The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

Summer campers had such a great time this week with aritst Yaroub Al-Obaidi. They learned about the art installation "Al Mudhif" and wove mats in the same style as the guesthouse's roof. This Sunday, 7/11, you'll have your chance to visit the mudhif and engage with the artists, at our event "Sowing Seeds - A Gathering." You can ask your questions and meet the artists of the sanctuary, Sarah Kavage @kavasar and Yaroub Al Obaidi @yaroubali, as well as take a tour through the i...nstallation and accomapnying gallery exhibition led by Director of Environmental Art Tina Plokarz @tinaplokarz. The afternoon will conclude with an Iraqi tea ceremony complete with Arabic sweets. Register for Sowing Seeds - A Gathering, July 11 @ 4pm: https://www.schuylkillcenter.org//sowing-seeds-a-gathering/ Photos: Tina Plokarz and Ricky Yanas @rickyisnotavailable #almudhif #schuylkillcenter #schuylkillcenterart #environmentalart #mudhif #mudhifhouse #nature #ecoarchitecture #ecodesign #ceremonialhouse #iraq #alliance4watersheded #yaroubalobaidi #sarahkavage #artandhealing #phragmites #ecology The art project by Kavage and Al-Obaidi part of a larger art initiative @lenapehoking.watershed.art by the @alliance4watersheded. Major support for Lenapehoking~Watershed is provided by William Penn Foundation #williampennfoundation, and the Velocity Fund @thevelocityfund, the Knight Foundation @knightfdn, the Barra Foundation @barrafdn, and the National Wildlife Federation @nationalwildlife

Following up on our post last week about the unknown illness affecting songbirds, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PAGC) has released more information on cases in Pennsylvania. The full news release can be found here: We’ve had several questions about this outbreak, and hope we can help clarify a few points for our bird-loving friends: Where is this happening? To date, reports of ill birds have come from 27 counties, including Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester.... https://www.schuylkillcenter.org/blog/272922-2/

Independence Day is one of the quintessential summer celebrations, replete with good food, (hopefully) enjoyable company, and citywide displays of fireworks. Here at the Schuylkill Center though, and indeed in many wild corners of our city, a very different kind of fireworks display has been happening for the past few weeks. Milkweeds burst with pink globes and sprays of orange. Red and lavender beebalm florets arc across the meadow.... https://www.schuylkillcenter.org//this-independence-day-p/

Have you visited the mudhif at the Schuylkill Center yet? On Sunday, July 11, join the artists Sarah Kavage @kavasar and Yaroub Al Obaidi @yaroubali, along with Director of Environmental Art Tina Plokarz @tinaplokarz for Sowing Seeds - A Gatheringa specially guided tour and tea ceremony. They will take us for an exploration through the gallery exhibition in conjunction with Al Mudhif - A Confluence and host an Iraqi tea ceremony in the sanctuary guest house on our grou...nds. Sharing space in Philadelphia, the artists will speak about the migration of plants and people. Mark your calendars for this exciting event! Admission is $10 per person ($5 for Schuylkill Center members). Registration required: https://www.schuylkillcenter.org//sowing-seeds-a-gathering/ Photo credit: Al Mudhif at SCEE, photo by Ricky Yanas @rickyisnotavailable & @zverinadotcom #almudhif #schuylkillcenter #schuylkillcenterart #environmentalart #mudhif #mudhifhouse #nature #ecoarchitecture #ecodesign #ceremonialhouse #iraq #alliance4watersheded #yaroubalobaidi #sarahkavage #artandhealing #phragmites #ecology The art project by Kavage and Al-Obaidi part of a larger art initiative @lenapehoking.watershed.art by the @alliance4watersheded. Major support for Lenapehoking~Watershed is provided by William Penn Foundation #williampennfoundation, and the Velocity Fund @thevelocityfund, the Knight Foundation @knightfdn, the Barra Foundation @barrafdn, and the National Wildlife Federation @nationalwildlife

Hot days like today mean a lot of water activities for our campers, whether canoeing (or, more importantly, jumping in the pond), playing catch with sponges, or running through a sprinkler. Turns out there are lots of ways to stay cool and have fun at nature camp. #schuylkillcenter #summercamp #campcamp #summercamp2021 #naturecamp #staycool #water #sprinkler #jumpin

