Updated
March 15, 2024
.....
** Berks County Nature **
Since 2002. Now at www.berkscountynature.org.
Nature Activities of Organizations in Berks County, Pennsylvania
This site contains information about programs, field trips, exhibits, and organizations relating to natural history in and around Berks County, Pennsylvania. Programs and events are open to the public.
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Mengel Natural History Society  To receive a monthly email notice of programs and field trips sponsored by the Mengel Natural History Society send an email request to .
Mengel Natural History Society
Updated (February 29, 2024).  
Baird Ornithological Club
BairdOrnithological Club flashbirdwalks
Baird Ornithological Club on Facebook
Lancaster Butterfly & Entomology Club Updated (3-14-24)
Lancaster Butterflies seen in 2024
(3 sp, Mar 3 sp) Updated (3-14-24)
Berks Butterflies seen by
month in 2024

(4 sp) Updated 3-15-24)
Seen in 2023 - 58 sp
Planetarium -Reading Public Museum

Reading Public Museum
Berks Birds seen in 2018
(250 species)

Berks County Butterfly Walks 2024  (9-18-23)
Neversink Mountain Butterflies 2017-2023
Yearly Berks Bird & Butterfly
Sightings; 2000-2023

Updated (6-20-23)
Berks Nature formerly Berks County Conservancy
Nolde Forest Environmental
Education Center
Berks Mineralogical Society

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Monocacy Hill Conservation Association

  Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club
Pike-Oley-District Preservation
Coalition
Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society
Quittapahilla Audubon Society
Lebanon  County
  Blue Marsh Lake
Orchids of Berks County, Pennsylvania by Hans Wilkens
A checklist published by the MNHS.
 Tulpehocken Chapter - Trout Unlimited
  Muhlenberg Botanic Club
  Periodical (17 year) Cicadas
Added to this page 11Jan2021.

 Green Lane Park
and Events Brochure

  Natural Lands
Over 100,000 acres preserved.

 Woolly Bears and Look-alikes in
Berks County, PA
  Blue Mountain Wildlife


 Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association
  Berks County RECYCLE info. New URL, May 2023


Don't Forget Other Great Local Sources for Natural History listed below

  

Mengel Natural History Society
 March 22, 2024    Friday 7:30 PM   
"Why are Common Terns no longer common?" Addressing population declines for Common Terns in inland waters of North America by Dr. Jennifer Arnold, Penn State University, Berks Campus/ Cornell University. Common Terns are small waterbirds that breed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Progressive population declines in recent decades have led to losses of nearly 70% in some inland areas of North America. These birds are protected under state endangered species legislation in all Great Lakes states but only a very small number breed in Pennsylvania. I will discuss the plight of Common Terns across their inland range and possible approaches for restoration and management.
All welcome. Free. Held at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, on PA-625 2 miles south of PA-724. (2910 New Holland Road, Reading, PA.)

Lancaster Butterfly and Entomological Club

April 1, 2024         Monday 7:00 PM
"Surprising Lepidoptera - Accounts from Field Trips and Class Material of an Amateur Entomologist" by Jess Bock. Her talk will include some of her photography, and a summary of her favorite scientific papers that were discussed in class, with nods to April fools day via examples of camouflage, mimicry, and other surprising butterfly behavior and adaptations. Jess was born and grew up in Medellin Colombia to two herpetologist parents so she spent a lot of time outside. She went to college in Bar Harbor, Maine at the College of the Atlantic. Traveling around Colombia to different ecosystems and spending ix weeks in Costa Rica provided the material for her talk. Meeting is at the North Museum, 400 College Avenue at Buchanan Avenue, Lancaster, PA. Enter at the front door facing the intersection. All welcome. Free.
Photograph by Jess Bock.

  
Mengel Natural History Society
 April 26, 2024    Friday 7:30 PM   
"Microbial Naturalists - Observing the Invisible" by Jamie Becker, Assist. Prof. of Biology, Alvernia University. Observing life is a bit tricky when your subjects are invisible. Learn how microbial ecologists meet this challenge using the universal language of life on Earth and how democratized microscopy is empowering microbial naturalists. Lecture is followed by our annual Spring Wildflower Exchange and Giveaway.
All welcome. Free. Held at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, on PA-625 2 miles south of PA-724. (2910 New Holland Road, Reading, PA.)

The SPOTTED LANTERNFLY (Lycorma delicatula)
What to look for
And more at
Management Guide, Identification, and Life Cycle

This insect (a plant hopper native to SE Asia) was discovered for the first time in North America in September 2014. It is a potential threat to an array of plants from herbaceous plants to trees, not only locally, but for the continent.

How many food
calories in a gallon of
gasoline?
FOOD to GASOLINE
Most of us know how many food calories an adult needs per day, so in the debate over making ethanol from corn to replace gasoline, wouldn't it be nice to know how many food calories there are in a gallon of gasoline? Can you skip breakfast and drive to work on the energy you didn't eat?
The answer is: the number of food calories in a gallon of gasoline is 31,500
For most adults this is the energy in about two weeks of food.
YOU can calculate this. How to calculate page.
Butterfly Enthusiasts
There is a small informal group of local butterfly collectors/observers in Berks Co. If you are interested in butterflies and would like to meet this group, contact. You are also invited to the butterfly walks found at the link at the top of the page.
You may contact the web master at the same address.
Other Great Local Sources for Natural History Activities and Information
Jack's Backyard, hosted by Jack Holcomb, on Saturdays at 8 to 10 am on WEEU, 830 AM, announces natural history activities at 8 am followed by 2 hours of call-ins and interviews about natural history.
      Berks County Nature was created January 29, 2002.