Millbrook Marsh Messenger

Box Turtle Visitor at MMNC

2011-09-29T13:28:00.008-04:00

After returning from a trip last week, the Staff at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center pulled into our parking area and look who was waiting for us on the sidewalk!

This box turtle has a very interesting life story. We actually do not know where this turtle started out, but in the spring a parent brought it to a classroom teacher, and the teacher brought it Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in a box and the turtle escaped the box! We were very distressed, not knowing if this turtle had been captive all his life and perhaps would not make it in the wild, but the turtle was nowhere to be found.

Now, imagine our surprise and delight four months later, to find the turtle on our path! We know it is the same turtle because of the blue dot on its back.

According to this article from Essex County, VA:

The shell consists of living bone and is part of the animal’s skeleton. Its backbone is attached to the inside of the carapace or upper shell. Adult box turtles are small. Their shell is only four to six inches long and has a distinctive high dome. The bony shell is covered with plates, called “scutes.” Scutes are made out of “keratin”, the same material that makes up your fingernails and hair.

Box turtles typically live in forests where there is plenty of cool shade in the summer and some sunny, open spots where turtles can warm up. The moist soil is good for digging burrows, and there is plenty of leaf litter, fallen tree branches and other woody piles where turtles can find shelter. There are other habitats or places in and around forests where box turtles also spend time. They visit streams and ponds, wetlands, where the ground is always muddy and often has a layer of water on it, and meadows, or grassy fields. Today, box turtles also use lawns, flowerbeds and backyard ponds around houses near the woods.

Most box turtles have home ranges or areas where they live their entire lives. Home ranges can be as large as 12 acres (or about 9 football fields), although they are often much smaller. Home ranges of different turtles overlap or share common space. This overlap makes it possible for turtles to meet and breed. Box turtles don’t’ reach adulthood or breeding age until their teens.

How long do wild box turtles live? We don’t know for sure. Most never reach adulthood. For the lucky ones that do, most probably live less than 50 years. However, there are records of wild box turtles living much longer, some more than 100 years!

Read the rest of this great article at http://www.essexcca.com/story/eastern-box-turtle-disappearing-gems-forest

Scientist believe that box turtles return each year to the place of their birth to breed and lay eggs. So, if you remove a box turtle to another place, it will set out to journey back, which often leads them into danger and across highways. Many do not make it back. Please never remove a box turtle from its habitat. If you see one crossing the road, please help it across in the direction it was traveling and always watch while driving, that rock might be a box turtle!

TrekEast's Davis to take Trail Break in State College at 4,500-mile mark of trek through East's wildlands

2011-07-20T09:39:00.002-04:00

See his presentation at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center on Thursday, July 21 at 7 PM in the new Spring Creek Education Building.

ClearWater Conservancy and Millbrook Marsh Nature Center will host wilderness explorer John Davis of the Wildlands Network July 21 as part of TrekEast, Davis’s 6,000-mile trip from Florida to Canada aimed at drawing attention to the remaining wild places in the Eastern U.S. and Canada and inspiring people to connect those places and preserve them.

Davis will tour wild places conserved by ClearWater Conservancy for part of the day, then share the story of his travels to with the public at a one-hour presentation and Q and A session at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center at 7 pm. Admission to the event is free.

“We are really looking forward to meeting John and learning about his journey and experiences,” said Jennifer Shuey, Executive Director of ClearWater Conservancy.

TrekEast was launched Feb. 3 when Davis set out in a kayak from Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida. The Wildlands Network vision John is sharing is that of an Eastern Wildway, a mosaic of connected habitat stretching from Florida’s Everglades to Canada’s Gaspe Peninsula—providing enough space for nature, wildlife and people to thrive.

“John’s vision of interconnected conservation lands throughout the East is just a larger scale version of what we work on every day here in Central Pennsylvania at ClearWater Conservancy,” said Shuey, tying local actions to the larger network.

Using mostly human power, Davis is hiking, paddling, cycling and skiing through the spectacular and biologically diverse Eastern Wildway. He is slogging through swamps, hiking in search of rare prairies and longleaf pine forests, paddling pristine and important rivers, exploring rich coastal marshes, climbing ancient mountains, and navigating through valleys and northern landscapes. In addition, Davis is taking “side-trips” from his charted course, in order to encounter as many critical wild places as possible.

Davis is sharing this journey with many esteemed companion trekkers as well as a variety of intriguing and important species such as: American Crocodile, manatee, bottle-nosed dolphin, oysters, black bear, Florida panther, bobwhite quail, American turkey, red-cockaded woodpeckers, elk, bison, moose, beaver, Canada lynx and more. Many times, John’s stories will be told from the perspective of these threatened creatures as he faces barriers to survival from their perspective.

While in State College, John will learn more about local efforts to conserve Galbraith Gap, Musser Gap, Millbrook Marsh, Spring Creek, and the Scotia Barrens. He will also witness the hands-on outdoor learning taking place at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

###

For more information about the Wildlands Network, visit www.wildlandsnetwork.org

For Trekeast information and links to Davis’s blogs, go to www.wildlandsnetwork.org/trekeast

For more about Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, visit www.MyMillbrookMarsh.com

For information about ClearWater Conservancy, go to www.clearwaterconservancy.org

Biscuit Jam Concert, July 8th!

2011-07-07T10:02:00.002-04:00

Music Nights at the Marsh

features

BISCUIT JAM

Friday, July 8 at 6:30 pm

at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

Biscuit Jam performs unique acoustic interpretations of classic rock favorites as well as traditional folk songs and Americana-flavored original compositions.

Bring the family, a blanket, a chair, or a picnic!

A $5 donation per person will be collected at the door to support the nature center and these great local musicians. Children under 10 yrs. are FREE! Free parking is available. In case of rain, the concert will be held inside the barn. Alcoholic beverages prohibited.

Ancient Echoes to play at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

2011-06-13T14:56:00.002-04:00

Music Nights at the Marsh
Friday, June 17 at 6:30 PM
ANCIENT ECHOES

Please join us this Friday night to hear the amazing sounds of Ancient Echoes! This band plays beautiful celtic/folk style music and have been a favorite at the MMNC Music Nights for many years! Their beautiful string instruments sound amazing in this acoustic setting (and it takes over an hour to tune over 120 strings to bring this beautiful music to you!) Rain or shine, this concert will be held inside the nature center barn. COME JOIN US!

Music Nights at the Marsh are a fun way to hear great music:
Come and enjoy beautiful music at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center! All ages are welcome! Some concerts may be outdoors, some held in the barn. A $5 per person donation will be collected at the door to support the nature center and these great local musicians! Bring the family, a blanket, a chair or a picnic! (Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on nature center property.) Free parking is available. In case of rain, call CRPR before 5 PM for information. More concerts are being planned - please check back for updates & schedules.

