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Dove
Tales
Spring 2025
Welcome to Dove Tales, an informative e-blast to our most ardent PVNC supporters. Here you’ll find links to upcoming programs, volunteer and membership news, and updates on projects. We hope this provides the resources you need to stay informed and engaged!
Director's Note
Dear Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center,
As spring breathes new life into Peace Valley Nature Center, we’re excited to share some exciting updates with you!
Facility Renovations: Renovations to the solar building and surrounding garden are continuing, with upgrades that will enhance visitor experiences, provide improved storage for program materials, and better support our dedicated volunteers. We’re making great progress, but since many projects are happening simultaneously, we don’t have a firm reopening date just yet. Keep an eye on our social media and website for updates—we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the visitor center soon!
Summer Camp Openings Available: Looking for a fun and educational way for your child to spend time outdoors this summer? Our summer camps are filling up fast, but there are still openings available! Kids will explore the wonders of nature through hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and interactive learning experiences. Don’t wait—register today!
Save the Date: Mark your calendars for our Annual Membership Meeting on May 17! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members, hear updates on our progress, and share your ideas as we move forward.
50th Anniversary Kickoff: Later this year, we’ll begin celebrating 50 years of Peace Valley Nature Center! Stay tuned for special events, programs, and opportunities to reflect on our rich history while looking ahead to an exciting future.
Your ongoing support helps us continue these important projects and ensures that Peace Valley remains a vibrant, welcoming space for nature lovers of all ages. Thank you for being part of our community!
See you on the trails,
Kelly Joslin
Director - Naturalist
TRAIL & GARDEN REVITALIZATION UPDATES
Great progress has been made on trail rehabilitation and garden enhancements - part of our Trail and Garden Revitalization Project. These improvements will create safer, more accessible trails and vibrant garden spaces for all visitors to enjoy. If you’d like to support these efforts, we’d love your help! Click here to donate!
Trail Work Underway
How exciting is this? Trail improvements began on Pine Path last fall at Peace Valley Nature Center. This project, done in cooperation with Penn Trails and General Services, focuses on creating a more durable and user-friendly arterial loop that enhances access for patrons and visiting school groups.
These upgrades will continue along Pine, Pond, Wood's Edge, and Lenape Paths in 2025, and allow more people to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of PVNC.
Two new footbridges were installed on sections of the Pine Path during trail improvements in November 2024. Additional boardwalks will be installed later this year.
Rain Garden Update
We’re making great strides in enhancing stormwater management around Peace Valley Nature Center. Soil work for our rain garden is complete and 2,200 native plants will soon be installed to further these efforts! This project, done in cooperation with Schumacher Landscape Design & Build, will reduce runoff, improve water quality, and provide essential habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
The new rain garden will help capture and filter stormwater, preventing erosion and protect habitats. We’re thrilled to take this important step toward a healthier, more sustainable landscape—stay tuned for updates as we bring this project to life!
The canvas is ready for 2,200 native plants!
SAVE THE DATES!
Friends of PVNC Annual Membership Meeting: May 17th
Annual Native Plant Sale: May 16th-18th
BCRR Let's Be Frank 5K - Benifitting FoPVNC: June 11th
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
As the days grow longer and nature awakens, there’s no better time to explore the wonders of spring at Peace Valley Nature Center! Our spring programs offer something for everyone—whether it’s discovering wildlife on a guided nature walk, getting creative with nature-inspired art, or enjoying family-friendly adventures that bring the season to life. Join us as we celebrate the beauty and renewal of spring with engaging, hands-on experiences that connect you with the natural world.
Seasonal highlights below, but be sure to visit our calendar of events to discover more!
Join a local birding expert for a guided bird walk at Peace Valley Nature Center! Discover and identify local birds as you learn and practice bird-watching techniques. Meet outside the PVNC Visitors’ Center at 8:00 am to begin your walk. This free event is open to ages 15 and up, and all experience levels are welcome!
No registration needed. Walk is weather dependent.
If you've wanted to begin watching birds, but didn't know where to start, here is your opportunity. We’ll start with bagels and coffee then learn the basics of field identification through visual and behavioral cues, as well as some common song recognition. Next we will head out to test our new found knowledge in the field. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Restoring the Riparian Buffer: Master Watershed Stewards and Volunteers Plant 655 Live Stakes at Peace Valley
A dedicated team of 25 Bucks County Master Watershed Stewards, trainees, and volunteers came together to install 655 live stakes along two small streams at Peace Valley Nature Center. This effort builds on work started in 2024, where some of the original live stakes survived despite drought conditions and are now establishing as young plants along the streambanks.
The Master Watershed Stewards not only contributed their expertise but also guided the new class of Master Watershed Steward trainees, along with enthusiastic volunteers from Peace Valley. Live stakes were installed along the perimeter of the streams and in areas where Christmas tree revetments were placed over the winter to stabilize the banks.
The live stakes, harvested from various sites across the county and the nature center, included a variety of native species:
These efforts play a crucial role in restoring the riparian buffer, helping to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and create habitat for local wildlife. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the stewards and volunteers, Peace Valley’s waterways are one step closer to a healthier, more resilient future!
