University of Nature

It’s a day dedicated to in-depth learning for adults. We’ll begin with a town meeting, Philadelphia’s Climate Future: Hotter, Wetter, Weirder, giving you the latest information on the future of Philly’s weather. Then, choose from lecture and field experiences on topics like the history of the Schuylkill River, local geology, edible plants, pond ecology, even the use of balloons in creating aerial imagery.

Sessions include:

Philadelphia’s Climate Future: Hotter, Wetter, Weirder
Rich Freeh, Zakia Elliot, Robert Graff | 9:30 am–10:30 am
How will climate change impact Philadelphia? What will rainfall be like? Temperature? How far is the Delaware projected to rise? How will this affect our quality of life? And what can you do now to impact this? Join us for a town meeting on Philadelphia’s climate future. Rich Freeh, Senior Program Manager with the Office of Sustainability, first presents the data. Then he, the Sierra Club’s Zakia Elliott, and Robert Graff, climate change planner with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission engage you in understanding our climate future.

Aerial Imagery: Mapping Using Balloon and Kite

Leslie Birch, LandLab Artist and Drew Brown, Philadelphia Water Department | 10:45 am–11:30 am

Discover out how aerial imagery techniques, such as balloon and kite mapping, are making a real impact in our city and around the world. Environmental artist Leslie Birch and Philadelphia Water Department expert Drew Brown will lead a workshop on this easy citizen science activity. Leslie will share how this DIY technology has been applied in her own artwork at the Center while Drew will share aerial images pertaining to water use. Then we’ll do a field test with a balloon and kite rig!

The Story in Rocks: Geology of the Wissahickon Watershed

Sarah West | 10:45 am–11:30 am

Rocks record the history of a landscape—from the path of water flow, to the sediments it carried, to the plants that grew there long ago. Discover the history of the Wissahickon watershed as told by the rocks. We’ll learn how to identify the area’s five most common rocks, and learn how the famous Wissahickon schist was formed.

Foraging and Feasting: Edible Plant Walk

Eduardo Duenas, Schuylkill Center | 10:45 am–11:30 am
Hike our trails with Lead Environmental Educator Eduardo Duenas to learn more about the abundance of edible and medicinal plants on our property.  Discover the autumn treasures of our forest as we find, harvest, and taste a variety of plants and understand more about their many uses.

Fall Wildflowers: the Last Chance Cafe

Mike Weilbacher, Schuylkill Center | 11:45 am–12:30 pm

Goldenrod, asters, and other fall wildflowers provide critical food for insects needing to mate and lay eggs before winter sets in, and for migrating monarchs, fall meadows are last chance cafes for food and fuel. On an outdoor walk, learn the names and life histories of these extraordinary flowers.

Pond Ecology

Aaliyah Green-Ross, Schuylkill Center | 11:45 am–12:30 pm

Our ponds are teeming with biodiversity—from tadpoles and dragonflies to diving beetles and water scorpions. Take a dip into Cattail Pond to discover how this biodiversity supports a healthy ecosystem. We’ll learn the life histories of the aquatic creatures we find, and learn what these tiny creatures can tell us about the health of ponds and streams.

The Schuylkill Navigation: a Photographic History Tour

Sandy Sorlien, Fairmount Water Works | 11:45 am–12:30 pm

Fairmount Water Works photographer-educator Sandy Sorlien will present highlights of her recent documentary project, Inland: The Abandoned Canals of the Schuylkill Navigation, as well as some historic images of the locks, dams, and canals. Sandy has researched and photographed the entirety of this astounding 108-mile Navigation system. We’ll learn how Philadelphia’s locks and Manayunk Canal fit into this heritage, and learn the mysteries behind many of the historic artifacts left behind on our landscape. Sandy also offers a walking tour the next day, which participants are welcome to join.