• Friday, June 17 6:30 PM Ancient Echoes
• Friday, June 24 6:30 PM Tussey Mtn. Moonshiners
• Friday, July 8 6:30 PM Biscuit Jam
• Friday,July 22 6:30 PM Pure Cane Sugar

Composting Workshop at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

2011-06-02T10:59:00.001-04:00

This Saturday, Dr. Gene Bazan will be leading a Composting Workshop at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center! Please join us!

Introduction to Composting Workshop (for adults)

Join Dr. Gene Bazan, leader of the popular “CRPR Organic Gardening Workshops,” to learn about creating and using your own compost. Dr. Bazan, a Penn State Master Gardener, will lead this workshop, suitable for beginners or those with experience, at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. This one hour program is for adults.

Saturday, June 4 at 10:30 AM at the MMNC Pavilion
Registration is required, please call CRPR at 814-231-3071 to register.
$5 R / $7.59 N Program #33055

Art at the Marsh

2011-05-27T13:51:00.002-04:00

Art at the Marsh
Sunday, June 5, 2011
2 - 5 pm
An Art Alliance of Central PA Event
held at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

Enjoy pastels and acrylic "paint-around" events, children's art activities, a nature-inspired art show and sale featuring Art Alliance artists, live music, and refreshments.

This fun event, an annual Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania event, is held at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center this year. This fun afternoon event is a fundraiser for the Art Alliance and a donation will be made to the nature center for use toward purchasing a hanging system for the new Spring Creek Education Building.

Tickets for the event are $20 per person or $35 for family and can be purchased through the Art Alliance of Central PA.

An Art Competition and Exhibition is also being held to showcase local artists, including three additional exhibitions at the nature center on June 9, 10, and 11.

For more information about the event and the art competition and exhibition, please visit the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania's website or call 814-234-2740.

Check out Great Summer Programs!

2011-05-27T13:49:00.002-04:00

The CRPR Active Guide for Summer 2011 is full of great program offerings throughout the community! Visit the Centre Region Parks & Recreation website for more information about camps, swimming, sports, nature center programs, and more!

2011-04-26T15:48:00.000-04:00

BIRDS & BAGLES PROGRAM

Saturday, April 30,

9 AM

at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

Join nature center staff and volunteers for this fun and educational program! Gather at 9 am for refreshments and then set out together with MMNC naturalist Justine Weber for a bird walk to look for birds and nests in the marsh. Then return to the nature center barn for a program that will focus on birds that migrate through and nest in Millbrook Marsh. Program is designed for adults and teens and will be held rain or shine. No registration is required, donations are appreciated. For more information, please contact CRPR at 231-3071 or www.crpr.org

Super Spring Programs

2011-04-26T15:43:00.002-04:00

Special thank you to all who attended and volunteered to make our Spring Special Events so popular!

The Spring Egg Scavenger Hunt attracted over 100 participants, Earth Day Birthday Event had over 500 people enjoying the days activities, including the Grand Opening and Dedication of the Spring Creek Education Building! Pictures coming soon!

Spring Egg Scavenger Hunt

2011-04-07T21:54:00.003-04:00

Please join us this Sunday for the first ever "Spring Egg Scavenger Hunt" at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center! Our visitors tell us they really enjoy scavenger hunts, so we hope to bring you more. Come and enjoy spring this Sunday with this fun activity! Hope to see you there!

SPRING EGG SCAVENGER HUNT

Sunday, April 10, 2-4 PM at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Get in the mood for Easter with this kid-based, eco-friendly scavenger hunt! Families will work together in the marsh to find (but not disturb) real birds nests, learn about birds that live at Millbrook Marsh, examine replica bird eggs and guess what they are, explore the marsh for signs of spring, and have a fun time together doing it! This event is free but donations are appreciated. Advance registration is not required.

World Wetlands Day - Postponed

2011-02-01T15:08:00.003-05:00

The World Wetlands Day Program at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center (scheduled for 2 Feb 2011) has been postponed until Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 2 pm due to the weather. (Registration is required for this program, please pre-register.)

World Wetlands Day is celebrated around the world on February 2 - a very cold time of year at MMNC - and was started by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. For more information on this day or the Ramsar Convention, click here.

If you would like to join us for this walk on Saturday, please contact Centre Region Parks & Recreation at 231-3071 or register online at www.crpr.org.

Winter Walk at MMNC

2011-01-21T15:46:00.004-05:00

On Wednesday morning, I went for a walk through the marsh to check on things and because it was a "warm" morning (in the 30's felt warm after the recent low temps). There was a deep layer of snow, so as I crunched my way down the path I most likely scared away some critters. I was able to see a lot of birds, though, which was great: cardinal, red-tailed hawk, blue jays, king fisher, mallard ducks and a mockingbird! As I walked, I also saw tracks from lots of dogs and people, deer tracks (on the paths AND the boardwalk) and lots of rabbit tracks. One intrepid rabbit hopped up onto the low side rails on the boardwalk and the hopped back down. (See photo). I also encountered four ladies who were dressed for the weather (with walking sticks) and enjoying the morning also. We had a lovely chat about the birds and a cardinal perched right next to us so we could admire his color! Despite the cold temps, the beaver has been very busy also. We're excited to see what kinds of frogs, salamanders and other reptiles/amphibians are attracted to the flooded areas upstream from the dam in the spring. Sounds like a great thing to check out on one of the Full Moon Walks! Thanks for reading!

Beaver at Work!

2011-01-13T15:11:00.004-05:00

In summer 2010, a Beaver was spotted in Millbrook Marsh and built a small dam on Bathgate Spring Run near the boardwalk. This was a great educational tool during programs because visitors can see the chewed sticks and twigs and view the dam.

Recently, two beavers have started creating a larger dam along Slab Cabin Run and several chewed trees near the boardwalk are visible! Beaver activity in the marsh is a very exciting indicator that the Millbrook Marsh habitat is healthy. CRPR staff is working to protect this area for the beavers and to monitor their activity.

Next time you visit the marsh, you will see "Beaver Work Zone" signs like these. Visitors are asked to view the beaver dam from the boardwalk and never disturb the beavers or this habitat. If you're interested in learning more about beavers, information can be found on these websites: Wiki and E-nature. If you have any questions, please contact the Nature Center Recreation Supervisor at Centre Region Parks & Recreation: 814-231-3071 or mhetrick@crcog.net.

Progress continues on the SCEB

2011-01-06T15:04:00.005-05:00

The construction on the Spring Creek Education Building continues! Most of the siding has been added to the outside and inside the walls are completed and painting has begun.

Mark you calendar for April 17, 2011 at 3 PM, during the Earth Day Birthday Event, for the Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony of the Spring Creek Education Building! The building will be available for rentals and programs after this date, so please visit the website or give us a call at Centre Region Parks & Recreation to learn more about it!

