdoor exploration through hands-on activities, stories, and nature play that spark curiosity and foster a love for the environment. Come join us for unforgettable adventures in the great outdoors! Head to the link in our bio for more information or to register.

We're seeing a lot of folks expressing interest in building community and getting their hands dirty at the local level. We have projects for you! Join our dedicated volunteers who spend their mornings restoring habitat for wildlife and repairing trails at Peace Valley Nature Center. All are welcome! Head to the volunteering link in our bio for more information.

Join us at Peace Valley Nature Center for an exciting lineup of November and December programs for all ages! Discover the beauty of the changing seasons with guided hikes, hands-on activities, and festive workshops that connect you with the outdoors. Whether you're looking to learn, explore, or just unwind, there's something for everyone. Come make the most of the season with us!

Happy Halloween! Peace Valley Nature Center staff dressed up as Bob Ross and "happy little trees." What a nature-loving icon!

Take a magical stroll meander a candlelit trail at our annual Luminaria Stroll, then warm up around the campfire and enjoy refreshments in the nature center. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to December 14th. Hurry up and register! This event sells out quickly and space is limited. If you can't attend the Luminaria Stroll, check out our upcoming November events! For more information or to register today, head to the events link in our bio.

This praying mantis was pulsating on the hike and bike. She was moved safely to the field where she will lay about 400 eggs, which she will cover will an egg case called an ootheca. The ootheca will keep the eggs safe until they are ready to hatch next May or June when the conditions are right.

Celebrate National Take a Hike Day at Peace Valley Nature Center! Join us for a walk in the woods on the Nature Center trails. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Age: Adults. FREE/Donations kindly accepted. Register through the events link in our bio.

Our Fall Harvest Sampler could not happen every year without the support of Bucks County and especially the Department of Parks and Recreation. Thank you for your continued support of Peace Valley Nature Center! And of course, thank you to all the Peace Valley Nature Center staff, teacher naturalists, volunteers, and board members who make our Fall Harvest Sampler possible every year and work tirelessly all year round in support of the mission of Peace Valley Nature Center. None of this would be possible without all of you! @buckscountyparks

The Full Moon Walk series is your opportunity to explore the park after dark! This educational walk is all about our closest celestial neighbor and how it affects life on earth, both human and otherwise. Age: Adults. Free for Members; $5 for Non-Members. Register through the events link in our bio.

Thank you to the Joe Cirotti Trio and Maribyrd for another amazing evening of music at our Fall Harvest Sampler! Please check them out on social media and on their websites joecirottitrio.com and maribyrd.com.

Feeding wild birds is a great way to connect to nature. This workshop will show you the best way to entice our feathered friends to your yard with the right components: seed and feeder type, proper placement, shelter, and water. You will also learn how to enroll your yard in a variety of easy and accessible citizen science projects to make your backyard observations count! Suggested Donation: $5.00. Register through the events link in our bio!

We rely on volunteers to do most of the trail work, invasives removal, and tree planting here at Peace Valley Nature Center - and they rely on each other! Join us for an upcoming volunteer day and you'll fins this familiar scene during our morning stretch. Head to the volunteering link in our bio for more information and to sign-up today!

Come discover the unique adaptations that make owls the top predators of the night sky. Presentation followed by a hike in the woods. Please dress for the weather. Age: 8 & up. Fee: $5/Members; $10/Non-Members. Head to the link in our bio to register!

Thank you to our Fall Harvest Sampler food and beer vendors, Penn Tap Room and B&B Beverages! Our guests had nothing but good things to say about the beer selection, food quality, and service at this year's event.

Thank you to our Red Tail and Kestrel level Sponsors for this year's Fall Harvest Sampler! Your support helped raise more money than ever before. A huge thank you also to the many businesses and people that donated raffle baskets and items for our silent auction. Thanks to you we had another great lineup of items to win.

A beautiful view from our Upper Woods trail. The leaves are changing colors and falling onto our trails, making some trails difficult to make out in some areas. Be sure to look for the blazes on the trees to keep you on the trails and lift those feet high as you walk to prevent tripping.

