Change of Speaker April 11, 2019

Thursday, April 11, 7:30 pm. Dianne Machesney presented The Spotted Lanternfly. Dianne Machesney is a Penn State Master Gardener and a naturalist with a life long love of gardening and nature. The Spotted Lanternfly is a particularly devastating invasive insect making its way westward across Pennsylvania. Dianne addressed what we all need to look out for as we prepare for this serious agricultural pest, and what to do if you find one. Call 1-888-4BAD-FLY 1-888-422-3359.

Members were good sports and wore the paper Spotted Lanternfly hats, provided as a good way to remember what to look for. As an encore, information was given about the Asian Jumping Worm, another invasive that is already present in W. PA.

Is there a bug on me?!!

Field Trip with Botanical Society of W. PA.

Sunday, March 31, 2019, 1:00 PM

Little Sewickley Creek outside of Herminie. Westmoreland County

This is a favorite trip for early spring ephemerals and Snow Trillium. The walk is easy along an old railroad grade.

Directions: Take the PA Turnpike to Exit 67-Route 30/Irwin/Greensburg. Take the Route 30 East/Greensburg ramp. At the first stoplight on Route 30, turn right onto Arona Road, then another right after 0.5 mile onto unmarked Wendel Road. Travel this road 3.7 miles to a T. Turn right at the T and continue 1 mile to Herminie to a 4-way stop (VFD on corner). Continue straight to the next stop sign and turn left. Proceed through 2 more stop signs, end at a T, and turn right. Continue past the Dairy Queen on your right and continue down a hill; we will meet just before the highway bridge. Park on the left side.

These directions are difficult as roads are unmarked and state roads through Herminie sometimes look like alleys.
If you can use them, the GPS coordinates will likely take you by a more direct route. GPS coordinates: 40.26050, -79.72700.

2019 Outings Being Planned

Expect to find Snow Trillium on the Little Sewickley Creek hike on March 31st.

Our first outing of the season will be Sunday March 31st at Little Sewickley Creek in Hemanie. Leader will be Loree Speedy. 724-518-6022

April 6 Cedar Creek Leader: Judy Stark

April 26 Butler/Freeport Trail – Monroe Rd. section 10:00 AM Leader: Dianne Machesney

April 27 Indian Creek Valley Trail near Camp Christian, 10:00 AM Leader: Judy Stark

June 28 Shollards Wetlands 10:00 AM Leader Dianne Machesney

July 26 Jennings Prairie 10:00 AM Leader Dianne Machesney

Details to follow. If you have a suggestion or are willing to lead a hike, please call Judy Stark, the club Outings Coordinator at 412-327-9537