North Park
Latodami Nature Center

575 Brown Road
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-2170

 All About the Story Pole!

Unless specifically noted, all programs are appropriate for any age individual. Some programs may require pre-registration due to limited space or materials. Although our programs are "rain-or-shine," it is recommended to call for up-to-date information on programs due to changes or cancellations to the schedule.

A special note about the North Park Latodami Nature Center facilities: we have no running water, no public telephone, there is a handicapped port-a-john in the parking lot. Parking is limited at the Nature Center Barn; for organized groups we recommend carpooling.

For brochures, nature center and wildlife pictures, neat park features information, and other interesting stuff check out the External Internet Link Latodami Nature Center site.

YEAR ROUND (January - December)
DATE/TIME 2012 EVENTS
Weekly
Every Thurs.
10 am - Noon		 Thursday Adult Nature Walk
Are you looking to learn more about nature, has your doctor recommended that you start exercising more, would you like to meet new people that enjoy the out-of-doors? Originally started as a program for stroke and heart patients, this nature group has expanded to any interested adult. This informal adult nature group meets rain or shine every Thursday of the year. Local naturalists guide these enlightening, leisurely-paced walks. New nature adventures and discoveries every week.
No need to pre-register, just show up with a smile.
Dress well for outdoor walking. Park and meet at the Ice Skating Rink parking lot off Kummer Road.
Monthly
Second Tues.
of each month		 Pre-School Children's Hour
Pre-registration required - to be placed on the waiting list for openings, call (724) 935-2170.
This program is specifically designed to introduce young children to the out-of-doors. This class is very hands-on oriented and we spend most of our time outside for every class.Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be actively assisting in teaching/learning process their child. Dress well for outdoor explorations as we do get wet and dirty. Park and meet at the Nature Center Barn.
Apr. - Oct.
9:30 - 11 am
& 1 - 2:30 pm 
Nov. - Mar.
10 - 11 am
& 1 - 2 pm

WINTER SEASON (January - March)

Winter programs/activities scheduled weather & conditions permitting!
DATE/TIME 2012 EVENTS

2/1 - 3/9
Mon. - Fri.

Pre-registration
required

  Maple Syrup Making Demonstration - (School, scout & private groups - pre-registration required)
Morning, afternoon and after school hours available. Fulfills Forestry Badge for Webelos and Love Maple Syrup Try-it for Brownies. Using “home style” methods, we will show you how to tap the trees, collect and boil down the sap and make it table ready. You will learn everything you need to know so you can make your own maple syrup at home.
Call (724) 935-2170 for more information and group registration.

2/4
Noon - 2 pm

Snowshoe Adventure
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  

Sat. 3/3
10 - 11:30 am
1 pm - 2:30 pm

Maple Syrup Making Demonstration - (Public & group programs)
Using "home style" methods, we will show you how to tap the trees, collect and boil down the sap and make it table ready. You will learn everything you need to know so you can make your own maple syrup at home.
Call (724) 935-2170 for more information and group registration.

3/10
11 am - 12:30 pm
Sat.

 

Maple Syrup Making Demonstration - at Marshall Township's Ellis Frye Barn
(Public & group program)
Pre-registration suggested. Call Marshall Township to register for this program: (724) 935-3090.
Find out why the season and weather are important to sap production and how to identify trees without their leaves. Using “home style” methods, we will show you how to tap the trees, collect and boil down the sap and make it table ready. You will learn everything you need to know so you can make your own maple syrup at home. Dress well for cold weather. Park and meet at Marshall Township’s Ellis Frye Barn located off Knob Road in the Marshall Township Community Park.

Pre-order deadline:
3/16
Pick up date:
4/14
9 am - Noon

North Area Environmental Council Seedling Sale - Pre-ordering required.
Great selection of native trees and shrubs for school and scout groups, or to improve wildlife habitat around your home, school or camp. For more information call (412) 366-3339.
Pick up date is April 17 from 9 am until Noon at the Nature Center Barn.
Check the World Wide Web Icon NAEC website for more information.


SPRING SEASON (April - June)
DATE/TIME 2012 EVENT
4/14
2 pm - 4 pm		 Amazing Amphibians with Terry Laux
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
5/5
10 am  - Noon		 Good Dogs in the Park with Sheri Gintner
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
5/5
2 pm - 4 pm		 Apple Blossoms and Orioles
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.
6/1
9 am until classes are full		 Registration Day for Young Naturalist Programs.
By telephone lottery at (724) 935-2170. Limit of 3 children per call.
6/2
10 am - Noon		  Wildlife Art with Shirley Mutz
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170. 

SUMMER SEASON (July - August)
DATE/TIME 2012 EVENT
7/7
10 am - Noon 		Kayak Nature Paddle
Meet at Boathouse
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
7/16 - 7/18
9 am - 1 pm		 Young Naturalist Program, 6 & 7 years.
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170. 
7/23 - 7/25
9 am - 1 pm		 Young Naturalist Program, 8 & 9 years.
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
7/30 - 8/1
9 am - 1 pm

Young Naturalist Program, 10 & 11 years.
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.
8/6 - 8/8
9 am - 1 pm 		 Young Naturalist Program, 12 & 13 years.
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170.
8/18
10 am - Noon		  Meadows, Milkweeds and Monarchs
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170
8/20 - 8/22
9 am - 1 pm 		 Young Naturalist Program, 14 & 15 years.
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170.