Know Your Nuts: Black Walnut Trees Did you know the Black Walnut tree (Juglans nigra) is one of North America's most valuable and versatile native trees? Here are some fun facts about this impressive tree and its fruit: 1. Tough Shell, Delicious Reward: Black walnut fruit is encased in a thick green husk, with a hard shell inside. Inside the shell is a rich, flavorful nut prized for baking and snacking. They're a challenge to crack but worth the effort! 2. Natural Herbicide: The Black Walnut tree produces a compound called juglone that can inhibit the growth of certain plants nearby. It's a natural way the tree reduces competition in its surroundings. 3. Wildlife Buffet: While we enjoy the nuts, so do wildlife like squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. They rely on black walnut trees for food, especially in the fall. 4. Historical Uses: Native Americans and early settlers used black walnut wood for furniture and dye. Today, it's still a favorite for woodworking, known for its rich, dark color. Have you seen any black walnut trees or squirrels collecting walnuts this season? Share your experience in the comments! #BlackWalnut #NativeTrees #NatureFacts #TreeLove

DID YOU KNOW? Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation -- or anywhere in the world! Only three regions of the world support deciduous forests that display fall autumn color: 🍂Eastern North America 🍂The British Isles and parts of northwestern Europe 🍂Northeastern China and northern Japan 🍂Forests in other regions are either tropical or dominated by conifers. Pennsylvania’s location between 40° and 42° North latitude and its varied topography from sea level on the coastal plain to over 3,000 feet in the Laurel Highlands supports 134 species of trees and many more shrubs and vines that contribute to the display of autumn color. Information from PADCNR.

Thank you to our generous Eagle and Osprey Sponsors for supporting us in this year’s Fall Harvest Sampler! Your generosity helped us surpass our fundraising goal for the 8th consecutive year.

If your fall to-do list includes raking up all the leaves in your yard and lugging them to the curb, cross this one off, and replace it with a football game, hike, or other fall activity. Then give yourself a pat on the back. By leaving the leaves, you’re improving your part of Pennsylvania’s environment. Leaf litter also provides much needed winter habitat and forage sources for birds, insects, amphibians, and other small wildlife that are part of the ecosystem we depend on. Did you know some bees, moths, and butterflies can live under thick leaf cover throughout the winter? https://www.dep.pa.gov/OurCommonWealth/pages/Article.aspx?post=66

Last night we enjoyed a rare local sighting of the Northern Lights thanks to a solar storm. Check out the link in our bio to find out more about this atmospheric phenomenon and to see photos of the colorful display around the world.

On this upcoming Indigenous Peoples' Day (Monday, October 14th), we invite you to honor and celebrate Indigenous peoples, cultures, heritage, community diversity, traditions, and their unique connections to the lands and waters we all call home. Below are some educational resources as well as upcoming local events and programs celebrating this important day. Please feel free to leave any additional resources and/or upcoming events in the comment section! Digital Native land map (Peace Valley Nature Center is on the colonized territory of the Lenapehoking, or Lenni-Lenape): https://native-land.ca/ Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania: https://www.lenape-nation.org/ Upcoming local events: TONIGHT (on zoom): https://bhwp.org/item/thursday-night-nature-lenape-past-present-and-plantways-traditional-ecological-knowledge-from-the-lenapehoking-with-adam-depaul-october-10-2024/#tab-description THIS WEEKEND: 1. https://www.bartramsgarden.org/event/indigenous-peoples-day-24/ 2. https://ipdphilly.org/ 3. https://www.amrevmuseum.org/events/indigenous-peoples-weekend-2023-at-the-museum UPCOMING: https://heritageconservancy.org/our-events/flora-and-folklore-2/

Know Your Nuts: Hickory Trees and Their Nutty Treasures 🌰 Did you know that Pennsylvania is home to several types of hickory trees, each producing its own unique nuts? These tough-shelled gems are a favorite among wildlife and offer delicious rewards for those who know where to look! 1. Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) Easily recognized by its peeling bark, the shagbark hickory produces sweet, edible nuts. Their rich flavor makes them a favorite snack for squirrels, birds, and even humans! 2. Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa) The thick-shelled nuts of the mockernut are tougher to crack, but they reward you with a sweet kernel. These are especially popular with woodland creatures like chipmunks and foxes. 3. Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra) The pignut hickory produces smaller nuts with a more bitter flavor, but they are still an important food source for animals like turkeys and black bears. 4. Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis) As the name suggests, these nuts have a very bitter taste and aren't favored by humans, but they’re valuable for wildlife such as woodpeckers and raccoons. Hickory nuts are packed with protein and fat, helping animals prepare for the cold winter months. Next time you're exploring the forests, see if you can spot one of these trees and their nutty treasures!