Memberships for and donations to the Friends of PVNC provide funds for our environmental education program mission. We are fortunate to have a community that provides financial and volunteer support and look forward to your continued participation.
Joan Aichele
Elizabeth Fantini
Vanessa Lassin
Evelyn Reitz
Carol A. Amt
Doug Fell
Aisling Lavery
Beverley J. Rhinesmith Pape
Heather Andolina
Devon Fierman
Elaine Leetaru
Amy Rims
Karin Andolina
Dana Filter
Xin Li
Carson Rittenhouse
Sara J. Aponte
Suzanne Flood
Jenna Lilley
Justin E. Sadowski
Dan Bailey
Nancy Fortino & Deborah Hood
Michael Line
Kim Saysana
Sherri L Bassner
Lauren Frank
Beverly Lutes
Joseph Scherrer
Aaron Bauer
Cindy Freed
Thomas Lynch
Dale Schlegel
Kaitlin Beck
Tiffany Fresco
Eugene Macur
Virginia Schott
James M. Bell
Robert M. Garbaccio
Gena Maresca
Patricia Scott
Nancy Bison
Martha Garner
Wendy Margolis
Joseph Shaeffer
Hildy Bothwell
Jill L. Geiger
Cassandra Matthews
Laura Shirman
Sarah E. Bower
C. H. Graney
Jessica C. McDonald
Jessica Sirianni
Jessica Brown
Catherine Griffith
Sara J. McFadden
Laura Slingsby
Jeffery Bruni & Sharon Vogt
Ashlee Hall
Jade McGregor
Amy Smith
Ryan Bucknam
Marilou Hansen
Christine McKnight
Richard Smith
R. Jean Burch
Kim Hawksworth
Michael J. McNally
Lucas Solano
Stephanie Burns
Brenda Hendrickson
Pat and Lou Metzger
Ann Sorace
Lauren Buzi
David Hersh
Akasha Miller-Saenz
Michelle Spencer
Sarah Candido
Keri Hoffman
Betsy Moore
Yuliya Strizhakova
Wren Cannon
Melissa Hollinger
MaryAnne T. Morrone
Katherine Strommer
Sunny Capaldi
Leslie Hurley
Joan Mruk
Don Swartley
Linda M. Carangia
Nelly Ingraham
Katie Murphy
Haley K. Tarnowski
Darrell Card
Gina N. Italia
Jim Musselman
Scott Terry
Alyson Clark
Snehal Jadey
Eric A. Muth
Emeline Tinsman
Peggi Clauhs
Feifei Jia
Nicholle Neelans
Karen Ulmer
Terry W. Clemons
Tiffany Johnson
Lorrie Norman
Joseph & Jane Vacca
Rebecca A. Colburn
Peg Johnston
Mary Nowinski
Cheryl Varlaro
Cynthia Conwell
Lucy Jones
Marilyn O'Connell
Anne M. Walsh
Jamie Cortina
Eric Joseph
Laura Obermesik
Cynthia Walters
Kelly Cousineau
Kathleen Kaffenberg
Elizabeth O’Malley
Heather R. Wear
Adrienne Cunha
Deborah A. Keller
Deanna Otranto
Amy Weiner
Jennifer M. Cunning
Denise Keough
Annie Ottinger
Kelly Welsh
Gabriela Damone
Johnny King-Marino
Lauren Paul
Elizabeth Wendelin
Jennifer Danner
Mary Jane Kirkpatrick
Alexandra Pervizi
John Whalon
Bonnie DeLong
Raymond Kirsch
Abigail Peters
Elaine Whitaker
David Derstine
Michael Kozempel
Heide Pickens
Jennifer Whyte
Kathy Donovan
Aaron Kuhn
Eric Polachek
Tim Wismer
Ron Duck
Faryn Kunkle
Karen Poli
Heather Wolf
Eileen Edling
David Kutish
Casey Poretta
Andrew Young
Dru Erpel
Connie Laspee
Barbara Punturiero
Paul Zadworniak
DONATIONS
We are deeply thankful for the ongoing financial support from our members, friends, and neighboring communities. Your donations sustain our mission, enabling us to keep nature accessible and inspire others to protect our habitats and the wildlife that depend on them.
Click hereto see those who provided financial support in November, December, January, and February.
As the frost recedes and the days grow longer, Pennsylvania’s forests begin their incredible transformation from the stark stillness of winter to the vibrant greenery of spring. But how do trees know when to wake up? And what happens inside these towering giants as they prepare for the warmer months? Let’s explore the fascinating process behind Pennsylvania’s trees shaking off the cold and embracing the season of renewal. Continue reading...
PEACE VALLEY NATURE CENTER
(215) 348-6270
170 N. Chapman Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18901
40.3400° N, 75.1717° W
Trails open daily, dawn to dusk
VISITOR CENTER CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS
The Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, activities, and facilities. The official registration information of the Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center, Inc. may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling (800) 732-0999.
Bucks County Commissioners:
Robert J. Harvey Jr., Chair; Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, Vice-chair, & Gene DiGirolamo