2010-12-28T14:14:00.004-05:00

Happy Holidays from

Centre Region Parks & Recreation
And Millbrook Marsh Nature Center!

Sunset Sky

2010-11-23T10:51:00.002-05:00

This beautiful photo from Andrew Leslie, taken at the closing of the Historic Harvest Festival, shows the Spring Creek Education Building, under construction at MMNC, at sunset.

Historic Harvest Festival

2010-11-23T10:41:00.004-05:00

The Historic Harvest Festival, held on November 7, 2010, was a big hit with the community. Over 500 people came out, despite the cold weather, to enjoy the day!

Students from Penn State's RPTM 356 Event Planning class worked hard during the semester to plan and prepare this event.

Student volunteers also volunteered during the event, dressed in period clothing.

Always a favorite at events, the Giant Rabbits (pets of Joe Jovinelly) came to the event and visitors loved them.

Photos were taken by student Andrew Leslie. Special thank you to all who made this day a success!

Construction at MMNC

2010-11-02T14:37:00.005-04:00

Progress continues on the Spring Creek Education Building at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center! The roof panels were delivered and installed last week. Currently the windows and doors are being installed. Please drive by the site to see all the exciting progress on this building.

To see more photos of the progress so far, please visit the CRPR Photo Gallery.

Other "New" construction at the nature center is being completed in the marsh on the stream by a beaver!

Staff suspects that this beaver is the same who built the small dam on Bathgate Run last year. If you're visiting the marsh, please stop (on the boardwalk) and view the construction. Please respect the beaver, the marsh, and remain on the boardwalk and do not disturb the Beaver Habitat. Thank you!

Bald Eagles at Millbrook Marsh?

2010-10-14T10:51:00.002-04:00

Thanks to all the folks who are calling in - no, you are not crazy! We have seen a Bald Eagle floating and flying near Millbrook Marsh Nature Center several times now. The first sighting was at Spring Creek Day (Oct 3) and we've had several sighting and calls since them. Yes, its very exciting!

The volunteer who does the bird list for MMNC, Nan, said the eagles are migrating, so its more common to see them this time of year. Some of you asked if they will be staying and nesting - we doubt it, this is just them traveling.

Here is an interesting article on ebird about this migration season: http://ebird.org/content/pa/news/pennsylvania-sees-raptor-migration-milestones

Happy Birding this fall!

The Spring Creek Education Building

2010-10-14T10:40:00.002-04:00

Construction on the Spring Creek Education Building started in April 2010 and is on schedule. Currently the foundation is complete, the framing has begun and the roof is coming up next!

Next time you visit Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, stop by the fence and have a look at the construction on Phase I of the building.

Donations are still being accepted for the completion of Phase II. If you are interested in supporting the building, please contact us at the Centre Region Parks & Recreation office at 231-3071 (Ask for Molly).

More information about the building is available on the website at www.MyMillbrook Marsh.org or click here.

Early Morning Bird Walks

2010-09-21T11:46:00.002-04:00

It was pretty chilly this morning, but six people met and walked the boardwalk at 8 am to look for birds. We saw some other interesting critters also!

American Robin
Goldfinch
Phoebe
Catbird
Blue Jay
Cardinal
Kingfisher
Yellow Warbler
Crow
Song Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Mallard Duck

Plus two deer very close to us, walking through the meadow!

Later in the morning, the Knee High Naturalist kids saw a huge praying mantis, fish in the stream, and a hawk who flew directly over us (after we had just finished talking about the mouse puppet - perfect connection into food chains!!)

There are two more Early Morning Birdwalks coming up (9/28 + 10/5) and Knee High Naturalist programs still planned for 9/22, 9/28, and 9/29). Visit www.crpr.org for more information!

Music Concerts

2010-09-21T11:44:00.003-04:00

Friday, Sept 17th was another amazing performance by "Dreams and Boans" for the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center "Music at the Marsh" series. The weather was a tad chilly but people came out and it was a great evening of music and visiting. Please watch the website and the CRPR ActiveGuides for more information in Spring 2011 when we start "Music at the Marsh" up again for the season! Thank you to all who attended and the great musicians!

Nature Adventures Art Camp

2010-07-06T14:20:00.003-04:00

This was the first year that CRPR offered the "Nature Adventures Art Camp" at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center! It was a wonderful week, filled with adventures, fun, and a "Fear No Art" attitude!

6 campers joined local artist Susan Nicholas Gephart to spend five days exploring "en plein air" painting. They used water colors, pastels, and pencil to create images from the marsh. Daily trips into the marsh provided exciting adventures (plus loss of shoes and water bottles), the naming of the large green frog (now called Talluleh!), and many opportunties for great art!

Special thank you to Susan for a fabulous week of great art at the nature center!

Great Weekend at MMNC

2010-06-21T09:43:00.002-04:00

What a great weekend we had at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center!

Friday night, almost 60 people joined us to hear music by "Dreams & Bones" at the nature center barn! It was a beautiful night, the music was fantastic, and it was a very enjoyable time!

Saturday night, 16 couples came to enjoy the Romantic Moonlight Walk! We had a short rain shower but otherwise, it was a beautiful night! Couples enjoyed walking on the lantern lit boardwalk, stopped under the kissing tree (where hershey kisses waited), made wishes in the wishing well, wrote love notes, had a toast, and other enjoyable, fun activities created by staff along the walk.

One couple got out of their car and were greeted by staff with "Hello! Are you here for the Romantic Walk?" They hesitated only a minute and the man said "Yes". So, we said "Great, we'll give you a quick introduction on what to expect and you can get on your way to enjoy the walk."

Turns out, they were visiting from out of town, had NO idea there was an event that evening, and thought we said "Are you here for A Romantic Walk?" (to which they answered, in surprise, yes, wondering how we knew that they were here to walk and spend some time together in a quiet setting!). We all had a great laugh about that when they returned from their walk. Luckily, they often stay at the Hilton Garden Inn and were delighted with their first visit to Millbrook Marsh and assured us they'll be back again!

Please join us on July 2 for the next "Music Nights at the Marsh" to hear the band "ESP"!

Music Nights at the Marsh

2010-06-05T15:16:00.002-04:00

Please join us for the first of five Music Nights at the Marsh!

Friday, June 11, 2010
6:30 PM
"Green River Ramblers" will perform
Traditional Bluegrass Music
$5 donation requested, kids under 10 free

For more information, visit the CRPR website or click here.

Romantic Moonlight Walk - POSTPONED

2010-05-07T11:03:00.002-04:00

The Romantic Moonlight Walk at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center has been POSTPONED due to the weather forecast. This event has been rescheduled to Saturday June 19 at 8:30 PM at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. All other details remaing the same. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will join us on Fathers Day Weekend (Sat June 19) for this event!

