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
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)
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 10 a.m. 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.