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, or placed silent auction bids at our 2024 Fall Harvest Sampler. With your support we were able to raise more money than ever before to help support the mission of Peace Valley Nature Center! See you all next year🍻🌲🍂

Know Your Nuts: Acorns - Nature’s Tiny Powerhouses! Did you know that Pennsylvania is home to a variety of oak trees, each producing unique acorns? These little nuts are vital food for wildlife and play a key role in forest regeneration. Here’s a quick guide to some common oaks and their acorns: 1. White Oak (Quercus alba) 🌰 Acorns: Light brown, with a bumpy cap that covers only the top. They mature in one season and are a favorite of deer and squirrels. 🍂 Leaf: Rounded lobes, with a soft, pale underside. 2. Red Oak (Quercus rubra) 🌰 Acorns: Larger, with a flatter cap that looks like a shallow saucer. These acorns take two years to mature. 🍂 Leaf: Pointed lobes with bristles at the tips, and a reddish hue in fall. 3. Black Oak (Quercus velutina) 🌰 Acorns: Small, with a woolly, dark cap that covers about half the nut. They also take two years to mature. 🍂 Leaf: Pointed lobes with a yellowish or orange tint in autumn. 4. Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana) 🌰 Acorns: Long and narrow, with a thick, scaly cap. These acorns are high in tannins, making them less preferred by wildlife, but crucial during scarce times. 🍂 Leaf: Saw-toothed edges resembling chestnut leaves. 🦌 Wildlife Impact: Acorns are a key fall and winter food for species like deer, squirrels, and birds like wild turkeys and blue jays. Some species, like the white oak, produce acorns with lower tannin levels, making them more palatable to animals. 🍁 Fun Fact: Acorn production varies year to year. In "mast years," oaks produce a bumper crop of acorns, supporting wildlife populations and boosting new tree growth. Explore Peace Valley Nature Center’s forests and look out for these mighty oaks and their acorns this fall! Remember—they’re not just seeds. They’re a lifeline for countless animals in our ecosystems!

We have so much to offer this month! Check out our October programs, and come celebrate fall with us at Peace Valley Nature Center. Head to the link in our bio for more details.

It seems every living thing around us is celebrating the rain after dry Summer. Check out these discoveries made by students in the park this week!

Brianna McNally-Knittle is the winner of a fabulous 4-pack of our exclusive Lake Walk Lager. Thanks to everyone who participated. If you didn't win, you're still in luck, as a limited supply of this tasty lager from Free Will Brewing is available for purchase at B&B Beverage. Get it before it's gone!

TWO days remaining to voice your opinion on the future of Bucks County Parks through our public survey. We could use your help sharing this post and/or your input directly if we haven't heard from you. Thank you! Head to the link in our bio to take the survey today.

Would you like to explore your relationship with the forest environment? Join this group to take a sensory focused forest walk followed by 15 minutes of quiet meditation on the bank of the Neshaminy. Feel the calming effects! Led by Barb Enger, Certified Yoga Instructor and Pennsylvania Master Naturalist candidate. Register through the programs link in our bio!

There are still a few tickets left for our biggest fundraiser of the year - a night of lake views, lagers, live music, and more! We can't wait to enjoy a memorable fall night with our Peace Valley community. Head to the link in our bio to buy tickets.

Nature is WILD! Check out this Common Garter Snake enjoying a big meal.

Our Fall Harvest Sampler is this Friday! To celebrate, we’re excited to give away a 4 pack of this year’s featured brew, **Lake Walk Lager** 🍻 **How to Enter:** 1️⃣ Like this post 2️⃣ Tag 3 friends in the comments 3️⃣ Follow our account 🍺 Must be 21+ to win. Let’s raise a glass to protecting our environment, one sip at a time! Winner will be announced on Saturday September 28th!