The Groundbreaking Ceremony

2010-04-27T10:55:00.004-04:00

During the Earth Day Birthday Event, we also celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Spring Creek Education Building. Many of our supporters and donors attended this short ceremony.

Sue Mascolo, Chair of the Centre Regional Recreation Authority, welcomed the group and recognized those in attendance who supported this project. Dr. Rick Marboe, Chair of the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee, spoke about the project and the future plans for the building.

Jennifer Shuey, Jackie Melander, and Diane Kerly, all Advisory Committee Members, passed out programs and acted as hosts for the event. Holly Fritchman was in charge of the shoveling crew and the hard hats.

The Groundbreaking itself included shovelers Dave Fryer, of Chair of COG General Forum; Don Hamer, Campaign Chair and Donor; Jon Eich, Centre County Commissioner; and Sue Mascolo, Chair - Centre Regional Recreation Authority.

Click HERE for information about the Spring Creek Education Building and the project.

(Photos by Dick Mascolo)

Earth Day Birthday Event

2010-04-23T16:15:00.002-04:00

Special thank you to all who attended the Earth Day Birthday event and the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Sunday, April 18th - 450 people total, despite the cool weather and the sprinkles of rain!

People who visited had lots of fun, such as:

visiting the giant rabbits
getting faces painted
listening to music
watching the puppeteer show
meeting the skunk at the Centre Wildlife Care booth
eating Earth Day Birthday cake
creating caterpillars out of egg cartons
exploring the marsh on a scavenger hunt
playing the recycling relay
viewing critters at the stream study
meeting the birds at the Shavers Creek display
learning about solar power with Sun Directed
learning about compostable housewares with Green Irene
and lots more!

This event was planned by PSU RPTM 356 students who are learning event planning through this class.

Photos coming soon!

2010-04-15T17:46:00.002-04:00

Please be our guest for the
Groundbreaking Ceremony
for the

Spring Creek Education Building
at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
on Sunday, April 18, 2010, 3:30 PM

Held at the future site of the building, next to the barn

Please e—RSVP to http://tinyurl.com/rsvp-MMNC

The ceremony will be held rain or shine.

We look forward to seeing you!

To learn more about the Spring Creek Education Building,

please visit
http://www.crpr.org/Millbrook/SCEB/Intro.html

Centre Region Parks & Recreation ...“Where Everyone Plays!”

The 4th Annual Earth Day Birthday

2010-03-29T14:12:00.003-04:00

EARTH DAY BIRTHDAY EVENT
Sunday, 18 Apr 2010, 2 - 5 PM

Celebrate Earth Day at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Great fun for the whole family! FREE! Come enjoy an afternoon of fun and learning! Visit displays from local environmental organizations, enjoy kids activities and crafts, food, games, and more! Earth Day Birthday is an enjoyable time for all ages and open to the public for no charge, rain or shine. This event is planned by PSU Recreation, Parks & Tourism Management students as a class project.

CRPR Summer Camp Registration starts Feb 1!

2010-01-29T15:42:00.002-05:00

Please visit the CRPR website to review all the great SUMMER CAMPS offered for Summer 2010!

Details and prices are available now at www.crpr.org.

Registration begins Monday, February 1st.

Click here to view Registration options.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-12T14:55:00.002-05:00

Its time to start thinking about your plans for 2010!

Remember, the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Picnic Pavilion and Barn are great places to hold family picnics, casual business meetings, student gathers, and more! To reserve the pavilion or the barn, contact Centre Region Parks & Recreation at 231-3071 or visit our website at http://www.crpr.org/.

***Remember, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center does great Birthday Parties for Children!***

State College Christmas Bird Count

2009-12-28T10:43:00.003-05:00

The State College Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on Dec 26, 2009, despite cold temperatures and a light rain. Here are the birds that were counted in Millbrook Marsh Nature Center:

Red-tailed Hawk-1
Cooper's Hawk-1
Rock Pigeon-2
Mourning Dove-7
Belted Kingfisher-1
Blue Jay-2
American Crow-17
Black-capped Chickadee-8
Carolina Wren-3
Northern Mockingbird-2
American Tree Sparrow-4
Northern Cardinal-5
House Sparrow-8

This is the 110th CBC. The first one ever was held in 1900. There are counts all over the world; Antarctica had its first CBC last year. Each count is done within a circle 15 miles in diameter. The State College count has been held each year since 1941. Click the words for more information about the Christmas Bird Count.

Special thanks to Nan Butkovich for this information and for braving the weather to participate in this count on the 26th!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2009-12-21T16:41:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays

to you
from all of us at
Centre Region
Parks & Recreation!

Have a happy and safe

holiday season!

See you next year!

End of Year 2009

2009-12-15T14:42:00.002-05:00

2009 was such a great year for the nature center!

Check out these statistics:

* During 2009, the nature center hosted 10,301 program visits, a 6% increase from 2008, and the first time ever over 10,000!

* This count includes 3,741 visitors from six different school districts!

* 123 volunteers contributed a total of 1,828 hours during 2009 at a value of $25,592 (@ $14/hr), which helps to keep staff costs low.

* 9 Seasonal, Part-Time Program Leaders, 2 Summer Interns, and 1 Seasonal Part-Time Program Coordinator were employed during 2009 to provide educational programs, camps, and other activities at the nature center.

Thanks to all who helped us make 2009 a Great Year! Please watch the website for the CRPR Winter-Spring Active Guide information online or in the CDT on Sunday, January 3, 2010. Registration begins January 4 for Winter Spring Programs!

HISTORIC HARVEST FESTIVAL

2009-11-02T13:20:00.007-05:00

**750 people visited MMNC for this event - our biggest turn out ever! Thanks to all who made this event such a success!

Join us on Sunday, November 8, 2009 from 2 - 5 pm for the 7th Annual Historic Harvest Festival at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center!

For the seventh year, we will offer this fun, family friendly event! Visit displays and demonstrations - including historic toy demonstrations - as well as games, crafts, and a nature walk! Watch a puppeteer, listen to music from the Kalob Griffen Band, pet the Giant Rabbits, and MORE!

This is a great event - you will not want to miss!

Please join us - rain, snow, or shine! (Forecasts says "Shine" for now!)

If you have any questions, please contact Centre Region Parks & Recreation at 231-3071. This event is being planned by PSU Recreation, Parks & Tourism Management students, with supervisor and guidance from the MMNC Recreation Supervisor, Molly Hetrick, and the PSU RPTM 356 Instructor, Kathleen Raupauch.

Wonderful Wetlands Camp

2009-08-25T15:49:00.004-04:00

Wonderful Wetlands Camp is truly the crowning glory of the whole summer! Its the very last camp of the season, its the biggest camp we do at MMNC, and its the final project for the Summer Interns to plan ALL the activities during this camp week!

