Mengel Natural History Society 2026-2027 Berks County, Pennsylvania .Updated September 20, 2026. Return to Berks County Nature home page.

The Mengel Natural History Society originated as the Natural History Hikers in the 1930's, was renamed the Mengel Natural History Society in 1941, and incorporated as a non profit organization in 1956.

The By-Laws state: "The purposes of the Society are the stimulation of interest and study in natural history in all its branches, the promotion and diffusion of scientific knowledge, and the creation of the scientific spirit."

If you are interested in joining the Society, you may pay dues at any meeting or mail them in. 
Dues year is September to September,  Download dues form (2026-2027) as PDF
New form uploaded 20Sep2026.

      September 25, 2026    Friday 7:30 PM
"Bats Hanging in the Balance" by Karen Waltemyer , Naturalist for Lancaster County Parks Department for 20 years. Karen has been a lover of the natural world her entire life with a soft spot for the misunderstood underdogs like bats. She is an avid camper, hiker, rockhound and gardener who loves observing all parts of the natural world. Program followed by our Fall Native Plant Exchange and Giveaway.
All welcome. Children Friendly. Free.

  October 23, 2026       Friday 7:30 PM     
"Patrolling the Paw Paws" by member Robert Noll. Robert has had an interest in butterflies since a presenter brought his collection to his kindergarten class for a display. He captured his first butterfly at the age of 12, a Black phase Tiger Swallowtail. He continues to collect, photograph and design host plant habitats for various species. His primary interests are the Zebra Swallowtail and the Giant Swallowtail. Program followed by the Fall Seed Exchange and Give-away.

  November 11, 2025        Tuesday 7:30 PM     
This program will be held at the Reading Public Museum
"Archeology of Syracuse, Sicily".   Join Alena Woolwine, a graduate of the American University in Rome, Italy as she takes us through the unique history and archaeology of Syracuse, Sicily. Joint meeting with the Berks Mineralogical Society at their meeting location and day of the week. Enter at the back of the Museum on South Parkside Drive.

  December 11, 2026       Friday 7:30 PM.
"Birds and Other Nature, Near and Far" by Armas Hill, retired nature guide for Focus on Nature Tours, and formerly voice of the Philadelphia Birding Hotline, a weekly telephone recording of noteworthy bird sightings. He will have many interesting birding and nature stories. Joint meeting with the Baird Ornithological Club on their meeting night.

   January 22, 2027    Friday 7:30 PM         
"Members' Night" Members' opportunity to present. Program will consist of three or four short programs by members. See an officer if you have a program to share.

   February 26, 2027  Friday 7:30 PM         
"Local Science Students Symposium" Sponsored by Nolde Forest EE Center and Mengel Natural History Society." Programs by local students showing how their research investigations have added to our knowledge of nature. Programs to be announced closer to February.

   Some time in late February or March.
Herp Helper Night for Spotted Salamanders at French Creek State Park.
Contact Lori Soraparu () to get on e-mail contact list. See a few or dozens of spotted and four-toed salamanders, wood frogs and other herps. This event happens every year. You and your children should see it at least once in your lifetime. Volunteers must check in at the French Creek State Park Headquarter lobby (located on Park Road, 843 Park Rd, Elverson, PA 19520) to sign in, pick up a reflective safety vest and a data collection sheet. You are welcome to participate even if it is for just a portion of the evening. Emergence is weather dependent. Often a windy or foggy night, always rainy. More information.

  March 26, 2027               Friday 7:30 PM     
"The surprising benefits of spotted lanternflies to honey bees and (humans?)" by Dr. Robyn Underwood, Penn State Extension's Educator of Apiculture (beekeeping). She conducts research and teaches about honey bees and beekeeping.   Spotted Lanternflies are invasive insects that first became established in Berks County and are despised wherever they spread. However, they have some surprising benefits. As phloem feeders, spotted lanternflies ingest much more sugar and water than they need. As a result, they produce copious amounts of honeydew, a sugary waste product. Honey bees collect the honeydew, bring it back to the hive, and process it into honey. This honeydew honey is then consumed by honey bees and humans alike. Testing of this unique honey is showing promising results that it could be classified as medical grade and used for wound healing. Come hear the story and taste this special variety of honey. All welcome. Free.
(Photo of Spotted Lanternflies Dec. 2014 Berks County)

  April 23, 2027    Friday 7:30 PM  
"Common Herps of Southeastern PA." by Rudy Arceo founder of the Keystone Herpetology Institute. He will describe them and some of their life histories and why they are unique.
Program followed by our annual Spring Wildflower Exchange and Giveaway.
All welcome. Free.
Photograph courtesy of Keystone Herpetology Institute.