Can you spot the Fowler's Toad in photo 1? The answer is revealed in photo 2!

The silent auction for our Fall Harvest Sampler is now live! Check out some of the great items available, place early bids, or just make a donation to Peace Valley Nature Center! Use the link below or in our bio. https://app.galabid.com/2024sampler

Introduce your family to a love of nature and yoga with an energetic, themed class full of kids yoga poses, songs, games, crafts and stories. Children will come away with age-appropriate breathing and mindfulness techniques and lots of fun yoga poses to practice at home. Class is geared to ages 2-5 but siblings are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat or towel. Held outdoors in the pavilion by the Nature Center or inside the Nature Center depending on weather. No registration necessary. Suggested donation: $10.00 per family.

Check out this little creature who wandered by one of our volunteers yesterday! This is a recently hatched Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), named so because of its ability to release a foul odor from scent glands on its shell. He may be stinky, but he sure is cute! #peacevalleynaturecenter #buckscountyparks #turtles #herps

Get ready to bid on some of these incredible vacation stays at our upcoming silent auction! The Fall Harvest Sampler auction page opens this Friday, so stay tuned and get excited to support a great cause while planning your next getaway!

Introducing this year's brew...Lake Walk Lager! Brewed locally by Free Will Brewing, this limited edition brew will be released to the public on Saturday, September 28, 2024 and will be sold exclusively by B&B Beverages on Sawmill Road in Doylestown. Or you can enjoy our exclusive brew at the Fall Harvest Sampler on Friday, September 27th! Tickets and more information can be found on our website.

Bring along your favorite stuffed pal & join us on this whimsical day! We will listen to some fantastical tales read by Mrs. Spider and search for spiders and their webs in the fields and forests. Registration required. Free/M; $5NM. Register through the link in our bio.

Check out this funky little critter! 🐛 This is a saddleback caterpillar, and despite its small size, it packs a serious punch. Those spines? They're hollow and poisonous, delivering a painful sting if touched. You can spot these inch-long caterpillars in late summer, munching on basswood trees, oaks, and plants in the rose family. Admire from a distance, and remember—look, but don’t touch!

Take a magical journey in the woods though the eyes of Mousekin as he and the forest around him prepare for the coming winter. We’ll search for food and watch for predators, then find our own “golden house” to decorate and take home. For ages 3 – 8 with an adult. $5/M; $10/NM; No charge for attending adult. Register through the events link in our bio.

Did you know? Goldenrod often gets a bad rap for causing seasonal allergies, but it's actually innocent! The real culprit? Ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Goldenrod’s bright yellow flowers are insect-pollinated, meaning their pollen is too heavy to be carried by the wind and reach your nose. So, next time you see goldenrod, take a moment to appreciate its beauty without worry—it's not to blame for those sneezes!

Tickets for the Fall Harvest Sampler are selling quickly! Our biggest fundraiser of the year is just three weeks away on Friday, September 27th. Use the link in our bio to secure yours today!

Chances are you will see wildlife at Peace Valley Nature Center, but please don't ever offer any food or beverages to wild animals (even when they're cute). Wild animals are best helped by not becoming too habituated to humans, they have everything they need throughout the preserve! This particular little fox has been hanging out a lot near the buildings, it is not rabid but has something called Mange (an itchy mite that can be treated), which is why it looks the way it does. Rest assured PVNC staff and the AARK as well as Wildife In Need rehabilitators are working together to medicate and make sure he is okay so please just say hi and walk on by.😊 Photo Credit: Fred Rothe #fox #wildlife #paparks #buckscountparks #peacevalley

As fall bird migration begins, let’s help our feathered friends travel safely! 🌙✨ Turning off or dimming outdoor lights at night reduces light pollution and prevents birds from becoming disoriented on their journey. Join us in #LightsOutForBirds and protect migrating species as they make their incredible seasonal trek.

