Spring
Spring Virtual Activities
- Fantastic Fungi
You’ve seen them growing in forests, fields, and probably in your own backyard, but how much do you know about mushrooms? Take a closer look into the fantastic world of fungi with Melissa in this virtual visit.
- Grandmother Tree
With 205 acres to explore at Asbury Woods you are sure to find some unique places as you adventure. A favorite spot for many visitors is the Big Maple, known affectionately as the Grandmother Tree, located on the Greenway Trail. How long has this tree been watching over the trails? Find out in this Asbury Woods Virtual Visit.
- Asbury Woods A - Z
Join Sarah as she explores the Asbury Woods property from A to Z. Discover some places or things that you may not know about Asbury Woods and print the A – Z Scavenger Hunt to use year-round during your adventures.
- Make Your Own Trail Signs
Kelley Lang, Director of Education and Community Programming, introduces a fun outdoor activity that is appropriate for upper elementary aged children to complete with adult help or something middle school kids can do with just a little guidance. The Trail Signs Scavenger Hunt uses objects readily found in nature and can be completed in a variety of outdoor spaces – backyards, neighborhoods or nearby trails. Best of all, it is a fun way to interact with friends, even when we cannot play together.
Download how to make trail signs
Download trail signs invitation
- What's Under the Log?
What's under that log? Join Melissa Goodwill, Education and Program Coordinator, as she explores different micro-habitats found under, within, and around fallen logs and the animals that rely on them and how to safely and respectfully participate in this activity on your own.
- Rabbit's Spring Adventure
In this Virtual Visit, we will read the book Rabbit’s Spring Adventure by Anita Loughrey and Daniel Howarth. We’ll meet Oliver, Asbury Woods’ Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit, and see him explore outside. We’ll also give you some information about what to do if you find baby rabbits in your yard this spring
Watch Rabbit's Spring Adventure Video
If you find a rabbit that needs care please contact:
Tamarack Wildlife Rehab Center
21601 Stull Road
Saegertown, PA 16433
(814) 763-2574Click below for what to do if you find a baby rabbit:
- Wild Edibles
Did you know that some of the most common and recognizable “weeds” are actually edible? Take a virtual trip to Jessica Stefano's backyard where she’ll introduce us to a few wild edibles that she enjoys collecting and eating this time of year. We’ll also try some easily identified wild edibles in a recipe that can be made either sweet or savory. If you’ve ever been curious about wild edibles but weren’t sure where to start, this is the virtual visit for you!
Click here for ingredient list and recipes for wild edible scones:
- Wildflower Walk
Take a walk along the Greenway Trail at Asbury Woods with Melissa Goodwill, Education and Program Coordinator. Learn about the wildflowers that grow along the trail and how to identify them.
- Terrific Turkey Vultures
All of us at Asbury Woods love welcoming back all of the migratory birds that return to our region this time of year! Environmental Educator Jessica and her daughter Charlotte invite you back to their house to shine the Virtual Visit spotlight on a migratory bird that in often forgotten and misunderstood when celebrating the spring migration. If you love stories where the underdog becomes the hero, join us for this Virtual Visit about the Terrific Turkey Vulture!
- Nature Inspired Mother's Day Card
With Mother’s Day around the corner, Environmental Educator Jessica invites us back to her house to share three nature-iffic Mother’s Day card ideas. With just a few supplies and a little guidance, adults and kids alike can create a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Join us for this Virtual Visit to create a card that your mom will love!
- Vermicomposting and Storytime
Join Sarah Lewis, School Programs Manager, as she gives you a virtual tour of the Asbury Woods vermicomosting program and reads Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer.
Vermicomposting and Storytime Video
Click this link to download tips to starting your own worm bin at home.
- Create Your Own Backyard Bird Feeder
Learn to create a simple backyard bird feeder with Environmental Educator, Jessica Stefano. You'll need the following items to create this activity:
- Cardboard tube
- Nut butter (peanut, or other nut butter)
- Something to spread the butter (spoon, knife)
- Ribbon, string, twine
- Bird Seed (Creative options include: crushed up cheerios, dried fruits, raisins, or even stale
bread) - Go on a Nature Treasure Hunt
Join Kelley Lang, Director of Education and Community Programming, on a nature treasure hunt! This is a fun activity for all ages that can be done in your own backyard or on the trails at Asbury Woods.
