Sunday February 25, 2024, 1:00 PM

Search for Winter Fruits and Seeds at Hays Woods, Agnew Road Trailhead,

Allegheny County

Leader:  Loree Speedy; (724) 518-6022/cell or loreespeedy@gmail.com

Directions: Agnew Road in Carrick is off of Becks Run Road, which can be reached from PA 837 in the South Side, or from PA51/Maytide St in the Overbrook neighborhood. Agnew Rd is 1.8 miles from PA 837 in the South Side, by way of Becks Run Rd, or 1.5 miles from PA 51 by way of Maytide St, Biscayne Dr and Becks Run Rd. 

At the intersection of Becks Run Rd and Agnew Rd, continue on Agnew Rd – it will zig zag through the neighborhood – for a little less than a mile to a parking area near a gate. 

GPS coordinates: 40.39829, -79.96317  Google Map Link

Hays Woods is a currently undeveloped city park. We will walk some mild rolling hills and gravel roads for winter plant id.

You Are Invited

When:  September 9, 2021     7:00 PM

What:  Wissahickon Annual Wine and Cheese Meeting

Where:  Fern Hollow Nature Center

               1901 Glen Hollow Road, Sewickley, PA 15143

The club will provide the wine and paper products.

  Attendees please bring cheese or another snack to share.

Agenda:  Since this is our first in-person meeting in over a year, we will devote the time to socializing with a short business meeting to discuss the future of the club.

Jennings Field Trip July 23, 2021

Friday, July 23,2021 10:00 AM Jennings Prairie, Leaders:  Dianne and Bob  Machesney

  (C) 412-523-0368

Visit the unique ecosystem at Jennings Prairie.

This is the perfect time to explore the relict prairie. The hot weather brings the stunning Blazing Star and some of the other dazzling summer flowers to peak performance. The goldenrods of fall will begin to show. Don’t miss the spectacular butterflies that grace the prairie with their breathtaking beauty. Flycatchers, vireos, tanagers, Common Yellowthroats and Cedar Waxwings sometimes make an appearance. We may come across a Red Eft, the larval form of a Red-spotted Newt.

Outings are free and open to the public. Bring your friends. Trails are wheelchair accessible.Wear a hat and sunscreen. Bring binoculars, field guides, water and a lunch.

Directions From Pittsburgh: take I-79 North to Exit 99, New Castle/ Butler. Drive east on Route 422 roughly 5.8 miles to the Prospect Exit. Turn left (north) onto Route 528.

Continue on Route 528 for about 7 miles. Meet in the Jennings Environmental Center Parking Lot on the left (west) side of the road.

June, 2021 Field Trips

Saturday, June 5, 2021, 9:00 AM

Work Day at Fringed Gentian Fen and Plain Grove Fen Natural Areas, Lawrence County

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is having a Volunteer Land Steward Work Day at Fringed Gentian Fen Natural Area and Plain Grove Fen Natural Area.  Let’s show our appreciation for the conservation of these areas by joining them for invasive plant removal, woody vegetation control and tree-planting maintenance.

For additional information, go to:  https://waterlandlife.org/volunteer/ , Select “Current Volunteer Opportunities, and the Sat., June 5 event. For questions, contact Andrew Zadnick, Director of Land Stewardship at azadnik@paconserve.org or (412) 977-9681 (cell).

We will meet at 9:00 AM along Frew Mill Road in Shenango Township.

Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-79 North to Exit 99‑US 422. Turn left onto US 422 west and travel 7 miles. Turn right at PA 388 North and continue 1.2 miles to Frew Mill Road. Turn left onto Frew Mill Road and continue 0.7 mile.

GPS Coordinates: 40.9904, -80.28111

Sunday, June 13, 10:00 AM

South Sandy Creek in State Game Land 39, Venango County

Leader:  Ron Zagrocki; Cell:( 717) 580-5736

Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-79 north to Exit 121 for US 62 Mercer/Franklin. Turn right and continue 2 miles the point where US 62 turns to the left – but continue straight onto PA 965. Travel PA 965 for 8.5 miles to turn right onto Slatertown Road, a dirt road. Continue  2 1/4 miles to a gravel parking lot on the left. If you drive over an open-grate bridge, you’ve gone too far.

GPS coordinates: 41.29860, -79.94920

Saturday, June 19, 2021, 1:00 PM

Ferncliff Peninsula, Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County

Leader: Mark Bowers

Contact Information: 4beagles@verizon.net;

cell: (724) 454-4012

Directions:  From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike  to Exit 91 – Donegal. Turn east (left) on PA 31. Travel about 2 miles and turn south (right) on PA 381. Travel ten miles to Normalville to a stop sign.  Turn left onto PA 381 south and continue 11 miles to Ohiopyle. As PA 381 enters Ohiopyle, it crosses railroad tracks. Turn right just before the bridge over the Yough to enter the Ferncliff parking lot, where we will meet. 

Although the state park will be crowded with enthusiastic outdoor recreationists and sightseers, the inland trails will be quiet and ideal for a wildflower hike. We may first head to another hiking trail, so if you arrive late, please call Mark at 724-454-4012 or look for a note directing you to the correct trail.