You may have seen recent reports about an illness that has been primarily affecting blue jays, common grackles, starlings, and some other species of songbirds in the Northeastern US. Generally, symptoms of crusted or squinting eyes and neurological issues such as loss of balance are noted in young birds of nestling and fledgling age. The majority of cases have so far been reported in DC, Maryland, and Virgina, though suspected cases are being investigated in other areas, incl...uding SE Pennsylvania. Wildlife rehabilitators and biologists in multiple states are working together to collect and submit samples for diagnostic testing. We don’t know how this disease may be transmitted between individuals and populations, so out of an abundance of caution the Wildlife Clinic is recommending that members of the public remove all bird feeders for the time being. More details can be found by visiting the Tri-state Bird Rescue and Research FAQ page. https://tristatebird.org/faq/

If you’ve been following along here, you’ve probably heard of Al-Mudhif, the Iraqi guesthouse now on our grounds, made with phragmites reeds by artists Sarah Kavage and Yaroub Al-Obaidi (if you haven'tcheck out some of our recent posts). But did you know there’s also an accompanying exhibition in our gallery? The collection of works both contextualizes the mudhif and offers further reflections on its intent as a cultural and natural healing space. Provocatively curated by ou...r art director Tina Plokarz, the exhibition features powerful creative voices in environmental art and activism, war experience, and Indigenous resilience from Iraq to the Delaware River watershedthe land of the Lenape people. It provides a space for reflection on war experience through the recorded voices of veterans, Iraqis, and Native Americans; for reconciliation with our lands through the visual manifestos of artists; and for reconnection with each other in the documentations of collective advocacy. Visit the gallery MondaySaturday, from 9 am5 pm, and keep an eye out for future posts spotlighting the artists and projects featured in the exhibition. Read more now at schuylkillcenter.org/art #schuylkillcenter #environmentalart #mudhif #healing #warexperience #invasiveplants #indigenousart

Due to continued snowy and wintry conditions, the Schuylkill Center will remain closed today, February 2. Who's going sledding? #schuylkillcenter #closedtoday #snowday #natureplay #havesomefun

The Schuylkill Center is closed today, February 1, due to snow and wintry conditions. Stay safe and warm out there! #snowday #closedtoday #schuylkillcenter #staywarm #doyouwannabuildasnowman

Join us at 5 pm for a behind-the-scenes look at our current exhibition Citizen’s Eye!

Not all Wildlife Clinic stories are happy ones. On two recent mornings, we’ve found pet reptiles abandoned on our doorstep: one was a red-eared slider, and the other was a 3-toed box turtle. We love all animals here at the Clinic, but unfortunately it's unsafe to house wildlife in the same facility as domestic pets. They have different care requirements, so we can't accept domestic or farmed animals at the clinic. The box turtle in particular broke our hearts, as she arrived ...with a note saying that someone had her for 11 years but they could no longer look after her. This is a particularly hard case as the box turtle arrived in poor shape; her beak and nails were severely overgrown. We are doing the best we can to help her, and she is much more comfortable with her nails trimmed, happily enjoying a healthy meal. From our hearts to yours, please think carefully before adopting any pet. Reptiles are not easy or beginner petsthey require a lot of special attention and live very long lives, frequently outliving their human owners. Both these turtles will go to reptile rescues where they will be well taken care of and hopefully find good adoptive homes. If you are absolutely prepared to own a reptile, make sure to adopt from a rescue, as there are many homeless reptiles who need loving familiesand you could give animals like this box turtle a happy ending. #WildlifeWednesday #wildliferescue #animalrescue #turtles #adopt #reptiles

How has nature been a part of your life during the pandemic? For our upcoming community show, we're seeking your photos! "Citizen's Eye" is a non-juried exhibition that invites everyone in Philadelphia and beyond, of all ages and skill levels, to share their perspectives on the natural world in these uncertain and changing times. Add your snapshot to this growing collection here https://www.schuylkillcenter.org/art/! Deadline for submissions is January 3rd. --... #schuylkillcenter #schuylkillcenterart #photography #photos #naturephotography #citizenscience #communityart See more

