— Build-a-Birdhouse Contest — The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve will celebrate birds at the ninth annual spring garden gala April 28. The gala will highlight the importance of native plants and intact habitat to the amazing diversity of birds that migrate through, or nest at, the preserve. In keeping with this avian theme, there will be a special effort to raise funds for revitalization of the Audubon Birding Trail, which was damaged by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee last summer.
A new elevated walkway is planned that will replace the existing ground level trail. The new birding walkway will take visitors above the Pidcock Creek floodplain and will feature educational stops along the way focusing on the many ways our native plants provide food or shelter for local bird life, and the many ecosystem services birds provide for the plants, such as pollination and seed dispersal.
As part of this fundraising effort, the preserve is holding a build-a-birdhouse contest. If you are an artisan, crafter, or woodworker, build a birdhouse to help restore the Audubon Birding Trail!
Prizes will be awarded for the most creative birdhouse and the most bird-friendly birdhouse. All of the birdhouses will be auctioned, sold or displayed at the preserve’s spring garden gala; sold at the preserve’s plant sales and in the gift shop; or hung in the preserve for the birds.
Proceeds from the auction or sale of birdhouses will benefit the Audubon Birding Trail.
Drop birdhouse off at the preserve by March 15. For more information about the build-a-birdhouse contest, e-mail Dee Dee Bowman at [email protected].
— Papermaking — You’re invited to a pulp party. Create colorful and unique handmade paper. Using blenders, recycled paper, and a mold and deckle, Make one-of-a-kind pieces of paper. Get a jump-start on special occasion cards, create scrapbooking paper, or make stationery. Bring a cardboard box or box top in which to carry paper home. For ages 6 and up. This program will take place from 3-4 p.m. on March 10 at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. Registration required by March 8.
— Knowing Native Plants: Signs of Spring — The promise of spring is just around the corner. Meet the early flowering plants and learn how they have adapted to this potentially harsh time of year. This program will focus on early-blooming species, such as snow trillium, skunk cabbage, and hepatica. Presentation/discussion followed by an outdoor tour. This program will take place from 1-4 p.m. on March 24 at the preserve.
— Introduction to Invasive Plants — Discover the preserve’s most unwanted! Learn about the problems caused by invasive plants — plants that take over and compete with native plants. Find out which species are of concern at the preserve and beyond, and the methods we are using to control these exotic intruders. preserve staff will introduce you to invasive plants through a presentation and short video. This program will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. on March 31 at the preserve.
The preserve’s Visitor Center is at 1635 River Road (Route 32) in Solebury Township. The center is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year-round. The grounds are open 8:30 a.m. to sunset. For program fees and other information, visit www.bhwp.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 215-862-2924.

