Ecology

Out of hibernation: spring programs

Anne Gageby
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve

(3/2025) The vacillating slide of winter into spring is a wonderous thing, for sure. The last couple of weeks have been quite a ride. Pennsylvania, especially our South Central region, sits on what has felt like a razor’s edge of weather opportunity this year. This winter, we prepared for storms that loomed one minute then veered north or south the next, leaving us with little to no bad weather. Before we could breathe a sigh of relief, we turned around and faced bitter cold fronts and snow that we had barely known were coming our way. And we still have all of March ahead of us. The old saying "in like a lion, out like a lamb" comes to mind. Gentler weather would be most welcome.

Despite anxiously awaiting warmer weather, I’m thankful for the cold and snow we’ve been gifted this year. Both are good for the forest and help maintain healthy ecosystems. For this reason, I’m especially excited to see how much benefit the forest will experience this year. Will the tick populations be kept more in check? What impact will the snow have on vernal pools and amphibian populations? Will we see more bountiful spring ephemerals? Either way, it feels wonderful to be coming out of hibernation, so to speak.

Yes, people can hibernate, too! Okay, people don’t really hibernate the way insects and animals do. But humans do tend to slow down during the long, dark days of winter. It’s natural to feel like you’re moving slower and don’t have as much interest in doing things this time of year. Especially when the temperatures are as low as ours have been.

For us at Strawberry Hill, winter hibernation is the time we prepare for the year ahead. We’ve been busy behind the scenes working on improvements to the campus and Nature Classroom. We put in sixteen new interpretive signs around the Middle Creek trail, around the pond, and by the Nature Playground. We have created several new activity stations and opportunities for hands-on fun for kids and families alike in our Nature Classroom. We have several Animal Ambassador displays where kids of all ages can participate in community science activities for each of our animals including our new rainbow trout. Explore and Play hours at the Nature Classroom will continue throughout the spring on Saturdays from 9am-noon.

Maple sugar season is our official start to spring programing but it’s not the only fun going on up at Strawberry Hill. Little Timbers is back on Friday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. starting March 7th and goes through April 25th. Little Timbers is a long-time favorite of our tiniest forest friends and their caregivers. Pre-k aged kids and their families spend time outdoors as weather allows, and enjoy some activities inside our nature classroom.

If you’re curious to know more about this ancient tradition turned backyard hobby, check out some of our upcoming programs. We have a variety of maple sugaring-themed programs this month for a variety of audiences. Winter is the sweetest season, after all. Join us as we learn the unique history of our region’s favorite treat - maple sugar.

If you’re a homeschool family, check out upcoming Homeschool Days – Maple Sugaring on Tuesday, March 18th from 10am-2pm. Our Homeschool Days are designed to take your learning up a notch. Immerse your family in the fun of environmental education while adding rich content to your homeschool portfolio. Each day’s programs have been designed around the current Pennsylvania STEELS standards by connecting environmental education with the unique ecology and history of our beautiful state.

Doors open at 9:45am followed by a variety of come and go at your own pace classes and programs. Discover how Native Americans created and used maple sap in The Ancient Art of Maple Sugaring. Next, learn how you can get started collecting your own sap with Maple Sugaring as a Backyard Hobby. Don’t forget to stop by the Nature Classroom for some hand-on learning activities and playtime. This day will include a handout families can take home to use in their portfolios.

Did you know that maple isn't the only tree that can be tapped to make syrup? Join us on Saturday, March 8th as we dive into the history, ecology, and practice of tapping trees other than maple at Beyond Maple: more trees to tap from 10am-noon. There are all kinds of trees a backyard hobbyist can use to make a variety of sweet treats, many of which are in our own backyards. Part of this program will be outdoors as we search for, learn how to identify, and discover what it takes to tap some lesser known "sweet trees." Donuts and coffee will be served before our program. The price is $25 per person. Please visit our website or call the office to register.

And finally, Strawberry Hill is proud to announce our Passport to Nature program. This interactive, family-centered program includes scavenger hunts inside the Nature Classroom and outside on campus as well as activities geared toward a variety of family interests such as turtles, tracking, and bird watching. To participate, stop by the Nature Classroom during our Explore and Play hours on Saturdays or stop by the office during regular business hours and pick up your copy. As the name suggests, you’ll receive a Passport to Nature booklet with various activities you and your loved ones can complete on your own time or during regular Strawberry Hill programs throughout the year. Completing activities earns you a stamp for each activity completed. Once your passport booklet is finished, bring the passport back to Strawberry Hill to receive your 2025 Passport to Nature prize. This program is free and open to everyone.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about maple sugaring, the sweet trees in your backyard, or are just looking to get outside, join us on the hill this spring. Being outdoors this time of year is a fantastic way to ease out of winter hibernation. Let Strawberry Hill help you as you stretch awake and rejoin the great outdoors.

Anne Gageby is the Environmental Education Manager of the Strawberry Hill Foundation. Strawberry Hill inspires stewardship of our natural world by
connecting the community with educational opportunities.
 Learn more by visiting StrawberryHill.org.