Blink and you'll miss it! After just a quick 24-hour recovery, this Northern saw-whet owl was ready for release! Check out our #wildlifewednesday post from earlier this week to for his story. "#FreedomFriday #FridayFLYday #windowstrike #animalrescue #wildliferescue #flyaway

Watch out! Window strikes occur frequently throughout the fall, and not just with migratory songbirds. This saw-whet owl struck a window in Mt. Airy and was found stunned on the ground, unable to fly and with quite the headache! Lucky for him, he was quickly brought to the clinic for treatment and so suffered minimal damagehe was released the next day to continue on his travels. Here he is shortly after arrivalcheck back to our page this Friday to see his release! Remember... that window strikes are medical emergencies and require immediate treatment, even if you can’t see any injuries. The fast action of the kind people who found this owl and brought him to the Wildlife Clinic likely saved his life. If you find a bird that has hit a window, quickly cover it with a towel, put it into a securely closed cardboard box, and call a wildlife rehabilitator right away. #WildlifeWednesday #windowstrike #animalrescue #wildlifeclinic

Art for environmental change can also be heard Ants on a Log recently presented a #familyconcert The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education to help create awareness for social justice. Environmental Art at the Schuylkill Center supports artists in their aim for change. Make a gift today #GivingTuesday (link below) and help us continue to bring together a wide range of artists, practitioners, thinkers, and audiences. https://schuylkillcenter.cloud9strategies.com/d...onate-now/ https://youtu.be/z7TyPtXJiNU #GivingTuesday #antsonalog #familyconcert #schuylkillcenter #schuylkillcenterart #ecotactical #earthday50

https://youtu.be/yiD_0EO_oPM At the The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education our Land Stewardship Coordinator, Drew Rinaldi Subits, demonstrates how he monitors, samples, and tests water quality from the Schuylkill River as part of a water quality monitoring project and public outreach campaign, in partnership with Schuylkill River Greenways NHA Princeton Hydro StroudCalendar Berks Nature... Bartram's Garden See more

If you’ve visited the Schuylkill Center anytime in the last 20 years, there’s a great chance you’ve met Roxborough’s Bea Kelly, who this week celebrates her 20th anniversary as a member of the center’s staff. Our program registrar, Bea served as our receptionist for 15 of those 20 years, so if you’ve walked in the front door to come to an event, see our art gallery, drop off a preschooler, or buy our special bird seed, you’ve likely said hello to Bea. http://www.schuylkillcenter.org//bea-kelly-marks-20-years/

Show your support for Environmental Art at the Schuylkill Center this #givingtuesday and help us to continue building conversation through art Recently the art team discussed (socially-distanced) the works on display in #ecotactical with students with from The Philadelphia School, and the teens shared their thoughtful visions on biodiversity, nature, and the Anthropocene with us. https://schuylkillcenter.cloud9strategies.com/donate-now/... #GivingTuesday #antsonalog #familyconcert #schuylkillcenter #schuylkillcenterart #ecotactical #earthday50 #anthropocene

Still have that sticky tape on your trees to catch spotted lanternflies? If so, please take it down! The tape is only effective at trapping lanternflies in their crawling nymph stages in spring and summer, so keeping tape up all year doesn’t do anything to solve the issue with the flies, and actually causes a lot of harm. Sticky tape catches far more than just lanternflies- it also traps beneficial insects and a LOT of wildlife. ... Our Wildlife Clinic is still seeing nuthatches, flying squirrels, woodpeckers, wrens, and other animals trapped by this indiscriminate and cruel tape. Removing egg masses in the fall is much more effective at controlling infestations of spotted lanternflies, and is far safer for other animals. Thoroughly check your trees and any other hard surfaces for egg masses and scrape them off with a butter knife into a baggie full of rubbing alcohol to kill them. Each egg mass removed means 30-50 fewer spotted lanternflies will emerge next year! This video from Penn State shows you exactly what to do. http://ow.ly/yzi250Cal90

Today is the day. Please make sure your vote counts.

Check out our latest video on Pandemic Play. Great for children of all ages.