This year, Wetlands Camp was better than ever! We had great leaders, great campers, and a fantastic crew of guest speakers, including volunteers who taught the "Green Ambassadors" training and the Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers!

Kids participated in daily teambuilding activities that helped them bond and become more connected with their leaders. Below is a picture of a fierce tug-o-war game: Team A (left) won the first round on their own, then we added in the Leaders and Team A won again!

The final round, they added ME (the not very muscular supervisor) to the Team B side, though I was skeptical it would really do any good! It was a close call but a little extra weight from Intern Justin (pictured - center) helped Team B finally win a round! All were happy and celebrated with popsicles!

Kids also enjoyed "Special Places" a journaling activity that has them return to the same spot each day to think, rest, write in their journal, and study how nature changes.

Campers hiked to Spring Creek Park to catch stream critters and understand the importance of clean water.

We also had a visit from Justin's father, Mr. Plank, who brought his box turtles and gave us a great program on raising and protecting box turtles!

And much much more! Watch for more pictures to come from Wetlands Camp and the "Moments at the Marsh" Art Gallery!

Calling all Artists & Photographers!

2009-07-21T14:04:00.003-04:00

"Moments of the Marsh"

Art and Photography Show

Saturday, Aug 8, 2009

6 pm - 9 pm

Light Refreshments Offered

Come and view art and photographs that have a Millbrook Marsh Nature Center theme! Some items will be available for view, others will be on a silent auction!
Please join us between 6 and 9 pm for this fun event, planned by Lana Conrad, PSU Environmental Studies student and MMNC Summer Intern! (Help make Lana's special program a success!)

**Art and Photographs are needed for display during this event! If you have any marsh themed art or photos (preferably framed), please contact Lana at lmc313@psu.edu or via cell at 814-935-4549. Items can also be donated to MMNC for the silent auction!**

A New Resident!

2009-06-23T14:35:00.004-04:00

In May, the staff reported someone (kids?) was filling little Bathgate stream with twigs and sticks, which was causing the water to back up. They removed it two days in a row -- only to find it returned every morning!

On the third day, we removed a large sapling and discovered the tell-tale marks of a beaver chew on the end of the sapling. A BEAVER?! We have no record of beavers in the marsh area at all, only farther downstream in Spring Creek.

This was VERY exciting and we've been watching for the past month as this industrious beaver creates a dam of twigs and sticks gathered (not all chewed) from the marsh, plus mud, watercress, leaves, corn husks (??), and other items.

The construction is next to the boardwalk, easily viewed by visitors, and a great educational teaching tool for staff and visitors! Nature center staff are monitoring the impact the dam has on the upstream area, but since its mostly meadow area there, the impact has been low so far.

Two neighbors have reported seeing the beaver, a mostly nocturnal animal. Since beavers are also very shy, we hope to keep human/dog/beaver interactions to a minimum.

If you visit the marsh at dusk, move quietly on the boardwalk to the place where Bathgate stream goes under the boardwalk and look to the right. Please never disturb wild animals, just observe.

Pictures are welcome! Here is one taken early in the construction (above). Please click the word BEAVER above (or click here) for the link to a beaver info page. They are fascinating creatures!

Another animal that enjoys the marsh can be viewed in the second photo!

This is a Northern Water Snake, sometimes mistaken as a Copperhead or Cottonmouth, but not poisonous. (Its always best not to handle wild snakes, just observe).

Black Crowned Night Heron at MMNC

2009-06-23T14:23:00.004-04:00

Hello Readers!

Wow, has it been a long time since I added to our blog! We've been too busy with spring programs and preparing for Spring to do much blogging, but here are some great photos I want to share with you!

In April, the new Spring Staff members were spending time on the boardwalk preparing for school groups when they noticed a large bird in a tree near Bathgate Springs. We were gawking and looking when a friendly couple came along with binos and a camera.

Lucky for us, because what we were seeing was a Black Crowned Night Heron - an endangered species in PA!

It stayed for about four days, to the excitement of the birding community, then moved on.

Winter Scenes

2009-01-22T10:56:00.007-05:00

Special thank you to Dr. Robert Brooks, who provided these amazing photos from a winter walk through MMNC on Sunday, Jan 18th!

All photos: Robert P. Brooks Images

MMNC Update!

2009-01-16T15:03:00.003-05:00

Hello Readers!

My goal is to update the blog every Friday, so in considering an update for today, I thought it would be nice to update you on some of the exciting things going on at MMNC:

~ The MMNC Advisory Committee has formed a "Building Subcommittee" to review the plans for the proposed Spring Creek Education Building and keep this project moving forward! On Wednesday, the subcommittee met with the architect and we are all feeling very excited and positive about this project!

~ The Building Fund Campaign is still ongoing! We continue to contact local legislators for support in obtaining the state's funding release ($1.25 million was pledged to the center in 2004). So far the campaign has raised $1,039,655 locally and plans to proceed with Phase One of the Spring Creek Education Building in 2009. But in order to do Phase Two, we need additional support and the release of the state funding, so please help if you can!

~ Program registrations for the Winter/Spring Programs began in January and is ongoing! Centre Region Parks & Recreation has great Winter/Spring Programs and you can now register online! Check it out!

~ MMNC will very soon be advertising upcoming employment positions, so please watch the Help Wanted section on the CRPR website or the MMNC Employment & Volunteer page.

~ Scheduling for school group programs for Spring 2009 has begun! I met with SCASD this week to schedule their Kindergarten and Primary trips for Spring, and had the opportunity to meet with elementary educators in the Bald Eagle Area School District to share information about attending MMNC program. Next week, I will meet with Bellefonte educators as well! All groups - small and large - are welcome. Please check out out the Group Program information!

~ I had the pleasure of participating in the Bellefonte Elementary School RIF (Reading is Fundamental) program this past Tuesday. Throughout the day, a total of 400 kids came through the auditorium and participated in 10-minute programs with me, before picking out a free RIF book to take home. We talked about the nature center, looked at a bear skull, talked about skunks and beavers, looked at Native American artifacts, and touched the snake skin. Kids who had attended programs at MMNC in the Fall or last Spring got some quiz questions from me -- and they did great! I was delighted to see how much they had learned and remembered!

While MMNC is under a blanket of snow right now, we are busy as can be getting ready for the upcoming program season. Please visit the website and join us for programs!

Visitor at MMNC: Castor Canadensis

2009-01-09T14:41:00.012-05:00

Happy New Year!

I am very excited to share these photos with you all. A marsh walker spotted a tree near the marsh which appears to be chewed by a beaver!

This is especially exciting because beavers are generally not present at Millbrook Marsh.

I have been told in the past that beavers are not common in the marsh area because it is lacking the food source they prefer and the water is not very deep.

Beavers do live farther downstream in Spring Creek and one very large beaver was reported hit by a car on College Avenue, near the College Township Building, several years ago.

