The meeting time for our field trips is 10:00 AM unless otherwise stated. Be prompt or you may be left behind. Be prepared for wet walking, bright sun, insects, and rain. All trips are held rain or shine. Trips usually last into the afternoon, so bring a lunch. It is advisable to email or call the field trip leader prior to the trip. For questions or suggestions for field trips, contact Jack Holt,
field trip coordinator, 1611 Smith Bridge Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, 610-459-0585 or
The 2010 field trip schedule is under development. Below are the field trips scheduled so far.
The complete schedule will be posted in spring.
January 17 (Sunday)
Botany in the Winter: Nottingham County Park, Chester County, PA
Nottingham Park, encompassing one of the largest of
Pennsylvania's State Line Serpentine Barrens, contains one of the
richest floras in southeastern Pennsylvania, including a plethora of
woody species. Our goals are first to see how many species we can
identify at this time of year using identifying marks such as buds,
bark, old leaves, and remnant fruiting material, and second to learn how
to identify plants when they are not in leaf or flower. Directions: The Park
Headquarters is 150 Park Road, Nottingham, PA 19362. We will meet in the
main parking lot. Leaders: Jack Holt and Janet Ebert, (610) 459-0585, email
March 28 (Sunday)
Spring Break Botany: Nottingham County Park, Chester County, PA
Those who skipped the January 17 trip because of the heavy rain will have another chance.
Nottingham Park, encompassing one of the largest of
Pennsylvania's State Line Serpentine Barrens, contains one of the
richest floras in southeastern Pennsylvania, including a plethora of
woody species. Our goals are first to see how many species we can
identify at this time of year using identifying marks such as buds,
bark, old leaves, and remnant fruiting material, and second to learn how
to identify plants when they are not in leaf or flower. Directions: The Park
Headquarters is 150 Park Road, Nottingham, PA 19362. We will meet in the
main parking lot. Leaders: Jack Holt and Janet Ebert, (610) 459-0585, email
April 24 (Saturday)
Stow Creek Area. Cumberland Co., NJ.
Joint trip with Torrey Botanical Society
Forested and open communities will be visited to see early blooming wildflowers, including Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), cut leaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), Virginia spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), bluets (Hedyotis caerulea), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum), Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum), golden club (Orontium aquaticum), and bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia). A sandy pine barren-like area will also be visited to see trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) and ipecac spurge (Euphorbia ipecacuanhae) in bloom. The serviceberries (Amelanchier), wood rushes (Luzula), club mosses (Lycopodium s.l.), blueberries (Vaccinium), and violets (Viola) will be critically studied. Rare species we may be able to see include swamp pink (Helonias bullata), southern twayblade (Listera australis), narrow-leaved crabapple (Malus angustifolia), adder's tongue fern (Ophioglossum pusillum), woolly groundsel (Packera tomentosa [Senecio tomentosus]), mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum), swamp cottonwood (Populus heterophylla), basket oak (Quercus michauxii), coastal azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum), and crane fly orchid (Tipularia discolor). Afterwards, trip participants are welcome to join the leaders for dinner in Fortescue at the Charlesworth Hotel restaurant (b.y.o.b). Directions: Meet at 10:00 AM at the entrance to Gum Tree Corner Wildlife Management area on County Rt. 623 (Canton Rd.) S of County Rt. 660 (Landing Rd.) and Garrison Corner and N of County Rt. 639 (Gum Tree Corner Rd.) and Gum Tree Corner (p. 67 of New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer). Leaders: Renée Brecht (cell: 856-305-3238) and Gerry Moore (work: 718-623-7332, cell: 609-432-8012). E-mails: , .
May 15 (Saturday)
Sussex Branch Trail, Sussex County, NJ
Joint trip with the Torrey Botanical Society
The Sussex Branch Trail near Andover, NJ goes through a variety of limestone-based habitats, including a wetland in an old sinkhole, limestone outcroppings, ponds, and woods. Plant diversity here is high. Our goal is to catch Ranunculus flabellaris, Trillium cernuum, and several other showy species in bloom. The rocky habitats offer Aquilegia canadensis, Arabis lyrata, and several species of Asplenium. Be prepared for soggy ground and for some bushwhacking. Bring lunch.
