GET BACK TO NATURE
Spreading ecological awareness, fostering environmental literacy, and inspiring action.
Through a variety of educational lectures and immersive field experiences with WCT staff and other professionals, adults will gain a holistic foundation in four major conservation topics: birds and wildlife, regenerative farming, watersheds, and habitat stewardship. Students will gain a sense of ecological awareness and feel empowered to enact change in their own lives.
Ecocentric is defined as having a serious concern for environmental issues. It is a mindset that values the entire environment and all life within rather than only what is useful to humans. In other words, it is a deliberate shift toward the balance that can be achieved when we make nature our center rather than ourselves.
The human experience is heightened when we nurture our fundamental relationship with the earth. As we navigate a rapidly changing world, fighting ecological unconsciousness will be paramount to our success and sustainability as a species. Join us in this series as we learn more about the natural world and explore the actions we can all take at home to seek harmony with nature.
See our listing of ECOcentric Experiences below.
Wednesday, February 26th | 6:00-7:15 pm | RCC
Join Philadelphia Mycology Club president Sam Bucciarelli for an Introduction to Mushrooms presentation. Learn how to pinpoint identifying features of fungi, make high-quality mushroom observations, and gain a better understanding of the role fungi play in our ecosystems.
Wednesday, March 26th | 5:00-6:30 pm | RCC
In this experience, we’ll get to hear from our talented farm team about what it’s like to work on a farm within a nature preserve. We’ll learn about some of the concepts behind regenerative agriculture and the ecocentric land ethic we model at Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm. We’ll explore the parallels of how our yards can also help achieve balance and support ecosystems. Then we’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at thousands of seedlings in the greenhouse, which is where the entire growing season begins.
Saturday, April 26th | 8:00-10:00 am | RCC
Spend a morning sipping delicious bird-friendly coffee while getting up close and personal with the very birds that benefit from the preservation of tropical habitat that Smithsonian-certified coffee promotes—including warblers, orioles, thrushes, and flycatchers.
With Gryphon Coffee Co.
May 15th | 6:00-7:15 pm | RCC
In this lecture we will explore otter populations, conservation, and their vital role in nature with Director of Watershed Protection Program, Lauren McGrath. The story of the resurgence of the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is one of the great success stories of modern wildlife conservation.
May 20th | 5:00-6:30 pm | RCC
Rushton Farm Field Manager, Noah Gress, who is also one of the region's preeminent beekeepers, will lead a fascinating discussion about honey bees — their roles within the hive as a super organism and their role within an agriculture system. Attendees will get to taste fresh honey off the comb and watch a live bee colony in an observation hive.
Wednesday, June 11th | 5:00-6:30 pm | Ashbridge Preserve
Join our watershed protection team for an interactive stream walk at Ashbridge Preserve! Attendees will learn about the basics of stream ecology including the intricate interactions that occur between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
July 23rd | 5:00-7:00 pm | WCT Office
Join our stewardship staff on an in-depth tour of our premiere one-acre wildflower meadow (which was once nothing more than lawn!); we’ll identify plant species and learn about some of the pollinators, insects, and birds that depend on this habitat. Students will learn tips on how to start a meadow of their own, no matter how small.
Friday, August 22nd | 7:30-9:30 pm | RCC
Summer nights are full of wonderful creatures like bioluminescent fireflies and singing katydids. Explore the fascinating nocturnal insect world with entomologists from the Academy of Natural Sciences who will be surveying Rushton’s population of moths, beetles, flies, crickets, and more with mercury vapor lights set against white sheets.
September 15th | 5:00-6:30 pm | Rushton Woods Preserve & Farm
Join us for a 2-hour foraging workshop that will deepen your connection to the land and introduce you to the many edible and medicinal plants native to our area. This hands-on experience is designed to empower you with the knowledge of local plants, teach you how to forage ethically, and explore the Indigenous ecological wisdom that has guided humans in living in harmony with nature for generations.
October 29th | 7:00- 8:30 pm | RCC
Observe Northern Saw-whet Owl banding and experience an autumn evening on the farm! These tiny owls (no bigger than a soda can) travel through Pennsylvania in the fall in search of ideal overwintering habitat. Learn all about their ecology and conservation from our field scientists, and (hopefully) see an owl up-close.