So - what does this mean!?

Visitors often think they see beavers in the marsh, but we actually have several families of muskrats. So far, this has turned out to be what visitors are spotting.

In this case, there is little doubt that a beaver chewed this tree. Dr. Brooks, who represents the Cooperative Wetlands Center on the MMNC Advisory Committee and is our go-to-guy with Wetlands questions, tells me that beavers are usually just "passing through" the marsh, but that evidence has been seen there in the past.

Most likely, this was a juvenile beaver who is passing through the area.

Beavers can cause changes, so the MMNC staff will be monitoring any other beaver activity. Beavers, as you know, can dam up waterways, which would change the ecology of the marsh streams and the areas that flood. One solution, if a dam is created, is to install "Beaver Pipes", which allow the water to still flow through the beaver dam.

In the meantime, the prospect of being able to add education about beavers and beaver dams to our educational curriculum is very exciting! :) (We also have a dried beaver foot in the barn, on display, but it did not come from the marsh!)

If you are interested in learning more about beavers, as I am, Enature.com has some great info:

BEAVER

Thanks for reading today! We'll keep you posted.

Photos from the Historic Harvest Festival

2008-12-09T12:12:00.007-05:00

Here are some great photos from the Historic Harvest Festival!

Many thanks for the PSU RPTM students from the Event Planning class who put so much time and effort into making this event a success!

Daria (above), one the PSU planners, holds Nadia - a Flemish Giant Rabbit! These rabbits have been a main attraction at MMNC events for years. Special thanks to Joe Jovinelly for bringing his "kids" (rabbits) to visit us!

Below, a young visitor checks out Nadia... looks like she is checking him out too!

Amy (below), a student from PSU RPTM Cultural Interpretation class, prepared and presented a display for visitors on the uses of corn husks in colonial times. The class had six students who all researched and prepared cultural displays related to the topic of corn. Their period costumes were great too!

Visitors also learned about Alpacas from Bald Eagle Alpaca Farms. They were very soft and fuzzy to touch!

Photo of the Month

2008-11-21T15:44:00.002-05:00

Readers of the Town & Gown's November 2008 Issue may have seen the beautiful photo of the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center boardwalk, taken by Cristiane Dornbusch. It is a breath-taking photo of an early morning scene at the marsh.

Look at these photos and more on Cristiane's website: www.crisdornbusch.com

(Special thanks to Cristiane, who gave us permission to use her website and said she thinks Millbrook is a wonderful place!)

Harvest Fest a Great Success!

2008-11-21T15:41:00.007-05:00

Thank you to all who attended or participated in the Historic Harvest Festival! It was the nature center's biggest turn out ever with just over 600 people! We had a super day with music, dancing, storytelling, animals, displays, demos, games, crafts, and more!

Mark your calendar for the next big event at Millbrook Marsh:

Earth Day Birthday
April 19, 2009 from 2 - 5 pm

Join Us at Historic Harvest Festival - Sun, Nov 2 !

2008-10-30T15:04:00.001-04:00

Centre Region Parks & Recreation presents
The Historic Harvest Festival
November 2, 2008
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
614 Puddintown Road, College Township

Old Fashioned Displays and Demonstrations, Homemade Goods, Corn Husk Dolls, Nature Walks, Live Music by The Tussey Mountain Moonshiners and Murphy’s Junction,
Crafts and Games, Square Dancing, and much more …

Free Admission
For more information contact
Centre Region Parks & Recreation
at 814-231-3071 or visit www.crpr.org

This event is being planned and implemented by Penn State Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management 356 students in collaboration with the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

Whats Happening At Millbrook Marsh?

2008-09-22T11:03:00.002-04:00

Hello Readers!

Apologies that no new posts have been appearing on the blog! The good news is that things have been BUSY BUSY at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center! We closed up a fabulous summer and have been working hard to get things prepared for Fall, including:

>Scheduling School Group Field Trips
>Scheduling Scout Programs
>Offering fun Family Programs like Knee High Naturalists, Family Fun Hikes, and more!
>Assisting ClearWater Conservancy with Spring Creek Day preparations (9/28 at 12 noon)
>Preparing for Historic Harvest Festival (11/2 at 2 pm)

Things are really hopping at the nature center! Please visit the Centre Region Parks & Recreation website to read about all our great programs!

Mystery Photo Answer...

2008-09-22T11:02:00.002-04:00

This mystery photo is the head of a Teasel plant, taken close up before the tiny purple flowers bloomed.

MYSTERY PHOTO

2008-07-30T16:23:00.006-04:00

WHAT is THAT?

Please post a COMMENT if you have a guess what this is!

Answer will be posted in a few days...

MMNC Summer Staff

2008-07-30T16:08:00.005-04:00

The staff at MMNC this summer did a greeeeeeaaaaattttt job with programs and camps! Today, we visited our friends at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center to learn more about their internship program and share ideas about summer camps, as we prepare for Wonderful Wetlands Camp at MMNC in August.

Here is a photo of the staff, taken by a crazy Shaver's Creek-er, at the entrance to the Lake Trail at SCEC.

Above from left: Tye (Summer Intern), Jen (Seasonal Program Coordinator), Molly (Recreation Supervisor), and Janet (Summer Intern).

Special thanks to Doug Wentzel for hosting us (excellent lunch and great information!) and to Sparrowhawk for letting us observe his camp station (below at Perez Meadow - formerly Lake Perez at Stone Valley).

Baby Snapper Hatch at MMNC

2008-07-22T11:33:00.005-04:00

In early April, we saw the large adult snapping turtles in the marsh become more active and spend a lot of time in the grassy fields and traveling -- we helped a few across the road; only one was so massive that we could not approach or lift her!

(Special note -- do NOT handle snapping turtles unless you have been trained and are familiar with their habits. Most around here seem to be fairly docile, so do not be afraid of these fascinating creatures, just stay back out of biting range.)

Early April is mating time for Snappers, so this explains the movement we saw. Females move onto land to lay eggs, often returning to the same place each year. They lay between 20 - 50 eggs on land. When the babies hatch, they instinctively head for water.

The kids at the Marsh Monday program yesterday (July 21) got a special treat when someone spotted a baby snapper in the water! Naturalist Jen Watts-Mattise waded into the water to get it so that Marsh Monday kids and the Fly Fishing for Youth Campers could all see it.

According the Jen, this little guy (pictured) was about the size of an Oreo Cookie! Baby Snappers have very soft shells and have to be handled carefully. This one is probably a couple weeks old, based on his size, although this is an early hatch (they usually hatch late summer). Raccoons like to eat them while their shells are soft!

Click this link to learn more about Snapping Turtles at Enature.com.

Summer is Here!

2008-06-27T11:05:00.003-04:00

Hello Readers!

