Willistown Conservation Trust

Rushton Nature Keepers 2019

Inspiring tomorrow’s conservationists

Rushton Nature Keepers (RNK) provides youth (ages 8-12) with unique opportunities to develop a meaningful relationship with nature, which will fuel a lifelong desire to safeguard the environment. We offer an array of monthly programs covering four conservation themes including: birds and wildlife, sustainable farming, watersheds, and healthy habitat. See the full 2019 Program Guide here for theme designations. 

The RNK Mission is to inspire a lifetime of caring about and protecting nature.

For more information about Rushton Nature Keepers please see our website: wctrust.org

How To Sign Up

Please select a membership from the first four slots (one child, two children, three children, or four children).  At this time you may also scroll through the year's events and check the boxes to sign up (or you may choose to wait until the events get closer and you know your availability).  When finished making your selections, scroll down and click "submit" after which you will see your cart.  Be sure to select only 1 for quantity of membership so you are not overcharged.  Please sign up as you, the parent, and list your children's names in the Comments section.  Then you will be taken to Paypal for membership payment.

When selecting Quantity for each event, please only include children attending (not parents).

You will receive an e-newsletter each month with information about upcoming events and summaries of last month’s events.  Please double check whether you are signed up for events on Signup Genius. Space is limited, so if you can no longer attend, kindly remove your children’s name from Signup Genius or let us know so that others may take their place. 

Memberships are limited. We reserve the right to close membership after 60 children.

Other Logistics

Cancellations: Reminders, special instructions, or cancellations due to weather will come from Blake Goll ([email protected]) via Signup Genius.

Other Payments: All payments other than membership (i.e., any additional program costs) may be presented as cash or check in person or mailed to Willistown Conservation Trust (925 Providence Rd., Newtown Square, PA 19073).

Drop-off:  Parents may choose to attend programs with their children or drop-off based on their individual needs.  If intending to drop-off, please inform Blake Goll ([email protected]).

 

Created by:   Blake Goll
 
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Available Slot

2019 Rushton Nature Keepers Membership (One Child) (20)

($150.00 each)

$150 for the first child and $100 for each additional sibling. Membership includes a t-shirt, reusable water bottle, and nature journal per child. Sign up as you- the parent, list children's names in the "Comments", and select (1) for "Quantity".

  
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2019 Rushton Nature Keepers Membership (Two Children) (20)

($250.00 each)

$150 for the first child and $100 for each additional sibling. Membership includes a t-shirt, reusable water bottle, and nature journal per child. Sign up as you- the parent, list children's names in the "Comments", and select (1) for "Quantity".

  
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2019 Rushton Nature Keepers Membership (Three Children) (5)

($350.00 each)

$150 for the first child and $100 for each additional sibling. Membership includes a t-shirt, reusable water bottle, and nature journal per child. Sign up as you- the parent, list children's names in the "Comments", and select (1) for "Quantity".

  
Already filled

2019 Rushton Nature Keepers Membership (Four Children) (2)

($450.00 each)

$150 for the first child and $100 for each additional sibling. Membership includes a t-shirt, reusable water bottle, and nature journal per child. Sign up as you- the parent, list children's names in the "Comments", and select (1) for "Quantity".

  
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March 22- Salamanders, Frogs, & Woodcocks (7-8:30 pm) @ Ashbridge Preserve, E. Strasburg Rd., West Chester (20)

Vernal pools are special habitats that some salamanders and frogs seek early in the spring, migrating under the cover of darkness. Stay tuned as we watch for the window to observe these fascinating amphibians along with American Woodcocks displaying.

  
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April 18- Sheep Shearing (4:30-6 pm) @ Plumsock Farm, 920 Plumsock Rd., Newtown Square (23)

Join us in a pastoral setting for a sheep shearing demonstration. Children will get to witness and take part in a sheep shearing and learn about the history of domesticated sheep as farm animals and wool as a sustainable fabric.

  
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April 27- Songbird Banding Open House & Warbler Walk (6-10:30 am) @ Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm. ALL AGES WELCOME FREE OF CHARGE (50)

Stop by the region’s premier bird banding station at Rushton Farm anytime between the operating hours of 6am and 10:30am (arrive by 9am) to observe the science of bird banding. You’ll see handsome spring warblers and also get to tour the stream.

  
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May 1- Nature Poetry Workshop (4:30-6 pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center (24)

After the earth has fully awakened, we will explore the preserve looking for birds, wildflowers and other wonders of spring. Then, guided by Villanova poetry professor, Cathy Staples, we will create memorable works of poetry from our observations.

  
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May 8- Potato Planting (4:30-6 pm) @ Rushton Farm (30)

Get your hands dirty and help the farmers plant potatoes. Since this farm is sustainable and part of the ecosystem, it provides habitat for myriad living things besides just crops. We’ll come across many interesting insects while working in the field.

  
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June 4- "The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat" Book Signing & Art Workshop (4:30-6 pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center (30)

“The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat”, follows the first year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis. The artist, Kate Garchinksy, will be there for a reading and “how to draw a bat”. Must pre-register by May 20th to get a book ($10).

  
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June 12- Field Trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (12:30-2:30 pm) Meet at 19th Street entrance (12)

We have a special invite to visit behind the scenes of the Academy of Natural Sciences, home to one of the world’s largest collections of bird specimens. We will get to observe ornithologists and see the amazing bird collection.