Attention visitors! Our Nature Playground has accumulated some lost and found items. Due to the ongoing renovations of the Nature Center, these items are awaiting their owners on the bench at the entrance to the playground.

Did you know that katydids are nature’s night-time musicians? These green, leaf-like insects are closely related to crickets and grasshoppers, and they use their wings to create the distinctive "katy-did, katy-didn't" sound we hear on warm late summer nights. Katydids are masters of camouflage, blending perfectly into the leaves they live among, making them a challenge to spot during the day. Keep an ear out for their chorus the next time you're outside after dark!

Fall migration is underway and our popular Saturday Morning Bird Walks resume Sept. 7th at 8:00am. Meet outside of the PVNC Visitors’ Center at 8:00am and begin your bird-watching walk from there! This is a free event for age 15+. All bird watching experience is welcome! Walk is weather permitting. Please check our social media for program updates.

Don't miss our parent/child Fall series! Head to the link in our bio for more information or to register today.

Less than a month away from our Fall Harvest Sampler! Get your tickets and help support environmental education! For more information head to the link in our bio.

Take a walkabout in nature with us! This series is for adults who want to stay active and expand their knowledge of the natural world. Our walks begin at 10:00am in front of the visitor center September 4th through November 13th. Each week has a unique theme, which we'll explore through an hour-long educational hike. No registration is required but walks are weather-dependent.

Have you seen this enormous caterpillar? This is a Hickory Horned Devil and despite its name and devilish appearance, it is completely harmless. This caterpillar spent the last few weeks grazing on walnut and other nut tree leaves before dropping to the ground to pupate. It will spend the winter underground and emerge as a moth next summer. Known as a Regal Moth or Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis), the adult are large with a wingspan of up to 6 inches.

What's blooming at Peace Valley Nature Center? Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) and Joe-pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum) have both been spotted in the park this week. Both flowers are a favorite of pollinators, and signal a transition to late summer. What signs of the changing season are you seeing?

Drop in and discover a variety of nature-themed activities the entire family will enjoy. Discovery Day is a family-friendly, free event where young explorers, ages 3 – 12, learn about magnificent migrations though self-guided activities and explorations. Children and guardians are invited go on a self-guided nature scavenger hunt using our monthly-themed check list or simply enjoy the trails. Activities include stations that help you discover the wonders of animal migrations. Donations kindly accepted, no registration is required.

We all know it's hard to take a good photo of the moon, but what about a photo of people taking a photo of the moon? Thanks to all who attended our Full Moon Walk last night! We enjoyed a scenic evening walk and saw the rise of the Sturgeon Moon, which also happened to be a blue moon and a super moon. If you missed this event but would like to attend next month's full moon walk, head to the link in our bio.

You can still catch a glimpse of this month’s super moon that was obscured by cloud cover last night. Clear skies are forecast for today so take advantage and check out this rare super blue moon that will grace the skies worldwide. It will be one of the biggest and brightest moons of the year, coming about 22,000 kilometers closer to earth than average. As a result, the moon will appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a micro moon. While many know a blue moon as a second full moon in a calendar month, there’s also a traditional definition. When a season has four full moons, the third one is called a blue moon. The full moon of August 19 is the third of four in summer 2024, making it a blue moon by this traditional standard. And because the moon will be near its closest point to the earth it’s dubbed a super blue moon. This marks the first of four consecutive super moons this year. The next super moon will take place on September 18th. Don’t miss this spectacular cosmic show!

Join us for our wildly popular series designed to enhance your child's science curriculum! Our Homeschool Discovery classes are a series of guided explorations among our diverse habitats with an experienced teacher naturalist. Head to the link in our bio for more information or to register today.

Can you spot the Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) in this photo at Wood's Pond? Comment below!

Don't miss our parent/child Fall series! Head to the link in our bio for more information or to register today.

This morning our volunteers planted Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta) in some of our wetlands in an effort to proved habitat for Bog Turtles. According to US Fish and Wildlife Services, "Bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) are one of the smallest turtle species in the world, and the smallest in North America. Adults are no more than 4.5 inch long. They are also known for having remarkably long lifespans: researchers have found that some bog turtles live longer than 60 years in the wild. The bog turtle was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1997 due to a variety of factors. Land-use changes, like residential and commercial development, have caused degradation and fragmentation of their wetland habitat." We will monitor these habitat restoration areas and keep you posted on the presence of Bog Turtles!

