Saturday, August 10, 2013, 10:00 a.m.

Preston Park, Butler Township, Butler County

Leader: Dave Heltzell of Volunteers of Preston Park.

A joint outing of the Botanical Society of Western PA and Wissahickon Nature Club.

Preston Park is an 88-acre English garden donated to Butler Township by Dr. Frank Preston, founder of Preston Laboratories, and Mrs. Jane Preston. Dr. Preston, a glass scientist, ornithologist, and ecologist, created and designed an English garden as a place to live, work and enjoy nature.  Dr. Preston apparently walked the entire property daily at dawn, in accordance with his origins in England where a deep interest in nature is a great pastime.

Park Volunteer Dave Heltzell will introduce us to the park’s significant historical and cultural resources, including Dr. Preston’s glass research laboratory. Preston Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now maintained by Butler Township. For more information, visit Butler Township’s Preston Park website

Directions: Travel I-79 north to Exit 83 – PA 528 toward Evans City. Travel PA 528 north for 2.6 miles to a T. Turn right at the T and continue east on PA 68 for 9 miles to Whitestown Rd (the first traffic light after the Butler Farm Show on the right).Turn right onto Whitestown Rd and continue 1 mile to turn right onto South Eberhart Road. Park entrance will be on the left.  The GPS address is 415 South Eberhart Road, Butler, PA  16

Outings are free and open to the public.

Join us on an outing to Jennings Prairie in Butler County, PA on Monday, July 29.

This is the perfect time to see Blazing Star, Whorled Rosinweed and sunflowers. American Goldfinches, Indigo Buntings, flycatchers, Common Yellowthroats and Cedar Waxwings make the prairie their summer home. Expect to see an amazing array of glorious butterflies. We may come across a Red Eft or catch a glimpse of the elusive Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake.

Meet leaders Dianne and Bob Machesney at 10:00am at the Jennings Environmental Education Center (across from Prairie parking lot) on the right (east) side of the road.
Google Maps: 2951 Prospect Rd. Slippery Rock, PA 16057, (724) 794-6011

Directions from Pittsburgh: Take I-79 North to Exit 99/Butler. Drive east on US 422 roughly 5.8 miles to the Prospect Exit, and turn left (north) onto PA 528. Continue on PA 528 for about 7 miles.

The Prairie is hot and shadeless. Wear a hat, sunscreen and appropriate hiking shoes. Bring binoculars and field guides. Bring a lunch and beverage, water and a snack for the trail.

Outings are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Judy Stark, Outings Coordinator (412)363-0462

Wissahickon celebrated its 70th birthday on June 23, 2012 with a picnic at Mingo Creek County Park.  Members from Wissahickon Nature Club, Three Rivers Birding Club, the Botanical Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Western PA Mushroom Club all joined to celebrate.

See the four PDF photo albums below.

• A beautiful summer day at Mingo Creek County Park
• Morning Bird Walk: Led by Bob Mulvihill and Bob Machesney
• Delicious lunch:  Kielbassa, cake and pot luck side dishes
• Butterflies and Bugs:  After lunch an outing in the meadow.