Directions: Meet in the parking lot of the Twin Lakes boat launch. From the south, take Route 206 north through New Jersey. Get onto interstate 80 west via the ramp on the left. After 1.8 miles, take Exit 25 to continue on Route 206 north toward Newton. After 8 miles (or 1.5 miles after passing through Andover Borough), look for Goodale Road on your right. Follow Goodale Road for about half a mile. Twin Lakes boat launch is on the left.
Leaders: David Austin, email
and Janet Novak, (215) 248-2642 home, (215) 534-6700 cell, email
June 5 (Saturday)
Note the change of time: 1 PM
Unionville Barrens, Chester County, PA
Joint field trip with the Muhlenberg Botanical Society
One of Pennsylvania's highest-quality serpentine barrens, the Unionville Barrens finally received long-sought protection in 2008 from Natural Lands Trust as part of the nearly 1,100-acre ChesLen Preserve. The grasslands and blackjack oak-post oak woodlands are remnants of a landscape managed for centuries by American Indians using fire. With fire exclusion, the species-rich serpentine grasslands have shrunk from nearly 60 acres in 1937 to less than 9 acres today. The loss in area has led to species extirpation: 16 state-listed species occur there now but 4 more seen historically are gone. N.L.T. plans to restore and maintain at least 40 acres of oak savanna. A 2005 report, "Protecting the Unionville Barrens" (available at Roger Latham's web site under Publications) describes the site's history, flora and ecology. Appendix A is a survey by Janet Ebert listing 174 vascular plant species. We will see the globally rare serpentine aster (Symphyotrichum depauperatum) and many species in flower or fruit, likely including Carex bicknellii, C. richardsonii, Deschampsia cespitosa, Dichanthelium oligosanthes, D. villosissimum, Helianthemum bicknellii, Packera anonyma, Quercus nigra and Scleria pauciflora.
Meet at 1 PM. Wear footgear suitable for wet walking. Directions: Meet at the end of Oak School Road. Type in "Oak School Rd., Kennett Square, PA" at maps.yahoo.com or maps.google.com or use the following directions.
FROM WEST (including Lancaster area) -- from U.S. 30 at Gap, turn right on Pa. 10 & go 2.1 mi., turn left on Pa. 372 & go 1.3 mi., bear right on Strasburg Rd. & go 2.5 mi., turn right on Pa. 82 & go 8.0 mi., turn left on Pa. 842 & go 1.9 mi., turn left on Glen Hall Rd. & go 0.6 mi., turn left on Oak School Rd. & go 0.2 mi.
FROM EAST (Philadelphia and western suburbs) -- on U.S. 322 (from U.S. 1 or I-95) & U.S. 202 (from I-76) just south of West Chester, turn west on Pa. 926 & go 2.8 mi., turn right on Creek Rd. & go 1.4 mi., bear left on S. Creek Rd. & go 1.1 mi., bear left on Pa. 842 & go 3.7 mi., turn right on Glen Hall Rd. & go 0.6 mi., turn left on Oak School Rd. & go 0.2 mi.
FROM NORTH (northern suburbs or Pa. Turnpike Downingtown Exit #312) -- south on Pa. 100 just south of U.S. 30, bear right on Pottstown Pike & go 3.8 mi. (it becomes North High Street), turn right on W. Chestnut St. (U.S. 322 Business Rte. W.) & go 5 blocks, turn left on N. Brandywine St. & go 1 block, turn right on W. Gay St. & go 1 block, turn left on Everhart Ave. & go 2 blocks, turn right on Pa. 842 & go 6.8 mi., turn right on Glen Hall Rd. & go 0.6 mi., turn left on Oak School Rd. & go 0.2 mi.