  
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June 21- Solstice Moth Party (7:30-9:30 pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center. ALL AGES WELCOME FREE OF CHARGE (35)

We will survey what moth species are here by using blacklights against white sheets. Local naturalist and moth enthusiast, Sheryl Johnson, will help us identify these beautiful night flyers. Fermented bait will also be used to attract the moths.

  
19 of 35 slots filled
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June 27- Stream Walk (4-6 pm) @ Ashbridge Preserve, E.Strasburg Rd., West Chester (19)

Explore different stretches of the stream with our watershed experts while learning about the basics of stream ecology. We will also wander the enchanting Hawthorn Forest and get up close with macroinvertebrates that call the stream bed home.

  
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June 28- Stream Walk (4-6 pm) @ Ashbridge Preserve, E.Strasburg Rd., West Chester (25)

Explore different stretches of the stream with our watershed experts while learning about the basics of stream ecology. We will also wander the enchanting Hawthorn Forest and get up close with macroinvertebrates that call the stream bed home.

  
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July 10- Meet the Bees & Honey Tasting (4:30- 6 pm) CANCELLED. (30)

Join Rushton’s beekeeper, Noah Gress, as he harvests honey from Rushton’s busy honeybee colony. Children will have the opportunity to extract and taste honey straight off the honeycomb and learn about the importance of honey bees and other native bees.

  
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July 16- Leaf Pack Walk (4- 6 pm) @ Ashbridge Preserve, E. Strasburg Rd., West Chester (20)

Learn stream ecology with the Director of our Watershed Protection Program as we focus on understanding food webs and invasive species. Explore the stream for bugs, and investigate “leaf packs”.

  
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July 17- Leaf Pack Walk (4- 6 pm) @ Ashbridge Preserve, E. Strasburg Rd., West Chester (25)

Learn stream ecology with the Director of our Watershed Protection Program as we focus on understanding food webs and invasive species. Explore the stream for bugs, and investigate “leaf packs”.

  
11 of 25 slots filled
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July 26- Hunters of the Sky (5- 6:30 pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center (35)

Dawn White, Certified Environmental Educator of Indian Run Environmental Education Center, will be presenting live birds of prey including a Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl! Come out to meet these beautiful raptors!

  
25 of 35 slots filled
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August 1- Wildflowers and Watercolor Workshop (1 - 3:30 pm) @ WCT Office, 925 Providence Rd., Newtown Square (25)

Explore the Trust’s spectacular wildflower meadow and paint with watercolors in the fresh air! We’ll also learn about the importance of native plants for pollinators and what you can do in your own yard to support these declining and vital insects.

  
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August 21- Discover Rushton Mini Camp (9 - 1 pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center (27)

Spend a day at Rushton exploring the woods and fields, monitoring bird boxes, and making bouquets, forest art, and gnome homes. We’ll also work on the farm, harvesting the potatoes you helped plant in May. Snacks will be provided.

  
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September 14- Songbird Banding Open House (6 - 10:30 am) @ Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm. ALL AGES WELCOME FREE OF CHARGE (50)

Bring a friend to the banding station between the operating hours of 6:00-10:30am (most arrive by 9am) to observe the science of bird banding, meet field biologists and see beautiful migrant birds up close. Kids will also "practice banding skills."

  
25 of 50 slots filled
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October 11- Harvest Hoopla (4:30-6 pm) @ Rushton Farm (40)

It’s time for Rushton Nature Keepers to celebrate the harvest at Rushton Farm! Join us for a fun evening of pumpkin carving and a hayride with Farmer Fred.

 
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October 20- Hawk Watch at Okehocking Preserve (2-4 pm) Meet at Rushton Conservation Center (35)

Join veteran hawk counter and birding instructor, Holly Merker, at the height of the fall migration. After her program about hawks, hawk watching, and hawk conservation, we’ll head over to a hawk watch platform at Okehocking to see migrating raptors.

  
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October 29- Monster Night (4-6pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center (30)

Observe spooky little stream creatures projected from a microscope onto a screen to MONSTER size! Learn about which fish are native and which are invasive (the real monsters!). Then get creative designing your own stream bug or fish.

  
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November 8- Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding (6-8 pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center (35)

Observe Northern Saw-whet Owl banding at Rushton Farm and experience nature at night. These tiny owls (no bigger than a soda can) travel through Pennsylvania in the fall in search of ideal overwintering habitat. Learn about their ecology & conservation.

  
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November 13- Visit to Chester County Food Bank (4-5:30 pm) Meet at Chester County Food Bank, 650 Pennsylvania Drive, Exton (28)

Join us for a tour of the Chester County Food Bank, which serves the hungry and food insecure of our county. We’ll learn all about the problem of food insecurity and the process of food donation. Rushton Farm itself donates 3,000 pounds of produce/year.

  
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November 22- Rushton Junior Naturalist Celebration (4:30-6:30 pm) @ Rushton Conservation Center (45)

All Nature Keepers are invited to this special celebration. Those who have attended 2 bird events, 2 farm events, 2 water events, and 2 habitat events (for a total of 8) will be awarded the Rushton Junior Naturalist certificate and other fun prizes.

  
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December 7- Winter Bird Count (9:30-11 am) @ Rushton Conservation Center (25)

Enjoy a morning of birding at Rushton with expert birder, Debbie Beer. We will count birds in the tradition of the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count, which is the longest running wildlife survey in the world. We’ll also learn how to use eBird.

  
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