We closed up a successful spring, full of great school field trips and family activities, and are now busy with summer!

The first Canoe Camp for Youth started this week and the participants had a great time (with only a few showers) learning paddling at Black Moshannon, Spring Creek, Bald Eagle Creek, Bald Eagle State Park, and the Little Juniata River.

The photo here shows Camp Instructor Joan Geleskie demonstrating paddle strokes and the way a canoe moves with these strokes. Many students in the camp are completing the Boy Scout Canoe Badge as part of this camp.

Upcoming is the Fly Fishing Camp for Youth, offered for the seventh year with Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the brand new "Youth Fly Fishing for Bass" camp, offered with PA Fish and Boat Commission. Space is still availabe in the Bass camp, so visit http://www.crpr.org/ for more information!

Romantic Moonlight Walk - A Great Event!

2008-05-21T15:12:00.003-04:00

The Romantic Moonlight Walk was a great success with 28 people who came to walk the candle-lit boardwalk. Along the way, couples stopped at the "Kissing Tree" (Hershey Kisses), dabbed some "Love Potion" behind the ears, had a toast (non-alcoholic, of course), pulled a fortune out of a basket, and stopped at a table to write a love note... as well as just strolling together and enjoying the beautiful evening!

One of the visiting couples, Lindsay and Jason, said:
"We went to the Millbrook Marsh Moonlight Walk on Saturday, which, if you did not make it out there, was absolutely wonderful. There was not only no rain but there were little activities along the walk, which made for a great addition to the evening. It was one of the best date activities we have ever done, and one of the best things we have ever gotten to do in the area at all. What a special evening!"

Mark your calendar for next year - its always the Saturday of Mother's Day Weekend!

Kids "Smell the Sunshine" at MMNC

2008-05-02T09:15:00.001-04:00

Submitted by Jennifer, Program Coordinator at MMNC:

This week at Millbrook Marsh our school programs have gotten off to a great start! Kindergarteners and preschooler from all around the State College area have braved the rain and chilly temperatures to enjoy all the Marsh has to offer when exploring our 4 senses- Smell, Touch, Sight and Hearing. But wait, you ask, don't we have 5 senses? You are correct! We let these kiddies save their exploration of Taste for lunchtime!

So far this week we have seen a muskrat, a Kingfisher, a Great Blue Heron in flight, and nine baby ducks that have just hatched in the Marsh! We have felt both the sun and the rain on our faces and heard the call of the Redwing Blackbird.

But the most precious experience that we have had as Program Leaders has been at the Smelling Station. One activity that we do involves a bottle of "Magic Smelling Potion" which helps us to wet our noses and have the ability to smell things better- just like a dog's nose! After using the smelling potion we smell the samples of mint and skunk cabbage that have been picked from the Marsh- I bet you can't guess which is the usual favorite of the two! This week one little boy had a very special experience while using the "Magic Smelling Potion". This potion was so magical that he could 'smell the sunshine'! If only we could all be that lucky!

Staff Training at MMNC

2008-04-28T11:29:00.007-04:00

I thought our readers might enjoy hearing about the staff training for Spring Programs that happened last week.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center hires seasonal, part-time Program Leaders each Spring and Fall season to lead the group programs and field trips to the nature center.

This year, we are blessed to have Program Coordinator, Jennifer, returning for another year and Program Leader, Phil, returning for his third year! (Many visitors know Phil as the "Welcome" guy who gets kids awake in the morning with his booming welcomes!)

We also welcomed five new Program Leaders and two summer interns! Each staff person has a background either in elementary education or in outdoor education and let me tell you -- they are fantastic and excited about sharing nature with the children!

At training on Friday, staff learned the Wetland Senses program, which is offered for Kindergarten students, and spent time in the marsh training on flora and fauna, as well as brushing up on outdoor education techniques and working out the fine details of moving 50 kids through the stations smoothly. Soon we will continue our training on the other programs, meshing their collective skills with the standards-based Program Plans written by the Recreation Supervisor.

Its going to be a great Spring at Millbrook Marsh! If you get a chance to stop by, say hi to Molly, Jen, Phil, Dani, Gayle, Virginia, Jennifer, Janet, and Tye!

Earth Day Birthday Celebration - a success!

2008-04-23T11:15:00.005-04:00

The 2nd Annual Earth Day Birthday Celebration was held at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center on Sunday, April 20 from 2 - 5 pm. Anyone who was in central PA on Sunday knows that we had downpours of rain all day, but 250 dedicated people from the community braved the weather and came out to the event! AND IT WAS A GREAT TIME FOR EVERYONE!

Food was available in the pavilion area; for kids there was face-painting, tye-dye t-shirts, make-your-own-planters, make-a-tornado-in-a-bottle, and earth facts scavenger hunt - plus singing silly songs with "Music with Papa" in the barn; adults enjoyed music by Mark McLeod, Ancient Echoes, and Daughters of Anne in the barn, plus displays by Tussey Mountain Outfitters, ClearWater Conservancy, Half Acre Farm Bees, Envinity (a solar powered display that suffered from the cloudy weather!), a boy scout display, Appalachian Ski & Outdoors, and an engineering display by Sarma Principata.

Unfortunately several displays, including the "Giant Rabbits", were not able to be at the event.

One of the highlights was gathering visitors in the pavilion area to sing "Happy Birthday, Earth Day!" and have cake. People laughed good naturedly and indulged us, then enjoyed a delicious cake (pictured above). The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.

A special thank you to the team of Penn State students who worked very hard to put this event together, as part of the RPTM 356 Event Planning class. They did a superb job!

Next big event: our Historic Harvest Festival on November 2, 2008!

Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence!

2008-04-16T11:01:00.001-04:00

Centre Region Council of Governments and Centre Regional Recreation Authority were awarded the "Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence" on April 15th in the "Building Community Partnerships" category.

This award was given to recognize the great work and super partnerships that COG and CRRA have formed in the creation and support of the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, including the volunteer partner groups that form the MMNC Advisory Committee.

Three cheers and a big THANK YOU to all who support the nature center!

This award, plus a citation from Lt Gov. Katherine Baker Knoll, were presented yesterday at an awards ceremony in Harrisburg. To read more about the event, see the press release (click the words for the link).

Birds & Bagels - Great Fun at MMNC!

2008-04-16T10:32:00.003-04:00

The Birds & Bagels Program at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center was a great success on Saturday, April 12th! The 17 people who attended enjoyed wonderful bagels (donated by our friends at Giant) and coffee, then set out into the marsh for a bird walk, led by State College Bird Club volunteer Nan Butkovich. Visitors then returned to the barn and participated in a short program & discussion about raptors with Kerry Lynott of Penn State. Special thank you to our friends at the State College Bird Club for help planning this program and volunteering!