AUTUMN SEASON (September - December)
DATE/TIME 2012 EVENT
9/15
10 am - Noon		 Wetlands and Watersheds
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.
9/15
2 pm - 4 pm		 Wahdo:Gwas Wetland Inventory
Meet at North Dakota Pavilion.
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
10/6
9 am - Noon		 Arboretum Service Day
Meet at Grant Grove.
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
10/6
1 pm - 3 pm		 Arboretum Tour with Dianne Machesney
Meet at Grant Grove.
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
10/18
1 pm - 2 pm		 Thursday Adult Nature Walk Presentation
Meet at Ranch House.
Pre-registration required. To register call (724) 935-2170.
11/3
10 am - Noon		 Native American Story Pole and Story Telling
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
11/3
1 pm  - 3 pm		 Native American Flute and Display
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.  
12/29
7:30 - 11:30 am
and/or
1 pm - 4 pm		 Christmas Bird Count
Meet at Rose Barn.
Pre-registration required.  To register call (724) 935-2170.

Special Group Programming

To schedule your group, call (724) 935-2170.
Scheduling for programs for the year 2013 will begin September 1, 2012.

Programs (subjects relative to Pennsylvania) are available to school, scout, public and private groups by special request September through May, Monday through Friday, morning, afternoon, and after school hours, on or off site (northern Allegheny County).

Most of these programs can accommodate special needs persons and/or wheelchairs. Most programs will assist teachers in providing to their students the new state-mandated environmental education and ecology standards for Pennsylvania and are specially adapted for your classroom needs.

A reminder about Latodami Nature Center facilities: we have no running water; no public telephone; there is a handicapped port-a-john in the parking lot. Parking is limited at the Barn; for organized groups we recommend carpooling.

Programs available though Latodami Nature Center include:

  • Apples - Classroom apple activities and field investigations of Latodami Farm's remnant and restored apple orchards.
  • Box and Wood Turtles - Detailed in-class and field investigation on the Eastern Box Turtle and Wood Turtle. Also, information on and opportunities to become involved in (no spelling suggestions) new Box and Wood Turtle Research Project. Offered spring and fall.
  • Butterfly Meadow - Classroom and field explorations on regional species of butterflies and the special habitats they require.Offered spring and fall.
  • For the Birds - Classroom and field exploration on birds of the region and of efforts in North Park to provide critical habitats for nesting and migrating species.
  • Grassland Ecosystem - A hands-on field program on the restoration and ecology of a vanishing Pennsylvania habitat.
  • Owls - A detailed in-class and field investigation on native owl species of Pennsylvania. Pre, field, and post trip programs for schools include: Adopt-an-Owl activities, classroom food rearing opportunities, live barn owl webcam access, power point presentation, artifacts, pellet dissections, Barn Owl Barn tour, Night Owl Hike.
  • Wetlands - A hands-on detailed field program on the wetland ecosystem (yes, we get wet!)
  • Vernal Pools - Hands-on detailed field program on life in and around vernal pools. Offered spring and fall.

Other Program Titles:

  • These are special subject areas, relative to Pennsylvania, with detailed investigations into each; features, adaptations, changes, interrelationships, etc.
    • Forest Study
    • Wetland Study
    • Fish Study
    • Reptile Study
    • Amphibian Study
    • Pond Study
    • Bird Study
    • Stream Study
    • Tree Study
    • Insect Study
    • Mammal Study
    • Specific Animal Study
      (one species in detail)
    • Field/Meadow/Grassland Study
  • The following, relative to Pennsylvania, are general, broad topic programs, providing a lot of information without going into great detail:
    • Habitats
    • Seasonal Discovery
    • Vertebrate Study
    • Plant Study
  • Maple Syrup Making Demonstrations - February and March only.
  • Night Hike - Nocturnal creatures and sensory exploration.
  • Star Parties - Exploring the night sky with eyes, binoculars and telescopes.

Schools & Home-Schools:
Programs can be developed to meet curriculum needs for students of any grade level, from one hour classroom presentations to all day outdoor field experiences. Special habitat and trail adoption programs are available to schools and classrooms. Teacher training workshops are also available.

Private:
Private group programming can be developed to meet the interests of the group (e.g.: garden club, nursing/senior home). Volunteer opportunities abound.

Scouts:
Programs are available to Daisy, Brownie, Girl, Cub and Boy Scouts that are looking to accomplish activities that are in their handbooks (e.g.: achievements, electives, badges, try-its, etc.). These active hands-on outdoor programs are usually one hour to two hours in length. Individual and group service projects are available (e.g.: Silver, Gold, Eagle, Hornaday). I am a Boy Scout Merit Badge Councilor for Bird Study, Dog Care, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Insect Study, Mammal Study, Nature, Reptile and Amphibian, Soil and Water Conservation.

Call (724) 935-2170 for more information on our volunteer opportunities, service projects, special adoption programs and more!