Don't forget!! The Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation wants YOUR input! Our Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space project has begun...what does that mean 🤷🏻‍♀️? It means we are planning for the future of County parks, pools, tennis centers, open space, nature centers, playgrounds, historic sites, trails, facilities, and more! We have ✌️asks - 1) Take the survey, your opinion is important to us! 2) Share this post with your friends, family, sports leagues, religious groups, senior centers, EAC’s, volunteer organizations, wherever you're in community! Click the link in our bio for more information and to take the survey today. #buckscountyparkplan #buckscountyparksandrecreation

And just like that...the goldenrod is blooming again. One of our favorite signs of late summer!

There is currently a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) advisory issued for Lake Luxembourg and Lake Galena after the most recent testing conducted by the DEP. Please be reminded that walking/wading and swimming is NOT PERMITTED at any time in these lakes (this includes your dogs).

Meet the ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora), a fascinating and colorless flower often mistaken for a fungus. This unique plant lacks chlorophyll and relies on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrients, making it a true forest parasite. Emerging from the forest floor, these ethereal blooms thrive in dense shade. Nature’s mysterious beauty! #GhostPipe #PVNC #buckscountyparksandrec

Get your tickets for this year’s Fall Harvest Sampler! This year we are offering special pricing for members. Click the link in our bio to get your tickets now.

Another fun week at Summer camp! Check out the speed on our canine visitor, a search and rescue dog! Trained by one of our very own teachers, Ice and Gauge were able to track down a hiding camper to demonstrate their life-saving skills. Thank you Kerrie, Ice, and Gauge!

Would you like to explore your relationship with the forest environment? Join this group to take a sensory focused forest walk followed by 15 minutes of quiet meditation on the bank of the Neshaminy. Feel the calming effects! Led by Barb Enger, Certified Yoga Instructor and Pennsylvania Master Naturalist candidate.

As firefly season draws to a close and we see the twinkling in our forests dwindle, we'd like to take a moment to appreciate these incredible bioluminescent insects. To learn more, check out the blog post on our website!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for our Fall Harvest Sampler! Help support environmental education and conservation in our local community with four different sponsor levels to choose from. Visit the link in our bio for more information!

Last chance to get your kids into one of the best summer camps around! We have openings available for Fledgling Flock (ages 3-5) Sessions 7-9 and Rangers (Gr 3-5) Sessions 6-8. Head to the Summer Camp link in our bio to find out more and to register today.

It's that time of year again! The lake view from our bridge is about to be framed by shades of pink as the Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) blooms 🌺 Don't miss it!

Join us on Friday, September 27th from 7-10 pm for our annual Fall Harvest Sampler. Held on the beautiful shores of Lake Galena, this annual celebration and fundraiser includes live music, silent auction, raffle, door prizes, and an extraordinary selection of craft beers expertly paired with tasty seasonal foods and desserts served by B&B Beverages and Penn Taproom. This festive event is brought to you by the Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center and sponsored by the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation. Revenue from the event helps sustain environmental education and conservation at Peace Valley Nature Center. To learn more and register for tickets or to become a sponsor, visit the link in our bio.

📣ANNOUNCEMENT 📣 The Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation wants YOUR input! Our Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space project has begun...what does that mean 🤷🏻‍♀️? It means we are planning for the future of County parks, pools, tennis centers, open space, nature centers, playgrounds, historic sites, trails, facilities, and more! We have ✌️asks - 1) Take the survey, your opinion is important to us! 2) Share this post with your friends, family, sports leagues, religious groups, senior centers, EAC’s, volunteer organizations, wherever you're in community! Click the link in our bio for more information and to take the survey today. #buckscountyparkplan #buckscountyparksandrecreation

Yesterday the Board of Commissioners presented the Department with a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month. If you enjoy any of the many facilities and properties of Bucks County Parks and Recreation, it's these folks (and many others) who make it all possible! Happy Parks and Rec Month from all of us at Peace Valley Nature Center! #parksandrecreationmonth #buckscountyparks #peacevalleynaturecenter #peacevalleypark

Stay cool!