FROM SOUTH -- from U.S. 1 near Kennett Square, go north on Pa. 82 for 3.1 mi., turn right on Pa. 842 & go 1.9 mi., turn left on Glen Hall Rd. & go 0.6 mi., turn left on Oak School Rd. & go 0.2 mi. Leader: Roger Latham, office: 610-565-3405, email
cell phone to call only on the morning of the field trip: 484-682-9648.
June 12 (Saturday)
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Barnegat Division, Forked River and vicinity, Ocean County, NJ
Joint trip with Torrey Botanical Society
Best known as a birding hotspot, the 47,000 acre EB Forsythe Refuge is also the site of some unique coastal plant communities.
We have permission to visit areas within the Refuge that are closed to the public. One is a very diverse maple-ash-sedge swamp, where we should see at least 15 sedge species -- including a couple of oddballs -- and lots of forbs. At another site, we'll visit a savanna-like successional area where we should see bog asphodel, lingering early orchids, bladderworts, sundews, sedges, and many species of Sphagnum.
Bring insect repellent, lunch, plenty of water, and be prepared for wet walking.
Please contact leader prior to the trip if possible. Directions: Meet at 10 AM in the parking lot of the Wawa Food Market, Route 9, ca 0.9 miles south of the intersection of Route 9 and Lacey Rd in Forked River. Using Mapquest, use the destination "Wawa Food Market, 444 S. Main St., Forked River, NJ 08731," or contact the leader by phone or email for directions. Leader: Linda Kelly (732) 363-1266
.
Cell -- for use on the day of the trip ONLY -- (732) 986-4682.
August 7 (Saturday)
Maurice River, Cumberland County, NJ
Joint trip with Torrey Botanical Society
The primary emphasis of this trip will be to document the flora of a recently developed nature trail running along the Maurice River just below the Union Lake dam. Coastal woodlands (uplands and lowlands) and freshwater tidal marshes will be visited. This area has a good mix of species of pines (Pinus) and oaks (Quercus) and that will be studied. Rare species we may be able to see include estuarine beggartick (Bidens bidentoides), fringe-tree (Chionanthus virginicus), American waterwort (Elatine americana), Parker's pipewort (Eriocaulon parkeri), riverbank quillwort (Isoetes riparia), pond pine (Pinus serotina), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). If there is time, areas north of Union Lake may be visited to search for historical populations of swamp pink (Helonias bullata), New Jersey rush (Juncus caesariensis), curly grass (Schizaea pusilla), and death camas (Zigadenus leimanthoides). Directions: Meet at 10:00 AM in Waltman Park in Millville located just NW of where State Rt. 49 (Main St.) crosses the Maurice River in downtown Millville. Leaders: Renée Brecht (cell: 856-305-3238) and Gerry Moore (work: 718-623-7332, cell: 609-432-8012). E-mails: , .
October 9 (Saturday)
Sourland Mountain Preserve, Hillsborough, Somerset County, NJ
Joint trip with Torrey Botanical Society
Meet at 10 a.m. at trail head parking lot. We will explore the pipeline cut and adjacent woodlands to see what is to be found here later in the season. Bring lunch, liquids. Sturdy footwear recommended. Directions: Meet at 10 a.m. at the trail head parking lot. From 206 Northbound: Follow Route 206 through Princeton and Montgomery. Traveling up a small ramp, make a left onto Route 601. Follow Route 601 for a half mile, and make a right turn onto East Mountain Road by Carrier Foundation. Travel for one mile, and you will see the Sourland Mountain Preserve entrance sign on the left. From 206 Southbound: Follow Route 206 through Somerville and Hillsborough - approximately six miles from the Somerville Circle to Route 514 which is Amwell Road. Make a right turn onto Amwell Road and proceed two miles to East Mountain Road. Turn left onto East Mountain Road. Travel for two miles, and you will see the Sourland Mountain Preserve entrance sign on the right. Leaders: Sam Saulys (203-481-9451; email
and Karl Anderson.
