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
Save
the date for BSWP's Picnic!
Sunday, October 4, 2026 — Details Below!
The Annual Watershed-Friendly Native Tree and Shrub
Sale is an online pre-order sale that allows customers to purchase trees and
shrubs from mid- to late July through late August, with pickup in the fall.
Sponsored by the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards. Information Here!
BSWP Field Trips www.botsocwpa.org
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
Sunday, August 16, 2026, 1:00 PM
Schenley Park, Allegheny County
Leader: Yale Cohen; yalecohen@alumni.cmu.edu Cell: 412-418-6950
Yale will lead us through woodland, lake, stream and field to showcase the best botany of Schenley. Our initial walk will be easy. We may continue on with more rigorous hill climbing after the initial walk.
Directions: Meet at the Schenley Park Visitor Center, 101 Panther Hollow Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Metered parking is free on Sunday.
GPS
coordinates: 40.4384, -79.9466
Google Maps
Link to Schenley Visitors Center
Sunday, August 23, 2026, 6:30 PM
North Country Trail near Cannelton
Leader: Ron Zagrocki; cell: (717) 580-5736
This section of the North Country National Scenic Trail is a well-maintained, scenic, and relatively easy-to-hike dirt footpath that winds through the wooded valleys of Beaver County.
Directions: From I-376 west, take Exit 31 - PA51/Chippewa. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Continue on PA 51 north for about 5 miles. Once you see a a flashing light at the intersection with PA 168, continue to the next traffic light for Cannelton Road. Turn left on Cannelton Road and continue 1.9 miles. At the second railroad crossing on Cannelton Road, start looking on the left side for the wooden North Country Trail Parking sign.
GPS
coordinates: 40.7988, -80.4792
Google Maps
Link to NCT TH Cannelton Rd
Sunday, August 30, 2026, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presque Isle 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 State Park program called "Fantastic Flora! - Beaches and Wet Sandplains”. Experience a unique assemblage of summer wildflowers like the Beach Pea, which is rare in Pennsylvania. We will meet at the Gull Point Kiosk, at the far east end of the Beach 10 parking lot. Field guides will be provided for groups to share. Participants will hike about 3 miles on loose sand. Bring bug spray/water/sunscreen. Limited to 25 participants.
Registration is required by August 27 at Fantastic Flora Registration. Register ASAP as this trip is limited to 25 participants.
GPS
coordinates: 42.1716, -80.0876
Google Maps
Link to Beach 10 Parking
Sunday, August 30, 2026, 2:30 PM
Paddle Lake Pleasant, Erie County
Rentals are not available. Contact Loree Speedy to
let us know you are coming, or if you have an extra boat seat or boat.
724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com
Since a merry band of members will be in the Erie area for Andrew’s Fantastic Flora, join us for a paddle on Lake Pleasant at 2:30 PM.
In the headwaters of French Creek, this is the most pristine and scenic of northwestern PA’s natural inland glacial lakes. Boating is restricted to non-motorized watercraft like kayaks and canoes. Learn more about Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Lake Pleasant Conservation Area here.
Lake Pleasant is about 24 miles south of Presque Isle’s Gull Point (a 50 minute drive), and about 2 ¼ hours from Pittsburgh. We will meet at the canoe/kayak launch on the western shoreline.
Bring your own boat. An accessible trail, boardwalk and canoe/kayak launch is located along the western shoreline. To avoid spreading invasive species, boats and other gear must be thoroughly cleaned and allowed to completely dry prior to entering the lake.
An accessible trail and boardwalk is located along the western shoreline for those who wish to walk instead of paddle.
GPS coordinates: 42.0039, -79.9025
Google Maps
Link to Lake Pleasant Western Shore Access
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10:00 AM
Duff Park from Roberts Trail Access
Westmoreland
County
Leader: Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022
loreespeedy@gmail.com
We will meet at the Visitor Center along US 22, aka the Roberts Trail Access.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-376 east (Parkway East) to its end at US 22 East - Murrysville. Travel US 22 for about 4 miles to the intersection of Trafford Road (McDonald’s on the left). Continue along US 22 about 7/10 of a mile. At The Fireplace and Airgas businesses, turn right into the new Robert Trail Access, where we will meet.
GPS coordinates: 40.4270,
-79.6840
Google Maps
Link to Roberts Trail Access
Join us Sunday, October 4, 2026 for the BIENNIAL BOTANICAL SOCIETY PICNIC
We will gather at North Park in Allegheny County. We have reserved “The Cabin” with picnic tables and kitchen facilities, which include a stove/oven, refrigerator and sink. The cabin has restrooms.
Plan to arrive between 11 and 12 noon. Feel free to bring a side dish to share.
We love our online monthly meetings by Zoom —happy speakers, less traffic, no search for parking. But we miss the face-to-face social time.
Mark your calendars. More details to come!