BSWP 2021 Zoom meetings
View BSWP's May 2022 Zoom meeting.
The Society meets monthly from September through June on every second Monday of the month at 7:15 p.m. For now, our meetings take place via Zoom.
Members who have joined the BSWP e-mail list will be contacted and e-mailed an invitation (link and password) to each monthly meeting.
Directions to in-person meetings, when held
To Ford Mateer Classroom of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History:
The entrance to the parking lot, which is gated, is just past the Museum at the intersection of Forbes and Craig Street. The Ford-Mateer Classroom is reached through the Portal Entry in the rear parking lot area. Once inside the building, the room is located just beyond the Security desk on the left. In addition to the Museum parking lot, which costs $6, there are metered spaces on Forbes Avenue opposite the Museum and along Craig Street that are free after 6 p.m. From there you will cross the street and walk through the right side of the gates to the parking lot. Continue on the sidewalk to the rear of the building where you will see the sign for “Portal Entry” ahead.
If you do not park in the Museum’s lot, from Forbes Avenue, walk along the right side of the parking toll gates to the parking lot. Continue on the sidewalk to the rear of the building where you will see the sign for "Portal Entry" ahead.
Directions to the Carnegie Museum
http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/interior.php?pageID=36
Registration for Botanical Society field trips is not required. Everyone is welcome, including non-members. Trips last 3 to 4 hours but one can leave at any time. For questions, contact the field trip leader or Loree Speedy at (724) 518-6022 (cell) or loreespeedy@gmail.com. Add these BSWP field trips to your Google Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Ym90c29jd3BhQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1:00 PM
Buttermilk Falls off the Cowanshannock Trail
Armstrong County
Leader: Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022
We will meet at the Bernard C. Snyder picnic area, located just off of State Route 1033 and McMillen Road north of Kittanning. A newly completed 1¼ mile crushed limestone trail leads to a secret Buttermilk Falls!
Directions: Travel PA 28 North to the exit for PA-28N/US 422/ Kittanning. Continue straight onto PA28N/PA66N/New Bethlehem. In 3 miles, turn left onto Iron Bridge Road. After ¾ mile, make the first right onto McMillen Road. Continue 2 miles to trailhead parking on the right.
GPS
coordinates: 40.85066, -79.50721
Google Maps Link
to McMillen Rd Trail Parking
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1:00 PM
Trolley Line Trail, Erie National Wildlife Refuge, Crawford County
Leader: Yianni Laskaris; wildlife biologist at Erie National Wildlife Refuge.
Trolley Line Trail is a 1.9-mile one-way trail in the Seneca Division of Erie National Wildlife Refuge. Wildflowers and historic bridge foundations are highlights of the primitive trail, which follows an old railroad track. There are some short inclines with rope railings, but otherwise much of the trail is a wooded old rail bed which makes for easy walking.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-79 north to Exit 154 Saegerstown/Conneautville/PA 198. Turn right (east) on PA Rte 198 for 2.9 miles. Turn left on US Rte 19/6 north for 8 miles to Cambridge Springs. Pick up PA Rte 408 and travel east about 5 miles to the corner of Rte. 408 and Swamp Road, the trailhead for the Trolley Line Trail.
GPS
coordinates: 41.77182, -79.97396
Trolley Line TH
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM (Day 1 of 2!)
Dolly Sods Natural Area
Tucker County, West
Virginia
Leaders: Mary Ann Pike
cell: 412.855-8239; mapike@earthlink.net and
Loree Speedy: 724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com
Canaan Valley is approximately 140 miles from Pittsburgh. The Dolly Sods Area ranges in elevation from 2500 to 4700 feet above sea level. Cold temperatures and fog can occur anytime of the year. Please dress for the weather! Also, wear sturdy foot gear! Our second day itinerary is tentative as we will be scouting the area Thursday and Friday. Please feel free to join us Thursday/Friday May 14-15 as we scout the area.
Plan to attend the field trip for one day or both days. For information on accommodations (from resorts to camping) in Canaan Valley and the Davis, WV area, visit GetTuckered. Some suggestions: Canaan Valley Resort; The Inn at Canaan; Milo's Guesthouse.
We will meet at 10:00 AM in the lobby of the Canaan Valley Resort to caravan and carpool (if desired) to Dolly Sods. Bring a bag lunch; we will stop for lunch along the trails.
Directions: From the intersection of US 40, US 219 south and I-68 in Keysers Ridge, MD, take US 219 south to Thomas, WV. In Thomas, take Route 32 to Davis. Continue on Route 32; about 9-10 miles south of Davis, turn right into Canaan Valley Resort (a well-marked resort of Canaan Valley State Park).
Meet in the lobby; enter the doors and proceed straight to tables at the end of the lobby.
GPS
coordinates: 39.0240, -79.46577
Google Maps Link
to Canaan Valley Resort
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM (Day 2 of 2)
Idleman’s Run Trail & Canaan Loop
Road
Tucker County, West Virginia
We will meet at 10:00 AM in the lobby of the Canaan Valley Resort.
GPS
coordinates: 39.0240, -79.46577
Google Maps Link
to Canaan Valley Resort
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
11:30 AM gather for lunch • 12 NOON walk
Aunt Clara’s Fork, Washington County
Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192
We will meet and lunch at a bridge; no indoor restrooms available.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take US-22 west to the PA-18/Florence/Burgettstown exit. Turn left onto PA-18 North, continue 0.9 mile and turn left onto Purdy Road. Continue 2.4 miles and turn left onto Meadow Road. Continue 1.8 miles and turn right onto Ralston Road, a dirt road. After 1000 or so feet you will come to a small parking area. Park here and walk downhill to the bridge. We have special permission to visit this private property, so please respect the owner's wishes.
GPS coordinates: 40.44711, -80.50594 Google Maps Link to Aunt Clara Fork
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM
Erie Bluffs State Park, Erie County
Leader: Andrew Sipple; Environmental Education Specialist at Presque Isle/Erie Bluffs State Parks
Member Andrew Sipple invites BSWP members to an upcoming Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs State Parks program called "Fantastic Flora! - Relict Sand Dune and Old Field Habitats" on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Discover late spring wildflowers while hiking approximately 2 miles through one of the rarest plant communities in the state. Explore an ancient sand dune! Field guides will be provided for groups to share. Bring bug spray and water.
Register by May 20, 2026 at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/fantastic-flora-relict-sand-dunes-and-old-field-habitats
Saturday, June 6 , 2026, 1:00 PM
Powdermill Nature Reserve
Westmoreland County
Leader: Mason Heberling; cell: 724-882-8603
We will hike through the forest to see a population of bog jacob's-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) that were planted in 2023 at Powdermill. These endangered plants were propagated by Longwood Gardens and planted in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Alliance . Meet at the Powdermill Nature Center.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike east to Exit 91/Donegal. At the end of the tollbooth ramp, turn left (east) onto PA 31. Follow PA 31 east for 2.7 miles. Turn left onto PA 381 North. Follow PA 381 North for 6.4 miles to the Nimick Nature Center on your left.
GPS coordinates: 40.16045, -79.27163 Google Maps Link to Powdermill Reserve