Nan provided the following list of birds seen or heard during the program:

Seen/heard during the bird walk:
Mallard

Accipiter, sp?
American Kestrel
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American RobinY
ellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Certificate of Recognition from PSU!

2008-04-09T11:35:00.004-04:00

Centre Region Parks & Recreation and Millbrook Marsh Nature Center both received a Certificate of Recognition from the Penn State University "Recreation, Parks & Tourism Management" department on Saturday, April 6, 2008 at the RPTM Annual Banquet.

Recreation Supervisor for Media & Special Events, Beth Lee, was presented with a certificate on behalf of the CRPR agency in recognition of the agency's work with students from the RPTM major. Students volunteer at CRPR events through the Leadership and Event Planning classes to gain professional skills and leadership experience in real world settings. The department also accepts interns from the RPTM department.

Recreation Supervisor for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, Molly Hetrick, was presented with a certificate on behalf of the nature center in recognition for mentoring student groups each semester from the Event Planning class, the Leadership class, and accepting summer interns from the department. (These students are currently planning the Earth Day Birthday event for April 20 from 2-5 pm)

CRPR Spring Intern, Robin Bang, was also honored at this event with the award for "Outstanding Student - RPTM Outdoor Recreation Option". Congratulations to all!

Positive Blog Feedback!

2008-04-09T11:24:00.005-04:00

Hello Readers -

Many people have told me verbally that they are enjoying reading this blog! Thank you for all the positive feedback! Many of you mentioned enjoying that the blog is informal and personal, rather than just being a media outlet, and I am so glad to hear it! Please keep reading, give comments here, and watch for future guest writers as the MMNC Spring and Summer staff come onboard!

Have a super day!

Spring Educational Programs

2008-04-03T12:52:00.004-04:00

The staff at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center are preparing for the busy Spring season when hundreds (thousands?) of kids come to MMNC for school field trips.

The Marsh Exploration Program is the most popular and gives children a chance to experience the marsh, walk the trails, touch and feel plants, view animals and birds, see the water, learn about watersheds, look at historical artifacts, and more!

The Wetland Senses Program, designed for pre-school and kindergarten age students, provides four learning stations throughout the marsh where kids experience four of the five senses (no tasting, although there are edibles in the marsh!). One of the favorite stations is the "Touch" station, where kids are given fabric swatches and must find something in the marsh that feels like the fabric. Another is the "Smell" station where the kids use their noses to follow a trail and find food or others like themselves, the way ants do.

MMNC also offers an Integrated Pest Management program for 3-4th grades, customized programs for the older students (middle & high school), plus small group programs such as "Stream Study", "Birdwatching for Beginners" and more.

Visit http://www.crpr.org/ to learn more about our guided group programs and programs for Scout Groups! Also, Homeschool programs for summer will be listed in the CRPR Summer Leisure Guide, available April 6th online and in the CDT. Be sure to watch for copies around town at your favorite stores and restaurants starting April 7th.

(We are hiring Seasonal, Part-time Program Leaders for Spring to teach these programs! Please contact CRPR or visit the website for more details)

Spring is (almost) here!

2008-03-31T09:26:00.004-04:00

Hello Readers! What a gorgeous day we had yesterday here in Central PA. I was fortunate enough to spend the sunny part of the afternoon exploring Canoe Creek State Park with a three-year old friend. Not only a beautiful day, but also experiencing it through the eyes of a child - what fun! She informed me, in a very matter-of-fact tone, "I am a Princess". And my reply, "Thats great! I'm a princess too!"

So, we were princesses together yesterday and the Limestone Kiln remains at Canoe Creek were our castle. We strolled at an easy pace, finding delights at every turn.

*A chorus of Spring Peepers kept us company as we rambled and for a short time, we heard Wood Frogs! What a delight to hear that funny "quack" sound that wood frogs make. I have not heard wood frogs at Millbrook Marsh yet this spring, but if anyone has, please post a comment here for us all to see! Here is an interesting page from a Vernal Pool book that talks more about Wood Frogs: http://www.vernalpool.org/pdf/sam_wf.pdf

*We found a brachiopod fossil, nearly complete, high up on the mountain walk above the limestone kilns. It is fascinating to wonder about what this land looked like millions of years ago and how this little tiny fossil managed to be there... doing a little searching, these were common in the Devonian era (365 million years ago!) and are the most common fossil found in PA. Back then, most of PA was under a warm water sea and sediments became the shale and sandstone that form our soil now.

*Coltsfoot is blooming! This unique little plant, used historically as a cough suppressant, is one of the first to be seen in spring and is unique because the flowers grow and bloom first, then leaves follow after. This plant is non-native, brought over from Europe, but is now very common in North America.

*Skunk Cabbage pods are showing - at Canoe Creek and at Millbrook Marsh! These stinky beauties are a sure sign of spring!

Thanks for reading! Tomorrow we kick off the Knee High Naturalist programs for the season, for ages 3-6 years, to learn about wetlands and explore Millbrook Marsh!

Special Visitors for Earth Day Birthday Celebration!

2008-03-28T10:45:00.005-04:00

For the past few years, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center has been fortunate to have the "Giant Rabbits", beloved pets of Mr. Joe Jovinelly, at our events.

I recently got to spend some time with Bonnie, who is a "Flemish Giant" breed of rabbit, at the Wild About Animals Event held by Centre Wildlife Care.

Bonnie LOVES people, as does her brother Clyde, and enjoyed kicking back (look at those feet!) in my arms for a little snooze, despite all the noise around her!

If you want to meet Bonnie and her other giant friends (we're talking 20 pound rabbits here!), please visit Millbrook Marsh Nature Center on Sunday, April 20 from 2-5 pm for the "Earth Day Birthday Celebration". The event is free and offers music, games, crafts, kids activities, displays, and more!

For additional information on the event, please contact CRPR or visit http://www.crpr.org/.

The Bufflehead

2008-03-26T16:04:00.006-04:00

Even though "Bufflehead" sounds like a name you would call someone on the playground, it is in fact a type of DUCK!

"Bucephala albeola" was spotted at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center during the storm floods in early March by birdwatcher Nan Butkovich.

The Bufflehead is described (on eNature.com) as a "small, chubby duck. Male largely white, with black back, black head with greenish and purplish gloss, and large white patch from behind eye to top and back of head. Female all dark, with single whitish patch on cheek. A fast flier, with a rapid wingbeat".

Another interesting tidbit (also from eNature.com) is "these beautiful ducks, smaller relatives of the goldeneyes, fly fast and usually close to the water but make no whistling sound in flight. They tend to travel in smaller flocks than goldeneyes and often feed closer to shore. While a flock is diving for food there is almost always at least one bird on the surface watching for danger."

Update: I'm sad to report that the Bufflehead met with a bad end... apparantly he was injured and rescue attempts were un-successful due to the flood waters, and a red-tailed hawk got him before rescuers could.