Down at Wood’s Pond, these striking dragonflies were dipping and darting all around us - we even saw one lay eggs in the water! This particular dragonfly is a Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), but did you know that all dragonflies spend the first part of their life cycle under water? Dragonflies lay their eggs in or very near to water, and the larval stage emerges from those eggs. Dragonfly larva spend their days in water feeding on other aquatic insects like mosquito larva. When matured, the larva grow wings and emerge from the water ready for their terrestrial chapter! #insects #dragonflies #peacevalleynaturecenter #pondlife #buckscountyparksandrecreation

Let’s honor the summer’s favorite camping snack by celebrating National S’mores Day at PVNC! We’ll gather around the campfire to share stories and s’mores along the shore of Lake Galena. Please bring a lawn chair. Register through the events link in our bio.

Happy 4th of July & Independence Day! The Bald Eagle was chosen in 1782 to adorn the Great Seal of the United States due to its long standing association with strength. Unfortunately, between the late 1800s and 1960, America's powerful national bird faced the threat of extinction when nesting pairs dropped from 100,000 to less than 400. Largely due to habitat destruction and the use of the pesticide DDT which contaminated their prey, the Bald Eagle was placed on the endangered species list in 1978. Subsequent federal wildlife protections and regulations of DDT allowed the Bald Eagle population to recover and their status was changed from endangered to threatened in 1995, then removed from the threatened list in 2007. Today, the Bald Eagle represents a great success of the environmental movement in the United States. Protecting America's wildlife and natural history is patriotic, today and every day! Photo by Lynne Falterbauer Information from Elizabeth Nix of The History Channel #baldeagle #baldeagle #eagle #eagles #4thofJuly #4thofjuly #July4th #july4th #IndependenceDay #independenceday #independence #freedom #conservation

A ring was found in our Nature Play Zone yesterday morning, if you are missing a ring please email peacevalleynaturecenter@buckscounty.org

No Summer Camp this week, enjoy your holiday and we will see you the week of July 8th for session #3!

Happy International Joke Day from your friends at Peace Valley Nature Center!

On an early summer walk through Peace Valley Nature Center, you'll probably stumble upon fields of this white wildflower, commonly called Beardtongue (Penstemon Digitalis). A true pollinator powerhouse, its long blooms are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds in addition to serving as a host plant for several species of moths and butterflies. The park is buzzing with life this time of year!

Take a walk through our nature trails and you may smell something particularly fragrant this time of year. In and around our many ponds, you'll find Saururus cernuus, commonly called Lizard’s tail or water-dragon. It's a marginal aquatic perennial with heart-shaped leaves and whispy white blooms in mid to late summer. Be sure to get close and smell these sweet blooms!

The Full Moon Walk series is your opportunity to explore the park after dark! This educational walk is all about our closest celestial neighbor, how it affects life on earth, and how life on the moon would feel. Register through the events link in our bio.

Looks a bit like all our campers and counselors by the end of a fun first camp week during a heat wave, soaked from playing in the creek!😛 Photo credit: Fred Rothe #creek #heatwave #camp #fishing #water #raccoon

Pair of "Bambi's" being all adorable enjoying the first days of summer! Photo credit: Fred Rothe #whitetaileddeer #deer #bambi #babydeer #babyanimals #summer #summertime

Tomorrow is the Summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the first official day of Summer. This year the solstice falls exactly on Thursday Jun 20th at 4:50 PM. At that moment, the Northern Hemisphere is most tilted toward the sun, by the maximum angle of 23.5 degrees and the south is most tilted away, by the same amount. After June 20th our days will decrease in length until the Winter solstice when we start gaining sunlight again. Many cultures celebrate the solstice by watching the first and last light (sunrise and sunset) and having a campfire with loved ones. However you celebrate, enjoy this long day!

Join us on this exciting night hike and rare opportunity to explore the park after dark! We will be in search of bats (Chiroptera) while we learn some fascinating facts about these misunderstood creatures. Inclement weather cancels the event. Register through the events link in our bio.