   April 24, 2027    Saturday 10 AM    FIELD TRIP -
"Butterfly, Bird, and Botany Walk" on Neversink Mountain. Butterflies, birds and plants. We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. A checklist of the 59 species of butterflies known from the mountain will be provided. Meet at S. 10th and South Street Reading. Park on South Street. Joint walk with  Baird Ornithological Club . Leaders: Karl Gardner, 610-987-3281, and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461. All welcome. Children friendly. Free.
Photograph is of a Brown Elfin, a scarce spring flying butterfly found in only a few Berks Co. locations.

May 14, 2027, Friday. 4 PM "Indoor/Outdoor Social Event". Nature outside, social with food inside. More details later. Joint meeting with the Baird Ornithological Club.

   June 5, 2027    Saturday 10 AM - noon    FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" at Blue Marsh. We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. A checklist of the 48 species of butterflies known from the park will be provided. Meet at the Blue Marsh Visitor's Center off of Palisades Drive. Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281 and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461. All welcome. Free. Photograph is of an Eastern Comma.

   June 12, 2027       Saturday 10 AM - noon FIELD TRIP
"Dragonflies & Damselflies at Hay Creek-Birdsboro Reservoir"  Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club. 
An opportunity to visit this interesting habitat with others who can identify the dragonflies, damselflies, and other insects, animals, and plants found here. Meet at Old 82 & Parking Area, 2000 Hay Creek Rd, Birdsboro, PA. From traffic light at Rtes. 568 and 724 in Gibraltar, take 568 west approximately 1.5 miles and turn left on White Bear Rd. Drive 4 miles through 2 stop signs and turn left on Hay Creek Rd. Drive to the dead end and park on the shoulder. Coordinators: Mike Slater (paplantings@gmail.com), Todd Underwood (underwoo@kutztown.edu) & Karl Gardner (610-987-3281). Binoculars and a camera will be helpful. For a good look we will capture some insects and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. All are welcome. Children Friendly. Free.

  
July 10, 2027           Saturday 8:30 PM  to  ?  FIELD TRIP 
"Moth Night at Nolde Environmental Edu Center."  A joint event with the Baird Ornithological Club.   Jim Eckert will present an introductory program in McConnell Hall at 8:30 pm. Enjoy the moths, katydids and other nighttime invertebrate as leaders bait trees and hang sheets to bring in the night insects.
A camera would be helpful. Who knows what will turn up?  Meet at picnic area behind main parking lot. Use main entrance from PA-625 and turn left at "T". Leaders are Jim Eckert (610-373-1064) and Ryan Woolwine (484-883-6461). All are welcome. Children Friendly. Free.
Here are photographs of 29 of the many species seen on this walk in July 2021.

  
July 24, 2027    Saturday 10 AM - Noon     FIELD TRIP
"Wildflowers and Pollinators: Union Meadows West" A meandering path through this former ball field converted to a pollinator meadow provides good access for observing and netting a variety of species. Route 724 (East Main St., Birdsboro) (turn opposite St. Michael's Cemetery) parking in the ball field lot. Leader: Mike Slater. Coordinator: Linda Ingram (610-621-7473). Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club. All are welcome. Children Friendly. Free. Bad weather will cancel (or reschedule).
Photograph is of a seldom seen Juniper Hairstreak.

   July 31, 2027        Saturday 10 AM - noon FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" at Green Hills Preserve We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. A checklist of the 40 species of butterflies known from the park will be provided. Take PA-10 south to PA-568. Turn right (west) for 1/2 mile to Gunhart Rd. Turn right. Park on right in about 1/4 mile. (553 Gunhart Rd., Mohnton, PA 19540) Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281 and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461. Bad weather will cancel (or reschedule). All welcome. Children friendly. Free.

   August 14, 2027    Saturday 10 AM - noon    FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" at Angelica Park. We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. A checklist of the 38 species of butterflies known from the park will be provided. Take PA-10 south from Lancaster Avenue 1-1/4 miles. The park entrance road is on the right at the big masonry sign for Alvernia University. Turn right and park at the first parking area on the right. (575 St. Bernardine Street) Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281 and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461. Bad weather will cancel (or reschedule). All welcome. Free.
Here is a list of the 38 species seen on 7 walks from 2017 to 2025 at Angelica Park.

To receive email notices of programs and field trips sponsored by the Mengel Natural History Society send an email request to