GPS coordinates: 39.87150, -79.49320

Spring Field Trips 2021

 Everyone is welcome, including non-members. Trips last 3 to 4 hours but one can leave at any time. For questions, call the field trip leader or Loree Speedy at (724) 518-6022 (cell) or loreespeedy@gmail.com.

Sunday, March 28, 2021, 1:00 PM

Little Sewickley Creek at Herminie, Westmoreland County

Coordinator: Loree Speedy; loreespeedy@gmail.com; (724) 518-6022 cell

This is a favorite trip for 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.

Saturday, April 3, 2021, 1:00 PM

Cedar Creek Park, Westmoreland County

Leader: Mark Bowers; Cell- 724-454-4012; E-mail:  monada55@gmail.com

Directions:  From Pittsburgh, travel PA 51 south to its junction with PA 201 (just after Bills and Willowbrook Plaza). Continuing on PA 51, travel 2 additional miles to the traffic light for Concord Ln and turn left.  (This traffic light at Concord Ln can also be reached by I-70 exit 46B and continuing north on PA 51 to the northern Concord Ln intersection across from C Harper car dealership.) Traveling on Concord Ln, turn left onto Municipal Dr. Continue about 0.6 mile, pass Timm’s Ln, and turn left into the main entrance to Cedar Creek Park. Follow this road downhill, cross the bike trail, and turn left to continue through a series of parking lots until you reach the farthest parking lot, near the Gorge Trail.

GPS coordinates: 40.17830, -79.77820. (The road configuration near Concord Ln has just been modified, and GPS units and Google Maps have not yet been updated).

Sunday, April 11, 2021, 1:00 PM

Crouse Run Nature Reserve, Allegheny County

Coordinator:  Loree Speedy; loreespeedy@gmail.com; (724) 518-6022 cell

Directions: We will meet at the restaurant parking lot along Wildwood Road between PA Route 8 and North Park. At intersection of Wildwood Road and PA 8, head west for ½ mile to a restaurant parking lot on the left.   If you are coming from North Park, the restaurant parking is on the right, 1.1 miles from the Wildwood Sports Complex.

GPS coordinates: 40.59020, -79.95710

Spring Field Trips Planned

All activities cancelled/postponed until further notice because of the coronavirus and Gov. Wolf’s “stay home” order.

Sunday March 29th Hutchison, PA – for snow trillium- 1:00 PM

Saturday, April 18th Rock Point, Ellwood City.- abandoned amusement park – 1:00 PM

Weds. April 22nd Camp Guyasuta – spring wildflowers -10:30 am

Friday 4/24 Riverview Park – Wissahickon Cabin area Great Horned Owl on nest – 1:00 PM

Emails will be sent with more information and directions. Thanks to our outings chair: Judy Stark 412-327-9537

September 12, 2019 Meeting

We will kick off the new club year with a wine and cheese social and a presentation by member, Don Weiss. He will lead us on a scenic tour of the State of Washington. His photos will highlight birds, animals, flowers, scenic views and a few butterflies.

Come at 7:00 pm to socialize. Bring a snack/cheese or dessert to share. The meeting will start at 7:30 pm at Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, Sewickley, PA 15143. The club will provide the wine.

Jennings Field Trip July 26, 2019

Culver’s Root

Friday, July 26, 2019 10:00 AM Jennings Prairie, Leaders: Dianne and Bob Machesney (C) 412-523-0368
Visit the unique ecosystem at Jennings Prairie.
This is the perfect time to explore the relict prairie. The hot weather brings the stunning Blazing Star and some of the other dazzling summer flowers to peak performance. The goldenrods of fall will begin to show. Don’t miss the spectacular butterflies that grace the prairie with their breathtaking beauty. Flycatchers, vireos, tanagers, Common Yellowthroats and Cedar Waxwings sometimes make an appearance. We may come across a Red Eft, the larval form of a Red-spotted Newt.

Outings are free and open to the public. Bring your friends. Trails are wheelchair accessible.Wear a hat and sunscreen. Bring binoculars, field guides, water and a lunch.

Directions From Pittsburgh: take I-79 North to Exit 99, New Castle/ Butler. Drive east on Route 422 roughly 5.8 miles to the Prospect Exit. Turn left (north) onto Route 528.
Continue on Route 528 for about 7 miles. Meet in the Jennings Environmental Center Parking Lot on the left (west) side of the road.

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


Meeting October 11, 2018

Nineteen members met to hear Sarada Sangameswaran present  “From Black to Green: The Story of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.”  We learned how they are transforming an old coal-mining site into a beautiful botanic garden. This presentation  provided a brief history of the garden and details the land reclamation project that continue to restore our natural habitats  She showed pictures of the established areas and the future plans for creating a vibrant place for visitors to enjoy.  

Monica started off the meeting  by asking for interesting sightings.
Don was our hero by eliminating a pesky wasp.
Kathy listens and our speaker awaits her introduction.
Our speaker, Sarada Sangameswaran