Exploring The Jennings Prairie With The Wissahickon Nature Club

The Wissahickon Nature Club is unique.  While other nature organizations specialize — for example, in mushrooms or birds — the Wissahickon Nature Club prides itself on being the only general nature club in the Pittsburgh area.

That’s unique!

The club is named after a creek that runs through Riverview Park (the location of the club’s inception), and the name Wissahickon is a Native American word meaning “catfish.”  They currently hold bi-weekly meetings at Fern Hollow Nature Center in Sewickley (September thru May), and host monthly field trips throughout Western Pennsylvania.

In early August, I attended a wildflower walk at the Jennings Prairie in Butler County led by the club’s treasurer, Dianne Machesney.  As we meandered through the prairie, into the forest, and down into the wetlands, Dianne identified and discussed over 50 wildflowers.  Additionally, several members of the club pointed out the birds, butterflies, and insects of the prairie.  (It is a general nature club, after all!)

After the walk, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dianne about the Wissahickon Nature Club, and I’m excited to be sharing this video with you today!

Enjoy!

(Don’t forget to check out the club’s Learn Your Land profile, as well as their upcoming events, here!)

 
© 2024 Learn Your Land with Adam Haritan