You'll need the following for this activity:
- Egg Carton
- Construction paper or colored paper -OR-
- Treasure Hunt GridDownload the treasure hunt grid below:
- Lunchtime with the Animals
Are you curious what some of the animals that call Asbury Woods home eat for lunch? Melissa Goodwill, Education and Program Coordinator, took video of lunchtime feedings with a few animals at the Nature Center. This video is meant for an audience that understands our animals are carnivores and omnivores and naturally need to eat other animals as part of a healthy diet.
- Skunk Cabbage
In this Virtual Visit, Environmental Educator Jessica Stefano takes you on a tour of her backyard in search of skunk cabbage. Symplocarpus foetidus, commonly known as skunk cabbage or eastern skunk cabbage, is a low growing plant that grows in wetlands and moist hill slopes of eastern North America. Bruised leaves present a fragrance reminiscent of skunk.
- Vernal Pools
Vernal pools, also called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools, are seasonal pools of water that provide habitat for distinctive plants and animals. Environmental Educator Jessica Stefano shows you a vernal pool found in her backyard and facts about salamanders.
Download the salamander art project here: - Swirl by Swirl | Story time and Craft
Join Sarah Lewis, School Programs Manager, as she reads a Swirl by Swirl, Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman and leads a craft activity inspired by spirals you can find in nature.
You will need the following supplies for the craft:
- Paper plate
- Colored markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Scissors
- Glue - Exploring the American Beaver
Environmental Educator Jessica Stefano invites us back into her backyard for another Virtual Visit where she will introduce us to a creature that has had a dramatic impact on the landscape of her yard– the American Beaver. The American Beaver is the largest rodent in North America and is known for building dams and transforming land and waterways to meet its habitat needs. During this Virtual Visit, Jessica will takes us out to explore the beaver dam in her yard and will share some interesting facts about beavers and their effect on their ecosystem.
- In the Tall Tall Grass
Sarah Lewis, School Programs Manager, reads the book In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming and talks about exploring our own backyards to discover the creatures that are hidden in the grass and under logs.
- Tree Draw Along
Keep your feet dry while exercising your creative brain! With April showers in the forecast, Environmental Educator Jessica Stefano invites you into her home for an indoor Virtual Visit. Grab some paper and a pencil and join Jessica as she leads us through the step-by-step process of drawing a tree. No art experience is necessary for this creative indoor nature exploration!
- How To Nature Journal
In this three-part Virtual Visit, we return to the backyard with Environmental Educator Jessica Stefano to learn about the art and practice of Nature Journaling. In Part One (0:00:42), Jessica will share some interesting facts about why we might want to start nature journaling and will give us the basics of getting started. In Part Two (0:03:26), we’ll head out to the field to talk about the kinds of things we might include in our nature journal while observing the world around us. And finally, in Part Three (0:07:42) we’ll add some finishing touches to our nature journal to make it our own. Grab some paper and a pencil and join us as for this fun and creative Virtual Visit!
Send in your nature journal poems, sketches, and more to info@asburywoods.org or tag #asburywoodserie on social media - we would love to share them!
Download samples for your own nature journal:
- Aquatic Habitats
Visitors to Asbury Woods often check out the aquatic habitats in the exhibit hall, but have you ever wondered what these underwater worlds look like from the perspective of the animals who live there? Our new submersible camera gives us a window into their lives. Join Director of Education and Community Programming Kelley Lang as she takes us on a tour of these underwater worlds.
- Bugged by Beetles
As spring arrives insects are becoming more active. One of the most recognizable insects is the ladybug. Learn more about how native lady bugs are beneficial and how their invasive cousins can leave us "bugged by beetles." Join Melissa Goodwill, Education and Program Coordinator, as she leads this Virtual Visit.
- Pretty Pollinators
Join us as we take a virtual trip back to Environmental Educator Jessica Stefano’s backyard for our latest Virtual Visit. During this visit, Jessica will introduce us to some special creatures that pollinate the plants in her backyard, will tell us all about other interesting pollinators that live in our region and beyond, and will share some ways that we can help our pollinator friends stay safe and healthy.
For more information about pollinators and the things we can do to protect their habitat, visit www.pollinator.org.
For full instructions for the bee house designs featured in this video, visit:
- Earth Day 2022
Part of our mission at Asbury Woods is to inspire a greater connection to the natural world by protecting, managing, and interpreting our property. This Earth Day we wanted to share some everyday actions that you can take to help protect the Earth. Join our educators as they share inspiring ways that you can make every day Earth Day!
- Animal Care 2022
Join our educators as they give you a behind the scenes look at what it takes to care for the animals in our exhibit hall.