Welcome Home unfortunately isn’t a shared feeling for everyone (and everything) in America. Creating safe and equitable spaces requires care and persistence that our team helps to provide for land and people every day. In 2013, we built with artist Vaughn Bell (@vaughn_bell on Instagram) the same-named enclosure for native species, "Welcome Home," on our Widener Trail, a home "in which human care, protection and intervention is necessary for diverse native plants to thrive,..." says the artist. Carving out spaces like this on our land enriches our forest and allows native plants to grow and evolve as they have for centuries to come in the area. The difference between outside and inside might seem stark, but throughout the years natives that weren't originally included in the planting found their way in and happily made themselves at home. Be sure to check out Vaughn Bell's work on our trails and at https://www.vaughnbell.net/. To learn more about Pennsylvania’s native plant life visit http://www.panativeplantsociety.org/ #schuylkillcenter #schuylkillcenterart #nativeplants #pawildlife #invasivespecies #environmentalart #vaughnbell #welcomehomeart

Tomorrow's marks the end of #InternationalBatWeek. This week's nature explorer kits will focus on these amazing creatures and all they do to help our environment. Kits are available at our Visitor Center Saturdays from 10:00-12:00 on a first-come, first-served basis.

In 2016, Philly's family-friendly duo Ants on a Log produced the their original musical, ""Curious: Think Outside the Pipeline!"" The show was based on a campaign led by Philly Thrive, a local Black-led environmental justice organization, to that shut down Philadelphia Energy Solution's oil refinery in South Philly. Ants on a Log's same-named soundtrack later won a Parents' Choice Award upon its release and they continue to use their socially conscious music to reach families and teach kids to stand up for justice. The duo is also among the artists featured in our current exhibition "Ecotactical" Learn more about Philly Thrive's successful campaign: https://www.nytimes.com//pollution-philadelphia-black-amer

Our Land Stewardship Coordinator Drew Rinaldi Subits demonstrates how he monitors, samples, and tests water quality from the Schuylkill River as part of a water quality monitoring project and public outreach campaign, in partnership with Schuylkill River Greenways NHA Princeton Hydro Stroud Water Research Center Berks Nature Bartram's Garden

Spread joy, not the virus! - https://mailchi.mp/schuylkillc/weekly-email-2020-10-1026152

Our #reptile patients are hunkering down for a winter #staycation at the Clinic! In the wild, most reptiles brumate through the cold months. Brumation slows down metabolic activity, allowing cold-blooded animals to survive low temperatures. This adaptation is essential to healthy wild reptiles, but can slow down the healing process in injured or sick ones. Reptiles who stay with us over #winter live in an artificial summer, with heat lamps and lights set to mimic summertime light cycles and temperatures. This prevents brumation and allows us to continue to treat these patients, with the goal of returning them to the wild in late Spring.

Join us for a cheerful family concert for children and other folks of all ages with Ants on a Log! This folky duo writes music for children and other childlike people, and musically advocates for positivity, social justice, and silliness. With harmonies and sing-along moments the ants will lift up our spirits with silly songs, social actions and surprising on-stage antics. Prepare yourself for a joyful and illuminating adventure in music and environmental action. The concert ...is presented in conjunction with the Schuylkill Center’s current exhibition Ecotactical: Earth Day at 50 that can be visited in the gallery and on the trails. Space is limited; registration is required. Masks are required; temperature checks are conducted prior to the start of the event. Please bring a blanket or seating pillow and dress appropriately for the weather. http://ow.ly/lgcj50C4pFf #antsonalog #familyconcert #schuylkillcenter #schuylkillcenterart #ecotactical #earthday50

Here’s a lecture perfect for frustrated parents navigating the current COVID world, with both you and your children spending too much time online. THIS THURSDAY on Zoom, come learn how Studio Ludo, a non-profit design firm specializing in play, uses play during the pandemic to fight against social disconnect, preserve parental happiness, and build more resilient, happier kids. They believe that play helps us live life a little more fully. The evening is presented by Meghan Talarowski, Studio Ludo’s executive director, who believes that play environments in the United States can, and should, be better. Her research focuses on how the design of play environments impacts physical health and social behavior of children and caregivers. Register at this link: http://ow.ly/RUGn50C2Nb4